For drivers in Australia, especially those with a liking for outdoor adventures, towing is not an occasional weekend activity. It becomes necessary when you are vacationing or heading to a farmland. You may need to tow a boat to the coastal region or hail a caravan to the outback. In such situations, rear visibility is directly related to safety. However, you must be careful about the towing mirror. Not all side mirror models can offer you a great view of the back side.
Many Australian drivers have to choose between an OEM mirror and an aftermarket unit. Before making up your mind, you must know the pros and cons of each type.
Why will you need to use a towing mirror?
Towing mirrors are extended side mirrors designed to provide you with a clear and wide view of the car’s rear. When your car has a suitable towing mirror, you can overcome the menace of blind spots and change lanes on the highways safely. It can also be helpful when you need to park large trailers or vans.
OEM towing mirrors are made and installed by your car’s original manufacturer. They have no fitting issues and integrate well with safety features like blind-spot sensors. In most cases, it is covered by the car’s warranty. In high-end models, you get features like indicators and defrosters. From the aesthetic point of view, they are great. These towing mirrors gel with the car’s external styling.
There are a few limitations to using OEM towing mirrors. Not every car comes with these accessories built in. After a few years, you may struggle to find OEM models for your car.
- Aftermarket towing mirrors
Aftermarket towing mirrors are manufactured by brands that make accessories for various car companies. They are useful when you want a wider field of vision or when you can’t get an OEM towing mirror for your car model. There are many options, but you can check out Kings towing mirrors for a great experience.
Brands making towing mirrors for different carmakers focus on end-user needs. A wider field of vision that you get from these models is suited for towing wide caravans. Such accessories can be fitted to your SUV, UTES and 4WDs. Additionally, you can find a model that fits your monetary range.
However, to get the best experience from such third-party towing mirrors, you should opt for professional installation. It is more necessary when you want the tech features to work perfectly. If you take the DIY route here, that may lead to headaches.
- There is no single solution
As you can see, both OEM and aftermarket towing mirrors have their shares of advantages and drawbacks. You have to think of your budget, usage needs, car styling and features before making a choice.
Summing it up
Before you select any OEM or third-party towing mirror for your wagon or SUV, make sure it is ADR compliant. It would also be useful to check the warranty and installation needs. You should look for models offered by trusted companies like Brixton4x4.com.au with a large client base.