The legal lowdown: Do I need towing mirrors?

Do you actually need towing mirrors? Robert Pepper takes a look at the legal requirements and the different types of mirrors available.

Towing mirror legalities aside, it’s pretty obvious you need to see behind you when driving, and that doesn’t change when towing a wide trailer. In fact, it becomes even more important. Why look behind? Well, you may be overtaking or need to reverse your trailer. You need to see that you’re being overtaken and maybe even notice an emergency services vehicle behind you. There are lots of reasons to keep a good lookout behind, which is hard if you’ve got a caravan or camper partially blocking your view. The average caravan creates a dangerously large blind spot for the driver.

The problem is this. The width of a ute like the Ranger is around 1,850mm, and even a big wagon like the Patrol Y62 is only 1,995 mm. A small caravan like a J-Pod is 1,860mm wide, so a little more than the Ranger. A mid-sized hybrid van might be 2,100mm, and many larger caravans are around 2,500mm wide.

The solution

The solution to this problem is a set of caravan towing mirrors. They are wider than the standard wing mirrors and allow you to see behind properly and safely, eliminating what would otherwise be a dangerous blind spot.

But do you have to get a set of towing mirrors from a legal perspective? Here’s what the law says about it:

What the law says about mirrors

So how do you know you’re good to go? Well, what’s legal and what’s sensibly safe don’t always align, but in this case, there is indeed a law. It’s titled “Australian Design Rule 14/02 – Rear Vision Mirrors”. This is what it says:

“The field of vision must be such that the driver can see at least a 4 m wide flat, horizontal portion of the road which is bounded by a plane parallel to the median longitudinal vertical plane passing through the outermost point of the vehicle on the passenger’s side and which extends from 20 m behind the driver’s ocular points to the horizon (see Figure 5). In addition, the road must be visible to the driver over a width of 1 m, which is bounded by a plane parallel to the median longitudinal vertical plane and passing through the outermost point of the vehicle starting from a point 4 m behind the vertical plane passing through the driver’s ocular points.”

Basically, you are required to see along the full length of your caravan or camper trailer at its widest point and an additional 20m behind this. To further simplify this, your mirrors should be wider than what you are towing. 

The below diagram from the RVSafe Handbook shows the difference between using towing mirrors and standard mirrors.  You can clearly see that without the towing mirrors, there is a large blind spot. The majority of caravans will require you to get towing mirrors based upon the above legal specifications. But even if you just scrape through with a camper trailer or a very small RV, getting towing mirrors is still the safer alternative.

Types of towing mirrors

There are two basic types: clip-on and replacement. The clip-on models are exactly that, they fit over the top of the existing wing mirrors. The replacement versions entirely replace your existing mirrors and can be extended out wide or pulled back in close.

The law also says you’re not allowed to have anything protruding more than 150mm wider than the overall width of the vehicle of the trailer you’re towing, whichever is more. So, you’ll need to remove or push in your towing mirrors when not in use. Mirrors may be 230mm wider than the overall width, if they’re capable of collapsing to 150mm.

How do you choose between clip-on and replacement mirrors?

Replacement towing mirrors for caravans are definitely a superior product. The clip-ons tend to bounce around and may even fall or fly off if not secured properly. They can be easily stolen. You may also need to focus your eyes on the standard mirror and/or the towing mirror for example when turning, which takes a fraction more time than glancing in just one mirror.

Replacement towing mirrors for caravans suffer none of these problems but as you’ll have guessed, they are expensive at $700-$1100. Clip-on caravan towing mirrors are around $130.

Recommendations

From my personal experience, I would definitely not cheap out on the clip-ons. I’ve used cheapie clip-ons and it’s not worth it, considering you can buy a decent set of Milencos for not much more. If you’re up for replacement mirrors, look at Clearview products like the Original Towing Mirrors, or the Next Generation Towing Mirrors. There may be other quality products out there, but I’m happy to recommend those two.

Do check that the set you intend to buy will in fact offer enough width for your van. The police do run checks, and they will typically measure the width of your van and the distance between the innermost part of your mirrors…which should be equal to or greater than the van’s width.

If you do decide to use clip ones, keep them in your van when not in use, as they’re easily forgotten. Finally, you will see quite a few carmaker ads showing cars towing trailers without mirrors. This is not right, not acceptable and shouldn’t be shown. Their justification is “but that’s on private property” which I don’t agree with at all.

You and I can do better. Be legal, be safe!

Where to find more information  

To learn more about using towing mirrors and other accessories that will improve safety when towing, tune into Channel 10 on Saturday, September 14th, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. to catch the second episode of Are You RV Safe?. 

In addition, make sure to download your free copy of the RVSafe Handbook to ensure you’re doing the best you can to keep yourself and your family safe.

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