Anyone who has ever been tasked with driving a large caravan, camper or horsebox across the country will tell you that it’s not a particularly easy task at the best of times.
With the UK emerging from lockdown in the coming weeks and thousands due to be taking to the roads who might not have driven in weeks or even months, these are certainly not the best of times.
That’s why towing mirrors are of such vital importance. Because, when the roads are at their busiest and most unpredictable, you want to be able to be in complete control of the situation if you’re carrying heavy equipment behind you. You also need to be able to see exactly what’s going on around you at all times.
The law around towing mirrors
In order to be compliant with the law, anyone towing a caravan must be able to see at least 20 metres behind them and 4 metres to either side of them.
This requires towing mirrors to be fitted at least 95% of the time, with only those driving vans or larger vehicles that allow them to see this distance without mirrors able to legally drive without them.
The current law on towing mirrors has been in place since January 2010 and states that all new cars and motorhomes registered since that date must carry the ‘e-mark’ indicating that they comply with the regulation.
Safety first
According to the Caravan Safety and Security Group (CSSG):
“Many drivers wrongly believe that because they are towing with substantial 4×4 vehicles, these mirrors are not required.”
Indeed, when police check caravan outfits, one of the most common problems they find is a lack of towing mirrors – something that could potentially cost drivers more than the price of the mirrors themselves.
A towing mirror buyers guide
- Ensure that the mirrors can be easily and comfortably adjusted from the driver’s seat.
- They need to be strong and fitted securely enough to withstand high gusts of wind, particularly from HGVs moving in the opposite direction. Our range of Clearview Towing Mirrors includes industrial-strength models that are flexible enough to suit any type of vehicle.
- Always measure your vehicle beforehand to ensure the mirrors you’re purchasing can see the full required distance.
- Look for mirrors that are fitted with safety glass where possible.
- While it is possible to do the bare minimum and spend as little as £20 on a pair of mirrors that simply clip onto your existing mirrors, if you are driving long distances regularly then you’re going to need something more substantial.
Fitting your towing mirrors
This will depend very much on the make and model of the mirror but generally speaking, there are two types of towing mirror – those that clip onto your existing mirrors and those that replace your door mirrors entirely.
The latter will generally be fixed by suction, strap, or clamp, though be aware that we do not recommend these models as they will obstruct the view you get from your original mirrors.
We highly recommend installing towing mirrors that will replace your original door mirrors as they are more reliable, more practical and more accurate. Installation is straightforward and can be accomplished with basic tools. Fitting adjustable mirrors will be most useful as they can be extended to suit different towing situations.
Are towing cameras necessary?
Finally, some drivers choose to go the extra mile by fitting towing cameras that provide a fuller view behind the caravan. These can be helpful in heavy traffic situations but cannot be relied on alone. So, if you’re considering a towing camera it needs to be a purely supplemental option.
