What Extendable Tow Mirrors Do I Need for My Caravan?
If you're planning to tow a caravan, one of the most important — and most overlooked — upgrades on your tow vehicle isn't the suspension or the towbar. It's your mirrors. Standard factory mirrors are designed to see around your ute or wagon, not around a caravan that's wider and taller than your vehicle. Get this wrong and you're not just driving with poor visibility, you could be breaking the law.
In this guide, we'll cover why extendable tow mirrors are essential for safe caravan towing, what to look for when choosing a set, and which options are available for popular Australian 4WDs including the Toyota Hilux, LandCruiser, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X, and Volkswagen Amarok.
Do You Legally Need Tow Mirrors for Your Caravan in Australia?
Under Australian road rules, if your caravan or trailer is wider than your tow vehicle (which is the case for almost every caravan), you're required to have a clear view down both sides for at least 20 metres behind you. If your factory mirrors can't achieve this once the caravan is hooked up, you need extendable or replacement towing mirrors to stay compliant — and more importantly, to stay safe.
This isn't just about ticking a legal box either. Good towing mirrors reduce blind spots, make reversing and lane changes far less stressful, and give you confidence when you're threading a rig through traffic, roadworks, or a tight caravan park.
Clip-On vs Full Replacement Towing Mirrors
There are two broad categories of tow mirror on the market:
Clip-on or strap-on extensions attach over your existing mirrors. They're cheap and easy to fit, but they add bulk, can vibrate loose at highway speed, and often block part of your original mirror's view.
Full replacement towing mirrors — like the Clearview range we stock — replace your factory mirrors entirely, using the same mounting points and wiring. They're vehicle-specific, sit flush, and are engineered to handle corrugated roads and highway speeds without the wobble you get from a clip-on unit.
For anyone towing regularly, a full replacement mirror is the better long-term investment. They look factory-fitted, hold their aim, and come backed by Clearview's genuine manufacturer warranty.
Key Features to Consider
Not all towing mirrors are built the same. Here's what to think about before you buy:
- Manual vs electric adjustment — electric mirrors let you fine-tune your view from inside the cabin, which matters if multiple drivers use the vehicle.
- Indicators built into the mirror housing — improves visibility to other road users, especially with a caravan blocking your factory indicators.
- Heated glass — clears fog and condensation quickly on cold mornings, handy for early starts on a road trip.
- Power-fold — folds the mirrors in at the touch of a button, useful for tight caravan parks or narrow servos.
- Blind spot monitoring (BSM) — an added safety layer that alerts you to vehicles sitting in your blind spot, particularly valuable given how much a caravan restricts your rear view.
- Reversing cameras integrated into the mirror — some higher-spec mirrors include a built-in camera, giving you an extra angle when backing onto a site.
Which combination you need really comes down to how often you tow, the conditions you're driving in, and your budget. A manual, non-electric mirror will do the job for occasional towing, while a heated, power-fold mirror with BSM is worth it if the caravan's coming out most weekends.
Towing Mirrors for Toyota Hilux
The Hilux is one of Australia's most popular tow vehicles, and Clearview offers Next Gen towing mirrors for both the N70 (2005–2014) and N80 (2015 onwards) models. These are full replacement mirrors that bolt straight into the factory mounting points, with options ranging from manual through to heated, power-fold, indicator-equipped mirrors.
Towing Mirrors for Toyota LandCruiser
Whether you're running a 79 Series cab chassis, a 200 Series wagon, or the newer 300 Series, Clearview has a vehicle-specific Next Gen mirror to suit. LandCruiser owners towing large family caravans or off-road camper trailers will particularly benefit from the heated, indicator, and BSM-equipped options given how much rear vision a big van can take away.
Towing Mirrors for Ford Ranger
For both the PX Series (2011–2021) and the Next Gen Ranger (2022 onwards), Clearview offers Compact and Next Gen mirror options with power-fold, blind spot monitoring, heated glass, and camera-equipped variants for the latest models. Ranger owners towing family vans will appreciate the extra width and stability these mirrors provide over the factory units.
Towing Mirrors for Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X
Isuzu owners are well catered for too, with Clearview Compact and Next Gen mirrors available for both the D-MAX and MU-X, including the latest MY25 models. These come in a range of specs from basic electric adjustment through to full heated, power-fold, indicator, and BSM configurations.
Towing Mirrors for Volkswagen Amarok
The dual-cab Amarok has become a genuine caravan tow vehicle in its own right, and Clearview's Compact and Next Gen ranges cover the current NF-generation Amarok across Life, Core, Aventura and PanAmericana trim levels, right up to full-featured heated, camera and BSM-equipped options.
Where to Start
If you're not sure which spec is right for your setup, work through it in this order:
- Confirm fitment — Clearview mirrors are built vehicle-specific, so start by matching your exact model and build date.
- Decide manual vs electric — electric is worth the extra spend for most tow vehicles used by more than one driver.
- Add indicators if your state requires them or if your caravan regularly obscures your factory indicators.
- Consider heated glass and power-fold if you're a regular, year-round tower.
- Step up to BSM or camera-equipped mirrors if you want the highest level of safety on the road, particularly for long highway hauls.
A properly fitted, vehicle-specific set of towing mirrors is one of the simplest upgrades you can make before your next caravan trip — and one that pays off every single time you're on the road with the van hooked up.
Ready to Fit Out Your Tow Vehicle?
Browse our full range of towing mirrors or the complete Clearview Accessories collection to find the right fit for your vehicle. Not sure which spec suits your towing setup? Get in touch with our team and we'll help you choose.
Do I legally need towing mirrors for my caravan in Australia?
Yes — if your caravan is wider than your tow vehicle, you're required to have a clear view down both sides for at least 20 metres behind you, which usually means fitting extendable or replacement towing mirrors
What's the difference between clip-on and full replacement towing mirrors?
Clip-on mirrors strap over your factory mirrors and are cheaper but can vibrate loose at speed. Full replacement mirrors (like Clearview) swap out your factory mirrors entirely using the same mounting points, giving a sturdier, more permanent fit.
Do I need electric or manual towing mirrors?
Manual mirrors suit occasional towing on a budget. Electric mirrors let you adjust from inside the cabin and are worth it if more than one person drives the tow vehicle.
Are heated and power-fold towing mirrors worth the extra cost?
If you tow year-round or in cold, foggy conditions, heated glass keeps your view clear fast. If your vehicle has this feature and you install towing mirrors without it, you could experience warning alarms in your vehicle.
Power-fold is mainly a convenience feature for tight caravan parks and narrow servos.
Will towing mirrors fit my specific vehicle model?
Full replacement mirrors like Clearview are built vehicle-specific by model and build date, so you'll need to match the exact year and variant of your Hilux, LandCruiser, Ranger, D-MAX or Amarok before ordering.