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Post Info TOPIC: One or Two Towing Mirrors
The Dogs House


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One or Two Towing Mirrors
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Advice wanted from the Gurus...

Tug - Ford Territory - Vehicle width mirror tip to mirror tip - 225cm

Van - 14ft Compass Park Ave - width - 195cm 

State Regulations differ state to state, what I am looking at is whether I need one or two mirrors for travel and reversing.

Currently I can see down both sides of the van as the width of the van is less than the width of the tug (mirrors included)...

Do I still need two mirrors or just one on the drivers side for add visibility behind and reversing etc...

Advice greatly appreciated



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Brett & Lynne + Finn
Baz421


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Legally    You need 1 mirror MINIMUM each side.

However if you travel in built up areas it is often good to see wheels as you stay in lanes turn etc,,,, plus you can see tyres in case of blowout like I had 2 weeks ago.

Travelling alone I can see all 4 tyres (just) plus behind on each side.

Hope this helps.

Cheers Baz



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KFT


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G'day, an easy way to work this out is to stand at each back corner of the van when hooked up and straight. Look along each side of the van and see if you can see the mirrors. This is the test a police officer will use.

If you cannot see your mirrors then you will need one for each side.

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Kathy and Frank currently at Home near Quirindi NSW
Dougwe


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IMO It is just as easy to put one each side, that way you have all bases covered.



Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

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Desert Dweller


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We got booked a year ago for driving up the Princes Hwy in bush land 5kms away from the Genoa free camp VIC. Our towing mirrors were still attached.

The cop waved a tape measure around & said that they were illegal because they protruded too far beyond our vehicle.

In actual fact they protrude FAR LESS than a pair of Clearview mirrors in the retracted position. Can't figure that one out but we paid the $300+ fine.

We've followed a few vehicles with Clearview mirrors fitted along a busy street & seen them almost wipe off a few pedestrians looking to cross the road. Interesting?

Two mirrors is the way to go.



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macka17


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I've tried a few.
Tend to go for the ones that rubber strap over originals.
sticking out past them.

That way. I have the "car" mirrors.
pointing down to cover view of caravan wheels.
with the clip ons viewing down sides of van.

Also a Rev mirror on rear of van for dicks that get in there in your blind spot.

You'd be surprised how many do,

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rgren2


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Desert Dweller wrote:

We got booked a year ago for driving up the Princes Hwy in bush land 5kms away from the Genoa free camp VIC. Our towing mirrors were still attached.

The cop waved a tape measure around & said that they were illegal because they protruded too far beyond our vehicle.

In actual fact they protrude FAR LESS than a pair of Clearview mirrors in the retracted position. Can't figure that one out but we paid the $300+ fine.

We've followed a few vehicles with Clearview mirrors fitted along a busy street & seen them almost wipe off a few pedestrians looking to cross the road. Interesting?

Two mirrors is the way to go.

I'm sure I've seen this before, apparently you must remove your towing mirrors when not towing, extendable mirrors need to be retracted. 



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Kebbin


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You obviously think you need the drivers side mirror by your statement, so if you use the same reasoning for the passenger side taking into account that it is just as important when towing to keep and eye on both sides of the road, then you will have your answer.

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Kebbin
macka17


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Specially when coming back in after overtaking or going round a corner. or in tight spaces.

ANYwhere you normally need a morror.

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The Dogs House


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macka17 wrote:

Specially when coming back in after overtaking or going round a corner. or in tight spaces.

ANYwhere you normally need a morror.

 Sounds like it is just easier by the legal standards to just whack the two on....

I don't think I will have any issues with merging or tight corners, rig is only a 14footer so easy to move around and also can see down both sides now.

Just don't want to rile up the boys in blue or transport compliance guys



-- Edited by The Dogs House on Monday 17th of April 2017 12:43:44 PM

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rockylizard


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The Dogs House wrote:

 Sounds like it is just easier by the legal standards to just whack the two on....

I don't think I will have any issues with merging or tight corners, rig is only a 14footer so easy to move around and also can see down both sides now.

Just don't want to rile up the boys in blue or transport compliance guys

Gday...

There lies your answer ... if you can see down both sides of the trailer/van with standard mirrors ... AND - if you stand at just inside the rear corners of the trailer/van and can see the vehicle's standard mirrors - ya don't need supplementary mirrors.

Cheers - John



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Kebbin


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rockylizard wrote:
The Dogs House wrote:

 Sounds like it is just easier by the legal standards to just whack the two on....

I don't think I will have any issues with merging or tight corners, rig is only a 14footer so easy to move around and also can see down both sides now.

Just don't want to rile up the boys in blue or transport compliance guys

Gday...

There lies your answer ... if you can see down both sides of the trailer/van with standard mirrors ... AND - if you stand at just inside the rear corners of the trailer/van and can see the vehicle's standard mirrors - ya don't need supplementary mirrors.

Cheers - John

 Can you give us the regulation for this one Rocky



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Kebbin
rockylizard


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Gday...

The details of the tug and trailer were contained in the original post -

  • Tug - Ford Territory - Vehicle width mirror tip to mirror tip - 225cm
  • Van - 14ft Compass Park Ave - width - 195cm

It has always been the case that, if the trailer/camper/van is not as wide as the towing vehicle, then ADDITIONAL external mirrors are not a requirement.

http://www.lets-getaway.com/towing-mirrors.htm

The following is snipped from that site. However, read the whole article in the link -

Mirror 01.JPG
Mirror 02.JPG
Mirror 03.JPG
Mirror 04.JPG

Cheers - John

 



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Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
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