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Post Info TOPIC: Mirrors
Dickodownunder


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Mirrors
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Macca

Here is the federal register for legislation for rear view mirror requirements in this country.

www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2006L02663

If you could take your head out of the sand for a while you may want to read it.

Most cab over engine style trucks have mirrors which extend beyond the width of the cabin (obviously) which in the case again of most larger cab over engine prime movers or trucks the mirrors are over 8 feet wide when measured.

After you have actually read and understood the legislation you may even realise that to comply with the ability to view the areas stipulated toward and behind the unit being towed the mirrors have to be wider than standard and in some cases may extend past the 8 foot standard width.
Most large caravans are 8 feet wide these days.

The OP asked what type of mirrors would suit him for towing and some members on here have offered the options and descriptions of a few brands which I guess is what he wanted. He did not ask what was the cheapest most unsafe mirror set he could use.

Macca if you care to actually click on the link for Clearview you will find an answer to your questions.

If the mirrors you use do not comply because they are too narrow to provide the correct view to the rear that is required by law in this country then you are breaking the law. If your mirrors are affected by wind and move out of adjustment then at the very least they are dangerous.
If someone was booked or fined for their mirrors I would have a fair guess that they did not comply.

I observe many different mirror set ups on vehicles towing caravans some would comply and some would not.
Many a time I have noticed that during an overtaking manoeuvre you can not see the driver in his mirrors because you cant see his mirrors until you are almost past or up to the front edge of the van. These mirrors might make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside but the truth is they do not comply
The mirrors other than Clearview that are fitted to towing vehicles that do comply would always be approximately the same width as the
Clearviews. If they werent you would probably find that the driver can not see the required area behind his rig and then they would not be legal.

There was a case of a road accident here is SA a few years ago where a truck went past a caravan and because he had not invested in a quality compliant mirror kit his drivers side mirror blew in.
He continued on apparently thinking that he will fix it when next he stops.
He came upon a slower vehicle and decided to overtake.
Unfortunately there was a motorcyle actually passing him when he blindly pulled out.
Needless to say the results were disasterous and a complete tragedy which could have easily been avoided by the use of quality compliant mirrors.
Maybe the police officer that booked our friend the Desert Dweller for his obviously non compliant mirror kit may have had to attend an accident similar to the incident above.


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macka17


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Hey Dick.

I was asking about the width of veh with those mirrors attached when NOT towing mainly.
Big ugly things and wide.

Just wondering if they exceeded max width of veh. Retracted and not towing was all.

I think you'd find a cop could write you up if he that inclined,
IF you exceeded his definition of the rules He holds in his hand.
and it's up to you to fight it.

I've just looked at veh's with those things on and no tow.
Thinking They do look very excessive without a tow.

As do a lot of things nowadays. These huge vans and 5thers
No way they could be that size. Loaded and be inside the
SAFE towing limits of current tow veh's
unless they using light trucks or US Utes.

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Dickodownunder


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macka17 wrote:

Hey Dick.

I was asking about the width of veh with those mirrors attached when NOT towing mainly.
Big ugly things and wide.

Just wondering if they exceeded max width of veh. Retracted and not towing was all.

I think you'd find a cop could write you up if he that inclined,
IF you exceeded his definition of the rules He holds in his hand.
and it's up to you to fight it.

I've just looked at veh's with those things on and no tow.
Thinking They do look very excessive without a tow.

As do a lot of things nowadays. These huge vans and 5thers
No way they could be that size. Loaded and be inside the
SAFE towing limits of current tow veh's
unless they using light trucks or US Utes.

As I said all the information you need is in the original link that I posted.

Scroll to the bottom of the page and select "vehicle widths"

 

http://clearviewmirrors.com.au/13493/PRADO-120-SERIES/

"click"



-- Edited by Dickodownunder on Monday 22nd of August 2016 03:28:56 AM

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brickies


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Mirrors for me value for money , Clearview mirrors may look bulky but do a good job but do I want to outlay the money to buy them or do I spend the money stay at a nice caravan park from time to time , It all about choices and it's your choice

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Krusty


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Considering the price of Clearview mirrors and their market share I have no doubt that if you got a ticket Clearview (the company) would happily fight the charge in court for you. Word-of-mouth damage like that could destroy their business or a least cost them many times the legal costs in advertising to rectify the damage done.

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Dickodownunder


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brickies wrote:

Mirrors for me value for money , Clearview mirrors may look bulky but do a good job but do I want to outlay the money to buy them or do I spend the money stay at a nice caravan park from time to time , It all about choices and it's your choice

 These are my thoughts as well brickies,

 

I gave it a lot of thought before lashing out with the $600 odd dollars for the Clearviews.

I really think the main reason for my choice was compounded by the accident I quoted above and the fact that it was one less job to do before moving off and when unhitching.

The rider was a friend of the partner of one of my daughters so it was reasonably close to home.

My next decision was the Milencos based purely on some discussions with other users.

The OP appears as though he is going with the Milencos and it is a good choice and as he said if he is not happy for any reason he can always move up to the Clearviews.

I do not enjoy conversations when a product is "put down" because of ignorance, lack of product knowledge, or an ill informed personal view.

 



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macka17


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You got your opinion Jack I got mine.

and a few others.

Please don't shout. we CAN hear you.

As long as a person can See along the side of his veh, (in a straight line) regardless of mirrors.
He is legal.
Not denigrating. Just querying,
Though I do think they a waste of good money at the price.

Lot's get conned with some things.
Look at me and my truck..chuckle.
Have a gud won hey.

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Jenko1


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Macka I don't have Clearviews as they are a little out of my price range, but if you go to their site all relevant info is available.

I get what your saying ..... if not towing and mirror pushed back they are legal but if driving around with no van and mirror extended, then I think you would be over legal limit.
Example.......... heres measurements for a BT50 (you have to click on the black & white picture at the bottom "vehicle widths")  clearviewmirrors.com.au/13503/BT-50---2012/

 

ADR Compliant.
clearviewmirrors.com.au/pdf/CC_BT50.pdf



-- Edited by Jenko1 on Monday 22nd of August 2016 12:57:15 PM



-- Edited by Jenko1 on Monday 22nd of August 2016 12:58:05 PM



-- Edited by Jenko1 on Monday 22nd of August 2016 01:01:11 PM

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brickies


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Macka there is no win or lose , It's about sharing information so the person who ask the question can make an informed choice .

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Dougwe


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As I said earlier, I have clearview but I am full time on the road. If I was only a weeken worrior, no way. Couldn't justify the cost then but as things are now I can. All a personal choice.

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George_n_halle


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Wow,
this mirror question has been my first post on a forum. I did not realise how powerful a tool these forums can be. I logged off 2 days ago happy with the couple of comments that I received. Now I see a whole heap of extra thoughts and advice.

Now I get a chance to take all of this info and make my own mistakes (haha)
Still think (as a beginner) I will go the Millencos to get me started and see how I go

thanks again for all comments/suggestions

cheers

George

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brickies


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George if you go with Millenco make sure you get the Grand Aero model

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the rocket


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Hi george n halle, welcome to the forum and safe travels. May meet up one day. Regards. Rocket n strop



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jules47


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Hi guys - on the subject of windscreen replacement - I needed one on my towed car - got it through insurance - in a small town in QLD - Blackwater - they guy who who did it was part of a mechanical group, good idea, cover all the bases. But it was going to be at least a week to come up from Melbourne - they gave me a card, with a note on the back, and a copy of the job order attached - in case I was pulled up for the huge crack - great idea, I thought. Most replacement screens come from China - bought in so cheaply- through friend got a replacement direct - $120 - $20 fitting. Both of those mentioned in earlier posts quoted about $500 - 750.

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RosieW


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Dougwe wrote:

As I said earlier, I have clearview but I am full time on the road. If I was only a weeken worrior, no way. Couldn't justify the cost then but as things are now I can. All a personal choice.

 That's why we went Clearview - ordered today, fit next week.



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