Rear View Mirrors.

Yuglamron · Veteran Member

Rear View Mirrors.

Rob Driver · Guru

At times I am astonished when I see the number of vehicles towing caravans without extended rear view mirrors.

I think it would be an advantage to have a warning somewhere on or in each caravan. Ther would not be many vans that are the same width as the towing vehicle unless the towing vehicle is a Kenworth or similar.

I guess that some are just lucky that many police patrols are not that observant otherwise revenue figures would be on the increase.

Regards

Rob

-- Edited by bentaxlebabe on Tuesday 5th of November 2019 02:05:42 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

Whether the Holden ad is right or not, it is not a good look & does not encourage responsible operation of a car.

Yuglamron · Veteran Member

Just an addition to my post re Mirrors.

I've lost count over the years of the number of rigs without extension mirrors, overtaking me and staying out in the overtaking lane, precisely because they have such limited rearview vision they cannot see me to know when it is safe to return to the left lane.

yobarr · Guru

Yuglamron wrote:
Just an addition to my post re Mirrors.
I've lost count over the years of the number of rigs without extension mirrors, overtaking me and staying out in the overtaking lane, precisely because they have such limited rearview vision they cannot see me to know when it is safe to return to the left lane.

You're right there,Trevor! From my years driving B-Doubles interstate,I can say that the other tourists that are a problem are those who seem to forget that they are towing a van,and immediately cut back in front of the vehicle they have just overtaken,often before the caravan has passed the front of the Kenworth! Fun and games for all! Cheers

llochris · Member

The new Actros Mercedes Trucks don't have rear view Mirrors I have a camera on the back of my 5th wheeler REG in VIC tug REG in WA NSW licence I tell the office I am Australian

Rob Driver · Guru

No one ever told us this when we were selecting the bride.

Regards

Rob

Rob Driver · Guru

Oh Heck,

Angie may see this.

Regards

Rob

trouto · Senior Member

ITS A ADD

you don't really believe that they drove a car into the back of a caravan to hide it from the police as well

really

Rob Driver · Guru

trouto wrote:
ITS A ADD
you don't really believe that they drove a car into the back of a caravan to hide it from the police as well
really

Say what ??

Regards

Rob

-- Edited by bentaxlebabe on Tuesday 5th of November 2019 09:39:03 PM

Rob Driver · Guru

llochris wrote:
The new Actros Mercedes Trucks don't have rear view Mirrors I have a camera on the back of my 5th wheeler REG in VIC tug REG in WA NSW licence I tell the office I am Australian

I just had a look at the new Mercedes Actros

Scroll about half way down to view the mirror cam

https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/vehicles/trucks/the-new-actros-2019/

What type of vehicle are you hauling the fifth wheeler with Ilochris?

Regards

Rob

woolman · Guru

I have spent considerable time and effort researching this issue. Out come was the regulation is "must be able to see a vehicle overtaking on both left or right and approaching from the rear. " The statement about mirrors was described to me as an example if you wish to use mirrors only. I might add I have been questioned at breath test stops in most States about no extension mirrors. In all cases police commented that my camera with existing car mirrors is a far better option. Not everyone will agree but then again some people believe if it has worked for 40 years it must be the best. I also believe it is a no brainer not having a reversing camera and/or sensorors on rear of your car. Neil

Phillipn · Guru

woolman wrote:
I have spent considerable time and effort researching this issue. Out come was the regulation is "must be able to see a vehicle overtaking on both left or right and approaching from the rear. " The statement about mirrors was described to me as an example if you wish to use mirrors only. I might add I have been questioned at breath test stops in most States about no extension mirrors. In all cases police commented that my camera with existing car mirrors is a far better option. Not everyone will agree but then again some people believe if it has worked for 40 years it must be the best. I also believe it is a no brainer not having a reversing camera and/or sensorors on rear of your car. Neil

A friend of mine was booked in Qld for not having extended mirrors, he told the copper that he had a camera. Had to pay the fine.

yobarr · Guru

Phillipn wrote:
woolman wrote:
I have spent considerable time and effort researching this issue. Out come was the regulation is "must be able to see a vehicle overtaking on both left or right and approaching from the rear. " The statement about mirrors was described to me as an example if you wish to use mirrors only. I might add I have been questioned at breath test stops in most States about no extension mirrors. In all cases police commented that my camera with existing car mirrors is a far better option. Not everyone will agree but then again some people believe if it has worked for 40 years it must be the best. I also believe it is a no brainer not having a reversing camera and/or sensorors on rear of your car. Neil
A friend of mine was booked in Qld for not having extended mirrors, he told the copper that he had a camera. Had to pay the fine.

Your mirrors must give you a view of both rear corners of your caravan.If you stand directly behind your caravan,20 metres from your mirrors,and look along the wall of the caravan,you must be able to see your rear vision mirror in its entirety.Cameras are handy for observing cars under your van's rear bumper,but are useless for seeing what is alongside your vehicle,or keeping an eye on the van's tyres etc. I seem to recall reading....and don't quote me...that it is illegal to have any camera display on a screen that is visible to the driver whilst the vehicle is moving forwards? I will do more research on that.Cheers

P.S.Australian Road Rules clause 299,but no doubt open to interpretation?

-- Edited by yobarr on Wednesday 6th of November 2019 12:30:22 PM

Bobdown · Guru

Most mirrors are convex and therefore you can see the side of the van and quite a distance outwards as well.

With a rear view camera, I can see everything that comes up behind me and in the next lane as well.

Cheers Bob

Long Weekend · Guru

You can always tell when a tug hasn't got suitable mirrors - because they have no idea what is alongside them they turn on the indicators for 30 seconds to a minute to allow other vehicles to get out of their way before they change lanes.

If you challenge them about inadequate mirrors they will say that they have travelled x number of kilometres without any problems, so what is the big deal about mirrors?

At the very least I don't see how they can pull away from a kerb safely without knowing what is coming up behind.

Murray

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I know what your getting at Yuglamron but me, I don't take too much notice of those sort of adds in fact, many adds at all. I gave up believing them many moons ago. Especially the ones where a big name celebrity gets on the box and says a product is great and they use it all the time. Bollocks! They only say that because they get paid well to say it.

As for towing mirrors I don't see a problem using them at all, law or no law. The cost of a set of towing mirrors is neither here nor there really so I put them on all the time. That said, I used clip-on ones every time anything wider than the car was connected but when I went full time on the road as a GN I lashed out and had Clearview mirrors fitted to save putting mirrors on and off all the time as you can't drive around with clip-on ones on when not towing. The Clearviews stay on all the time and just with a little push or pull they are adjusted. Yep, cost more but when full time out in the playground worth every cent IMO.

I also have a camera on the back of the aluminium teepee and can see everything behind and until the car has just gone past me if overtaking that's where the tow mirror takes over. I like to see where I have been as well as where I am going.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

iana · Guru

I too am quite happy using extension mirrors, the LH one I have set so I have a good view of the van wheel, so I can see how far I am from the shoulder of the road. As for using a reversing camera while driving, I would say what yobar said is correct, probably because you don't want the reversing lights to be on. its a matter of a name change to "Drivers aid" and the rear camera is quite legal.

woolman · Guru

It is illegal to have a video screen visible to the driver. It is legal to have a screen as a driving aid, such as gps and rear view. Neil

Vanningon · Newbie

Qld legislation (road rules) states at clause 299.1 that a screen visible to driver is illegal. Clause 299.2 states that clause 299.1 DOES NOT APPLY if the screen is a driver aid. In that clause it gives examples of legal drivers aids. Rear view screen is listed so therefore LEGAL

iana · Guru

Inserting some pics for someone that was interested.