Can someone advise whether it is legal to use an always on back of caravan camera to REPLACE extended mirrors on the tug ???
Cheers
Paj
Far North Qld
-- Edited by pajamajero on Sunday 8th of May 2016 05:21:56 PM
TheHeaths said
05:35 PM May 8, 2016
My understanding is that the camera doesn't remove the requirement for correct rear view mirrors.
I would suggest that part of the reason would be that as an electronic device, if they fail you would be travelling blind to some degree.
KFT said
05:52 PM May 8, 2016
As I understand it the Australian road rules require a driver to be able to see traffic behind and to the side "by Reflection" so if the trailer you are towing is wider than the mirrors on the towing vehicle then mirrors are required.
This diagram gives the view required by ADR 14
Australian road rule 297 also has a requirement. see it here: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_reg/arr210/s297.html
Edit to say that KFT had posted while I was typing
-- Edited by Tony Bev on Sunday 8th of May 2016 05:57:10 PM
iana said
05:58 PM May 8, 2016
Yep, regardless you still have to have the rear view mirrors covering an arc of view on each side.
Ron-D said
03:00 PM May 9, 2016
The rear view camera fitted to my van is one of the best things I have fitted to the Van, it's nice not to have a blind spot and see what's following you at all times,
But there's no substitute for mirrors when reversing, The rear view camera is practically useless in my opinion for reversing the Van...
pajamajero said
03:37 PM May 9, 2016
Thanks for all the responses
It appears both would be the way to go
Cheers
Paj
Symo2540 said
05:51 PM May 9, 2016
Both is the way to go. I use mirrors to reverse van in then camera to make sure there is nothing behind where the mirrors can't see. Camera with audio as great as SWMBO can tell me what to do without he needs for radios.
Cheers
Delta18 said
07:23 PM May 9, 2016
Eventually when Laws catch up with technology it will be legal to have cameras only. They would need to be on the sides as well as the back as some trucks now do.
Much like the old days when electric indicators were first fitted to cars, we still had to use hand signals for a long time before it became illegal to put a hand outside the car.
Sparkster said
07:40 PM May 9, 2016
Just my two bobs worth.......
Something not mentioned here because it's probably been forgotten but the cameras lose their value during heavy rain when road grime etc. is picked up in the spray from passing traffic and your own car and covers the camera lense (s) leaving images almost obliterated until you get a chance to clean them.
I've found it very frustrating but just another PITA during wet weather driving.
Keith.
brickies said
07:52 PM May 9, 2016
Good point Keith
OutbackMK said
09:56 PM May 9, 2016
Just a note constable plod will drive up behind your rig, if he can't see the mirrors you will receive a fine.
I use the rearview camera (wired to rear vision mirror monitor) but also run extended mirrors to satisfy the law.
The camera is great as you can watch someone who gets right up your clacker and out of view as well as idiots deciding to pass 5 cars and a van down a long hill with a blind crest.
Both have their place, remember to remove or re-tract (if you are in the upper income bracket) the tow mirrors before you drop the van off and head into town (pod can pinch you for wide mirrors as well if no wide van attached)
Brian
Brenda and Alan said
01:23 PM May 10, 2016
My reading of the current ADR 14/02 2006 covering rear vision devices does allow for camera/monitor devices to replace mirrors. The only problem is they must be tested against the standard and marked with an approval No. to be legal. Although I don't know of any manufacturer who has gone through the approval process they are increasingly used in the trucking industry so there now may be some that are approved.
Alan
-- Edited by Brenda and Alan on Wednesday 11th of May 2016 09:09:47 AM
Phillipn said
03:40 PM May 11, 2016
KFT wrote:
As I understand it the Australian road rules require a driver to be able to see traffic behind and to the side "by Reflection" so if the trailer you are towing is wider than the mirrors on the towing vehicle then mirrors are required.
This diagram gives the view required by ADR 14
Australian road rule 297 also has a requirement. see it here: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_reg/arr210/s297.html
hope that helps
Frank
Frank, that is 100% correct. I know a fellow that was booked for not having the correct towing mirrors, he told the police that he thought that a camera was all he needed. Sorry the cop replied. Mirrors are needed to see down both sides of the van or motorhome.
Rob79 said
07:28 PM May 13, 2016
I was stopped for an RBT in North Richmond NSW one Sat night in Feb 2015 and the cop said my mirrors were too wide. I said they weren't as they are Clearview mirrors and they were retracted. He said who are Clearview and I told him " the manufacturer" OK then. Have you been drinking. I had had one small white wine and we left. What I am getting at is some cops will have a go even if they are unsure; this bloke was happy with my response about the mirrors but not with my breath not registering
macka17 said
01:25 AM May 29, 2016
Traffic cop gave me a warning. Yrs ago.
Said if he drives along behind me. and on looking ALONG the side of trailer/caravan whatever.
He can't see some part of the mirror.
He CAN book you.
Even if you don't need them (in your eyes) your wallet says make sure you have them there.
Hi Folks
Can someone advise whether it is legal to use an always on back of caravan camera to REPLACE extended mirrors on the tug ???
Cheers
Paj
Far North Qld
-- Edited by pajamajero on Sunday 8th of May 2016 05:21:56 PM
I would suggest that part of the reason would be that as an electronic device, if they fail you would be travelling blind to some degree.
As I understand it the Australian road rules require a driver to be able to see traffic behind and to the side "by Reflection" so if the trailer you are towing is wider than the mirrors on the towing vehicle then mirrors are required.
This diagram gives the view required by ADR 14
Australian road rule 297 also has a requirement. see it here: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_reg/arr210/s297.html
hope that helps
Frank
Hello pajamajero
Welcome to the forum, I am sure that some of the more seasoned travellers will be along to say hello
In regards to your question of
Is it legal to use an always on back of caravan camera to REPLACE extended mirrors on the tug
The following link to a similar questions, says no it is not legal to not have rear mirrors
http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t60239278/rear-view-mirrors-or-camera/
Edit to say that KFT had posted while I was typing
-- Edited by Tony Bev on Sunday 8th of May 2016 05:57:10 PM
The rear view camera fitted to my van is one of the best things I have fitted to the Van, it's nice not to have a blind spot and see what's following you at all times,
But there's no substitute for mirrors when reversing, The rear view camera is practically useless in my opinion for reversing the Van...
It appears both would be the way to go
Cheers
Paj
Cheers
Eventually when Laws catch up with technology it will be legal to have cameras only. They would need to be on the sides as well as the back as some trucks now do.
Much like the old days when electric indicators were first fitted to cars, we still had to use hand signals for a long time before it became illegal to put a hand outside the car.
Just my two bobs worth.......
Something not mentioned here because it's probably been forgotten but the cameras lose their value during heavy rain when road grime etc. is picked up in the spray from passing traffic and your own car and covers the camera lense (s) leaving images almost obliterated until you get a chance to clean them.
I've found it very frustrating but just another PITA during wet weather driving.
Keith.
I use the rearview camera (wired to rear vision mirror monitor) but also run extended mirrors to satisfy the law.
The camera is great as you can watch someone who gets right up your clacker and out of view as well as idiots deciding to pass 5 cars and a van down a long hill with a blind crest.
Both have their place, remember to remove or re-tract (if you are in the upper income bracket) the tow mirrors before you drop the van off and head into town (pod can pinch you for wide mirrors as well if no wide van attached)
Brian
My reading of the current ADR 14/02 2006 covering rear vision devices does allow for camera/monitor devices to replace mirrors. The only problem is they must be tested against the standard and marked with an approval No. to be legal. Although I don't know of any manufacturer who has gone through the approval process they are increasingly used in the trucking industry so there now may be some that are approved.
Alan
-- Edited by Brenda and Alan on Wednesday 11th of May 2016 09:09:47 AM
Frank, that is 100% correct. I know a fellow that was booked for not having the correct towing mirrors, he told the police that he thought that a camera was all he needed. Sorry the cop replied. Mirrors are needed to see down both sides of the van or motorhome.
Said if he drives along behind me. and on looking ALONG the side of trailer/caravan whatever.
He can't see some part of the mirror.
He CAN book you.
Even if you don't need them (in your eyes) your wallet says make sure you have them there.