We have just changed our car . It has a removable tow bar . This is quite tricky and heavy to put on but we have been told not to leave it on . I have to do most thing because my OH has sight problems .
Also our over 30 year old towing mirrors with straps over don’t fit . And they were so easy to. We had to buy new screw on ones . We have fitted them on the top of mirror . Yet I’m afraid they will f be come lose with vibration . What do you all use .
I've been using Milenco Aero (model 3 I think) Mirrors that clamp onto edge of car door mirror shell for around 8 years now. I fit them, tinker with other hitching up stuff, then check the tightness of the mirror clamps (they may ease off a little as rubber and plastic deform under load) before driving off, never had a loosening off in transit problem yet, and I regularly do 300 mile journeys.
We have used Millenco Aero for years with no problem. We have just replaced them with new ones. The mirror glass cracked on one and the metal arms were rusting despite being repainted a few years ago.
The new ones have larger clamps which are better.Arms longer too. I kept one of the old ones as it was OK.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
I prefer to use EMUK mirrors, they're expensive but you won't get mirrors with a better fit, when you order they are specific to your model of car.
The problem is they only make them for certain cars, for instance we have a LR discovery sport but they don't make them for that, they also do a universal fit mirror which is what we are currently using but due to the curvature of the top of the mirror, we fit ours to the bottom, which isn't ideal as they can interfere with the folding mirrors if you don't position them properly
Regarding the difficulty in fitting the removable tow bar, it is wise to remove it regularly and clean it to prevent it getting stuck on and the release mechanism seizing. However, if you are not bothered about it being visible, just leave it attached and use it like a fixed tow bar. If you do this, just check that it is not picked up by reversing sensors.
EMUK are without question the best towing mirrors I have used.
Easy to fit & remove, and I can see so much more of what is happening back there.
They are expensive, but that will matter less if you keep your towcar for several years.
If you tend to change cars regularly, they are less cost effective since your old mirrors are much less likely to fit your new car.
I have been using the strap-on type mirrors for years with no problems at all. I did have to buy new straps when I bought my X Trail 6 years ago as the mirrors were bigger than previous cars. New longer straps are readily and cheaply available on ebay.
I was hoping I could buy new straps for our others but they may not be long enough . I do like strap on .
Thanks for all the replies I have bought millenco before I posted this enquiry
Having driven the length(more or less)of the country recently it amazes me just how many people don't use towing mirrors.
They are a particular breed of vehicle owner, 4x4/SUV
Now I'm a 4x4 owner and would never think of towing without my mirrors on.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
In future if you want to tow with a car fitted with mirror cameras instead of traditional mirrors (eg. Polestar 4, Audi Q8 E-tron) where are you meant to fit towing mirrors?
Quote: Originally posted by HumberWolf on 21/7/2025
In future if you want to tow with a car fitted with mirror cameras instead of traditional mirrors (eg. Polestar 4, Audi Q8 E-tron) where are you meant to fit towing mirrors?
That is an incredibly relevant point which has escaped me on account of driving a elderly (2017) car with old school 'mirrors', with little interest in replacing it.
Legislators are painfully slow to catch up with current technologies, so the 'problem' probably hasn't even crossed their desk yet!
The simple technological answer would be an 'extended' camera, that 'plugged in' to the standard system, but I cannot believe in my wildest dreams that any manufacturer has made provision for that!!!!
Can't help but feel that towing anything beyond a small camping trailer with new tech cars, EV rubbish towing capabilities, 'mirror' cameras etc. is doomed!
It will be back to the old style with the really long arms that fit on the wing and under the bonnet??
Seen two Dutch cars with them fitted a few weeks ago.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
I've used Milenco Aero's, they're fine provided you have the correct fitting (they do different fittings that clamp to more modern mirror housings) We changed to EMUK mirrors a few years ago, they're definitely a lot better, practically zero vibration and they fit very securely. The Milencos do look like they'd drop off sometimes
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 21/7/2025
That is an incredibly relevant point which has escaped me on account of driving a elderly (2017) car with old school 'mirrors', with little interest in replacing it.
Elderly?? 2017?? That's positively modern by my standards Monty. My car was built in 2008!
Quote:
Can't help but feel that towing anything beyond a small camping trailer with new tech cars, EV rubbish towing capabilities, 'mirror' cameras etc. is doomed!
Yes I must admit I agree about these new-tech cars, give my old X Trail any day. Even that seems modern to me. When I towed caravans before I used to tow with a Triumph 2000.
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Topic: Towing mirrors
via mobile 19/7/2025 at 4:36pm
