Towing Mirors - which ones and why?

[dagree]

Might have to go the milenco ones when I need to replace ours if I don't find a set of clearviews at the right price!!!

 

[burnsie]

Yeah I agree with you there @dagree probably get a set myself to start with

 

[bigcol]

oiy, you two
@dagree & @burnsie - have a look in the for sale section

 

[dagree]

Tempting @bigcol but not keen on that style...... Don't want to scratch the Prado's door

But if I need some at short notice I'll be in touch!!!!

 

[burnsie]

Thanks @bigcol like @dagree I am keen on getting something a little different, cheers

 

[Marv_mart]

I tried Milencos after the first set of mirrors kept being blown in when a truck or large vehicle passed.
Milencos were much better but the shaking mirror especially at cruising speed made it very difficult to see behind me.
Met a couple just north of Three Ways (Stuart Hwy) with a BeasT with Clearviews (2102)
When I returned home, ordered and had fitted a set on my BeasT, C&C Show special, free fit.

Never regretted it, big trip in 2014 (12,000km) and several trips since, steady as a rock!
May look a little Dumbo like but absolutely no regrets. Always need to remember to be wary when not towing and fold them in when parking. Have a 2nd car, Mazda 3 for everyday use so mostly use the BeasT for towing boat or Panda. Sold the Milencos to another forum member.

 

[Dobbie]

Re Milenco

Be careful to check that the screw connecting the mirror part to the black surround (not the ones attached to vehicle mirrors) don't come loose.

We've had to check and tighten them daily as one in particular was almost out and it can't be checked from inside the car......and it's yet another thing to remember to monitor.

 

[Bushman]

Tempting @bigcol but not keen on that style...... Don't want to scratch the Prado's door

But if I need some at short notice I'll be in touch!!!!

Have used that type of mirror for years on different vehicles, no problems with scratching doors or glass.

 

[gwadir]

We have Clearview mirrors on the 'cruiser, just slide them out to tow and push them in when not towing, wouldn't be without them now even though they do cost a bit they're well worth it in my view.

Dave

 

[bigcol]

Mrs Dagree has threatened to call the Prado "Dumbo" if I fit a set

May look a little Dumbo like but absolutely no regrets.

I dont know, there are a few Patrols at my work, and when I park mine next to them - mine sure looks better with the "dumbo ears"..............

 

[Soaring]

uke:
And even worse from the back.....

 

[acmackie]

View media item 89did 200km today with the Milenco mirrors including 40km of good dirt road. Pretty happy with them. Still some vibration and shake as roadtrain pass, also a little wind noise but good view and I'm happy.

 

[burnsie]

great feedback @acmackie thinking these might be on the list myself until a cheap set of Clearview's come up

 

[bigcol]

View attachment 31740
uke:
And even worse from the back.....

its a territory thing...................

 

[Bladespinner]

Hi folks,
just thought I would share a recent mod to our towing mirrors.
I have the Ora Big Reds, which initially I was happy with. But as time progressed I started to experience issues.
The support arm seems a solid solution to mirrors getting pushed in by wind. Over time the suction cup didn't hold as well and would on occasion lose suction and let go. The support arm was also not really strong enough, and once setting the mirror position up when leaving home, I would find at 100km/hr the mirror would slightly lift position so it would be viewing to high down the van.
The clincher was while driving on a recent trip at night, I heard a bit of a clunk and looked at the mirror to find to my surprise the support arm was gone......with no room to stop and being night time the chances of finding it was nil, so pushed on while pushing the folded mirror back out with every passing truck.
Got to the night time stop and decided the next morning to relocate the remaining passenger support to the drivers side. On inspecting the remaining clamps and noticed nearly all of the plastic clamp components had cracked. The cracks were the cause of the drivers side letting go and falling off.
Got home with the remaining support arm, that could also have parted ways with the mirror at anytime, and the boss pushing the passenger mirror back out from time to time.

So I got to thinking about methods of supporting the mirror that was more robust the the Ora support arms. The solution was parts made up from RAM Mounts (no association). It basically replicates the Ora support arm, but with metal (aluminium, cast aluminium) components and a much better suction cup. The components aren't cheap, bought online for around $130, so trialled on one mirror first and worked really well, so have now fitted off the second mirror.
The 2 universal joints make it very easy to fit. The suction cup is brilliant. the setup is much stronger now, over two recent trips not a single problem or letting go of the support. the extra strength has also stopped the mirror twist at speed, I can now set the mirror position at 0km/hr and know it will stay in that position at 100km/hr.

View attachment 31436
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Hi Holden Man
Do you still have the on line supplier details for your mirror set up? I lost 2 mirrors last week and like your option.
Thanks

 

[Bluey]

I have the ora ones too but I tie them to bull bar never fold in easy and cheap