driving mirrors

I am feeling like I might be setting a cat amongst the pidgeons here but here goes.

We asked at our local licencing centre about the legality of having a camera installed on the back of our off-road pop top van and was told it was OK. I am still a bit doubtful as to whether the information was correct as the inspector there did say he hadnt been asked that before. Anyway, we installed one - its hardwired not wireless. The screen sits it the centre of our Jeeps consol and honestly its just like looking in your rear vision mirror. We have a fantastic view behind and its set up so that along with our regular mirrors I would have to say there is very little chance of failing to see something.

We have been through a number of vehicle checks over the past 18 months since it was installed and never once has the police asked about towing mirrors. Then again they havent asked about how exactly we do see either. We are happy, no damage to the Jeep, no vibrating mirrors.

Interested to hear if anyone else uses this set up or has perhaps asked about the legality of it.

Hi Nicko,

Have just gone throught the same process, also have a patrol and like you are fussy about my car. 10 years as a vehicle spray painter will do that too you!

I didn't particularly like the way the aussie truck mirrors fit on the belt mold on the door, to me it looks like it would damage the belt mould. However i didn't actually fit it to my car to really see. I'm not sure i like the big buckle also that close to the door even if it does have a backing on it.

I haven't really looked at the magnetic type they just don't sit right with me, but thats just me, maybe some one else can give some more info on them.

I ended (by ended i mean purchased only yesterday) up going with Ora Rosso mirrors. They clamp and strap to the existing mirrors with a stabalizing leg that goes down the door and attaches with a suction style attachment. It says in the instructions that the suction should be released every 24 hours (painful) or it will leave a mark. But if it did i reckon it would just polish off with some descent cutting compound.

Anyway hope this helps a little.

Have a geek at this website....MIRRORS

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Just bought a new 18' van 2 weeks ago in Vic - got the Enzo magnetic mirrors (Ora) months ago - used them for the round about trip from Bayswater back to Adelaide. While there is some vibration in the actual view while mobile, they didn't move setting at all. The magnetic pad has a very solid grip - we wash the pads and the door before fitment - the only intrusion on the car is the plastic flange that goes down alongside the window glass - that seems harmless too. Our first van - first mirrors - but all seems well.

Very sorry should have been addressed to Nickooo7

T

Nick,

I use Aussie truck mirrors and find them excellent, quick and easy to attach and adjust.

So far they haven't damaged the rubbers and as for paint I have 2 strips of magnetic sign material I place under the straps.

Have a good one

I have tried many types of commercial type towing mirrors, none I must say were very satisfactory. I therefore designed and built my own towing mirrors.
These are made out of RHS and clamp onto my roo bar with 'U' bolts. I used two sizes of RHS which give me a telescopic type sliding effect. The inner section of the 'telescope' bolts onto the roo bar, by the 'U' bolts and the outer section slides inside the inner section and is locked down with a grub screw which allows the outer section to be removed when not towing the caravan. I have used 150 dia. convex mirrors and by using these 90% of visual vibration is eliminated.
I also us a 5" screen rear view (hard wired) reversing system.
I believe, like most things, that the various transport boards in Australia, have not kept up with technology and do not fully realise the benefits of rear view cameras.

Must have mirrors that enable driver to have clear view to the rear of the van/trailer etc. Reversing cams are not considered adequate.

Aussie Truck mirrors best suit my rig, and I have never had a problem with them.
Horses for courses I guess, as what works fitting and vision wise on one vehicle may not on another. Try before you buy I think.

BTW on this trip we are almost back home from, 8,000 k's so far, 600 to go, it has alarmed me somewhat as to how many vehicles I have encountered which either have no towing mirrors at all, or totally ineffective ones, with the driver sailing along, totally oblivious as to what is happening behind him.

Fred.

Just to let you know that at present Repco have mirrors virtually identical to Aussie Truck Mirrors on special at $69. Bought one yesterday. I think they are actually better quality than my ATM I bought 3/4 yrs back. The ATM has not marked my duco but i do have a few scratches on my window glass - i think at one point some dirt/grime got in there between glass and mirror support. but the mirror works very well for me.

Kevin

If you keep your doors clean then the mirrors will not damage them.

PeterD

I have the Aussie Truck mirrors, and while they haven't scratched my windows, they make a pretty loud scraping noise going up or down. In the velcro etc. section of Bunnings, I discovered a felt back adhesive tape, applied a strip to each mirror, and no more squeak. The mirrors seem to sit a little firmer with the tape attached also. $4.95 for a 1 metre roll. Cheers all.

Roger B....

Nicko,

I have a set of Aussie Truck mirrors. The mirror glass is conCAVE, ie it compresses the image and unless I do the knurled knobs up with pliers they eventually loosen and let the whole thing collapse onto the door. Very hard to correct while you're hooning down the road with a couple of tons hanging off the rear bumper.

I have since bought two ORA mirrors. I chose the ROSSA for the LH side with the suction support arm and the BIG RED for the driver's side with the magnetic support arm.

The Aussie Truck mirrors are in my shed. Make me an offer ........

cheers

Hi Nicko,

Something that I have been looking at exploring as well. I know that the Cab Chassis Patrol has an extension arm on the Factory mirrors, The main section of the mirror looks the same, so may be worth investigating if you could get those extension pieces and fitting it to your rig. I'm not sure how wide they go for your van? Would be interested to know if it was possible.