Hi folks
I have just changed my tow vehicle to a freelander 2 and cant decide whether or not I need to use extension mirrors as the ones of the vehicle are quite large.
As I cant get to my caravan I cant make a decision, any help with this would be grateful
If the caravan is wider than the rear end of the car then you need towing mirrors. That is the rule of thumb as stated on .gov website. In order to have sufficient rear view behind caravan inside edges of towing mirrors need to project beyond width of caravan with mirrors adjusted inwards to see behind caravan.
As car mirrors are set up for width of car body they cannot be adjusted correctly to see required legal distance behind caravan if caravan is wider than car body.
Quote: Originally posted by keuken on 26/9/2018
Width of car you quote includes mirrors. Width you take is width of body which is 1910mm.
either way legally speaking the caravan is still wider so requires the use of mirrors, personally I don't need them I can see perfectly clearly behind my caravan with the car ones, do I need them? nope, do I use them on the car? nope, do I fix them on the car? most definitely! like I said it keeps the police off your back, and saves arguing and a fine
You need to see 4m out at 20m behind whatever you’re towing. Towing mirrors will be required. See far too many big 4x4s without extra mirrors. It’s quite scary following a big caravan/box trailer and the tow vehicle has no mirrors visible. How they think it’s safe to drive I don’t know
Quote: Originally posted by Ray Clayton on 27/9/2018
Yea put them on lol
If towinig i use them all the time, even if towing the tractor behind me.
You do realise that if you are towing with extra mirrors and they aren’t required you are committing a separate construction and use regulations offence. Using towing mirrors “just in case” causes the towing vehicle to be too wide
Quote: Originally posted by richardandjo2010 on 27/9/2018
I would like a Freelander 2 myself, anyone had any reliability problems with theres and who has auto and who has manual
they seem to have a good report but like all vehicles they can chuck their dummy out. mine is aa manual diesel 2.2, 150 bhp soon to be remaped
Quote: Originally posted by DarrenElbrow on 28/9/2018
Quote: Originally posted by Ray Clayton on 27/9/2018
Yea put them on lol
If towinig i use them all the time, even if towing the tractor behind me.
You do realise that if you are towing with extra mirrors and they aren’t required you are committing a separate construction and use regulations offence. Using towing mirrors “just in case” causes the towing vehicle to be too wide
Post last edited on 28/09/2018 10:06:34
But in this case it is not too wide, and the car definitely needs towing mirrors.
Quote: Originally posted by richardandjo2010 on 27/9/2018
I would like a Freelander 2 myself, anyone had any reliability problems with theres and who has auto and who has manual
Have had my Freelander 2 for 2 years. It is a manual and have had no problems with it at all. Just passed its MOT today with no advisories. Could be just luck as some people have had problems with them.