Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

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Killerwhale
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Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #1
Hi All,

Took the motorhome for a drive this morning. Great but a very new experience. Before I even consider getting anything power related. Living in it (one night at weekend) and driving it is the priority over the next few days so get used to it before ordering anything.
It a lefthand drive. I had absolutely have no visability on my right so cannot see traffic coming on my right at all. I was at a T junction and genuinely no matter how much I moved my seat forward I could not see. Any advice and links to apparatus I need to improve this. Is it a camera for the dash essentially and who fits this near the Sligo area?
Safety first !

Also Im covered by Dolmen insurance. Is it worth getting AA ? My vehicle is 3400 kg.

Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks to all.

KW
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Albert the Talbot
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #2
It’s all to do with vehicle positioning.
Bear in mind in rhd you will encounter the same problems but as you’ve been doing it all your life the problem doesn’t register
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #3
Quote by Killerwhale

Hi All,

Took the motorhome for a drive this morning. Great but a very new experience. Before I even consider getting anything power related. Living in it (one night at weekend) and driving it is the priority over the next few days so get used to it before ordering anything.
It a lefthand drive. I had absolutely have no visability on my right so cannot see traffic coming on my right at all. I was at a T junction and genuinely no matter how much I moved my seat forward I could not see. Any advice and links to apparatus I need to improve this. Is it a camera for the dash essentially and who fits this near the Sligo area?
Safety first !

Also Im covered by Dolmen insurance. Is it worth getting AA ? My vehicle is 3400 kg.

Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks to all.

KW

I agree with “Albert” mine is rhd and I use it mainly abroad I try and approach junctions so I can look 90 degrees right and left. I have also found when using slip roads to motorways or duel carriageways that I have to look out of the habitation window behind the passenger seat in addition to wing mirrors. You’ll get used to it.

Dolmen provide breakdown cover included in their insurance well they did for me so you may want to check that out.
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #4
Quote by Killerwhale





Also Im covered by Dolmen insurance. Is it worth getting AA ? My vehicle is 3400 kg.

Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks to all.

KW


The cover you get from Dolmen is more or less the same as AA, the more you drive the van the easier it will get, some people love LHD vans, it's just practice that will make you perfect
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #5
LHD is just a case of getting used to it. Left filter lanes are the worst, you just need to get used to stopping a little further back from the line. Don't be afraid to use your passenger too.
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #6
I have a pair OF THESE, they can be fitted to the top or bottom of the existing mirror and the glass is adjustable independent of the body. Apart from greatly increasing your view, they are great for slip roads as you can see any traffic beside you which might be out of view of the standard mirrors.
Don't be tempted by stick-on mirrors or ONES LIKE THESE as they are pretty useless for what we need.
As regards T junctions and roundabouts. For T junctions remember how we passed the test, keep square and don't start to turn left until you are moving off, that way you can see through the passenger front window what's coming. For roundabouts just stay a bit back and you will see what's coming around.

For road positioning. I originally put two vertical pieces of tape at the bottom of the windscreen which lined up with the position of the vehicle. You can position them by trial and error by driving along the cat's eyes (when it's safe to do so) in the middle of the road and the edge of the hard shoulder. Until you get used to the width of the motorhome you can use them like gun sights to estimate where the front left and right are positioned on the road. Regularly checking in the mirror to see where the white and yellow lines are in relation to the sides of the motorhome is also a good way to get confidence in your road position.
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #7
Only ever had one scary time in the LHD while joining heavy traffic on a large motorway roundabout in the UK while driving on my own. What ever was the angle of the approach slip road, it gave me no visibility if there was a gap in traffic coming from my right on the roundabout. I had no choice but to keep gradually edging on to the roundabout such that eventually the traffic on the roundabout had to stop and allow me to go forward.

As has been said above, you can have the same issue with a RHD - it all depends on the angle of approach road to the junction.
Thankfully for me there is someone in the passenger seat 99.9% of the time who is able to give the visual guidance when necessary
Albert the Talbot
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #8
Killerwhale
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #9
Hi, Thanks a mil for all the replies. Your comments are a great help. Firstly I will be driving alot on my own so after a driving lesson with instructor this week this was the first time driving alone adn second time driving the motorhome so really noticed how blind my blindspot was! Cannot rely on passenger so your suggestions are so helpful. I actually did find it scary as i came into the road not been able to actually see if anything coming because like you folks said I leaned too much into a left hand turn so I should have stayed more straight. Definitely will be mindful of that but like one of the posters said i had to edge out slowly and slowly so traffic had to stop. Anyhow will definitely order mirror. Prob best to go with one! Prob don't need 2?

A great start. Thank you.
Thanks for showing me what not to get also. Thats also helpful.

Power wise I have come to a balance of 4 days non hookup and want I think a portable generator so that i can use it indoors even if there a powercut to charge my phone and laptop. Basically something moveable from motorhome. Is that reasonable seen as I am a newbie. Is my thinking right here based on your more seasoned experiences or should I go for a kit that can manage 6 days!

Thanks all again and have a lovely evening.
KW
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #10
Killerwhale. You have mentioned the dreaded generator. You will get lots of replies about that and I don’t think any of them will be supportive. I have used a generator for years with few problems but solar might be your way ahead
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #11
The most useful accessory for left-hand drive vans is a 'Wife'
I obtained mine several years ago, and to be honest, I find her indispensable when I'm driving....in fact I'd never go travelling without one.
Obviously, she's most useful during lane changing and over-taking, but there's another unexpected use as an audible warning system.
If you find yourself approaching a narrow section of road with possibly trucks amongst the oncoming traffic, simply keep as far to the left as you can. If there's a loud gasp, or sometimes a muffled scream from your 'wife' accessory, it's a timely warning to pull to the left just a fraction more.
Try one yourself. But keep the receipt in case an exchange or refund is required.
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #12
You will get used to it in no time. Just practice and take your time. If you ever travel abroad in it, it will be ideal to have LHD.
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #13
I have a good backup solution for driving a LHD in addition to road positioning where possible, habitation window and passengers and wife options. I have two screens mounted to the left of my steering wheel and 3 cameras.

One is high on the back, one is in the number plate holder. The extra one is attached under the right hand wing mirror (I didn’t find the blind spot mirrors much use). I have an RGB switcher under the camera screens that allows me to flick one of the screens from a rear camera to the wing mirror one. It means I can be looking left and right at the same time - looking out the left window while being able to see out the right window as the camera is in my field of view.

I can post a few links and photos if you want. as others have said you do get used to it but I like having the extra camera if needed when driving alone and I come to an akward junction. That reminds me, when you position yourself straight at a junction, watch nobody sneaks up your left hand side even though you are indicating left. They may assume you have out the wrong indicator on.
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 08.03.2021  ·  #14
great idea
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 09.03.2021  ·  #15
Gavster1,

Thanks for the informative reply.
Could you post links to the items you use including the cameras used.
Also could you send photos of where each piece is positioned so I can order and use as guidance.

Thanks again all,
Kw
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Re: Left hand drive-How do you folks increase visibility on the right

 ·  Posted: 06.06.2025  ·  #16
Quote by Gavster

I have a good backup solution for driving a LHD in addition to road positioning where possible, habitation window and passengers and wife options. I have two screens mounted to the left of my steering wheel and 3 cameras.

One is high on the back, one is in the number plate holder. The extra one is attached under the right hand wing mirror (I didn’t find the blind spot mirrors much use). I have an RGB switcher under the camera screens that allows me to flick one of the screens from a rear camera to the wing mirror one. It means I can be looking left and right at the same time - looking out the left window while being able to see out the right window as the camera is in my field of view.

I can post a few links and photos if you want. as others have said you do get used to it but I like having the extra camera if needed when driving alone and I come to an akward junction. That reminds me, when you position yourself straight at a junction, watch nobody sneaks up your left hand side even though you are indicating left. They may assume you have out the wrong indicator on.


Hi! Great post . Did you ever link to the product ? Can't find anything. Have the same LHD seeing to the right problem.
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