Towbars and Towing Mirrors

We use the convex Grand Aero heads both sides, and find them excellent.

I use a Milenco flat mirror on my side & a convex mirror on the passenger side. They always seem to need adjustment though, even when you're sure they were fitted exactly as they were the previous time. Mostly, the view from the normal mirrors is good enough, which is why I've never fancied the suck-it-and-see mirrors, but the extra vision from the Milencos when needed is excellent & (mostly) vibration free.

Just changed my old Octavia hatch for a newer one, but still mark lll I think.  Found the new wing mirrors pose real problems for fitting towing mirrors. (no level sections on rim and massive slope on back rules out strap mirrors).  Wondered about economical Maypole screw on mirror but would this crack wing mirror glass?Am told Milenco are safer but which Milenco model? Would Aero lll be OK or does it have to be Aero Platinum 6606? (these seem hard to find and very pricey).  Octavia is reputed tow car so I hope members have found a solution to this problem. 

A lot of VAG mirrors are problematic due to sloping profile and limited gap between glass edge and mirror surround.

I used Milenco Aero on VW Touran, Skoda Yeti and Audi A3, latterly with the extra cost optional rubber pads with a V ridge. This helped, but the limited gap continued to cause a problem. Since swapping to EMUK mirrors I have had problems. They are custom made to the profile of your mirrors with a cast aluminium bar that wraps around the mirror body with a small clap over the end of the mirror. They take seconds to fit and are rock solid, but expensive.

You will not find a UK supplier and probably need to use a German supplier through e-bay.

Colin

Ive been using suck it and see mirrors for years but will struggle with our new towcar unless i can put a step in the tube. Ive seen the EMUK mirrors on the tinternet and they look a very good product but could not find any reference to the E mark that is required for UK use. When you got yours did they come with any 'approvals'

I've just checked the back of the mirror bodies and they have an E1 logo moulded into them.

I believe I used this company:- https://www.autoteile-herr.de/emuk-wohnwagenspiegel-set-fuer-skoda-octavia-iii-100901.html

Colin

Note that if you do order anything from Germany (or anywhere else in the EU) you will now have to pay UK VAT on the invoiced amount.

The vat issue is not a one size fits all. Post Brexit we ordered some boots for our son. They came from Spain, through Holland to the UK. As they were less than the personal import allowance we had no problems. We did not have to pay an extra or different rate of vat.

For more expensive items the situation is different. I contacted the relevant UK government offices regarding a personal import on a caravan. On this I have to pay UK vat. It gets confusing as if coming from the majority of Dutch dealers I would have to pay Dutch vat, then UK vat on import before claiming the Dutch vat back. Two dealers however were set up for UK customers and could provide the relevant paperwork for me not to pay and have to reclaim the Dutch vat.

At present the price difference on a caravan import does not make it worthwhile.

Colin

 cheers Colin, 

they dont have stock for xc90 but another website does so will get by on the suck it and see's next week then look again on our return. 

Do they clamp very tight on the mirror casing (possible cracking) or are they relying on the precise fit on the casing.

They do look like a good piece of kit.

The fit of the cast aluminium arm is very precise, also cushioned by a neoprene type foam. The clamp [on mine] pitches firmly around the outmost edge of the mirror body. I do not believe a potential crack would be an issue.

Colin