When you’re choosing a pair of mirrors for your tow car, you could find yourself wondering whether you should opt for flat or convex towing mirrors.
After all, when you’re looking at these touring essentials, you’re going to want to buy the best caravan towing mirrors you can. The good news is this is primarily going to come down to personal preference when you’re choosing towing mirrors, with pros and cons to both flat and convex towing mirrors. Here, we’ll talk you through what you need to know.
Don’t miss what we have to say about whether towing mirrors are a legal requirement or not, too.
Flat mirrors
A flat mirror will provide you with an undistorted view. The main benefit of this is that it generally makes it easier to judge distances, and so some drivers prefer this type of mirror when manoeuvring.
However, the downside of such a setup is that the flat mirror will give you a narrower field of view when you’re towing, which is why some caravanners prefer convex mirrors.
Convex mirrors
Coming with a curved surface, you will find that convex mirrors give a wider field of vision. This may not be a deal-breaker when reversing a caravan onto a pitch, but you will find this is very useful when you’re towing on multi-lane roads such as motorways.
However, there is a potential downside to opting for convex towing mirrors. This is because a vehicle which is approaching could be nearer to you than it seems in the mirror, so this is something to bear in mind when you’re out and about.
So, convex or flat mirrors, which should you choose?
The choice between the two is, as we said earlier, largely a personal one, with both flat and convex mirrors having their own advantages and disadvantages.
For more experienced caravanners, there is always the option of using one flat and one convex mirror. This is made easier by the fact that some manufacturers sell their mirrors separately.
However, what we would say is that if you find it easy enough to judge the distance in convex mirrors, then the greater field of view is quite compelling. If not, flat could be the way to go.
It also goes without saying that the most important thing is ensuring they are fitted correctly and have been properly adjusted (see our tips on how to adjust towing mirrors for advice on this).
Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Caravan, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances and skill level. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. You should check that any van warranty will not be affected before proceeding with DIY projects.
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