Even The Simple Things - What's Behind You!

    What's behind you? That's a question all RV drivers ask themselves quite often. Can I change lanes without crushing someone in their sub-compact? Another good question. Alas, many RV's have big blind-spots to contend with. Many of them are equipped with large mirrors, some even split with wide-view or convex lenses that allow you to see a great deal more than a stock flat mirror. Unfortunately, that doesn't always complete the picture. What can you do??

 Well, I have a pair of large RAMCO mirrors on my Aero Cruiser. They are the split glass style. On top is a traditional flat mirror and on the bottom a somewhat convex version that lets me see more of the side of the RV and what's near me. This is great for cars that are behind and to the side, not so great for ones that are tucked in tight or on one of my front or rear corners. No matter how I adjust them, there is always some spot I cannot see easily. Makes for some white knuckle moments, let me tell you! Sure, you could constantly adjust the mirror and view the blind spots, but how convenient would THAT be? I'll bet it would get tiresome in a hurry! There had to be a better way. Finding inexpensive solutions is becoming a specialty for me lately.

 Yes, OK... I hear you...now WHAT'S the solution already?



Many companies make stick-on or glue-on concave mirrors that adhere to some section of your existing mirror. Simple solution. I've tried both types of mounts. While they both use a double-sided tape method to attach, the first kind has a stem with a ball joint that allows you to adjust the mirror in all directions. This one works OK, but it has a mind of its own. They seem to move whenever and wherever they want to, especially when they begin to wear or deteriorate from the elements. The other style is a bit more elegant and robust.

The other kind is a bit harder to explain. It also sticks on with a piece of double-sided tape, but mounts much tighter to the mirror itself. Once stuck on, you can rotate it to change the point it aims at. I know it sounds odd, but it works! I haven't had these move at all and the picture I get includes all of the left-over blind spots my existing mirrors miss. I mounted mine at the inside bottom corner of both the driver's and passenger side mirrors. I do lose a tiny bit of the flat plate mirror, but it was mostly showing who was sitting in the seats anyway!


One of my absolute favorite things is a simple, elegant solution to a complex problem. While this is certainly not like finding out that kiwi fruits cure cancer, it was a particularly vex-some problem when I was driving. I don't usually enjoy running poor souls off the road since I can't see them! As with any solution, Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV.) But I'm guessing that these will work as well for you as they do for me. At only $3.29 at Wally-World it was quite a bargain.

One caveat, make sure your mirror is completely clean before sticking them on!! I used an alcohol wipe first. Any dirt or grime will negatively impact the adhesion of the tape and you may go to take a look at your nice mirror and find it's gone off on it's own down the highway. 'Nuff said.

Be Seeing You...Down The Road,

Rich "The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com