It is compulsory to have effective rear vision mirrors fitted to the outside of the towing vehicle to give an unobstructed view to the rear of the caravan or trailer
Just done some reserch on the legalities of towing mirrors, It states that if trailer or c/ van is wider than the vehicle's side mirrors, you must have towing mirrors. These can protrude up to 150mm(6 inches ) beyond the vehicle, but must be retractable. Their total width can exceed the 2.5m maximum for vehicles. All trailers over 750kg must have brakes. Once they exceed 2000kg they must have their own breakaway system, which activates automaticlly if the van should be seperated from vehicle. Inside vehicle there must be a brake controller, which senses activation of the brakes and sends power to the van to apply it's own electric or hydraulic brakes. The controller has an override slide, which activates the van/ trailer brakes anytime.If van is over 2.5tonnes , you must have two chains and they must be crossed ,so van will be cradled in them if it becomes unhitched
Les and I were watching the DVD from Caravans and Motorhomes magazine, and they showed towing mirrors that actually replace your own side mirrors, they extend out when towing your van or retract when just using your vehicle. We are going to look into this. It would be better than taking them on and off, the marking of the car, the pain of setting them up and taking them down, etc.
Rear Vision Mirrors It is compulsory to have effective rear vision mirrors fitted to the outside of the towing vehicle to give an unobstructed view to the rear of the caravan or trailer.
I do not use towing mirrors as I can clearly see down each side of my coromal with the standard mirror on my ford territory I have asked this question several times and in South Australia I meet legal requirements
For my own benefit though I do have a rear view camera on the rear of the van which is not recognised in law
I understand each state has different legislation regarding this ie use of tow mirrors I have researched it thoroughly and I am aware in some states they are compulsory
I have travelled western Australia/NT/Victoria and NSW and have never been questioned re my non use of towing mirrors
its woefull the amount of travellers that get around without any extra mirrors on there cars bloody dangerous to them and other people see all the time up here
Les and I were watching the DVD from Caravans and Motorhomes magazine, and they showed towing mirrors that actually replace your own side mirrors, they extend out when towing your van or retract when just using your vehicle. We are going to look into this. It would be better than taking them on and off, the marking of the car, the pain of setting them up and taking them down, etc.
We have those Grams, there might be different types but ours are called "Clearview" and they are excellent! No cheap but well worth it in my partners opinion. google "Clearview mirrors" for more info.
