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quoteIf you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you. It’s a well-known phrase and it’s so apt, including when it comes to towing a caravan.
There are also lots of legal aspects to using towing mirrors, including making sure they’re fitted properly, and that you get the right, approved mirrors in the first place.
Look for the “e”
So, the first thing to look for on any towing mirrors you’re contemplating should be some kind of “e” marking – making sure they meet European (EEC 2003/97) or international (UNECE 46.01 or 46.02) regulations.
Such marking will be on the mirror’s casing. For example, a lower case “e” indicates European standard (if the following number is 11, it means any evaluation was carried out in the UK), while an upper case “E” denotes international standard. It’s common for mirrors to carry sets of markings for both.
However, there are also cases of cheap imported products carrying bogus e/E markings. Unfortunately, it’s a case of buyer beware and needless to say, such products are not sold through the usual, recognised outlets.
Also, when you fit your towing mirrors, do make sure they’re adjusted correctly. As market leader Milenco puts it: “We do see a lot of cars towing with mirrors that are set too close to the vehicle body when in fact to be compliant with the law, the mirror head should be set out far enough to see fully down the side of the caravan.”
There’s an easy way to check you’ve got things right, however. Stand at the back of your caravan looking forward along each side in turn. From these positions, you should be able to see the whole of your respective towing mirrors.
While some car/caravan outfits don’t need towing mirrors, the majority do. Start on the basis that, whatever you drive – from a solo car upwards – it is a legal requirement to have at least two rear view mirrors.
Things get a bit stricter when it comes to towing. Perhaps you can see straight through your caravan (or over your trailer tent/folding camper). Or you have a vehicle that’s as wide as, or wider, than the unit you’re towing. In all other scenarios, you are legally obliged to fit towing mirrors.
As trade body the National Caravan Council puts it: “Many drivers believe that because they are towing with substantial 4×4 vehicles that these mirrors are not needed. When police check caravan outfits, one of the most common problems they find is a lack of towing mirrors – something that could potentially cost you more than the price of the mirrors!”
Also see our video on the importance of caravan towing mirrors.
A decent set of mirrors should last you most of your towing life, no matter how many cars you get through. That’s why it’s a good idea to buy mirrors designed to fit as wide a range of vehicles as possible.
Apart from your own experience, it’s almost impossible to gauge mirror stability at speed – the turbulence from large vehicles coming past you in the opposite direction is a major factor here, too.
Models with clamps are generally recognised as being the most secure. Set the clamps as far apart as possible for optimal stability.
One way of ensuring a solid fixing is to attach the clamps first, then feed in the arm of the towing mirror. An alternative is to attach the clamps to the underside of the car’s mirror case.
A good first step is your local caravan dealer’s accessories shop. Here, you’ll get instant, expert advice and a chance to see what’s on the market.
Caravan towing mirrors and the law
Legally, when towing a trailer you must have a clear view along both sides, of 4m either side to a distance of 20m behind your towed unit. That means, in nearly every case, you need to add towing mirrors. These must not extend beyond 25cm of the widest part of your caravan/trailer – this distance is reduced to 20cm for cars registered before January 26, 2007.
The diagram here (courtesy of Milenco) demonstrates when you need towing mirrors.
Top towing mirror tips
- Invest wisely. A good quality set of mirrors that are designed for universal fitting could last you your whole towing life.
- When not in use, keeping your towing mirrors in a storage bag will help prevent scratching, especially to the mirror surface.
- Setting your towing mirrors is much easier when two people are involved – with the driver staying in his/her seat while a trusted companion makes the adjustments.
- Tolerances in the casings of door mirrors do vary from car to car, especially on older vehicles.
- For models with straps, make sure there’s sufficient length to go around your mirror housing.
- For full-width touring caravans here in the UK, i.e. those that are 2.45m (8ft) wide, you will need extended towing mirrors to match.
- Remember to remove your extension mirrors when not towing.
Star Player #1
Milenco Grand Aero Platinum Towing
The most popular towing mirrors in the UK, and quite possibly the single best seller worldwide. From Milenco, the market leading brand in the sector. These are some 50% larger than the company’s standard Aero models
Among the improvements are a larger diameter arm, promising even better stability, and a bigger clamp to allow the mirrors to be fitted to towcar mirror casings (bezels) up to 25mm thick. Plus, the latest design gripper plates are more flexible thanks to rubber-faced stainless steel with spring loading – allowing the gripper itself to adapt to the shape of the vehicle’s mirror bezel.
Key features Universal fitting, automotive quality chrome glass, large diameter arms with sufficient reach for caravans up to 2.55m wide, stainless steel and brass fittings, sprung loaded gripper plate with rubber facing, patented and future patents pending, fully homologated, type approved and compliant with international vehicle standard UN Regulation 46-4, storage bag included.
Expect to pay £119.95
Star Player #2
Streetwize Suck It & See towing mirror
A different style of towing mirror with a different method of attaching that suits drivers who want to blot out their towcar’s mirrors when towing items are attached, in particular. Its fitting style also means you can adjust it using your car’s electric mirror function
It’s a flat mirror that’s sold in singles and fits almost instantly thanks to its twist-on suction pad. A convex mirror version is also available. A suggestion is fitting convex on your nearside, flat on the offside.
Key features Fully patented, tested up to 120mph, adjustable safety cord
Expect to pay £54.99 or current online exclusive price of £25 at Halfords (Sept 25)
www.streetwizeaccessories.com and www.halfords.com
Star Player #3
Ring Standard Towing Mirror – Twin Pack
A best seller for Halfords, this set of towing mirrors also comes at a very attractive price. They also claim universal fitting, clipping directly to existing mirror housings, with adjustable straps to keep everything in place and any vibrations down to a minimum.
They weigh less than 0.6kg. Dimensions are 116mm high x 365mm wide x 57mm deep.
Key features E-marked, adjustable straps, convex mirrors, suitable for most towcars, vibration resistant, one-year warranty
Expect to pay £20.49
www.ringautomotive.com and www.halfords.com
Star Player #4
Maypole MP8333 Twin Pro View Towing Mirrors (Convexed)
From a range that also includes other designs, these are also sold in singles and /or with flat mirrors, all aerodynamically shaped to optimise your field of vision.
The clamping system includes a single adjustable rubber strap as well as two gripper pads with thumb wheels for easy adjustment.
Maypole specifically states these are for M1 type vehicles only, but that covers cars etc capable of carrying up to nine passengers, including the driver.
Key features 31cm powder-coated arms, stainless steel screws, 360-degree adjustable head, single adjustable rubber strap, 3M reflectors, thumb wheels for easy adjustment, polypropylene head, storage bag included
Expect to pay £39.99
Star Player #5
Milenco Aero 4 Mirror
A more recent upgrade to the original Aero mirrors that debuted all the way back in 2007, coming and with the bold claim they can fit 99% of all towcars (manufactured from 1995). Milenco also adds it recommends its Aero Platinums or Grand Aero Platinums for the likes of BMW’s X models, Range Rovers and Land Rovers.
Aero 4’s are available in two formats – Flat or Standard. The latter has a similar radius to most normal car door/wing mirrors, thus offering the same field of view, while Flat variants will give a smaller field.
Like all Milenco mirrors, they’re also available with standard or extra-wide arms, the latter designed for the latest 2.45m/8ft wide caravan models.
There are also various pad offerings to provide the best possible fit to your particular towing vehicle.
Milenco’s Aeros have a particularly streamlined design that’s been extensively tested, at speeds up to 155mph, as well as resisting turbulence from passing vehicles etc.
Key features Patented clamp fitting system, chrome safety glass, stainless steel screws, complies with all relevant international regulations
Expect to pay £39.95 (Single Flat/Single Standard)/£77.95 (Twin-Pack Standard)/£79.95 (Twin-Pack Flat)
Star Player #6
Summit Elite RV98 Towing MIrros
Another from the bargain end of the market, these are sold singly, fitting both nearside and offside via adjustable straps and arm clamps – a design that makes sure it fits most cars.
Summit also operates a mirror replacement service.
Key features Shatterproof safety glass, removable adjusting straps
Expect to pay £6.40
www.summitshop.co.uk and www.halfords.com
Star Player #7
Falcon Super Steady Mirrors
From the Milenco stable, these are designed for more occasional towing, with the manufacturer itself proudly describing them as “a superior alternative to other budget mirrors”. Despite their low pricing, they also meet all current legislation.
Like all other Milenco products, a full range of replacement parts is also readily available, from pads and clamps to arms and mirror heads.
Key features Sold as a two-pack, weight 5kg, twin grippers with thumb wheel adjustment, fits most vehicles.
Expect to pay £52.95
Over to you…
Got any advice on towing mirrors to pass on to others? Feel free to add your comments below.
*Prices and information correct at time of publication (September 2025)
A good review, but you didn’t mention EMUK mirrors which are a custom fit to each individual car model. I have just bought a 2023 Kia Sorento and initially fitted my existing Milenco Grand Aero Mirrors. They were fitted correctly and tightened really hard. However a large truck passing at speed in the other direction created a huge bow wave of air pressure which blasted the mirror off the car on the drivers side, never to be seen again! If you think about the design of any of those type of mirrors, the grip they have on your wing mirror is constantly fighting against the wind which is trying to force them back off your car mirror. Add in the speed of your own car, say 50 mph and a truck coming the other way at 50 mph, and you have a closing speed of 100 mph! The EMUK mirrors (and several other makes) clamp around the front facing side of your car mirror, so any wind against them is forcing them to grip against the mirror housing even tighter. Simple law of physics really. I’ve now bought EMUK mirrors and they are brilliant. Expensive, yes, but I intend to keep the car for a long while and have much greater confidence in them than the type that just grip the rear edge of the mirror.
Thanks for sharing David
We all like a bargain, but I guess you get what you pay for. I couldn’t get any of the mainstream (as featured in your article) to fit satisfactorily to my BMW mirrors, so searched for a “made to measure” option. BMW weren’t particularly helpful (no surprise there . . . ) but I eventually stumbled across EMUK – a German company that makes mirrors for a range of cars (including BMW). Expensive? Yes £100 ish, but perfect fit, rock solid – no vibration and excellent quality.
Two problems with extended mirrors; they can obstruct vision at junctions, especially for a short person like me, and folding the mirrors can damage either the add on mirrors or the originals. I have some small ones which only extend about 8cm, but still allow the entire required area to be seen, since they have convex glass. If you have got a big 4×4 and a small ‘van, they are probably the best buy (but I can’t remember the make!).
I have a fixed camera with a wide angle on the back of the caravan with a screen in the car ( hard wired ) – I can see all incluiding any Bikes/ Motor bikes behind. Do I still need extending mirrows by law ?
Government are looking at legislation with regards to rear view cameras. As the legislation currently stands, cameras can only be used to support the view afforded by the rear view mirrors fitted to the vehicle. They CANNOT be used as alternative to them.
I have used an Aero 3 on my Discovery 3 and then Discovery 4. But they will not fit securely on my New 2017 Discovery as the clamps just slide off of the high gloss finish on the car mirror housings.
I would be concerned with the stick om mirrors pulling the car mirrors glass off there adhesieve pads as I have had two heated mirror glasses come loose and that is without the etra force added by another mirror cutting through the air.
Excellent guide – thank you
Mirrors are a must have when towing, and it’s the law. If like me you like a bargain, and something that is serviceable and going to last, providing they’re not going to break at the first knock they take, the most expensive aren’t the best, neither is the cheapest. We look and all have our own taste in products, take your time, if time is on your hands. Now that’s out of the way the ones I picked were new when purchased and are Leisure size Rock Steadies which I paid around seventeen pound when they had a sale on. I had my eye on them and waited for the sale in winter time about best when they are having a clear of this season’s stock, or wait until you see a CCC Show, happy Caravaning
I’ve used Leisurewize Suck It & See Flat mirrors for a number of years without any problems. They do cover part of the original mirror but the whole sherbang can be adjusted from inside the car so that the convex part of the original mirror covers the close angle. Much to my surprise a mirror has never lost it’s “stick” while travelling.
You did not go into the difference between Convex and normal mirrors? Which one should you use
Hi John. We do mention convex and flat mirrors in the individual product write-ups. Which one you use is largely down to personal preference – convex offer a wider view, but objects seem further away. Some caravanners go for a mix – flat on the offside, convex on the nearside. Hope this helps?
FED UP SEEING PEOPLE WITH NO MIRRORS,MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL. I MENTIONED TO A GUY THAT WAS GETTING INTO HIS CAR AFTER PITCHING HIS CARAVAN THAT HE HAD NOT TAKEN HIS MIRRORS OFF AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS TO MUCH HASSLE PUTTING THEM ON AND OFF,2 DAYS LATER HE SAW ME IN THE TOILET BLOCK AND SAID HE SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO ME AS HE WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE GIVEN A FIXED PENALTY NOTICE AND POINTS ON HIS LICENCE. MADE MY DAY.