Improving visibility when driving LHD motorhome

Nemos Dad

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Does anyone have any tips to improve vision at junctions and roundabouts in a left hand drive vehicle? Our first motorhome - a LHD 1993 Dethleffs A-Class is great to drive but I do have problems when pulling up to T junctions or roundabouts. If the wife is awake she can spot for me but driving alone can be quite hairy! I have heard of mirrors which can be fitted to assist but have never actually seen any for sale. Any advice for a newbie greatly appreciated.
 
Go the other way round the roundabout? :lol-061:

Sorry about that, but as the owner of a LHD myself I appreciate the problem and rely totally on the wife to tell me what's happening. The plus side is that we spend most of our time on the mainland of Europe, so it is not a problem.
 
most important is a window on the rh side behind the door pillar.do you have that?
 
forgot to add,make sure when you approach a junction you position the van at 90 degrees to the transverse road so you can see both directions.this may seem an awkward thing to do at some angled junctions but its what any van driver would do
 
Thinking ahead and getting in the right position helps. Shouting abuse at the Frenchmen who are actually going the right way is poor form.:eek:
 
We have a LHD Kontiki and don't have many problems the worst is when at a Y junction or entering a dual carriage way on the slip.

I'm fitting a rearview camera for this purpose.

At junctions, like has been said, I join at right angles like van drivers do.

Fortunately there is a window on the RHS of the MH, so roundabouts are less of an issue as I can use it to see traffic. Could you fit one if there isn't one??
 
every van i ever had,lhd or rhd,i put a window behind the opposite doorpost as a priority.even when you have someone with you,can you trust their assessment of the situation? i'd rather see for myself ta. you know it makes sense
 
visit a good truck spares place .bet they have a smple clamp on mirror with a wide angle lens . possibly cost about 13 quid .
i have one on the lefthand side of my truck not original but helps alot when abroad .
 
I was in a local caravan accessory shop the other week and finally saw a clamp on mirror suitable for a motorhome, so they are out there.


Another option is the type of rear view mirror they usually have on fork lift trucks, they have a fairly wide angle of view.
 
Hi guys
Thanks for all the replies to my first thread. I will certainly take the advice of approaching at 90 degrees to the junction - or waking Mrs B up in plenty of time on the approach...
As for the window behind the opposite doorpost - that sounds a sensible idea. You are right in that our MH has a solid door (stable type) on this side. Does anyone know if it is possible to fit a window into this. Perhaps the upper section can be replaced??
Cheers
Pete
 
if there's not a window speclfically for your door,there will be a way of doing it. being able to glance over your shoulder and see what's coming is better than any camera,mirror or wife[obviously not in every way]
 
Originally Posted by n brown
most important is a window on the rh side behind the door pillar.do you have that?
Click to expand...


On this model vehicle, there is no door on RHS, apart from hab door to rear.
Click to expand...

I think he means the A post. Have it facing FORWARD! We did exactly this in 1960 when we visited Spain in an old 1947 Vauxhall 14. So it is not a new idea. It gives you a view down the road ahead, without pulling out too far.

As an ex-truck driver, I can reccomend the advice of pulling up square at junctions. This will improve your side views.
 
Get a convex lens which you can stick on

Hi,

I have a LHD Hymer so have the same problem.

It has a convex lens about a foot in diameter stuck on the passenger side window.
Looking at the lens gives a wider angle of view than just looking through a plain window - so it does help.

I dont know where you would get one - mine came wuth the 'van.
 
Fresnel Lens

Like stephenhk I fitted a Fresnel Lens to my LHD Laika A Class which was excellent when you get used to the distorted view. Though my wife didn't like it as she couldn't see out of the window as easily as a passenger. I believe the Kent police issue them to Continental drivers to reduce the vast number of accidents on our motorways caused by LHD vehicles.
Bob
 
the mirror i used was by ashtree mirrors cost about 13 quid from our local big wheels parts shop at the end of the road . try a google or possibly a ebay.
 
have you thought about a camera on a slid out pole or something similar, i cant see below the window line on my trany so will fit a camera soon infred for night color for day.
smaller than a mirror and if your a gadget man like me, something to play with when parked up in a supermarket while the wife is shopping lol
 
best go in with her then you know what she is spending her money on .after all you dont want to give them any of yours they will only waste it . :lol-053:
 
i would but i hate shoping id rather just let her get on with it if i can get away with it lol some times i cant.lol
 
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