Towing Mirrors

The Belmont Bear · Guru

Towing Mirrors

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Personally, I hate the look of them (turning vehicle into Dumbo hmm ) but there are Clearview mirrors.

Those that have them, and ignore the sheer bulk and hideousness of them, are very happy customers and have not regretted the large expense - so they say .

http://clearviewmirrors.com.au/14244/PAJERO-SPORT/

Cheers - John

OwenK · Senior Member

I have Clearview on my 100 series landcruiser and love them. They're not cheap but well worth the extra cost, (if you do go that way I would suggest you go for the black as the "Chrome" gets a lot of reflection from the sun).

Cheers Owen .

-- Edited by OwenK on Wednesday 2nd of November 2016 12:16:22 PM

The Belmont Bear · Guru

Thanks John, great info I used your link and was pretty impressed until I saw that the Clearviews would stick out 100mm further than the current ones which means that I probably couldn't get them through my garage door. Even now with the mirrors folded in I have only around 50mm clearance on each side which is made worse by a Kayak which I have hanging on the passenger side wall. Thanks also Owen they do look as if they would do the job it's just the extra size thats the problem- my current mirrors are chrome so that's an interesting point that you make.

-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Wednesday 2nd of November 2016 08:58:59 AM

Hey Jim · Guru

Hi Bear,

You won't have a problem with the auto folding, as both Clear View and the Not clear view off Flea Bay do not have that function. Only the top mirror is elecricly controlled. The wire harness just clips into the cars. Very easy to do, if you are practical. Go onto the Clear View web site and take a read.

I brought the Flea bay issue for my 200 cruiser.Took one hour to fit. Watch the U tube clip 3 x times as to fitting. They all fold manually and are rock solid on both sealed and unsealed roads.

I don't like them for everyday driving in Sydney's rat race traffic. Plus my Driveway is both long and narrow 2.9mtr.House on one side, Fence the other. I reverse in 100% because of pedestrian traffic.(School Kids) And our neighbour love's his vegetation.

We are off to the West in March with the boat and not needed.

I intend to remove them shortly. and put them back on when we use the van later in the year.

Hope this helps. Jim

-- Edited by Hey Jim on Wednesday 2nd of November 2016 09:15:22 AM

Phil C · Guru

Gday Bear,

We have clearview mirrors on our Ranger. Best investment we have made. Heaps expensive ($800 odd) and a beast to fit if you follow their directions, but brilliant in every respect.

Cheers

ants_oz · Veteran Member

I use removable Milenco mirrors. The best removable mirror I have used (although I fully admit to only using a couple of cheap brands previously).

People with vehicle that are lower in the range do not have to worry about many of the things that you LOSE when you fit clearview mirrors. Such things as:

-Electric folding
-Heating
-Lane change warning (if its mounted in the mirror)
-Surround view cameras (which are often mounted in the mirrors)

Of course, if your vehicle is not fitted with any of these features it may not impact you.

CC Bear · Senior Member

I use these. www.milenco.com/products/mirrors/milenco-grand-aero-towing-mirror/ Cost about $150 from memory steady no vibration and good vision will fold in with your mirror.

vince56 · Senior Member

I use Milenco on VW Touareg, mirrors fold but Milencos don't touch the body so you can leave them on.

Peter and JudyH · Senior Member

Belmont Bear,

Another vote for the Milenco.

They attach to the existing, very stable and very adjustable and as above only around $150. They are easy on/off with only 2 thumb screws per side on top of the mirror.

We are just back from another trip and very happy with them.

The Belmont Bear · Guru

Thanks guys for the info I have a chance to buy a set of the milenco mirrors from the caravan dealer as part of a start up kit they are quoting $160 for the XXL mirrors or $290 for a kit that contains, the Milenco XXL mirrors, Camec Level & chock kit, Camec 10mtr drinking hose, 15mtr x 15amp Ext. lead and tow ball safety lock.

Jetta7 · Veteran Member

Hi another vote for Milenco , I have them on my Mitsubishi Outlander with auto fold mirrors.

With regards to your mirrors you can access through your computer in the car and change the setting. I do it all the time.

Look up the mirrors in your car manual and it will tell you how to change them yourself.

cheers

The Belmont Bear · Guru

Thanks jetta7 I took your advice and looked up the vehicles manual - it said that it is possible to adjust the auto functions of the mirrors in the computer and listed the different options - it also says please contact an authorised Mitsubishi dealer to do it. Maybe they don't think that we are smart enough to be able do this ourselves. I think that I will go with the Milencos based on the positive feedback from people who are using them and also the fact that I can easily remove them when not required.

macka17 · Guru

I use $90 specials from Supercheap.
clip into window slot. Magnetic plate on door panel.
tie cord to arm.
Never moved yet. But DON'T drop it.

The glass breaks. (whoops)
Brand new. first time fitting to tow new to us van from Melb back to Heaven..
(Yeppooon)
Clumsy Clara hey. Quick $30 for no reason.

good enonomy though. 9.7 av kmpl going down.
7.3kmpl with 535 Coromal Tandem full height van (empty)
on way back
Driving easy, near road limits. Extended to 4 full days for trip

Normally 2 1\2 days sans van. 3 1\2 days with van.

VERY happy now with 2010 D.Max, with CHIP,
and 3 in S/Steel exhaust.
Regular 7.4 to 8.2 ltrs per 100 on Scanguage. Depending.

OutbackMK · Senior Member

I had the clip on type and strap on types, money is not the driving factor however sideswipe something and you will get not change out of your excess. I ended up buying the Clearview
(Black manual) ones now that I am towing more often and you don't need to remove them every time you drive off without the van attached. Recent rip to Flinders ranges doing a few tight tracks and my wife and I were folding them in and out every 5 minutes. (open window, pull mirror or push out again 10 seconds) Never had to readjust the mirrors themselves as focal point appears about the same with mirrors extended or retracted. When you pull mirrors in or out they have a detent that locks them in the correct position.

Jetta7 · Veteran Member

Hi The Belmont Bear ,

bit of a bummer that it says you have to contact a dealer. The Outlander is certainly good that way I can change them whenever I want.

hope your happy with the Milenco's. Just a tip, i used to connect mine to the top part of the mirror on my XTrail and when I changed to the Outlander found they were not as stable on the top so I shifted it to the bottom of the mirror found the sweet spot where it sat really well and locked up and very happy towing.

what I'm saying is experiment till you find the spot that really works with your mirror. Generally the flatter area you can find for the two clamps the better.

by the way nearly bought the Pajero Sports my self . How do you find it for towing?

cheers

jetta

Hylife · Guru

The problem with all slide on, clip on, screw on, etc mirrors that mount onto your existing mirrors, is the additional wind loading when you go past a road train.

Over an extended period of time (hundreds of trucks over thousands of km) the 'fold back when hit' ratchet mechanism gets worn and then every large passing truck either severely wobbles your mirrors or folds them back as though they had been accidentally hit.

If you can handle the change in aesthetics, go the Clearview but get them colour code painted before fitting by your local panelbeater.