Mirrors or Not

Bear in mind also that as soon as one deviates from a straight line the whole thing becomes a nonsense.

...Got to be quite a deviation if towing mirrors fitted correctly

Not that much. Once pulled onto a motorway hard shoulder on a slight left curve, when a passer by indicated we had a problem. It was not possible to pull out again as I could not see what traffic was coming up in the inside lane. We had to drive for a fair way along the hard shoulder, through all the accumulated bits of rubbish, before we could rejoin.

The regulations are quite clear in specifying a required angle of vision to the rear through the exterior mirrors. If that angle of vision is achievable without towing mirrors you don't need them, if not you do.

Exactly the point I've been making, Lutz. 

Wall, against, brick, banging, head 

When I towed with a mercedes Vito van the extention mirrors needed extended length straps.  You usually have to ask for them when buying mirrors with straps as the normal ones as too short for commercial vehicles. Extention mirrors make manuvering on site much easier even although they do shake a bit out on the road. 

every type of mirror I have tried over the last thirty years   have been useless, shaky and with blind spots you could hide a bus in. Personally I consider e en if you cannot quite se the required angle car mirrors are safer, and if you move your head a couple of inches forward you generally cover the required angle. Not that I advocate not using towing mirrors if your van is wide .

Towing mirrors are a legal requirement on most outfits so shaky or not, blind spots or not they are cheaper than a fine and better than points on your licence.

I would admit mine shake a bit but they do increase my view and combined with the car mirrors I get far more rear view than without. I cannot see me ditching them law or no law.

Well said. The chances of getting stopped without extension mirrors is much higher than if they are fitted. Once stopped, I suspect it would be very difficult to prove that there was sufficient rear view to comply with the law. Having extension mirrors fitted provides absolute evidence that the correct visibility has been achieved. The result would be a fine. Personally I fit both even though my 4x4 provides a good view in it's own mirrors. I find the offside one significantly improves my rear view but the nearside one enhances the view much less.

Sorry I'm a bit thick, so would one of you clever people please help me out.  By listing, the suitable tow vechicle caravan combinations, which would comply with the law as it stands without extension mirrors?

Thank you

Not me, I'm not clever. I've only stated what the regs are as has Lutz and Jill. 

Not me, I'm not clever. I've only stated what the regs are as has Lutz and Jill. 

So to summarise.  The regulation  does not mandate the use of extension mirrors when towing a trailer. 

When that trailer is a caravan it is most unlikely that you are able to comply with the regulation without mirrors. 

Seems clear to me. If you are towing a caravan you need Extension mirrors. 

Not necessarily if someone owns an 'Eriba' model from 1.65 to 2.0 metres width.

Isn't the fitting of towing mirrors akin to the old 'see and be seen' strapline on using vehicle lighting?  

Not me, I'm not clever. I've only stated what the regs are as has Lutz and Jill. 

So to summarise.  The regulation  does not mandate the use of extension mirrors when towing a trailer. 

When that trailer is a caravan it is most unlikely that you are able to comply with the regulation without mirrors. 

Seems clear to me. If you are towing a caravan you need Extension mirrors. 

But this is about the OP who tows with a commercial vehicle which bears commercial vehicle size exterior mirrors. We're not talking about the likes of you or I towing with a 'normal' car. 

How many times have I said only the OP can tell if extension mirrors are needed? I'm not advocating use or non-use as its for each individual to decide.