A class blind spot at junctions

[Bustup15]

When driving solo (LHD) and junction is angled, how do others cope with the blind spot?

Considering fitting a camera on RHS at 90 degrees to direction of travel. There is a spare 3rd input to the fitted camera system which uses the combined radio/sat nav/multi function screen but not sure how to access this - anyone else been down this route?

 

[Two on Tour]

I had the blind spot problem in our RHD PVC at junctions when on the continent so fitted a small camera in the LHD side "B" post so I could see any traffic coming. I know a couple of others on the forum have also fitted cameras for the same reasons.

Do a search on eBay for bumper camera for the type I used.

 

[Lenny HB]

I put a frensel lens on the passenger window (I think I got the idea from @Just smiffy ) about 4 quid on eBay. I recently did a solo trip to Belgium it was absolutely brilliant.
Tip for fitting turn it through 90° with top towards front of van.

 

[nicholsong]

First thing I did when buying the MH, and driving solo, was to fit good parabolic mirrors on top of thr wing mirrors. I found that Mercedes had mirrors that exactly matched the profile of the existing ones.

My parabolic give a 45 degree view. One just has to allow for the fact that all vehicles seem further away than they are.

The other advantage is that they also show low vehicles alongside, which are out of view in the normal mirrors and can be 'lost' when changing lanes - till contact is made!

Geoff

 

[tonyidle]

I always like the look of top-mounted dangly mirrors until I owned a vehicle with them fitted. The OS one blocks my view of traffic entering a roundabout to my right. I end up head-bobbing to see past or under it. It has become so irritating that I'm considering moving them. They're also upside down according to the logo on the shell and the blind-spot lens is at the top. So the current left top mirror would become the RH bottom mounted. And vice versa.

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[2657]

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[Lenny HB]

I always like the look of top-mounted dangly mirrors until I owned a vehicle with them fitted. The OS one blocks my view of traffic entering a roundabout to my right. I end up head-bobbing to see past or under it. It has become so irritating that I'm considering moving them. They're also upside down according to the logo on the shell and the blind-spot lens is at the to. So the current left top mirror would become the RH bottom mounted. And vice versa.

Our last A Class had the mirrors mounted low down. With the current van I couldn't believe how much better rear visibility is with the high up coach mirrors. Agree about when entering roundabouts but a small price to pay for the far superior rear view.

 

[tonyidle]

Our last A Class had the mirrors mounted low down. With the current van I couldn't believe how much better rear visibility is with the high up coach mirrors. Agree about when entering roundabouts but a small price to pay for the far superior rear view.

On mine whether top or bottom mounted they'd be in the same vertical position. It would simply be 'eyes up' 'or eyes down' for the driver. I hadn't thought about the rear view because it has always been brilliant from the A class vans I've had. I find looking up, and the position of the blind spot mirror at the top, less natural than looking down. Could be years of conditioning of course . I'd love to fit camera rear views but I doubt they'll ever be available for sensible money.

 

[Lenny HB]

I've had. I find looking up, and the position of the blind spot mirror at the top, less natural than looking down.

I find the opposite, I find it more natural looking up also the coach mirrors are larger giving a better view.
Also high up they clear white van man's mirrors but can get a bit close to HGV mirrors.

 

[gloworm]

If you look on here there is thread by Techno, showing how he fitted a window behind his passenger seat, (he's LHD) it may give you some idea's.

Eric

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[Lenny HB]

If you look on here there is thread by Techno, showing how he fitted a window behind his passenger seat, (he's LHD) it may give you some idea's.

Eric

I thought about that but a step too far. Our first Hymer had a window there but you don't get them anymore probably cost saving.

 

[CazPaul]

I put a frensel lens on the passenger window (I think I got the idea from @Just smiffy ) about 4 quid on eBay. I recently did a solo trip to Belgium it was absolutely brilliant.
Tip for fitting turn it through 90° with top towards front of van.

View attachment 307540

The frensel lens sounds great, anybody else used one, need one or something for our LHD

 

[JockandRita]

The frensel lens sounds great, anybody else used one, need one or something for our LHD

Yes Paul, I too use the Frensel Lens which @Lenny HB refers to. It's the style that VOSA (as they were then) handed out to foreign truckers at Service Areas close to UK ports, and on the right side, it shows up anything within a couple of feet below that window, ie, pedestrian, cyclist, and lane markings. I also have one on the rear window, which clearly shows matey right up my ar$se, when he can't be viewed through the window normally.
I also use convexed mirrors on the bottom right and left of the main body mirrors respectively. I am also lucky enough to have a lounge window on the right of the MH Hab area, which affords me an extra angle for viewing traffic from my right, at junctions.

I have tried to cover all the possible black spot angles.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[CazPaul]

Yes Paul, I too use the Frensel Lens which @Lenny HB refers to. It's the style that VOSA (as they were then) handed out to foreign truckers at Service Areas close to UK ports, and on the right side, it shows up anything within a couple of feet below that window, ie, pedestrian, cyclist, and lane markings. I also have one on the rear window, which clearly shows matey right up my ar$se, when he can't be viewed through the window normally.
I also use convexed mirrors on the bottom right and left of the main body mirrors respectively. I am also lucky enough to have a lounge window on the right of the MH Hab area, which affords me an extra angle for viewing traffic from my right, at junctions.

I have tried to cover all the possible black spot angles.

Cheers,

Jock.

Many thanks Jock
Do any of your devices/ideas help when you are at an angled junction, LHD, seeing what is coming from the right, unless there is 2 people in the van it is a real blind spot as we don't have a side window to see out of above the lounge seat as we did in the 2 Hymers.

 

[Bustup15]

The frensel lens sounds great, anybody else used one, need one or something for our LHD

Just ordered one - at this price if it's not totally successful it doesn't matter

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[JockandRita]

Many thanks Jock
Do any of your devices/ideas help when you are at an angled junction, LHD, seeing what is coming from the right, unless there is 2 people in the van it is a real blind spot as we don't have a side window to see out of above the lounge seat as we did in the 2 Hymers.

Yes Paul, I forgot to mention the remotely adjustable electric mirrors, which I can adjust right and left respectively, depending on the angle of the junction, or on the way down the slip road on to a carriageway. They work a treat, especially when solo.

HTH,

Jock.

 

[funflair]

Many thanks Jock
Do any of your devices/ideas help when you are at an angled junction, LHD, seeing what is coming from the right, unless there is 2 people in the van it is a real blind spot as we don't have a side window to see out of above the lounge seat as we did in the 2 Hymers.

We have the window Paul but after a while you get into pulling up a bit straighter at angled junctions.

Martin

 

[tonyidle]

I find the opposite, I find it more natural looking up also the coach mirrors are larger giving a better view.
Also high up they clear white van man's mirrors but can get a bit close to HGV mirrors.

Mine are about the same size as the ones on the Hymer I had before it. The blind spot mirrors are however much larger and electrically adjustable (I put self adhesive ones on the Hymer). Overall you are correct about the size but they'd be the same size and the correct way up if bottom mounted (same arms, same everything). I have noticed they miss white van man but on the downside they're a bit close to the height of truck mirrors.

 

[funflair]

I’m waiting for cameras to supersede bus mirrors as they are getting that big that you need another pitch out front just for the mirrors.

And you do have to be careful manoeuvring in and around trees and other immovable objects.

Martin

 

[jongood]

We have the window Paul but after a while you get into pulling up a bit straighter at angled junctions.

Martin

Thats exactly what you need to do with a lorry at some of the UK junctions, A53/A51 being a case in point, pull over to the left with your rh indicator going just before you get to the stop line and just be aware that there are cretins who will try and overtake you.

Jon

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[jongood]

I’m waiting for cameras to supersede bus mirrors as they are getting that big that you need another pitch out front just for the mirrors.

And you do have to be careful manoeuvring in and around trees and other immovable objects.

Martin

completely agree Martin I can't wait. A bit of creative thought and a multi view monitor could virtually eliminate blind spots, particularly on trailers.

 

[gus-lopez]

I have a seriously acute down hill left junction where the daughter used to live. I just square up at 90º to it for turning left or right as vehicles coming from your right only appear when 20 m away & are usually travelling at the limit.

 

[Clarky]

On the recommendation of @JockandRita I have just bought a fresnel lens. Only fitted it a few days ago.
Will find out if it helps when we go off in a couple of weeks.

Richard.

 

[Barclaybasher]

I used to often have to turn right on the brow of a hill - no visibility left but ok right. I'd aways listen for traffic from the left (windows down), I'd wait until the road to the right was clear of oncoming traffic then drive down the WRONG side until I was sure nothing was coming up behind before moving over......

.

 

[Wombles]

Whilst we don't have an A Class thank you to all those who suggested the Fresnel lens as looking into that can see that with a LHD van conversion it would be helpful at junctions in UK but also a good idea for those with RHD motorhomes for the same reasons overseas It's not a lot of money for extra safety or to prevent an accident or damage & both lorry & van sized ones recommended by the Road Haulage Association here http://www.rhaonline.co.uk/search/i...mit=true&save=1&imageField.x=0&imageField.y=0 & an eBay seller here who has Best Offer on van ones & a bit cheaper if just buying one here - might help any PVC owners reading this.
Think it's worthy of a separate thread as many may not read this one if not A Class owners & it certainly looks like an almost essential safety accessory for many of us.

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[Ingwe]

.

Speechless eh matamoros?

 

[Just smiffy]

I put a frensel lens on the passenger window (I think I got the idea from @Just smiffy ) about 4 quid on eBay. I recently did a solo trip to Belgium it was absolutely brilliant.
Tip for fitting turn it through 90° with top towards front of van.

View attachment 307540

Not me Lenny but a good idea.....

 

[2657]

Speechless eh matamoros?

I posted what I thought was very good advice for this problem but got confused as most of the year I drive a RHD vehicle on the continent and got my mirrors mixed up, by the time I realised, the thread had moved on so thought it best just to delete.......getting old you know, confused is my default state

 

[Barclaybasher]

.getting old you know, confused is my default state

............as most on here..........................

 

[Lenny HB]

Not me Lenny but a good idea.....

Must have been @JockandRita then.

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