16' Series Towing without extension mirrors

[S&P]

Hi All,
I've been discussing with a friend who tows his Flamingo OB with a Pathfinder but doesn't use extension mirrors. His thoughts are the extension mirrors are pretty useless anyway, and uses a high-mount rear camera on the van for seeing what's going on behind.
Just wondering if anyone out there has similar thoughts / experience on towing a 16 footer OB behind a Prado 150.
I expect I'll be putting a camera on the back at some point anyway.
Cheers,
S&P

 

[Soaring]

I seem to remember a thread on this. I believe there is a legal requirement that says you must be able to see down the side of the van, or something along those lines.

For me I don't know why you would not use mirrors. They give real perspective view in the same way you car mirrors do. Something a reverse camera does not. Also very handy for reversing and seeing where the side of the van is.

 

[crustt]

If a cop sees you without mirrors your getting pulled over and what if the camera plays up? Better to have both.

 

[Pace]

For me mirrors are a must, just having them and seeing what tow car mirrors cant, is safety. Pace.

 

[Bushman]

Yes a legal requirment in most states, thought you don't here of to many people being booked without them, you must be able to see clearly down the side to the rear corners of your trailer this includes boats horse floats, any trailer that is over the width of the tow vehicles mirrors, I know I can't see more than about a quater way down the side of my 16 without my mirrors, I'd rather see that B-Double/Road Train/anything before it's on my rear quater.

I towed my Swan with an earlier Pathie and it was the same, Camera's should only be used as an additional aid to mirrors, after all mirrors don't show what is directly behind you,
I've had a few near misses from people towing vans without mirrors so it's a bit of a personal bitch of mine, people who tow without mirrors are a danger to themselves and other road users.

Dont mean to offened anyone here, so I guess at the end of the day it's a personal choice at your own risk of being booked

 

[JASA]

I had a policeman tell me once that I need to be able to see down the sides of my van to the rear corners. Besides, if you only have a camera and you blow a fuse your in a bit of trouble!!
I use mirrors, they might vibrate a little, but at least you can see if "something" is alongside you.

 

[pomtony]

i wouldnt even think about travelling without extension mirrors, to me they are a must use item

 

[jeff]

Forgot to fit ours for a short trip......once, never again

 

[Heath Denman]

Yes Definetly a legal requirement to have them fitted...

 

[Mike7]

Spoke to the RTA here in NSW and the guy in the technical section reckons you need a mirror if your car mirrors can't see traffic to the side AND behind the van.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
Mike

 

[S&P]

Spoke to the RTA here in NSW and the guy in the technical section reckons you need a mirror if your car mirrors can't see traffic to the side AND behind the van.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
Mike

Thanks all, I do like to see as much as I can around me even without a van/trailer behind so I'll be putting some extension mirrors on for sure.
Cheers, S&P

 

[KevO]

My question is, Do you have to have two or 1 enough?

 

[Bushman]

My question is, Do you have to have two or 1 enough?

I have seen people with only 1 usually left side as that is normally the hardest side to see, but 1 doesn't make a lot of sence.
Your tug has 2 mirrors, does it not, so why only use 1.