Legally cameras cannot replace mirrors when towing.     Mirrors allow you to see down the side of the van, to places that a rear view camera cannot see.    We have a rear view camera and  its very handy to see whats coming up behind, and occasionally use it when backing also, but also have Clearview mirrors that give a very different view and are extremely important.       

The Clearview mirrors replace the standard mirrors, are bigger and can be extended out when towing and pushed in when not towing, and are far better than any attached mirror we have ever used.    We have had somebody ask us why we didn't have towing mirrors, not realising that the Clearview mirrors were towing mirrors.

 

Hi. Ive sent you a private message about cameras and mirrors.

Im totally with what Doug and Meredith say about cameras and Clearview mirrors - they are brilliant !!!!!

I have fitted side cameras at front sides of the van as well as a rear camera. The side cameras provide a rear and side view down the complete side of the van even when turning where my Clearview tug mirrors cant. I can also see any vehicle approaching on either side particularly when passing an "on ramp" on a freeway as well as any vehicle sitting in the blind spot. The additional cost of the 2 side cameras was about $200 at the same time I purchased and fitted the rear camera. Also very good when reversing back into a narrow site or roadway.

G'day All

I'm not sure about the wording etc etc -but- as I also understand the rules, the driver MUST be able to view beyond the rear of the caravan whilst the car & caravan are travelling in a straight line down the road

So, as I understand it, the mirrors -must- extend beyond the width of the van so that the driver can see down the road behind the van

On our travels, I come across too many caravans where as I position myself behind them, I cannot see any mirror extending beyond the van, so I presume that the driver cannot see me either. I see caravans doing a slow wiggle left-right where the driver can then see what's behind the van, but this means the driver knows that "he's blind" ~ many drivers do not know they're blind, and we go for miles in a big long conga-line before the driver realises that he's blocking the traffic

Any thoughts?
Phil

I suggest you shop around. Prices vary considerably for the same equipment at different places. The thing that annoys me about Safety Dave's website is that there doesn't seem to be any prices listed. Makes it very difficult to compare to other who are selling exactly the same equipment.

Spydermann wrote:

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Thanks for the replies. Couldn't find anything for Australia hence the post but just found this UK item when I started looking for towing mirrors. I'm guessing that Australia is similar or the same.

www.caravanwise.co.uk/img/350x240xmilencotowing.jpg.pagespeed.ic.5Bbfpv8E_e.jpg

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 I don't think that that comes from any legal document. However it is a damn good diagram detailing the requirement for supplementary towing mirrors. If you are after legislative requirements I suggest you go to ADR-14- download it from here.

The diagram I posted above is just for the main mirror of a vehicle. Trucks are required to have convex mirrors that cover the side view closer than the main mirrors an have a wider field of view. They are also specified in the ADR. The standard door mirrors on our tug cover that requirement.

-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 22nd of May 2015 09:57:32 AM