Quantity of necessary towing mirrors: What's the appropriate amount?
When towing a caravan, visibility is crucial for safety on the road. Two towing mirrors are required to ensure that the driver can see at least 20 metres behind and 4 metres to either side of the caravan, a requirement set by law. This is necessary because standard vehicle mirrors often fall short when towing a wider load.
In most cases, one towing mirror should be fitted on the driver’s side and one on the passenger side, providing full rear and side visibility. While it's possible that in some instances, you might not strictly need towing mirrors if the caravan is narrow enough, it's essential to remember that in almost all cases, towing mirrors on both sides are necessary to meet visibility requirements and drive safely.
Towing mirrors are available with a choice of flat or convex glass. Convex mirrors offer a wider field of vision but can distort images, making objects appear smaller and further away than they are. Some experienced tow car drivers prefer to have one flat mirror and one convex mirror when choosing towing mirrors.
When changing lanes on the motorway while towing, the driver's side extension mirror is used to judge the distance of traffic approaching from behind, and the nearside extension mirror is used to judge safety for returning to the inside lane.
It's important to note that when dealing with electrical products, there is a risk of electrocution. Always exercise caution and ensure you know what you're doing before attempting any installation or repair work.
If a towing mirror becomes damaged or falls off, it's cheaper to replace it when purchased in a single pack. Remember to check the van warranty before proceeding with any DIY projects to avoid invalidation.
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Future Publishing Limited provides this information in good faith, but individuals should exercise independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice. No liability is accepted by Future or its employees or agents in connection with the use of this information.
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