The problem with hindsight
I love towing, but if there’s one thing that spoils it for me (two things actually) it’s towing mirrors. For starters, every time I change cars I find the old mirrors don’t fit, I now have a Picasso which has very odd shaped door mirrors and the outer rubber strap slowly slides off the end. So I bought a pair of Millenco screw- on types, but it would seem the mounting on the Citroen isn’t as good as others and the towing mirrors cause quite a lot of shake at higher speeds. The other issue on the Picasso is that when I lock it the mirrors automatically fold in, but the towing mirrors prevent them from closing completely, so we either have to remove them every time we stop or we leave it open and her-indoors and I run to the loo in relays.
On our latest trip I stopped at Gloucester services and pulled up alongside a guy who had the “old fashioned” design which clips between the door and window and is secured by an elastic strap at the bottom edge of the door. When I asked him where he bought them he couldn’t remember – he’d had them that long. Does anyone know where these things are still sold? I reckon they’d be pretty universal and a very stable fit.
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On our latest trip I stopped at Gloucester services and pulled up alongside a guy who had the “old fashioned” design which clips between the door and window and is secured by an elastic strap at the bottom edge of the door. When I asked him where he bought them he couldn’t remember – he’d had them that long. Does anyone know where these things are still sold? I reckon they’d be pretty universal and a very stable fit.
Years ago I had that type of towing mirror which were really good. I think they were called SMAT Weekenders. No idea if they are still available. Some years ago someone posted on another forum about some very expensive Dutch towing mirrors which worked in a similar fashion.
David
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Years ago I used to have some spring loaded ones that clipped on to the wheel arches and the wing. No vibration, never had to adjust them once set up and only moments to clip on. Now you have to be able to adjust them from the driving seat although in practice this is impossible with any that I have encountered. Sometimes old-fashioned is best to avoid "seeing through a mirror, dimly".
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I had the same problem with slipping rubber straps and found that if I crossed them over such as top right to bottom left and top left to bottom right they were far more stable and didn't slip.
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good idea PrestonDave, I'll bear that in mind. I still worry that the base of the original mirrors isn't really man enough (sorry ladies, not PC I know) and the vibration and constant adjusting will weaken them. I've decided it's time to roll out my first prototype roof-mounted design, which after nearly five years now has patents and type approval. So if you see a C4 Picasso with a weird looking bar across the top of the screen with mirrors hanging from it you'll know who it is!
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I did ask the dealer about that. The handbook says it can be disabled, but the dealer says it disables the fold-in totally and I do find the feature quite handy in tight spaces.
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To overcome your difficulties re different door mirrors, I would suggest the ‘Suck it and See’ . I have had the same one with different cars and it fits on the mirrored glass not the frame. It sticks like the proverbial to a blanket and has never given me a moments problem. Very quickly fixed on and removed. Just a thought.
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I’m currently towing with a C4 Grand Picasso and the mirrors I use we’re some I bought fairly cheap several years ago from Towsure, these had the wrap around straps and since they’ve perished through age I just removed them. I’ve now done 3 trips without the straps and the mirrors have been fine even towing in the wind and rain a couple of weeks ago when travelling to Whitby, I consider myself at times to be heavy handed when tightening things but the cars mirrors show no signs of abuse and I can fold mine without the mirrors fouling the bodywork. It’s correct that the automatic folding can be turned off but you still have the facility to open and close the mirrors manually by using the switch on the door controls and it’s so easy to find the auto on/off on the menu just read the handbook.
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If you search on may be able to source them. As to the type that fit one the front wing some US websites you will find that this type of mirror is quite popular over there. I have ordered things directly from the US or if by any chance you travel there or know someone who does you could maybe ask them to bring them back. I have a set of the ones that fit on the wing and clamp under the wheel arch which I bought on eBay. The were in the original packaging and I only tried them once. I didn't get on with them too well. They are in a new condition . If anyone wants them they can have them for what I paid which was £i8 as long as they can arrange collection from South Wales.
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