Hi All.
Anyone out there using MSA towing mirrors on their rig. I like the look of them and how they operate. Any thoughts.
Cheers.
Birdog
yobarr said
09:26 PM Jun 29, 2022
Birddog wrote:
Hi All. Anyone out there using MSA towing mirrors on their rig. I like the look of them and how they operate. Any thoughts. Cheers. Birdog
Whilst I have no experience with these mirrors they certainly do look the part! However, they are the same price as the well tested and proven Clearview brand so I would stick with Clearview. Not much help but at least you've now got some sort of response! Good luck. Cheers
watsea said
09:53 PM Jun 29, 2022
I have read that their mirrors are one piece, curved glass on each side.
Birddog said
07:44 AM Jun 30, 2022
Thanks for your comments. I like the feature with MSA that they are the same width as the original when pushed in making it easier to fit in my shed.
Craig1 said
03:53 PM Jun 30, 2022
Peter, fitted but not towed very much with them, option of vertical or horizontal, plus the pull out seems wide enough for me, in fact on lc200 when closed they may even be a smidge skinnier.
Downside to me is the curved one piece, I have some trouble adapting to curved glass, even removed it from standard bt 50 and fitted flat in 2015 ish.
To do that on MSA could be an issue as the backing plate has quite a curve, so have not gone that far yet.
But seem solid enough when extended.
Dougwe said
04:12 PM Jun 30, 2022
Welcome to the gang Peter, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I fitted 'Cleaview' mirrors to my Collie at new and find them the best thing since Adam found a fig leaf and would never leave home without them now. They also fold in, so that 'shed thing' you mentioned is solved as well.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
86GTS said
05:12 PM Jun 30, 2022
12 years ago I bought a cheap pair of towing mirrors from Autobarn & I've never looked back in 120,000kms
yobarr said
05:42 PM Jun 30, 2022
86GTS wrote:
12 years ago I bought a cheap pair of towing mirrors from Autobarn & I've never looked back in 120,000kms
Pun intended?
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 1st of July 2022 02:58:26 PM
Birddog said
10:44 AM Jul 1, 2022
Thanks again for your comments. I have just found out clearview have a new compact model. Might have a look at them
MQ3175 said
08:48 PM Jul 1, 2022
I have MSA on a 2021 Hilux. Personally cant fault them excellent for towing and when in normal position they look the part. I prefer the look of MSA over clearview. The clearview in my opinion are a bit agricultural but again that's just my opinion some may like that look.
Clarky 1 said
08:30 AM Jul 2, 2022
MQ3175 wrote:
I have MSA on a 2021 Hilux. Personally cant fault them excellent for towing and when in normal position they look the part. I prefer the look of MSA over clearview. The clearview in my opinion are a bit agricultural but again that's just my opinion some may like that look.
I am not that wrapped in the look of the Clearview but they are a bloody good mirror.
There was no link to the subject mirrors so I wont comment except if it is true that they are curved glass then they arent for me.
yobarr said
09:52 AM Jul 2, 2022
Clarky 1 wrote:
MQ3175 wrote:
I have MSA on a 2021 Hilux. Personally cant fault them excellent for towing and when in normal position they look the part. I prefer the look of MSA over clearview. The clearview in my opinion are a bit agricultural but again that's just my opinion some may like that look.
I am not that wrapped in the look of the Clearview but they are a bloody good mirror.
There was no link to the subject mirrors so I wont comment except if it is true that they are curved glass then they arent for me.
Hi Clarky. Simply Google "MSA towing mirrors" and there is lots if info, but convex is not for me either. As you know, Clearview are two mirrors in one so you can set them up to give a clear view of everything behind and alongside. Cheers
MQ3175 said
09:54 AM Jul 2, 2022
Clarky 1 wrote:
MQ3175 wrote:
I have MSA on a 2021 Hilux. Personally cant fault them excellent for towing and when in normal position they look the part. I prefer the look of MSA over clearview. The clearview in my opinion are a bit agricultural but again that's just my opinion some may like that look.
I am not that wrapped in the look of the Clearview but they are a bloody good mirror.
There was no link to the subject mirrors so I wont comment except if it is true that they are curved glass then they arent for me.
The other thing I found with clearviews was i could not get used to the 2 piece mirror. Again work colleagues swore by this but didn't work for me.
-- Edited by MQ3175 on Saturday 2nd of July 2022 09:55:33 AM
watsea said
10:20 AM Jul 2, 2022
Clearview now have their Compact version. They come with single glass mirrors. I think that version has curved mirror glasses. You would need to check.
mike g g said
11:06 AM Jul 2, 2022
Hi have had a set off msa mirrors fitted to my jeep about 18 months ago great mirrors for everyday use and great for towing ,look like originals looked at other options all too big .Go get them ,Mike
yobarr said
11:41 AM Jul 2, 2022
MQ3175 wrote:
Clarky 1 wrote:
MQ3175 wrote:
I have MSA on a 2021 Hilux. Personally cant fault them excellent for towing and when in normal position they look the part. I prefer the look of MSA over clearview. The clearview in my opinion are a bit agricultural but again that's just my opinion some may like that look.
I am not that wrapped in the look of the Clearview but they are a bloody good mirror.
There was no link to the subject mirrors so I wont comment except if it is true that they are curved glass then they arent for me.
The other thing I found with clearviews was i could not get used to the 2 piece mirror. Again work colleagues swore by this but didn't work for me.
Two piece mirrors, or multiple mirrors are the only way to get the best possible clear view of things alongside your car and van, and other vehicles aproaching from behind. Everything else is a compromise, with convex mirrors having a wider range, but not giving a clear view of anything. With the Clearview mirrors I have the main mirror set up facing outwards so that to see the side of the van I must move my head back, just a little bit. This gives a wide field of vision, while the smaller mirror is set pointing slightly down so that I can see all down the side of the van and car, but I also can keep an eye on the van's wheels by slightly "flicking" the van occasionally. At 100kmh this is absolutely safe with a well balanced van being towed by a heavier car. Do it once. Do it well. Clearview. Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Saturday 2nd of July 2022 01:13:23 PM
jjellfern said
05:03 PM Jul 2, 2022
Been towing with the MSA mirrors for about 12 months now, never realised that they were curved, thats how noticeable it is, great mirror and not as ungainly as CV mirrors. The thing that I am concerned about with the large CV mirrors is that they have a tendency to block your view of vehicles approaching you at right angles at intersections. Truck mirrors can have the same affect.
Go MSA, you wont be sorry.
PS. I dont care what mirror you put on your rig, you still cannot see whats what is behind you.
yobarr said
06:19 PM Jul 2, 2022
jjellfern wrote:
Been towing with the MSA mirrors for about 12 months now, never realised that they were curved, thats how noticeable it is, great mirror and not as ungainly as CV mirrors. The thing that I am concerned about with the large CV mirrors is that they have a tendency to block your view of vehicles approaching you at right angles at intersections. Truck mirrors can have the same affect. Go MSA, you wont be sorry. PS. I dont care what mirror you put on your rig, you still cannot see what's behind you.
The greater the distance that the mirrors protrude from the side of the vehicle the greater the field of vision. And I'm afraid that I can't agree that CVs and truck mirrors block view of vehicles approaching "at right angles" as never have I had this experience in all my years driving trucks etc. "Situational awareness" it's called. As far as "cannot see what's behind you" any good driver would know that there was a vehicle behind him because he would have seen it approaching, surely? Admittedly he would not be able to see what that vehicle was doing, but he would be well aware of its presence. Cheers
jjellfern said
10:32 AM Jul 4, 2022
Ah, another self proclaimed expert, you can see them coming a mile away, (in your rear vision mirror) situation Awareness I call it.
PS. Over and out.
Ivan 01 said
06:30 PM Jul 4, 2022
jjellfern wrote:
Ah, another self proclaimed expert, you can see them coming a mile away, (in your rear vision mirror) situation Awareness I call it. PS. Over and out.
There is actually regulations which apply to rear vision mirrors which are fitted externally on vehicles in Australia.
The angles of view and other requirements are quite specific and detailed in these regulations.
From my observations many caravaners vehicle external rear view mirrors either dont comply or are non existent.
I have Clearviews, they comply and their design is around what is legal and practical, not what looks good.
I would check but years ago when manufacturers began fitting external mirrors on both sides of the vehicle, the mirror on the drivers side was not permitted to be curved.
Some of those Ford Falcons were terrible to reverse with that stupid convex passenger mirror.
Clarky 1 said
11:58 AM Jul 5, 2022
Clearviews have a very similar function to the mirrors on most trucks.
You have the main mirror which is vertical and a small mirror under the main glass which can be adjusted to view the wheel area of the van.
This is handy for turning and reversing.
I like the fact that you can remotely adjust the big mirror to any angle for reversing as well.
What do they say,. imitation is the most sincere form of flattery
Whilst I have no experience with these mirrors they certainly do look the part! However, they are the same price as the well tested and proven Clearview brand so I would stick with Clearview. Not much help but at least you've now got some sort of response! Good luck. Cheers
Downside to me is the curved one piece, I have some trouble adapting to curved glass, even removed it from standard bt 50 and fitted flat in 2015 ish.
To do that on MSA could be an issue as the backing plate has quite a curve, so have not gone that far yet.
But seem solid enough when extended.
I fitted 'Cleaview' mirrors to my Collie at new and find them the best thing since Adam found a fig leaf and would never leave home without them now. They also fold in, so that 'shed thing' you mentioned is solved as well.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
12 years ago I bought a cheap pair of towing mirrors from Autobarn & I've never looked back in 120,000kms
Pun intended?
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 1st of July 2022 02:58:26 PM
I have MSA on a 2021 Hilux. Personally cant fault them excellent for towing and when in normal position they look the part. I prefer the look of MSA over clearview. The clearview in my opinion are a bit agricultural but again that's just my opinion some may like that look.
I am not that wrapped in the look of the Clearview but they are a bloody good mirror.
There was no link to the subject mirrors so I wont comment except if it is true that they are curved glass then they arent for me.
Hi Clarky. Simply Google "MSA towing mirrors" and there is lots if info, but convex is not for me either. As you know, Clearview are two mirrors in one so you can set them up to give a clear view of everything behind and alongside. Cheers
The other thing I found with clearviews was i could not get used to the 2 piece mirror. Again work colleagues swore by this but didn't work for me.
-- Edited by MQ3175 on Saturday 2nd of July 2022 09:55:33 AM
Two piece mirrors, or multiple mirrors are the only way to get the best possible clear view of things alongside your car and van, and other vehicles aproaching from behind. Everything else is a compromise, with convex mirrors having a wider range, but not giving a clear view of anything. With the Clearview mirrors I have the main mirror set up facing outwards so that to see the side of the van I must move my head back, just a little bit. This gives a wide field of vision, while the smaller mirror is set pointing slightly down so that I can see all down the side of the van and car, but I also can keep an eye on the van's wheels by slightly "flicking" the van occasionally. At 100kmh this is absolutely safe with a well balanced van being towed by a heavier car. Do it once. Do it well. Clearview. Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Saturday 2nd of July 2022 01:13:23 PM
Go MSA, you wont be sorry.
PS. I dont care what mirror you put on your rig, you still cannot see whats what is behind you.
The greater the distance that the mirrors protrude from the side of the vehicle the greater the field of vision. And I'm afraid that I can't agree that CVs and truck mirrors block view of vehicles approaching "at right angles" as never have I had this experience in all my years driving trucks etc. "Situational awareness" it's called. As far as "cannot see what's behind you" any good driver would know that there was a vehicle behind him because he would have seen it approaching, surely? Admittedly he would not be able to see what that vehicle was doing, but he would be well aware of its presence. Cheers
PS. Over and out.
There is actually regulations which apply to rear vision mirrors which are fitted externally on vehicles in Australia.
The angles of view and other requirements are quite specific and detailed in these regulations.
From my observations many caravaners vehicle external rear view mirrors either dont comply or are non existent.
I have Clearviews, they comply and their design is around what is legal and practical, not what looks good.
I would check but years ago when manufacturers began fitting external mirrors on both sides of the vehicle, the mirror on the drivers side was not permitted to be curved.
Some of those Ford Falcons were terrible to reverse with that stupid convex passenger mirror.
You have the main mirror which is vertical and a small mirror under the main glass which can be adjusted to view the wheel area of the van.
This is handy for turning and reversing.
I like the fact that you can remotely adjust the big mirror to any angle for reversing as well.
What do they say,. imitation is the most sincere form of flattery