Mirrors

Koala13 · Newbie

Mirrors

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome to the gang Ian, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I saw your subject heading and was going to suggest the best, 'Clearview' but having a Calais they wouldn't look all that good and overkill.

May I suggest you type 'Tow Mirrors' into the 'search' bar in the thick blue line above as there is heaps of info in the dungeon just waiting for you to read.

Good to see at least you are putting mirrors on. Only yesterday I counted 5 sedans on the Hume Highway Nth East VIC towing older caravans and no tow mirrors. Even one came in where I am without mirrors and I mentioned it to the driver it was illegal to tow without. I won't repeat what I was told. Needless to say I just walked away and won't bother again.

Keep safe on the roads and out there. (and use mirrors, it's the law)

yobarr · Guru

Koala13 wrote:
Hi all, new to vanning, or at least will be in May. I'll be towing a 16' Jayco Poptop with a 2016 Holden Calais and was wondering what type of mirrors would best suit. I'm not really keen on the strap around the door type. Appreciate any advise given.

Hi Ian,and welcome to the forum.The indesputable King of mirrors is Clearview,but they're expensive! I'm sure you will get lots of useful advice and recommendations from users of other,smaller brands that may better suit your needs,Good luck! Cheers

KFT · Guru

G'day and welcome from me too.

I use Milenco grand aero mirrors and have been for more than 70,000km

I find them easy to fit and remove, when refitted they dont need adjustment. They have not blown back when trucks and road trains pass and by fitting them to the bottom of my mirrors I get very little vibration.

They are available as flat or convex mirrors to suit what you prefer.

I will attach a picture.

Hope that helps
Frank

jontee · Veteran Member

Hi,
X2 for Milenco mirrors . Good gear .
Cheers,
Jontee

Long Weekend · Guru

As Dougwe points out, you cannot tell people that it is the law to have mirrors able to see behind. They will invariably tell you that they don't need them as they have driven around Australia or such with no problems. Of course, the same people think that their right indicators give them the right to change lanes regardless of what is alongside or coming up behind.

The only solution is for the police to begin stopping vans and running a tape measure over the front of the tug. I only know of one case that has happened, but it was a boat owner who was pulled over at Nimitabel in NSW. He was a bit peeved because he had towed his boat down to the lakes at Bairnsdale and was returning back home. Of course, as he had towed the boat hundreds of kilometres without problems, he thought that he didn't require mirrors. (I might add that he tried to tell the police that the boat had a round hull and he could see along it!)

I have always had proper mirrors, started off with strap-ons, moved to the ratchet ones and now have the Clearviews. Wouldn't be without them.

The Clearviews are also great for driving in traffic without a van on behind - which is probably well above 95% of the time.

Murray

TheHeaths · Guru

Clear views are not available for OPs vehicle.

I couldnt see any for sedans/non 4wds.

fwdoz · Guru

X3 for the Milencos!

Mike196 · Senior Member

Had Clearview on the last vehicle and thought they were OK. But, they have a restricted field of view in the horizontal plane, and they're BIG overall and expensive. Will be going with the Milenco for the new Van. one of the things noticeable with the Clearview, apart from the size, is the restricted view in the horizontal plane, was surprised by that actually.

yobarr · Guru

Mike196 wrote:
Had Clearview on the last vehicle and thought they were OK. But, they have a restricted field of view in the horizontal plane, and they're BIG overall and expensive. Will be going with the Milenco for the new Van. one of the things noticeable with the Clearview, apart from the size, is the restricted view in the horizontal plane, was surprised by that actually.

Hi Mike....please explain.My Clearviews give me a clear picture from car door to rear of van,including van wheels so I can keep an eye on them,right up to the top of the van,and hundreds of metres rearward down each side.The mirrors are set up so that,on multi-lane roads,if another vehicle is overtaking on my left,as soon as he disappears from my spotter mirror,I can see his bonnet through my left side window.Because my car is a single cab ute with a canopy,this is important.Perhaps my years driving trucks have taught me how to set the mirrors correctly,but there is no disputing that Clearview are the pick of the bunch,although expensive.Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Sunday 24th of January 2021 01:32:50 PM

Mamil · Senior Member

Another vote for Milenco, but I had the lower profile Aero 3. Tried two different types of cheapo strap on ones from BCF and Supercheap Auto and binned them. Haven't looked back since I got the Milenco (see what I did there biggrin )

-- Edited by Mamil on Sunday 24th of January 2021 01:38:36 PM

yobarr · Guru

Mamil wrote:
Another vote for Milenco, but I had the lower profile Aero 3. Tried two different types of cheapo strap on ones from BCF and Supercheap Auto and binned them. Haven't looked back since I got the Milenco (see what I did there ). -- Edited by Mamil on Sunday 24th of January 2021 01:38:36 PM

Andy,if you "....haven't looked back since I got the Milenco",why do you even need them? (Well,SOMEONE had to say it!) Cheers

Greg 1 · Guru

Another one for the Millenco Grand Aero's. The Clearviews are arguably better but at 6 times the price they would want to be. I have had a good run with the Millenco.

Buzz Lightbulb · Guru

I've got the Milenco grand aeros. I haven't used them much because i bought the caravan mid last year but so far they've been good.

watsea · Guru

The OP is asking about mirrors for a Holden CALAIS. Who would put the big Clearviews or similar on a Calais?
Milenco mirrors are my recommendation for his purposes

-- Edited by watsea on Monday 25th of January 2021 12:06:43 PM

Sparkster · Senior Member

I towed with various model Commodores for some years and believe you can't do better than the Aussie Truck mirrors, with the strap down the doors.

I realize this is the type you ruled out but they are easy to set up and when you've parked the 'van and driving around they are easy to lift off and replace when ready to tow again.

If you're concerned about the strap damaging paint on the doors, that is simple to overcome. I used the sheepskin seat belt covers (about 200mm long) that can be bought for a few dollars at the $2 shops. Easily fitted as they have velcro to secure them and if they get dirty can be washed easily.

My last couple of tow cars have been four wheel drives on which I use Clearview as I've found the Milenco vibrate too much, compared to the value of the car/van combination the Clearviews are a cheap investment.

oldbloke · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Welcome to the gang Ian, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I saw your subject heading and was going to suggest the best, 'Clearview' but having a Calais they wouldn't look all that good and overkill.

May I suggest you type 'Tow Mirrors' into the 'search' bar in the thick blue line above as there is heaps of info in the dungeon just waiting for you to read.

Good to see at least you are putting mirrors on. Only yesterday I counted 5 sedans on the Hume Highway Nth East VIC towing older caravans and no tow mirrors. Even one came in where I am without mirrors and I mentioned it to the driver it was illegal to tow without. I won't repeat what I was told. Needless to say I just walked away and won't bother again.

Sorry to hear that Doug. I've come to the conclusion that about 5-10% dont think the rules apply to them. And they are everywhere. Don't let it get you down. You did the right thing.

Keep safe on the roads and out there. (and use mirrors, it's the law)

Whenarewethere · Guru

Say it in the reverse as though you are supporting them.

'I hope you don't get caught without mirrors.'

Dougwe · Chief one feather

oldbloke wrote:
Dougwe wrote:
Welcome to the gang Ian, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I saw your subject heading and was going to suggest the best, 'Clearview' but having a Calais they wouldn't look all that good and overkill.

May I suggest you type 'Tow Mirrors' into the 'search' bar in the thick blue line above as there is heaps of info in the dungeon just waiting for you to read.

Good to see at least you are putting mirrors on. Only yesterday I counted 5 sedans on the Hume Highway Nth East VIC towing older caravans and no tow mirrors. Even one came in where I am without mirrors and I mentioned it to the driver it was illegal to tow without. I won't repeat what I was told. Needless to say I just walked away and won't bother again.

Sorry to hear that Doug. I've come to the conclusion that about 5-10% dont think the rules apply to them. And they are everywhere. Don't let it get you down. You did the right thing.

Keep safe on the roads and out there. (and use mirrors, it's the law)

It doesn't get me down Neil, annoys me yes. The only thing that really get's to me are 'inconsiderate' people. I need to get that out of my system and all will be good.

It's either a side effect from putting up with all that has happened since December 2019, Fires then Covid OR I am turning into a grumpy old man furious confuse biggrin

erad · Guru

General comment on mirrors: Have any of you been watching the crappy TV shows like 'What's Up Down Under' or Pat Callinan's shows etc where the 'stars' are towing caravans around various parts of OZ. The shows are mainly unsolicited advertising for caravans which I don't want to buy anyway. But most of them don't have towing mirrors. OK - some of the Dodge trucks MAY be legal ie the mirrors may be wider than the caravan, but the others certainly are not legal. They just use the vehicle's standard mirrors and no way could they see the required distance behind the van. Similarly, Callinan's son (Pat says he is 19 yrs old) is driving around with no P plates. I thought that P platers had to wear the P Plates for at least 3 years. I am a pedantic old bugger these days...

Possum3 · Guru

erad wrote:
I thought that P platers had to wear the P Plates for at least 3 years. I am a pedantic old bugger these days...

State Regulation do vary, and there are differing regulations on "non-gazetted" roads and "right of passageway"s - which are the types of tracks these shows tend to be using. I do remember one instance in Pat's case when his Son did affix a P plate to his vehicle.

elliemike · Guru

Hi Koala 13.

I use the Ratchet Strap type mainly because most of the others I have used in the past either fall off on rough roads. Or get slammed back by the wind, when an approaching large trucks like B Doubles etc. go past at speed.

Just a take on whether people need them or not and what the law says.

I stick to the obvious rule of "Can I safely see what's behind me"

I have been pulled over twice when towing both times were many years ago now (over 40 years ago) UK and NZ and both times the police and NZ traffic Cop went behind (hidden from view) the Trailer/Van and told me to tell them how many fingers I could see poking out from the side of the towed vehicle. Only having the standard Car/M.O.W. Ute, wing mirrors I could tell them correctly. So I was legal both times. The NZ Ministry of Works ute had a Trailer loaded with gear going to a job.

I have a rear View Camera as an aid. But I consider this below is what I need to see in my side mirror. The Star is where the Cops fingers would stick out.

Wing Mirror.jpg .

Long Weekend · Guru

Further to Erad's comment re Callinan: are 'P' platers - and I am thinking 'green' ones - allowed to tow vans?

Our eldest grand daughter is going for her first licence next month. Her parents have a van that they use occasionally and I was thinking - can she take turns in towing when she graduates to 'green?'

Murray

PeterD · Guru

Murray, it depends on which state she is towing in. You did not inform us which state she is in.

Possum3 · Guru

All States information www.whichcar.com.au/car-advice/l-and-p-plate-restrictions-by-state

Koala13 · Newbie

Fair go people, don't want to seem ungrateful but my question was about suitable mirrors for a Holden Calais, not 4x4's or who is or isn't required to show P plates. Thanks to the one's who have answered my question, I'll be going with the Milencos.

Long Weekend · Guru

Sorry Koala13, I do apologize for going astray. Blame it on tunnel vision and only seeing what is directly in front.

To be more constructive before I got our Ranger and Clear Views I used the strap-on ratchet type mirrors on the doors of three Ford Falcon wagons. We did three trips Canberra to Hervey Bay, one trip Canberra to Coulandra, six Canberra to Geelong and various trips along the NSW coast ranging from Eden to Towragi (Wollongong). The ratchet mirrors gave a perfect view behind starting with a Swan camper then Jayco Freedom. My logbook gives the total distance towed as 35,037-kilometres so the ratchet mirrors were well proven.

Over the three wagons there was no paint damage to the doors. An advantage was that when the van was uncoupled the brackets were left attached to the doors and the mirrors slid out of the slots. Providing care was taken not to bump the mirror arms they could be slid back into the bracket later and still be correctly aligned.

Sparkster suggested using lambs wool sleeves to prevent paint damage. I hadn't thought of that, I actually used foam strips which were the edging from the foam squares used for flooring in tents, etc. But in fact the strips were not to prevent paint damage but unless the webbing straps were tight and flat against the door a side wind caused them to vibrate with a humming noise. The first time that happened I thought I had a flat tyre!

Anyway, the Milencos you have decided on will serve you well. They do look nice.

Murray