I can see clearly now
Q Do you need towing extension mirrors with all combinations of car and caravan?
A The law says that you need an adequate view to the rear, which means down both sides of the caravan, and then gives a rather complicated definition of what ‘adequate’ means.
In simple terms, though, you need to be able to see 4m on either side of the caravan, at a point 20m from where you’re sitting as the driver. That’s probably 10m beyond the rear of most caravans.
That field of view ensures that you can see smaller vehicles like motorcycles approaching in an adjacent lane, or anything that’s about to overtake you or has just been overtaken.
In our experience, there are very few likely combinations of car (including 4x4s) and caravan which allow this view without extension mirrors, and even those that do will generally benefit from enhanced vision if fitted with them.
On reflection
It’s also worth noting…
- Extension mirrors must be Type Approved (ie ‘e-marked’). Others may be poor quality and unsafe… and illegal. Sadly, we know some mirrors sold in the UK use fraudulent or obsolete e-marks, so it’s also a good idea to stick to the well-known manufacturers, even if you find cheaper alternatives elsewhere.
- Always fit your mirrors prior to towing – this sounds obvious, but we’ve regularly seen caravanners stopped by the police for not having a clear view, who are then able to produce extension mirrors out of the car or caravan.
- Bear in mind that wider caravans or unusually narrow cars may need extra-wide extension mirrors. Some makers offer mirrors with longer arms, either as standard or as optional add-ons. Do bear in mind, however, that there’s a maximum amount that mirrors can project beyond the width of the caravan. For towcars sold from January 2007, that’s 25cm each side, while for older cars it’s 20cm.
- Some mirrors are available with either flat or slightly convex glass. The latter gives a slightly wider field of view and is similar to most modern car mirrors, but ultimately this is a matter of personal choice.
- Always double check extension mirrors are safely fitted. Good ones should be secure and stable, while fitting almost any shape of car mirror. While most extension mirrors are of a universal fitment design, some manufacturers do offer tailored fittings to suit particularly odd-shaped car mirrors.
- If you fail to comply with the mirror rules you can be fined up to £1,000 (although £60 fixed penalty notices are more common) and get three points on your licence.
In short, we would encourage all members to take a look at their current mirror set-ups to ensure they’re safe and legal.
