A caravan accessory you cannot do without is a towing mirror. Caravan towing mirrors are designed to be a safety device. When you are towing a large load it can be difficult to see the load behind you clearly. This is where the usefulness of towing mirrors come in. There are a few different types but they all perform the same function i.e. to help you have a better view of the road behind you. Many caravan mirrors are designed to simply attach to your already existing car mirrors and some will replace them so they become your main mirrors.
Caravanning is an excellent way of exploring and seeing the UK and Europe. It is also a fantastic activity and hobby that the whole family can enjoy and share. Caravanning has always been popular with many families in the UK choosing to stay here and explore the fantastic landscape that this wonderful country has to offer those willing to give it a chance.
The popularity of caravanning has seen a massive increase lately for many different reasons but mainly because of the tough economic times we are all experiencing. Normally, at the top of a British family's ideal holiday destination list is the exotic foreign holiday. But many people are finding that a caravan holiday can be just as fun. In fact we have had many friends who were never big caravanners tell us how much they have enjoyed it now that they have been on a few different trips and explored different sites.
No matter if this is your first time caravanning or you're a master caravanner, there are something’s you need to make sure your holiday is a success. At the top of the list is obviously a caravan or a motorhome. Nowadays, the choice of caravans on the market is huge which is a testament to the popularity of this hobby. One of the great things about caravanning is that there is no right or wrong caravan to own. It all depends on your needs and wants. You can purchase an all singing all dancing state of the art caravan or you can go for a bare minimum model. Most people find that models aimed at families are sufficient and strike a balance between cost and features.
Why Buy Towing Mirrors
You need to buy and attach towing mirrors on your car so that the driver or passenger can see around large caravans that are being pulled by the vehicle. You might ask yourself since you already have mirrors on your car, isn't this enough, why bother purchasing extra towing mirrors. Well, first of all it is the law and second they are safety devices that solve a real problem. When you are towing a load behind you, your view will be obstructed by the caravan because it is wider than your car. Normal car mirrors do not extend out far enough to allow you to see all that you need to see. By attaching a towing mirror to your existing mirrors you increase the range the mirrors can see and therefore improve safety.
Caravan Towing Mirror Law
There is some confusion about what the exact legal requirements are when it comes to towing mirrors. Many people are not aware that there is in fact a law on caravan towing mirrors, and many of those that are aware don't really take it serious or are confused about how to comply with it.
The bottom line is this:
If you cannot clearly see an area of 4 metres from either side of your caravan at a distance of 20 metres behind the driver, then you need towing mirrors.
Some drivers might assume that merely adjusting their mirrors will be enough to give them more of a view but this is incorrect and very dangerous and it is breaking the law. The penalty for breaking the law is fines of up to £1000 and points on your license.