Rules on towing mirrors

[Craig Tomkinson]

Hi all, Just wading if there is a specific rule on towing mirrors for trailers and vans, as I got done on the NT and QLD border, $100 fine, as my mirrors did not stick out far enough in the policeman's view, Craig

[KathyL]

Here's a link to an article explaining the requirements: http://mag.rvdaily.com.au/rvd/issue011/#27

[KathyL]

A simple test would be to attach your trailer to your tow vehicle and stand directly behind each of the rearmost corners of the trailer at a distance of about 20m from your side rear-view mirrors. If you can see each mirror in its entirety, then you are likely to be compliant. If the mirrors are partially obscured or completely hidden behind the trailer, then you must install extension mirrors.

[Craig Tomkinson]

Thanks KathyL, I should of said it cost $100 for the fine and $70 for new clip on mirrors,

[gronk]

You need to be able to see both rear corners of your van....easiest way is to stick something poking out say 10mm at each side and look.
If you can do this, it's legal. If it's legal, don't pay the fine.

[Craig Tomkinson]

I am Guilty, As my mirrors do not stick out that fair, but I like them like that, I have never had any troubles, but the rules are rules

[weeds]

I never worried about fitting wider mirrors when I had a van.....although knew I could be booked. There is enough bends in the road to keep an eye on what’s behind.

I recently got a warning for having solar shades fitted to the cargo area windows, police said I needed to be to see through the back window using the inside mirror. I pointed out the car is fitted to two external mirrors and mentioned just about every touring 4WD or tradie Ute or van cannot see thought their rear mirror.

In the end I removed them to save getting a fine on the spot, what the policemen didn’t notice was that I have removed the internal mirror


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[Fizzie]

I saw something just this week (but can't find it again now ) that said open your driver's & passenger windows, measure the distance between the outside edges of the external mirrors, then measure the maximum width of your CT / van. If your existing mirrors are wider than the van, you don't need towing mirrors - if the van is wider than the mirrors, you do!

[Craig Tomkinson]

Same with me Weeds done hundreds of thousands on ks towing boats and trailers never had a trouble having to have wider mirrors, The NT government were just razing money, if it was not the mirrors it would of been something else, but maybe not as everything else was spot on, 

[edz]

With the old Jayco folded down Craig,  you would basicaly be able to see over the top of it from the 80 wouldnt you ?.    Isnt yours  an onroad Jayco with small wheels ? .

[gronk]

I am Guilty, As my mirrors do not stick out that fair, but I like them like that, I have never had any troubles, but the rules are rules

Ha ha....I usually speed all the time......but I can't complain if I get booked. But tomorrow I will stick right on the speed limit....long weekend and double demerits !!   

[Craig Tomkinson]

Yes thats Right Mr Edz, I can see most things and I am watching for trucks and 4wds and cars coming up and tail gating me that really sits me off out on the open road, I had towing mirrors on my last 4wd but some bugger liked them better than me, My Wife said to am I going to fit a set and I said no because someone will steal the flaming things like the last ones, oh well, Yes My misses was up me all the time about double demerit points on the holidays, Craig 

[KeithB]

Craig,
Maybe have a look at some Ocam mirrors. They aren't cheap by any means, but a lot cheaper than Clearview. The parts backup is good and they work fine. I like being able to see the trailer  wheels in the lower convex mirror as well as getting good all round vision. But the extra width is a pain in the narrow streets in our neighbourhood. At least they fold back when you hit something.
Keith
https://www.ocamindustries.com.au/towing-mirrors/

[Troopy_03]

I saw something just this week (but can't find it again now ) that said open your driver's & passenger windows, measure the distance between the outside edges of the external mirrors, then measure the maximum width of your CT / van. If your existing mirrors are wider than the van, you don't need towing mirrors - if the van is wider than the mirrors, you do!

Wouldn't that be "inside edges" ?

[Troopy_03]

Yes thats Right Mr Edz, I can see most things and I am watching for trucks and 4wds and cars coming up and tail gating me that really sits me off out on the open road, I had towing mirrors on my last 4wd but some bugger liked them better than me, My Wife said to am I going to fit a set and I said no because someone will steal the flaming things like the last ones, oh well, Yes My misses was up me all the time about double demerit points on the holidays, Craig

If you can see over the top of your camper trailer, it isn't so bad, but clowns who get around with vans and no wide mirrors should get booked. No way they can know if anyone's up their klakker when they are driving in towns or busy dual lane driving, with people changing lanes all the time.

[#jonesy]

Craig,
Maybe have a look at some Ocam mirrors. They aren't cheap by any means, but a lot cheaper than Clearview. The parts backup is good and they work fine. I like being able to see the trailer  wheels in the lower convex mirror as well as getting good all round vision. But the extra width is a pain in the narrow streets in our neighbourhood. At least they fold back when you hit something.
Keith
https://www.ocamindustries.com.au/towing-mirrors/

Are there ones that sit closer to the car? The un-extended size would be all I need. The extra length wouldn't let me get in my carport.

[Fizzie]

Wouldn't that be "inside edges" ?

No, the article said outside edge, working on the theory that if your van is 2.4m wide, but your mirrors are 2.4+ anything, then you can still see past the van, even if it's only 10 - 20 mm on each side.

[KeithB]

Are there ones that sit closer to the car? The un-extended size would be all I need. The extra length wouldn't let me get in my carport.

Mine come out 400mm from the mounting surface on the door and can extend way beyond that. My van is 1900 wide and the view unextended is great. I can see the traffic as well as the trailer wheels. You can fold them back flat against the car if space is tight. Mine fold back on their own all the time when I hit things with them.
Keith

[RebsWA]

As an aside, I fitted a camera on the back of my caravan that gives a constant view of whats behind and its a whole lot better than any mirrors I have ever had.
However, that is illegal here (source: WA Police) and can only be on when reversing. Reason given is it is a distraction to the driver!
I suggested the same could be said for for my navigation screen, double din multimedia screen, other driver aids now common in modern cars, etc, and of course the rear view mirrors if you constantly keep an eye on them.
Was told I would/could be fined if caught with camera on while driving.
My point being, technology has a simple and inexpensive alternative to the mirror fiasco but it is illegal under the traffic code.    Go figure.

[Fizzie]

At least in Qld you can have a rear view camera on the back of the van , but it can't be your primary source of vision - you've still got to have mirrors

[KeithB]

As an aside, I fitted a camera on the back of my caravan that gives a constant view of whats behind and its a whole lot better than any mirrors I have ever had.
However, that is illegal here (source: WA Police) and can only be on when reversing. Reason given is it is a distraction to the driver!

Not relevant to this discussion but, back in 1968, we had the first London to Sydney Marathon rally. When all of the competitors cars rolled off the ship in Fremantle, the WA cops were there to make sure that they all had their four way flashers disconnected. Too advanced for Australia at the time.
Keith

[Bird]

Reason given is it is a distraction to the driver!

Sounds fair to me, most people struggle to drive watching straight ahead, let alone looking away to focus on a screen.

[Craig Tomkinson]

I have bought some and they work well, mite just sika flex them on just to make them harder to steel, Craig

[RebsWA]

Sounds fair to me, most people struggle to drive watching straight ahead, let alone looking away to focus on a screen.

Think about it!!!
It's less distraction to look at the screen situated in the centre of the dash below the vehicle rear view mirror than to have to look left and right outside the door windows at images bouncing around.

[Bird]

Think about it!!!
It's less distraction to look at the screen situated in the centre of the dash below the vehicle rear view mirror than to have to look left and right outside the door windows at images bouncing around.

most are not.. most are connected to the radio/stereo inc a few people here who have asked how to set em up there.

Then you have the bloke in our club with a 10inch Samsung tablet in center of windscreen, who sees nothing (literally) wrong with it... waiting for 5-0 to discuss that one with him.