Law requiring Tow Mirrors

Mcfa001 · #1 06-28-2017, 09:03 AM

Far too often I see people cruising down the highway in a brand new half ton, towing a brand new 30ft trailer and they don't have tow mirrors installed. For a lot of these guys, they are new to towing a trailer. Lane changes are total guess work or they'll swing the trailer in the lane to have a look and that can get sketchy real fast. I would love to see a requirement for tow mirrors that extend past the width of the trailer. From what I can see online, current regs are that if the rear-view is obstructed, two side-view mirrors are required. If the side-view mirrors are also obstructed, what good are they?

JB_AOL · #2 06-28-2017, 09:06 AM

https://www.transportation.alberta.ca/2182.htm

Quote:

Here are some other things to remember when towing a trailer:

A trailer must be registered and licensed before it can be used on the road.
If driving on multi-lane highways, remember that slower-moving vehicles should stay in the right-hand lane.
Plan your driving. Avoid situations that may require quick lane changes or unexpected stops.
If traffic builds up behind you, find a safe place to move over and let others pass.
Your trailer must have working taillights, brake lights and turn signals that are activated from the towing vehicle.
If you have a ball-and-socket hitch, you will also need safety chains as a secondary means of attachment. Chains should be crossed under the tongue of the trailer and correctly fastened. This applies to all trailers except fifth-wheel trailers.
If your trailer is equipped with a breakaway emergency supplemental braking system, make sure that the system is properly connected according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Adjust vehicle mirrors to clearly see traffic approaching from behind. You must use extension mirrors if the trailer is wider than the towing vehicle.

Mcfa001 · #3 06-28-2017, 09:11 AM

Is it enforceable though, and if it is, then it should be.

JB_AOL · #4 06-28-2017, 09:12 AM

The bigger issue, is LEO's don't care about recreational tow'ers.

There are a TON of illegal units (weight/length/setup/etc) everyday on Alberta roads, and LEO's won't do a thing. Even though it's a pretty easy cash cow for them.

I've seen a kenworth pulling a 45' toyhauler double towing an enclosed car trailer (at least 20' long). I'm not saying a kenworth can't haul it, but it was blatantly illegal.

At least BC has informed their LEO's of the rules and they are enforced (for the most part). I've seen portable weight scales with a travel trailer on them, on the side of the road multiple times.

58thecat · #5 06-29-2017, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB_AOL

The bigger issue, is LEO's don't care about recreational tow'ers.

There are a TON of illegal units (weight/length/setup/etc) everyday on Alberta roads, and LEO's won't do a thing. Even though it's a pretty easy cash cow for them.

I've seen a kenworth pulling a 45' toyhauler double towing an enclosed car trailer (at least 20' long). I'm not saying a kenworth can't haul it, but it was blatantly illegal.

At least BC has informed their LEO's of the rules and they are enforced (for the most part). I've seen portable weight scales with a travel trailer on them, on the side of the road multiple times.

Ya right the LEO don't care

I like it when the hammerheads keep thier mirrors on and hog the centre line...

JB_AOL · #6 06-29-2017, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Ya right the LEO don't care

They don't... that's right from the horse's mouth (there's only 6 Leo's in my family).

Sorry, They're exact words are, unless it's blatantly causing an issue to traffic, they won't do anything.

Albertadiver · #7 07-03-2017, 05:58 PM

Case in point, coming home yesterday, and oddly enough right on Scott Lake Hill, I passed a white F150 with no tow mirrors. He was hauling around a 28foot trailer, with a big white dog in the box. Dog seemed happy, but didn't look all that safe to me.

Stinky Buffalo · #8 06-28-2017, 09:11 AM

My beef is that there's no happy medium in between regular truck mirrors and those massive tow mirrors.

Except for Dodge - that tipping design is ingenious. Or the old Ford mirrors, where you could slide them on a track...

But yeah - what would it take for all manufacturers to build in even a 3" slide?

I use the CIPA clip-on ones - they help, but a little more added visibility would be great.

Husty · #9 06-28-2017, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

My beef is that there's no happy medium in between regular truck mirrors and those massive tow mirrors.

Except for Dodge - that tipping design is ingenious. Or the old Ford mirrors, where you could slide them on a track...

But yeah - what would it take for all manufacturers to build in even a 3" slide?

I use the CIPA clip-on ones - they help, but a little more added visibility would be great.

Both my old mans 2014 chevy and my 2005 Titian have sliding tow mirrors. Pretty sure every manufacture makes them they just are not on trucks as you might need to get a 3/4 ton or them added on as an option.

Stinky Buffalo · #10 06-28-2017, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Husty

Both my old mans 2014 chevy and my 2005 Titian have sliding tow mirrors. Pretty sure every manufacture makes them they just are not on trucks as you might need to get a 3/4 ton or them added on as an option.

Absolutely, I'm aware that they are available on pretty much every truck, but my point was that it would be nice to have a function on regular mirrors to extend a bit. I could have had them on my last few trucks, but ninety percent of our driving is not towing, so having huge towing mirrors would be a waste, IMO.

Albertadiver · #11 06-28-2017, 09:50 AM

Drive's me bonkers.

I have a slip on set for my F150 and they work great, I still have a blind spot of about 20 feet directly behind the trailer, but they help huge for lane changes and such.

The indy 500 of trailers every Friday and Sunday on the transcanada is nuts. I'd say about 35% of the units out there are not in legal compliance in one way or another. Tow mirrors, overweight, etc. Scary watching these little SUV's coming down Scott lake hill with the trailer pushing the truck all over the place.

Mcfa001 · #12 06-28-2017, 01:48 PM

My current F150 has the sliding tow mirrors from the factory, they are larger and i actually love them for driving around the city everyday, let alone when i actually use them for towing my trailer. I feel its a pretty simple issue for LEOs to enforce if it's written in stone.

Hooter · #13 07-05-2017, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Husty

Both my old mans 2014 chevy and my 2005 Titian have sliding tow mirrors. Pretty sure every manufacture makes them they just are not on trucks as you might need to get a 3/4 ton or them added on as an option.

Toyota Tundras don't have them on their 1/2 tons, and they don't make a 3/4 ton trucks (although I wish they did)

Stinky Buffalo · #14 07-05-2017, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hooter

Toyota Tundras don't have them on their 1/2 tons, and they don't make a 3/4 ton trucks (although I wish they did)

I'm pretty sure it's an option on the Tundra:

There are lots of aftermarket ones available - etrailer or amazon carries them. I've been looking at those for our Tundra as I find our clip-on's a bit anemic.

I wish they made a 3/4 ton as well. Or at least offered a longer box on the crew cab. Sigh.

Gary K · #15 07-04-2017, 10:02 PM

Bottom line is its a huge saftey issue. And it needs to be enforced.

These guys buying 8ft wide campers, regardless of length, can at least afford a set of clip ons.

I drive a 2014 sierra 1500, and it makes me so damn mad It come with the stupid little car mirrors. Shouldn't even be an effing option on a pickup.

Need to at least be extendable.

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