Ratchet type towing mirrors.

hako · Guru

Ratchet type towing mirrors.

KFT · Guru

Hi Denis,

We have been using a genuine set of "aussie truck mirror's" for more than 10 years now and they are still the best mirrors I have used. Flat mirror gives a truer image of what you see and to me anyway allows me to judge better the closeness of what I am seeing.

I do intend to get some magnetic sheet cut to protect the doors though. On our new tug we have noticed the straps are scuffing the paint a bit.

hope that helps

frank

-- Edited by KFT on Thursday 19th of December 2013 05:23:05 PM

Olley46 · Guru

KFT wrote:
Hi Denis,

We have been using a genuine set of "aussie truck mirror's for more than 10 years now and they are still the best mirrors I have used. Flat mirror gives a truer image of what you see and to me anyway allows me to judge better the closeness of what I am seeing.

I do intend to get some magnetic sheet cut to protect the doors though. On our new tug we have noticed the straps are scuffing the paint a bit.

hope that helps

frank
Hi Frank

I agree with the Aussie truck mirrors had them about the same time as you, the scuffing on the doors I use the wooly seat belt pads one pair on each strap does the job nicely ,I would like a pair of the good mirrors but I would rather have the Prado looking like a 4wd than a Truck when not towing.

Lance C

-- Edited by Olley46 on Thursday 19th of December 2013 05:00:16 PM

KFT · Guru

Must Agree with you Lance C, I don't like the look of those big mirrors. they may be a good mirror but they are on there all the time.

I look at vehicles coming towards me and you can pick the caravanners a mile off by those mirrors.

look like elephant ears to me LOL

frank

hako · Guru

Thanks fellas that's the info I need. Bloke I know has a pair 3 years old for sale and hardly used - he paid $170 for and wants $65.

Regards

Denis

justcruisin01 · Guru

Have to agree with what has been said, used them for years.

One big improvement is to make up a little 90deg bracket, a bit of 25mmx25mm angle & about 20mm long ,drill a couple of holes & attach it to the mirror fittment hole in the adjustable arm & then re-attach the mirror in a vertical position verses horizontal.

This gives a far better vision as in depth of vision & distance back down the road. I done this & then seen a few others done as well, all agree that this is better. Also dont have to set them as wide for a good vision; Very little effort for a far better outcome.

Mine now hang on the wall as dont need them with new tug.

JC

hako · Guru

Thanks JC - I'll look at that mod.

Regards.

hako · Guru

justcruisin01 wrote:
SNIP
One big improvement is to make up a little 90deg bracket, a bit of 25mmx25mm angle & about 20mm long ,drill a couple of holes & attach it to the mirror fittment hole in the adjustable arm & then re-attach the mirror in a vertical position verses horizontal.
This gives a far better vision as in depth of vision & distance back down the road. I done this & then seen a few others done as well, all agree that this is better. Also dont have to set them as wide for a good vision; Very little effort for a far better outcome.
SNIP
JC

G'Day JC....had a look at modifying as per above but I don't think I can do it on my type - they would stick out too far. I could add some more angle pieces but it could end up looking like a Heath Robinson affair. However I am open to suggestions.....

deverall11 · Guru

FYI, I have the mirrors primarily positioned so the I can see the tyres on the van. Should anything untoward happen to one of the van's tyres (puncture) I would like to spot it before it gets me in trouble.

Larry

hako · Guru

Thanks Larry, sounds like another good tip.
Regards

valnrob · Guru

We have Clearview mirrors. Very happy with them. Excellent vision. Can push them in when not towing and fold them back when in those narrow car parking spaces. Rob (driver) says they help him out a lot on trips and gives him agood view. We don't find them too big but I suppose it depends on the individual.

Cheers

03_troopy · Guru

I have a pair of those ratchet style mirrors and have found that the ratchet gear is made from a very soft alloy that tends towear down so that the spring clips don't seem to hold very well. Also the spring clip or pawl works a bit better if the end is bent slightly to engage the ratched tooth better. To be honest I'm not so happy with mine and am looking for something a bit better made that doesn't cost the earth like the clearviews do. I mean $700 for a pair of rear view mirrors is outlandish......

hako · Guru

03_troopy wrote:
I have a pair of those ratchet style mirrors and have found that the ratchet gear is made from a very soft alloy that tends towear down so that the spring clips don't seem to hold very well. Also the spring clip or pawl works a bit better if the end is bent slightly to engage the ratched tooth better. To be honest I'm not so happy with mine and am looking for something a bit better made that doesn't cost the earth like the clearviews do. I mean $700 for a pair of rear view mirrors is outlandish......

I think Clearview now make an electrically operated mirror that attaches to the ratchet style mirror support....cost about $295 I think. Could be a good idea.

regards

03_troopy · Guru

hako wrote:
03_troopy wrote:
I have a pair of those ratchet style mirrors and have found that the ratchet gear is made from a very soft alloy that tends towear down so that the spring clips don't seem to hold very well. Also the spring clip or pawl works a bit better if the end is bent slightly to engage the ratched tooth better. To be honest I'm not so happy with mine and am looking for something a bit better made that doesn't cost the earth like the clearviews do. I mean $700 for a pair of rear view mirrors is outlandish......

I think Clearview now make an electrically operated mirror that attaches to the ratchet style mirror support....cost about $295 I think. Could be a good idea.

regards

I just had a look at their website and they supply the head only, so not much point on the original brackets.

This is the part that fails, the soft teeth on the ratchet cog wear down,

hako · Guru

I noticed that there were bit of metal filings alongside the ratchet cog as well so now I hold the spring down while I tension the belt and release the spring just at the final moment. Inconvenient I know but no real option is there unless you want to spend $700.
You probably could also recut the teeth with a file but you certainly would expect better quality.
Regards

KFT · Guru

Hako, are your mirrors genuine Aussie Truck Mirrors or one of the copies?

I have a set of genuine ATM and the problems raised here are not happening with mine and they are more than 10 years old, have been on and off 3 different tugs and still agood as the day I bought them except for the paint-next job when it cools of is to repaint the brackets.

frank

hako · Guru

Frank - don't think so as the PO paid $170 for them 3 years ago although I see genuine ATMs for $95 ea new. The ratchet wheel is diecast.
How do you tell if it is a genuine ATM....is it marked anywhere? Mine look exactly the same as adverts for ATMs but then they also look like all the other ratchet mirrors.
Regards

PeterD · Guru

03_troopy wrote:
I have a pair of those ratchet style mirrors and have found that the ratchet gear is made from a very soft alloy that tends towear down so that the spring clips don't seem to hold very well. Also the spring clip or pawl works a bit better if the end is bent slightly to engage the ratched tooth better.

I believe that new winders are available from Camec. Someone reported this a few years back so I am not sure of the current situation. I replaced my frayed straps (sourced from Camec) recently but did not ask about the winders as mine are still in good condition.

If you hold down the detent springs as you wind the straps up you don't ware the toothed wheel.

PeterD · Guru

hako wrote:
I think Clearview now make an electrically operated mirror that attaches to the ratchet style mirror support....cost about $295 I think. Could be a good idea.

Here they are Just a little correction to the price - $249.00

hako · Guru

PeterD wrote:
hako wrote:
I think Clearview now make an electrically operated mirror that attaches to the ratchet style mirror support....cost about $295 I think. Could be a good idea.
Here they are Just a little correction to the price - $249.00

Thanks for that Peter, the website seems to indicate $249 each, which means $500 for the pair.....is that the way you read it?

Regards

Denis

PeterD · Guru

I had not thought of the price being for individual items. However when you go into the shopping the order states "Clearview Convertor Towing Mirrors" under the heading 'Item.' They are closed until Jan 13 so it will be a while till we can find out. Have any of your local suppliers got them yet?

hako · Guru

Haven't checked local lot but not sure if they carry them.

For about $80 you can buy from the wrecker a pair of, say, EL Falcon electric mirrors in the housing with the control for them. Bodgy them up so they fit on the ratchet arms.

Possibly would do the same job because that's all these Clearview ones that we are talking about are.

Thinking about the website - the mirror(s) comes with a remote control unit.....if the price was for each then you'd have 2 remote controls which doesn't make sense, but then $249 seems cheap (relatively speaking).

Got the Toowoomba swap meet in early Feb....may be some cheap electric mirrors there.

Regards