Why you need towing mirrors!

Did you know towing mirrors are a legal necessity, not a luxury? They cover a blind spot you can’t see with your regular sidecar mirrors. Without them, your safety on the road is at risk as well as that of other road users! 

When your caravan is wider than your tow vehicle, you’ll notice it restricts the view of your side care mirrors. Basically, in most combinations, you will need towing mirrors. Lots of caravan owners aren’t aware of the legal requirements around towing mirrors, which has resulted in many caravanners receiving an expensive fine and a ruined holiday in the UK or around Europe. A £50 fixed penalty is often more the cost than any set of towing mirrors – a small price to pay for everyone’s safety on the road. 

The rule of thumb is to have a clear vision of 13ft from the side of the vehicle at a distance of 20 yards behind the driver. In practice, this means you should be able to see a person standing at the rear corners of your caravan visible along the caravan’s length. This counts for any vehicle, operated singly or when towing another vehicle. 

To set up your brand-new towing mirrors you should first ensure your car’s wing mirrors are properly adjusted. Check to see if you can easily view your car’s front door handle in the near bottom corner of the mirror. Some of the towing mirrors can simply be clipped onto the existing mirror, others can be secured by an assemblage of straps and ratchets. After doing this, you can set them up in the proper position by ensuring the very inside edge of the extension mirror is in line with the side of the van. This means you should have an unobstructed view along both sides of the van and the traffic or road behind.  

Clearly to not use towing mirrors would almost be the definition of driving blind! Install your towing mirrors now before you leave on your next carefree trip. PF Jones sell towing mirrors and other accessories to ensure your safety on the road. Visit our website to find any caravan related items you might need!