How to choose the right towing mirrors
When towing a caravan it is important that you can see what’s behind you.
The law states you must be able to see along both its sides and four metres on either side at a distance of 20 metres behind the driver. Also, mirrors should not project too far beyond the overall width of the caravan – 20cm or 25cm, depending on when there were designed.
Nearly all towcars, including big 4x4s, will legally require towing mirrors to meet these requirements when hooked-up to almost any conventional caravan. Sammy Faircloth looks at some of the options.
Types of towing mirrors
Clamp-style mirrors
These are the most popular choice as they offer exceptional stability and are simple to attach. The mirrors themselves come in different shapes, such as the teardrop or the larger Milenco Grand Aero.
Strap mirrors
Still a popular choice with many caravanners and are quick and easy to fit.
Suction mirrors
Designed to suction to the car mirrors and can be adjusted using the car’s own electric mirrors. They do block out part of the vehicle’s mirrors, reducing overall visibility, and stability can be an issue.
Electric mirrors
Reich offers a clip-on mirror that can be adjusted from inside the vehicle using an infrared remote control. This is ideal for the solo traveller... the downside is that it’s quite costly at £200 for just one mirror.
Convex or flat?
Since all modern car mirrors are convex, it makes sense to use compatible convex towing mirrors (pictured left). The view offered by these mirrors is slightly distorted but you do benefit from a wide-angle image.
Flat mirrors (pictured right) offer a smaller field of view but without distortion. The decision between the two is a personal choice but the extra field of view offered by convex mirrors is useful and probably advisable.
Legal requirements
Towing mirrors must show the ‘e-mark’ to prove that they have legal approval. This can be a lower case ‘e’ or an upper case ‘E’, depending on whether they’re approved to European or wider international requirements.
If you are buying new towing mirrors, you should look for those that are manufactured to the very latest standard – E04. This will be clearly marked, probably on the mirror cowling.