If there is one thing that you should learn first, above all other functions of your Texas RV’s, gears, gadgets and do-hickeys, it’s how tow adjust and set your mirrors. That’s right, for all of the amazing things you can do in your RV, you can’t even really start to enjoy them until you learn the basics. One of those basics is mirror adjustment.
Now I know what you are thinking, “I know how to do that. I drive my car daily. Adjusting mirrors is simple.” I know, I know you are a pro RVer, but you might be surprised to learn that there is a system and a skill to adjusting your mirrors the right way. After all, you don’t want to learn about that blind spot for the first time after you side swipe someone, right?
Here’s how you get started.
If you have not adjusted your mirrors before, then the first thing you’ll need to do is look for and loosen the lock-down bolts on the mirror frames and pre-set the frame. Then pre-set the adjustable and fixed mirrors to the middle of their range. Don’t strain against the mirror frames. If you can’t get them to move just loosen the bolts a little more.
Jump up and sit in the drivers seat. You are going to need some assistance, so have someone adjust the mirror frame to where it is close to the setting shown in RV-Figure-1. You’ll have to tell them when it looks good to you.
Once you think you have them set to your proper field of view, lock the mirror frame bolts down. Now you are ready to position the mirrors themselves.
The Top, larger, mirrors are not magnifiers, and give you a larger field of view down the road behind you. So you set these to allow a comfortably seated driver to see the edge of the RV, as well as down the road starting at a point. This is about halfway down the RV’s body.
The lower, smaller mirrors are magnifiers, and give a smaller field of view, so set the edge further in so the driver can see the Bottom of the RV body about 8-10 feet behind the driver.
Check out the video below for and in depth lesson on how to adjust your RV’s mirrors.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQaIb_6yaYA
Remember, as always, if you have any questions or comments, you can leave them here, or stop by PPL Motorhomes and we can help you adjust them.