Caravan towing mirrors are highly specialised mirrors that attach to the factory mirrors of your vehicle to provide extra visibility when towing a caravan or trailer.
They are intended to increase the driver's field of vision, allowing a better vision of the trailer's sides and rear, improving safety and manoeuvrability while towing.
They are available in various styles, including clip-on, strap-on, and custom-fit mirrors. Some towing mirrors can also be adjusted to fit the size of the trailer being towed, and some have features like convex lenses or multiple mirrors to provide an even wider view.
When Should A Towing Mirror Be Installed?
Towing a caravan or trailer: It is critical to have a clear view of the entire vehicle and the road ahead when towing a trailer or caravan. Towing mirrors increase visibility and improves safety.
Meeting towing regulations: It is a legal requirement in many areas to have towing mirrors when towing a caravan or trailer.
Improving visibility:
- Using a towing mirror can help you see better when merging into traffic.
- Changing lanes or parking.
- Making it easier to avoid obstacles and other vehicles.
Overcoming limited visibility: When towing, some vehicles may have limited visibility; installing a towing mirror can solve this problem and provide a clearer view of the road.
Enhancing manoeuvrability: Towing mirrors can improve the driver's ability to manoeuvre the vehicle and trailer, especially in tight spaces, reducing the risk of accidents.
What Are The Types Of Towing Mirrors
Clamp-style mirrors
Clamp-style mirrors are towing mirrors that use clamps to attach to your vehicles mirrors. They are designed to be easily attached and removed, making them an excellent choice for drivers who only need towing mirrors occasionally.
Clamp-style mirrors are available in various sizes and shapes to fit multiple vehicle makes and models, and they can be adjusted to provide a clear view of the caravan or trailer.
Strap mirror
Strap-style mirrors are a type of towing mirror that attaches to the factory mirrors of a vehicle via adjustable straps. They are also designed to be easily attached and removed. It is one excellent choice for drivers who occasionally use towing mirrors.
Strap-style mirrors are available in various sizes and shapes to fit various vehicle just like clamp- style mirrors.
Suction mirrors
Suction-style mirrors are a type of towing mirror that uses suction cups to attach to the factory mirrors of a vehicle. These can be easily attached and removed, and is a perfect choice for caravan drivers who uses towing mirrors occasionally.
Suction-style mirrors are available in various sizes and shapes to fit various vehicle.
Electric mirrors
Electric mirrors are towing mirrors designed for vehicles with an electric mirror adjustment feature. They are vehicle-specific and attach to the vehicle's factory mirror via a wiring harness that connects to the vehicle's electrical system. The factory mirror adjustment controls can adjust electric mirrors from inside the vehicle.
Best Caravan Towing Mirrors In Australia
Clip-on towing mirrors
Clip-on towing mirrors are a type of towing mirror that clips onto the factory mirrors of a vehicle. They are intended to be easily attached and removed. Clip-on towing mirrors are available in various sizes and shapes to fit various vehicle makes and models.
Door-mounted towing mirrors
Door-mounted towing mirrors are a type of towing mirror that attaches to a vehicle's door rather than to the factory mirror. They are custom-fit to the vehicle and provide a clear view of the trailer.
Door-mounted towing mirrors are typically more stable than suction-style or clip-on mirrors, as they attach directly to the door.
Extendable towing mirrors
Extendable towing mirrors are a type of towing mirror that can extend or fold out, providing a wider field of view while towing.
They are designed to fit over a vehicle's factory mirrors and can be adjusted to give a clear view of the trailer. Extendable towing mirrors come in various styles, including clip-on and door-mounted.
Best Caravan Towing Mirror To Purchase And Install?
Milenco - Grand Falcon Towing Mirror
The Falcon's regular arm length of 31cm provides superior vision and a vibration-free view far beyond your caravan.
This is a very high-quality product that is made with the best materials available.
The mirror screws are high-quality stainless steel with turn-in brass inserts that will not corrode.
The mirror is made of chrome safety glass, which has a long life and will not discolor after a few years.
These new clamps provide an excellent and versatile system to fit all current (post-1995) cars, 4x4s, and vans.
A single screw clamps both the car mirror and the arm at the same time, making installation extremely simple.
This design also eliminates unreliable straps that transmit vibration.
The mirror head design (Registered Design) uses airflow around your vehicle to stabilize and balance the mirror head while driving. This mirror has been rigorously tested at speeds of up to 250kph to ensure you have the best possible vision.
This design also performs well in high winds, and the effect of passing large commercial vehicles has been reduced.
Milenco Falcon Steady Towing Mirror
This low-cost mirror is ideal for occasional towing.
The Falcon Steady Towing Mirror, with a regular arm length of 31cm, provides superior vision and a vibration-free view far beyond your caravan.
This is a very high-quality product that is made with the best materials available.
The mirror screws are high-quality stainless steel with turn-in brass inserts that will not corrode.
The mirror glass is made of chrome safety glass, which has a very long life and will not discolour after a few years.
The unique and new clamping system (patented plus international patents pending) has been improved further to provide a much better grip and fitment. These new clamps provide an excellent and versatile system to fit all current (post-1995) cars, 4x4s, and vans.
A single screw clamps both the car mirror and the arm at the same time, making installation extremely simple.
Another innovation of this design is the upgraded gripper system, which ensures that the grip pads are not lost.
This design also eliminates unreliable straps that transmit vibration.
The mirror head design (Registered Design) uses airflow around your vehicle to stabilize and balance the mirror head while driving. This mirror has been rigorously tested at speeds of up to 250kph (155 mph) to ensure you have the best possible vision.
This design also performs well in high winds, and the effect of passing large commercial vehicles has been reduced.
Milenco Falcon Convex Towing Mirror
The Falcon Convex Towing Mirror's regular arm length of 31cm provides superior vision and a vibration-free view far beyond your caravan.
This is a very high-quality product that is made with the best materials available.
The mirror screws are high-quality stainless steel with turn-in brass inserts that will not corrode.
The mirror glass is made of chrome safety glass, which has a very long life and will not dis-colour after a few years.
The unique and new clamping system (patented plus international patents pending) has been improved further to provide a much better grip and fitment. These new clamps provide an excellent and versatile system to fit all current (post-1995) cars, 4x4s, and vans.
A single screw clamps both the car mirror and the arm at the same time, making installation extremely simple.
Another innovation of this design is the upgraded gripper system, which ensures that the grip pads are not lost.
This design also eliminates unreliable straps that transmit vibration.
The mirror head design (Registered Design) uses airflow around your vehicle to stabilize and balance the mirror head while driving. This mirror has been rigorously tested at speeds of up to 250kph to ensure you have the best possible vision.
This design also performs well in high winds, and the effect of passing large commercial vehicles has been reduced.
Milenco Aero Platinum Towing Mirror
The Aero Platinum Mirror is an innovative new design specifically developed to securely fit the extremely tapered mirror bezels that are now found on an increasing number of manufacturers' vehicles to improve fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag.
Adding new flexible, rubber-faced stainless steel, spring-loaded gripper plates is one of the Aero Platinum Mirror's key developments. These are more than 50% larger than standard Aero 3 mirror pads.
This design allows the gripper to 'form' to the shape of the vehicle mirror bezel. The Platinum clamp has also been expanded to accept vehicle mirror bezels up to 25mm thick. With a larger diameter arm, the mirror is even more stable and has enough reach to be used on caravans up to 2.55 metres wide.
Platinum Mirrors are made of the highest quality materials to ensure long-lasting durability. Stainless steel and brass are used in critical areas to ensure reliability and prevent road salt corrosion. The mirror is made of the highest quality chrome glass, ensuring a long life.
The Aero Platinum Mirrors have been engineered, designed, manufactured, and tested to the most exacting standards, ensuring superior performance and a perfect fit for 100% of vehicles to date.
Milenco Grand Aero 4 Flat Towing Mirrors
This extremely high-quality product is made with the best materials available. The mirror screws are high-quality stainless steel with turn-in brass inserts that will not corrode. The mirror glass is made of chrome safety glass, which has a very long life and will not discolour after a few years.
The Grand Aero Flat Mirror's unique and new clamping system (patented plus international patents pending) has been improved to provide a much better grip and fitment.
The clamps will now fit vehicles with compound tapered flanges on the mirror housing, such as Land Rovers and Jaguars from 2016. These new clamps provide a unique and versatile system to fit all current (post-1995 - 2021) cars, 4x4s and vans.
Another innovation of this design is the upgraded gripper system, which ensures that the grip pads are not lost. This design also eliminates unreliable straps that transmit vibration.
The Grand Aero 4 Mirror head design (Registered Design) uses airflow around your vehicle to stabilize and balance the mirror head while driving. This mirror has been rigorously tested at speeds of up to 220kph to ensure you have the best possible vision.
This design also performs well in high winds, and the effect of passing large commercial vehicles has been reduced.
Milenco Aero 4 Extra Wide Towing Mirrors
The Aero 4 Extra Wide, with an extended arm length of 41cm, provides superior vision and a vibration-free view far beyond your caravan.
This is a very high-quality product that is made with the best materials available.
The mirror screws are high-quality stainless steel with turn-in brass inserts that will not corrode.
The mirror glass is made of chrome safety glass, which has a very long life and will not discolour after a few years.
The unique and new clamping system (patented plus international patents pending) has been improved further to provide a much better grip and fitment. These new clamps provide an excellent and versatile system to fit all current (post-1995) cars, 4x4s, and vans.
On the tilting axis, this system has simple thumb wheels that allow the clamps to shape the contours of the vehicle's mirror.
Another innovation of this design is the upgraded gripper system, which ensures that the grip pads are not lost.
This design also eliminates unreliable straps that transmit vibration.
The mirror head design (Registered Design) uses airflow around your vehicle to stabilize and balance the mirror head while driving. This mirror has been rigorously tested at speeds of up to 250kph to ensure you have the best possible vision.
This design also performs well in high winds, and the effect of passing large commercial vehicles has been reduced.
Milenco - Grand Aero 4 Wide Convex Towing Mirror
The Aero 4 Grand Extra Wide, with an extended arm length of 41cm, provides superior vision and a vibration-free view far beyond your caravan.
This is a very high-quality product that is made with the best materials available.
The mirror screws are high-quality stainless steel with turn-in brass inserts that will not corrode.
The mirror glass is made of chrome safety glass, which has a very long life and will not discolor after a few years.
The unique and new clamping system (patented plus international patents pending) has been improved further to provide a much better grip and fitment. These new clamps provide an excellent and versatile system to fit all current (post-1995) cars, 4x4s, and vans.
On the tilting axis, this system has simple thumb wheels that allow the clamps to shape the contours of the vehicle's mirror.
This design also eliminates unreliable straps that transmit vibration.
The mirror head design (Registered Design) uses airflow around your vehicle to stabilize and balance the mirror head while driving. This mirror has been rigorously tested at speeds of up to 250kph to ensure you have the best possible vision.
Milenco Grand Aero Platinum Mirrors
The Grand Aero Platinum Mirror is a revolutionary new design created specifically to securely fit the extremely tapered mirror bezels that are now found on many manufacturers' vehicles to improve fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag.
Including new flexible, rubber-faced stainless steel, sprung loaded gripper plates is one of the Aero Platinum Mirror's key developments. These are more than half the size of the standard Aero 3 mirror pads.
Because of this design, the gripper can 'form' to the shape of the vehicle mirror bezel. This significantly increases the surface contact area, providing the towing mirror with improved grip and stability. The Platinum clamp has also been expanded to accommodate vehicle mirror bezels up to 25mm thick.
The mirror is now equipped with a larger diameter arm, which provides even more stability and has enough reach to be used on caravans up to 2.55 metres wide.
Platinum Mirrors are designed with the highest quality materials to ensure long-lasting durability. In critical areas, stainless steel and brass are used to ensure reliability while preventing corrosion from road salt.
The mirror glass is made of the highest quality chrome to ensure a long life. The Aero Platinum Mirrors have been engineered, designed, manufactured, and tested to the highest standards, ensuring superior performance and a perfect fit for 100% of vehicles to date.
Which Caravan Towing Mirror Should I Choose?
|
|
PROS |
CONS |
Clip-on towing mirrors |
● Easy to install and remove ● Adjustable ● Cost-effective ● Versatile ● Convenient |
● Unstable ● Vibrates ● Blocks view |
Door-mounted towing mirrors. |
● Custom-fit ● Stable ● Improved visibility ● Enhanced safety ● Convenient
|
● Less sturdy ● Obstructed ● Limited adjustability |
Extendable towing mirrors
|
● Improved visibility ● Versatile ● Convenient ● Cost-effective ● Easy to store |
● Pricey
|
How Do You Install A Caravan Towing Mirror?
The steps for installing caravan towing mirrors in Australia vary depending on the type of towing mirror used, but in general, the following steps can be used:
Determine compatibility: Before purchasing a set of towing mirrors, ensure the specifications and compatibility with your vehicle are correct. Check that the mirrors you buy are suitable for use in Australia and meet the towing regulations in your state.
Prepare the vehicle: Clean the mirrors and surrounding areas where the towing mirrors will be attached. Remove any dirt or debris that may interfere with the installation.
Install the brackets: Follow the manufacturer's instructions to install the brackets onto the existing mirrors. This could necessitate the use of screws, bolts, or adhesive.
Attach the towing mirrors: After installing the brackets, attach them to the brackets, ensuring they are securely in place.
Adjust the mirrors: Set the towing mirrors to the best towing position, ensuring a clear view of the entire towing setup.
Towing a load and checking the stability and adjustability of the mirrors are good ways to test the installation. Adjust the mirrors as needed to ensure you have a clear view of the entire towing setup.
Legal Requirements Needed When Installing A Towing Mirror In A Caravan
In Australia, certain legal requirements must be met when installing a towing mirror in a caravan. These requirements vary by state, but the following is a general overview of the legal requirements for towing mirrors in Australia:
Approval: The towing mirrors must be approved by the relevant authorities, such as the Department of Transport or the Australian Design Rules (ADR).
Dimensions: The towing mirrors must be a certain size and provide adequate visibility. The minimum dimensions for towing mirrors in Australia are outlined in the Australian Design Rules (ADR).
Stability: The towing mirrors must be securely mounted and stable, with no vibration or movement while towing.
Lighting: If the towing mirrors have lights, they must be positioned in such a way as to be visible from the front and rear of the vehicle.
Reflective surfaces: The towing mirrors must have reflective surfaces visible from behind.
Positioning: The towing mirrors must be positioned in such a way as to provide a clear view of the entire towing setup, including the caravan and any loads being carried.
Clearance: The towing mirrors must not obstruct the view of the driver or other road users and must provide adequate clearance for other vehicles.
