I have a puck which I tow with a Seat Ateca.

The Ateca is wider than the puck and I therefore do not need additional mirrors.

Simples!

Whilst driving on the M25 on Saturday, a Porsche tincan (or something like that) passed us in the outside lane, well above 70 towing a large Coachman WWB and no extending mirrors (caravan was much wider than the car). Must have been worth 9 points!

I always thought I had excellent rearview vision without extension mirrors, Skoda Octavia + Familia 320 until I fitted quality towing mirrors, the difference in what you see is amazing and safe?

I very much doubt that if you are using two mirrors when towing that
A you would be stopped
B if you were I doubt they would carry a tape measure and know the correct measurements

The other thing for me is on roads like the York ring road being able to see cyclists & motorcyclists under and overtaking you in between lanes, often at quite a speed.

The damage our Eribas would do to them and how they would damage our vans bodywork does not bear thinking about.

MikeT

Quote: eribaMotters wrote in post #8

---

Robin,
I typed "towing mirrors law" into my Bing search bar and the first thing that came up was:-
"Contrary to popular belief, towing mirrors are a legal requirement for the majority of cars including 4x4’s that are towing a caravan or trailer. The Law. The law is very clear on the subject of mirrors and towing – If your trailer or caravan is wider than the rear of the towing car, you must fit additional towing mirrors; Aside from breaking the law, if you choose not to fit them you run the risk of – A 3 point penalty on your licence; Being prosecuted by the police"

Colin

---

I'm not surprised at this, given the amount of mobile sheds for sale on ebay of late that are "ready to go" lol. As soon as the schools break up there will be a lot of people who are not savvy out there and there will be issues.

2019 heading to Cornwall joining M5, car no extended wing mirrors pulling white box was in middle lane. Pulled back over to inside lane without seeing the car just in front of us. Luckily he slowed quickly as did we accident narrowly avoided. When we were behind the WB we couldn't even see the car never mind his ordinary wing mirrors. We quickly overtook him to remove ourselves from any other possible incidents

Now here’s a conundrum. The Freelander is 1.92 m wide excluding mirrors. The Eriba is 2.0 m wide ergo, according to this thread I need towing mirrors. The Landy is 2.2m wide over the mirrors. A pair of aero 2 towing mirrors add 16 cm to each mirror. The total width of the Landy is then 2.52m. This then exceeds the max 20 cm each side protrusion beyond the max width of the trailer by 12 cm. So if I do fit towing mirrors I break the law. Must find what the law actually says as I can meet the viewing requirements shown in the diagrams with the standard mirrors, just.
Jef

What do you guys think… an Audi A3 at 1793mm towing a Puck L at 1800. An entire 3.5mm either side. I’m sure I can meet the viewing requirements, but technically it is wider than the body of the vehicle. As above, adding mirrors may exceed the max width!
Thanks,
Andy

Yes, it’s an interesting point isn’t it. I have yet to find a link to what the law actually says. I suspect it will specify viewing criteria rather than the general “if your trailer is wider…”
Otherwise as in these two cases we have a law that contradicts itself, not impossible but unlikely.

The 20cm rule is to prevent hitting a pedestrian with your mirrors when driving the car or the trailer close to the kerb. The law is clear. If extending mirrors break the law, fit smaller mirrors if necassary.