Left hand mirror.

The Old Man said:
I'm a solo traveller and it can be scary!

I always try to position the van at the junction so as to give me a better view through the passenger window. Even if it means straddling more than one lane.

Failing that. All lights on, hazard lights on, creep slowly out into the junction, until I'm through the hazard. Not for the faint hearted.
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Good answer, thanks!
 
nicholsong said:
Keith

Add parabolic wide angle mirrors. First thing I added when I bought the MHas a then solo 10 years ago.

I was lucky for fitting as I found a Mercedes pair which had the same lower contour as the top of the existing mirrors. They just needed drilling two holes and bolting on.

Don't be tempted to go for those silly small ones that stick-on the existing mirrors - maybe OK for cars in UK but too far away to see anything much in LH mirror on Continent.

Parabolic also have the advantage of giving a better view downwards to cover the blind spot alongside, particularly on the left side to see overtaking vehicles on the Continent.

Geoff
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Cheers Geoff, I will look into that! I did buy some of those small ones to stick on my mirror and like you say, they are totally useless!
 
The Old Man said:
Fresnel lens and where to find them. These can be found in projection TVs. These can be used to melt a stack of pennies, burst a glass bottle, damage various items, incinerate wood, or even burn a hole in a car, using the power of the Sun.
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Not a lot of use then to enable me to see what's coming!?
 
Eggs said:
I look out of the passenger side window like every other van driver, some folk shouldn't be allowed out on their own, they are a danger to the rest of us.
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I obviously look out of the passenger side window too, but at certain angles I cannot see what's coming, hence my question. You obviously haven't driven on the continent with a right hand drive or you would understand, just like everyone else commenting here.
 
Two on Tour said:
What's your name, Twissle or you don't drive on the continent in a motorhome to come out with stupid comments like that.
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Thanks for that! He surely hasn't ever driven on the continent in a right hand drive.
 
Eggs said:
I've driven both for leisure and commercially in a van on the continent, if you can't position your vehicle at a junction to be able to see both ways you shouldn't be allowed to drive one.
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I don't believe you. I've driven on the continent for 50 years and I often find roads where you cannot position the motorhome at an angle where you can see what's coming from a right hand drive, which is why I asked the question! Also in 59 years of driving I have never been involved in an accident.
 
Eggs said:
And that is the end of the story, if you can't position your vehicle at a busy junction to be able to see both ways you shouldn't be driving it.
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Pathetic answer.

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Eddystone said:
That s a cop out. There are all sorts of junction types and it isn't always possible to get a good angle.
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Exactly or I wouldn't have asked. It happens all the time. I have to ask the missus and she has to open the window in order to see.
 
Excellent advice thanks, I will try that
poppycamper said:
Possible tip... my van is fitted with a VERY big mirror on back of passanger sun visor instead of vanity mirror. When required lean over and pull Sun visor down and you can see thru passenger side window even at extreme angles.... Maybe possible to retro fitted one to yours.
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Excellent advice I will try that!
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nicholsong said:
Keith(OP) specifically said 'at certain angles'

Many of us know exactly the problem even if you do not.

I suggest you stop this line of posting before you get more 'Eggs' on your face.
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Yes I agree, he obviously doesn't understand. I know how to position my motorhome in order to get the best vision but on many occasions it just isn't possible! Thanks for understanding!
 
TheBig1 said:
interesting, our van being an 8.5m tag axle A class is awkward to get a view to the left at some junctions. A huge windscreen 3ft plus in front of the driver and a passenger door narrower than a standard van door. The glass in the passenger door is not wide enough to give a view slightly to the rear. The long top mounted mirror can be adjusted to see the road beside you, or down toward the ground. it does not allow you to see all at once.

I have been toying with the idea of a camera and monitor for it on the left dashboard to see the blindspot

As for not driving, you clearly only have experience of smaller vehicles with good all round vision. Ask hgv drivers about the menace of cyclists and pedestrians in the blindspots
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I have also been toying with the idea of an extra camera! I have two already but neither help with the blindspot at certain angles.

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TheBig1 said:
Ask hgv drivers about the menace of cyclists and pedestrians in the blindspots
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Any one who knows Croydon, will know the "halls". making a L-H turn requires wide maneouver, and at the same time not so wide you over run the pedestrian refuge. So indicate left but pull partly right, wait for traffic light to change. My co- Driver winds the window down and say to the silly little girl in the Corsa "are you the meat?", she looks blank. The daft cow has only placed herself and the kid between the truck and the barrier. On with the "hazzards" and sit while she clears, before we then make our turn. If some had brains, they would be dangerous. And don`t get me started about Cyclists. I suspect they remove part of the brain when the sell them bikes.

I have "smallish" mirrors attached (clamped on) under the Big jobbys but set to look wide, that helps when making turns "blind". You get used to setting yourself up at junctions and Rbt`s, especially in a Large left hooker
 
Wombles said:
Yes - should come with instructions for positioning but can put it where it works best for you.
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Excellent I shall certainly try them however in the summer when it's boiling hot I always have the windows down, do you just wind the window up when needed? I shall also try the mirror on the visor advice! Looking forward to getting my van back and setting off for Spain asap! Cheers!
 
KeefieWeefie said:
Got any pictures of this Fresnel lens on your window? I've never heard of a Fresnel lens and having just google it still have no idea how one could help! But hey, thanks for the reply!
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This was at a roundabout so doesn't do it justice but give you an idea. Need to fit them with the top on the side facing forward as they are designed to look down behind a car.
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How thick are they? Would they fit on a window that slides down into the door. The one in the photo looks to slide sideways
 
Lenny HB said:
This was at a roundabout so doesn't do it justice but give you an idea. Need to fit them with the top on the side facing forward as they are designed to look down behind a car.
View attachment 361363
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Where did you get it from Lenny? I’m LHD now and I would find one useful?
 
KeefieWeefie said:
Excellent I shall certainly try them however in the summer when it's boiling hot I always have the windows down, do you just wind the window up when needed? I shall also try the mirror on the visor advice! Looking forward to getting my van back and setting off for Spain asap! Cheers!
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Guess so - only ever travelled with windows partially open as not normally lucky enough to have weather that hot on our trips!
 
I don't want to panic or frighten anyone but there was an article some years ago where a fresnel lens had set fire to a van, dunno if it's true.

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Canyon904 said:
I don't want to panic or frighten anyone but there was an article some years ago where a fresnel lens had set fire to a van, dunno if it's true.
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I take it you have not read all the parts of this thread, so I'll just copy and paste the bit to answer your question. (y)

******************************************************************

Yes I can see that a Fresnel lens can start a fire, but very unlikely with one fitted to a truck or motorhome, why, well the Fresnel lens used to start the fire in the video is designed with a circular pattern to take sunlight in straight onto the face of the Fresnel lens then bend the light to a focal point so concentrating the sunlight as does a magnifying glass.

I the case of the Fresnel lens designed for a lorry, it's job is to bend the light so the image is seen and magnified from an angle down from the height of the lorries side window, so the sunlight would have to come up in a reverse path to then concentrate it's light at it's focal length which is very unlikely. Also the focal length of the Fresnel lens designed for a lorry is way past the driver otherwise the driver could only view the image in one precise spot. As the focal length is effectively out past the drivers side window there is nothing for the concentrated light to act on.

I the case of a motorhome, the Fresnel lens is turned through 90 degrees rearwards and for the sunlight to act on the Fresnel lens it would be very low in the sky and being very low in the sky it will be very weak.

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I've found the best place to put the fresnel lens is in the corner of the side window which is just behind the passenger door. The window is opposite the one in my avatar. This gives me a view of the road at a very wide angle & it's really useful here in Devon as many of the roads are so narrow and junctions are at all kind of odd angles.
 
RioRob said:
I've found the best place to put the fresnel lens is in the corner of the side window which is just behind the passenger door. The window is opposite the one in my avatar. This gives me a view of the road at a very wide angle & it's really useful here in Devon as many of the roads are so narrow and junctions are at all kind of odd angles.
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Used a Freznel for years on my Romahome back door. the idea of one on the window behind passenger seat could work for some, I could see fine through that window in the Escape, however am unable to see through the window in the present van. We drive 2 up when abroad and sometimes have to open the window and stick my head out at awkward junctions. Did angle the lower mirror to try that but would have missed passing low cars and motorcycles. joining motorways isn't usually too bad just go slow and put up with the tooting :giggle:
think I still have a fresnel lens somewhere, will give it ago if it ever surfaces.
 
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