Mirrors in high winds

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Anybody else have the problem of mirrors flopping in when driving head on into winds of 45 mph and going 55-60mph?

Mirrors flopped back about 7 times today. I suppose the spring or maybe even plastic bracket or something is getting worn out. Finally got home, felt like I had to fight for every mile. Checking mirrors I do not see any way to adjust them to make stronger.


Bad enough mpg was down to about 6. Really couldn't go any slower without holding up traffic or creating a hazard.

Anybody have a practical fix that will work?

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Hank85713 wrote:
I used some plastic shims made from a plastic gallon drum and used RV goop to hold in place. Problem solved.

Sounds like good idea, will check out further on mine. Thanks

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grampachet wrote:
Where did you find a 45 mph wind on the west side? If so it sure couldn't have lasted long from what I have seen in the past 69 years I have been here.

Tried to find where wind speeds listed on some web page somewhere, but didn't find any. Yesterday on I-90 from Vantage to Cle Elum.

The Perkins at Ellensburg (exit 101 I think?) has a great big flag (holiday flag?)and it was standing straight out. Maybe the wind speed wasn't that much; don't know for sure? Unsure of exact wind speed in MPH but sure was blowing hard. Along the side of road we saw 1 awning, 1 A/C cover, 1 boat seat.

Also noticed those electric windmills at the wind farm were not turning. I think they shut them down, wife says maybe they gave them Sunday off:)

Bet people going the other way got very good MPG.

It appears that not very many people has the problem of mirrors flopping in. So it must be mine that have seen there better days?

Never had that problem before. I thought it might be common problem and someone had a good fix for them flopping in. Old style I would put in rubber washer and tighten bolts. Newer models I don't know.

[DaHose]

I have a 1983 with door mounted CIPA 45000(IIRC) mirrors and I made some extensions to hang them out further.

They stay put just fine in the wind. Although I did tighten the bottom pivot, because they would shift when we close the doors.

Jose

[grampachet]

Where did you find a 45 mph wind on the west side? If so it sure couldn't have lasted long from what I have seen in the past 69 years I have been here.

[Hank85713]

The arms should lock into place, dont know what year or model of rv you have so it is a guess at best. If its an older model well they could have enough wear to do just what you said, if a newer model they may just be part of the cheaper newer stuff available. If you change out now may be a time to install electric ones check craigs list and ebay for replacements.

I do not nor have I ever had this as an issue on the current rv or when towing with the pickup and yes we have been in significant winds with all. I have cheap aftermarket mirrors on my DD ranger, and yes they would vibrate bad in winds from speed or just the winds by ma nature. I used some plastic shims made from a plastic gallon drum and used RV goop to hold in place. Problem solved.

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tatest wrote:
the whole arm swinging back?

Yes, the whole arm swung back, very windy but didn't see other people having problems, so thought it was my mirror that was giving problem.

[valhalla360]

If you can make 60mph going into a 45mph headwind towing, that by itself is impressive.

If they are like mine where they pull out for towing, you probably just exceeded the design.

[tatest]

If they are OK in normal driving, I don't know of a fix. Flopping at the end of the arm, or the whole arm swinging back?

For the first, there is usually a setscrew (beyond the plastic cap that looks like a setscrew) that can be tightened a little. If the whole arm is swinging from the base, you might try a whole new mirror assembly, but I can't guarantee that will have been made to withstand the load.

45 mph headwind + 55 mph = 100 mph. I haven't been there yet, the engine in my motorhome is not powerful enough reach that speed. I think I might need 100 HP more than I have.

Much more than 20 mph headwinds (which are pretty common on the Great Plains) I pull off and wait for the wind to die down. 55 mph into a 20 mph headwind, my C is downshifted to direct and screaming at almost 4000 rpm. That's time to quit.