N&L Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 (edited) Just watching the above program at the moment and the Essex Cops are checking and stopping caravans not using extendable mirrors and checking licence category's , about time this happened more often as there seem to be a growing number of caravanners who seem to think they don't need them Edited August 6, 2014 by Foghorn Leghorn Quote 2022 Pilote P696GJ for European touring- 2022 Coachman VIP 565 for touring the UK towed by a 2020 Kia Sportage GT line S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llew Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Yes totally agree Foghorn Leghorn. We all know that if the van is wider than the car, which let's be honest most of them are, then you need towing mirrors end of. Although some driver's of certain 4X4's seem to think they're immune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doosan Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Did you see the size of that Fiat van and he still needed extended mirrors. So makes me wonder about those Range Rover drivers that say they don't need them. Quote Bailey Pageant Series 6 Champagne 2007 Tow Car Toyota Rav4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llew Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 doosan, it was the Range Rover driver's I was hinting at in my post above. Get ready for the flack coming our way from the RR fraternity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doosan Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 doosan, it was the Range Rover driver's I was hinting at in my post above. Get ready for the flack coming our way from the RR fraternity. Yes you right but they can't argue about the law. That police officer said all motors should have extendable mirrors. But someone will say I don't need them because of this and that. Quote Bailey Pageant Series 6 Champagne 2007 Tow Car Toyota Rav4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 . ..it was the Range Rover driver's I was hinting at in my post above. Get ready for the flack coming our way from the RR fraternity. I used to tow with a Disco, and extension mirrors were definitely essential on that when towing our Avondale, to have a rear view that complied with the requirement of the law. My Disco was 70. 6 inches (1. 79 mtrs) wide, and a Range Rover is 70 inches (1. 778 mtrs) wide, I can't therefore see why a Range Rover would not require extension mirrors. There are two instances when I tow without extension mirrors. The first is when I have a small open trailer on the back, as it is both lower than the rear window of the car, and narrower than the bodywork of the car, so I have a clear view behind in all standard mirrors. The second is when I am trailing my boat. In this instance, while I have a restricted view via the interior mirror, because it is narrower than the car I do have a clear view to the rear of the boat in the two side mirrors. Gordon. Quote Fourwinds Hurricane 31D Motorhome. Also MGTF135 1. 8i Roadster (fun) & Volvo V70 3.2Ltr LPG (everyday car) Unless otherwise stated, my posts will be my personal thoughts and have the same standing as any other member of Caravan and Motorhome Talk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reluctant Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 (edited) The alternative to fitting extension mirrors is to constantly weave like the old 'tail end charlie' in battle of britain days to give yourself a view to the rear eliminating blind spots. ..only thing is it has the tendancy to upset the passengers, so its mirrors every time for me! Edited August 7, 2014 by reluctant Quote Trevor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil1041 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Just returned from a trip to Cornwall, I would say at least 50% of the caravans I saw being towed did not have extended mirrors on the tow cars, in particular the 4x4' who I presume think they are immune. Phil. Quote Light travels faster than sound, thats why some people appear bright, until you hear them speak. Mine : Mercedes GLC 250d AMG, Lunar Clubman SB, Rockwood 5th Wheel Trailer, La Manga Spain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midsman1 Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 We tow with a RR Sport and use wing mirrors. You cannot met the requirements of the law without them, so any RR driver or any car driver who gets pulled over because they could not see what was behind them deserves all they receive from the courts. Its just not worth not fitting them and adjusting them so that they cover both sides of the caravan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreadly Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I give up! - I pointed out to a guy at a campsite that he should have them on his Kia and his reply was "It's OK, I'm a Class1 lorry driver so I know what I'm doing". God help us. Quote An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind. Mahatma Gandhi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterjohn Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 We all know that class I lorry drivers are the best drivers in the world so they know what they are talking about. . NOT. ....Peter Quote Peter and Sandy pulling a 2016 Coachman VIP 565 with 2016 Ford Kuga 2. 0. 180 ps. Titanium Nav. Retired and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzer252 Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Completely agree with all of the above. As someone who has ridden motorbikes until recently there are very good reasons for having these fitted, the simple fact is is that without them you just don't have the field of vision to see behind you. This link explains the legislation in very simple terms and is easy to check with a tape measure! http://www. caravanwise. co. uk/caravan-tips/towing-mirrors. html Quote Bailey Pageant provence & Nissan X-Trail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donb Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Im a class one driver with over 40 years of vanning, trucking and bus driving and I allways use extended mirrors, sorry peter but cant agree with you lumping us all together in your statement but we all are entitled to our own opinions. Quote 2016 Lunar Quasar 554, tugged by Honda CR-V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistgrip Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 We all know that class I lorry drivers are the best drivers in the world so they know what they are talking about. . NOT. ....Peter Just like your good self then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N&L Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 We all know that class I lorry drivers are the best drivers in the world so they know what they are talking about. . NOT. ....Peter A very sweeping statement I think :angry: Quote 2022 Pilote P696GJ for European touring- 2022 Coachman VIP 565 for touring the UK towed by a 2020 Kia Sportage GT line S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llew Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Im a class one driver with over 40 years of vanning, trucking and bus driving and I allways use extended mirrors, sorry peter but cant agree with you lumping us all together in your statement but we all are entitled to our own opinions. I always find most lorry/coach driver's to be very courteous, and will flash their lights for you to pull back over after overtaking them. It doesn't happen often with coaches though as they are usually limited to 62mph, so it's usually me flashing them to pull back in. There are exceptions though and I am noticing it more and more lately, driver's of Tesco articulated lorries never flash to let you know if you are clear. I know I'm clear though because my extended mirrors are adjusted correctly. Take a look next time you're towing to see if I'm right. Or is it just me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 There are exceptions though and I am noticing it more and more lately, driver's of Tesco articulated lorries never flash to let you know if you are clear. I know I'm clear though because my extended mirrors are adjusted correctly. Strictly speaking, flashing headlights has the same meaning in law, as sounding the horn - ie a warning. So maybe the Tesco drivers have been instructed NOT to use them in the generally accepted way. Just a thought. Gordon. Quote Fourwinds Hurricane 31D Motorhome. Also MGTF135 1. 8i Roadster (fun) & Volvo V70 3.2Ltr LPG (everyday car) Unless otherwise stated, my posts will be my personal thoughts and have the same standing as any other member of Caravan and Motorhome Talk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llew Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Strictly speaking, flashing headlights has the same meaning in law, as sounding the horn - ie a warning. So maybe the Tesco drivers have been instructed NOT to use them in the generally accepted way. Just a thought. Gordon. I would agree with you there Gordon, if I hadn't witnessed them Flashing headlights to other lorries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wigelywoo Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I used to tow with a Disco, and extension mirrors were definitely essential on that when towing our Avondale, to have a rear view that complied with the requirement of the law. My Disco was 70. 6 inches (1. 79 mtrs) wide, and a Range Rover is 70 inches (1. 778 mtrs) wide, I can't therefore see why a Range Rover would not require extension mirrors. There are two instances when I tow without extension mirrors. The first is when I have a small open trailer on the back, as it is both lower than the rear window of the car, and narrower than the bodywork of the car, so I have a clear view behind in all standard mirrors. The second is when I am trailing my boat. In this instance, while I have a restricted view via the interior mirror, because it is narrower than the car I do have a clear view to the rear of the boat in the two side mirrors. Gordon. Mirror - Correctly adjusted towing mirror. jpg Towing_Mirror_Setup_1A. jpg And It would be illegal to have extended mirrors. In both cases Quote Lunar Zenith Citroen C5 2. 2 HDI Citroen Picasso 1. 6 HDI. , Vauxhall Vectra Design 150 bhp Soon to be, 2014 Sprite Major 4 sr. With ATC. The Internet has had no effect on my life whatsoever. com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeTee Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 We tow with a RR Sport and use wing mirrors. You cannot met the requirements of the law without them, so any RR driver or any car driver who gets pulled over because they could not see what was behind them deserves all they receive from the courts. Its just not worth not fitting them and adjusting them so that they cover both sides of the caravan. As far as I am aware the driver's side external mirror must be adjustable from the driver's position. Pardon my ignorance but how are you able to adjust wing mirrors from the drivers seat ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philspot Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 As far as I am aware the driver's side external mirror must be adjustable from the driver's position. Pardon my ignorance but how are you able to adjust wing mirrors from the drivers seat ? I don't believe the law makes any statement about additional mirrors being adjustable. You would still need to be able to adjust the driver's (existing) mirror, though, which can be difficult if the add-on mirror affects the movement of the glass in its housing, as it did in my VW T4. "Suck it and see" mirrors, I imagine, replace the existing reflective area for the purposes of the law. Quote If at first you don't succeed, it may be best to give up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeTee Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I don't believe the law makes any statement about additional mirrors being adjustable. You would still need to be able to adjust the driver's (existing) mirror, though, which can be difficult if the add-on mirror affects the movement of the glass in its housing, as it did in my VW T4. "Suck it and see" mirrors, I imagine, replace the existing reflective area for the purposes of the law. I understood and have recently read that the reason why towing mirrors are no longer fitted to the vehicle wings on the driver's side is because they no longer conform with the requirement that mirrors fitted to the driver's side must be adjustable from the driving position. I would expect, but do not know for certain, that the law would state that mirrors fitted to the driver's side must be adjustable from the driving position. That would cover additional mirrors, whether or not they are temporary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterjohn Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Sorry for my earlier sweeping statement re: Class 1 drivers. I was in fact alluding to those who do not behave like knights of the road and seem to think that caravanners are fair game. Praise to those among us who do behave properly. .......Peter Quote Peter and Sandy pulling a 2016 Coachman VIP 565 with 2016 Ford Kuga 2. 0. 180 ps. Titanium Nav. Retired and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlfaEuropa Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 As far as I am aware the driver's side external mirror must be adjustable from the driver's position. Pardon my ignorance but how are you able to adjust wing mirrors from the drivers seat ? Quite easily. Not when moving though! It's only inches from the actual car mirror, it's not that long since you had to manually adjust mirrors by pressure to the mirror or glass itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeTee Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Quite easily. Not when moving though! It's only inches from the actual car mirror, it's not that long since you had to manually adjust mirrors by pressure to the mirror or glass itself. Apologies. I didn't know that the vehicle wing was so close to the driver's door as to permit adjustment from the driver's position. Any wing mirror attached to my Passat would not be adjustable without the driver getting out of the vehicle. There must still be driver's door mirrors which have to adjusted manually by the driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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