HELP NEEDED PLEASE RE- TOWING MIRRORS

robynmacd · Member

HELP NEEDED PLEASE RE- TOWING MIRRORS

jandas fun · Guru

Hi robynmacd,
i agree that laws may vary from state to state, but would think that if the van width is greater than the towing vehicle, then tow mirrors should be fitted.
Also, even a slight curve in the road will stop you from seeing anything behind you. You could try a google search and see what comes up.
Personally, i would not tow a caravan without them, a bit like wether you should use a wdh/ sway bars, or not

Johnw

-- Edited by jandas fun on Wednesday 16th of June 2010 04:02:08 PM

robynmacd · Member

Hi jandas fun Thansks very much for your info. Yep I will go with my gut instincts and as you said better to be able to see everything!! Out to the RV STORE tomorrow and pick up a new set that hopefully wont scratch our Paj. As for the sway bars theres no questioning that one, wouldnt leave the driveway without them. Thanks again Robyn.

jimricho · Guru

Hi robynmacd and welcome to the forum,

I have a 2003 Paj, same as yours, you won't be able to get the type of mirrors that fit over the existing ones due to their odd shape, so you'll need the type that mounts on the door. These are a bit more expensive but some "experts" say they're the better set-up. They're the only type I've used so I'm not in a position to enter into a debate on that. They do tend to vibrate slightly but that may be common to most of them...

Wombat 280 · Guru

If you have weather shields fitted just make sure you don't need to mount them so far back that you need to sit in the back seat to get a clear view . There is a type out that replace your existing mirrors and don't require a stabilizer bar down the door , just can't recall who makes them but can check it out if your keen.

If you have a 4WD and van show coming up take a look , the ones I'm thinking of are a redsign that can replace the existing mirrors and be extended out when needed for towing and retracted for daily round about use

-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Wednesday 16th of June 2010 10:32:18 PM

jimricho · Guru

These may be the mirrors WB 280 is referring to...http://www.clearviewmirrors.com.au/models.asp

For more info on towing mirror regs check out http://www.lets-getaway.com/towing-mirrors.htm

I personally would avoid convex mirrors as they are difficult judge distance and direction when backing onto a site.

-- Edited by jimricho on Thursday 17th of June 2010 07:30:07 AM

Wombat 280 · Guru

Yes that's the one Clearview . They were developing a range so don't be put off by the 200 Series Land Cruiser pic's

robynmacd · Member

Hi jimricho and once again thanku for the valuable info. Have to agree the Pajero isnt easy to fit thats for sure but I love it! Also thanks for the close up of the mirrors. Cheers Robyn.

robynmacd · Member

Hi wombet 280. Thanks for your info also on these mirrors clearview. Will check them out asap as I am now on the countdown . Sunday we are out of here!! Cheers robynmacd.

Smokeydk · Guru

I prob need extended mirrors too.........though they say I dont... as new van is 6ft9" wide...
I guess I'll find out soon

jimricho · Guru

robynmacd wrote:

Hi jimricho and once again thanku for the valuable info. Have to agree the Pajero isnt easy to fit thats for sure but I love it! Also thanks for the close up of the mirrors. Cheers Robyn.

You're welcome, no problems mounting the door type, also thebit that rests on the door is padded so there's no scratching worries. The photo was cropped out of an existing one so didn't need to do it specially, you can probably see it was taken at the same location as my profile photo.

Jim

howdrink · Senior Member

i don't know what state you are in but aussi truck mirrors make the mirrors most of us use the extended one's you can contact then on 0882623366 if you are out of s.a. then they can tell you who sells them in other state's hope this helps mate

-- Edited by howdrink on Sunday 20th of June 2010 03:25:50 PM

-- Edited by howdrink on Sunday 20th of June 2010 03:27:36 PM

Smokeydk · Guru

Hi Jim,

I'm interested in your mirrors....I've been told lot of door mirrors dent doors or have magnetic plate that messes up the door paint.......any help appreciated

jimricho · Guru

Smokeydk wrote:

Hi Jim,

I'm interested in your mirrors....I've been told lot of door mirrors dent doors or have magnetic plate that messes up the door paint.......any help appreciated

Hi David,

Haven't had any problems with denting or scatching. Since taking that photo I've since readjusted the set-up slightly so that the centre buckle and pad sits on the door a bit better, also glued a small pad of marine carpet (about 60 x 80 mm) to the pad but this is to fit the door better and not to address any (non-existant) scratching or denting problem. The pad is not magnetic or suction cup, although I have seen both types advertised.

When I purchased the mirrors I had little choice of type as I had just picked up the Goldstream and didn't have any towing mirrors so I went to the nearest caravan shop and that was all they had that was suitable. They fitted and adjusted them for me so I was able to get on the road and head home.

Digressing slightly, but re magnetic "thingies" on the paintwork, when I was gainfully(?) employed we needed to temporarily fit 2-ways to some of the company vehicles and we used magnetic antenna bases. To avoid scratching the paintwork we covered the magnet with duct or gaffer tape. The magnet held just as strongly.

Jim

Smokeydk · Guru

Thanks Jim

I was checking the internet, your's look kinda like ones I saw on youtube, a female fitting a pair to a vehicle, like a seatbelt connection adjusted halfway up door, from TJM I think???

Dave

Smokeydk · Guru

Hey Jim

I bought a pair from TJM today, they called them Aussie Truck Mirrors but these have Britax brand on box.
they have a black triangle shape that fits on door with a chrome winder by glass and adjustable slide for mirror.
How far up did you put that pad(you said you re-adjusted it) from the curve of the bottom section of the door?

Dave

jimricho · Guru

Smokeydk wrote:

Hey Jim

I bought a pair from TJM today, they called them Aussie Truck Mirrors but these have Britax brand on box.
they have a black triangle shape that fits on door with a chrome winder by glass and adjustable slide for mirror.
How far up did you put that pad(you said you re-adjusted it) from the curve of the bottom section of the door?

Dave

G'day Dave,

If you look in the picture in my earlier post you'll see that the pad is sitting in a bit of a depression in the door panel. I've set ut up a little bit higher and that in combo with the carpet pad means it now sits a bit more solidly on the door. By using marine carpet I don't have to worry about it remaining wet and going mouldy and I had plenty of small off-cuts of marine carpet on hand anyway.

Jim