How To Adjust Side Mirrors On Uhaul Truck

How To Adjust Side Mirrors On a U-Haul Truck

Properly adjusted side mirrors are crucial for safe operation of any vehicle, especially large trucks like those rented from U-Haul. Incorrect mirror settings drastically reduce visibility, increasing the risk of accidents. This guide provides a comprehensive approach to adjusting side mirrors on a U-Haul truck, ensuring optimal visibility and enhancing safety on the road.

1. The Importance of Proper Mirror Adjustment

Side mirrors serve as the primary visual aid for monitoring the areas beside and slightly behind a truck. They eliminate blind spots, allowing the driver to see approaching vehicles, judge distances accurately, and make safe lane changes. Improperly adjusted mirrors can create large blind spots, significantly increasing the risk of collisions, particularly when merging or changing lanes. Taking the time to correctly adjust mirrors before driving a U-Haul truck is essential for safe navigation.

2. Preparing for Mirror Adjustment

Before adjusting the mirrors, ensure the driver is seated in the correct driving position. The seat should be adjusted so that the driver can comfortably reach the pedals and steering wheel while maintaining a clear view of the road ahead. The driver's headrest should be positioned correctly to provide optimal support in case of a collision. The mirrors are designed to work in conjunction with the driver's seated position, so ensuring proper posture is the first step towards effective mirror adjustment.

U-Haul trucks are equipped with two types of side mirrors: flat (or plane) mirrors and convex mirrors. The flat mirror provides a true-to-size reflection of objects behind the truck, while the convex mirror offers a wider field of view, albeit with a slightly distorted perspective. Understanding the function of each mirror type is critical for utilizing them effectively. Both mirrors work together to provide complete coverage of the areas beside and slightly behind the truck.

3. Adjusting the Flat (Plane) Mirrors

The flat mirrors, typically the larger of the two, should be adjusted to minimize blind spots alongside the truck. To adjust the driver-side flat mirror, lean the head towards the driver-side window until it almost touches the glass. Then, adjust the mirror so the side of the truck is just barely visible in the outer edge of the mirror. This positioning minimizes the overlap between the view through the driver-side window and the reflection in the mirror, maximizing the overall field of view.

For the passenger-side flat mirror, lean to the right, positioning the head near the center of the cab. Adjust the passenger-side mirror so that the side of the truck is just barely visible in the outer edge of the mirror. This position allows the driver to monitor the lane beside the truck and minimizes the blind spot on the passenger side.

4. Adjusting the Convex Mirrors

The convex mirrors, usually smaller and located below or integrated into the flat mirrors, are designed to provide a wider-angle view. These mirrors show a larger area than the flat mirrors, but objects appear smaller and farther away than they actually are. The convex mirrors help to eliminate blind spots that the flat mirrors may miss. They are particularly useful for seeing vehicles approaching from behind or alongside the truck during lane changes.

Adjust the convex mirrors to show the lane beside the truck and extend the view further back. The horizon should be visible near the top edge of the convex mirror. Ideally, there should be minimal overlap between what is visible in the flat mirror and what is visible in the convex mirror. This setup provides the most comprehensive view of the areas beside and behind the truck.

5. Verifying Mirror Adjustment

After adjusting both the flat and convex mirrors, take a moment to verify the settings. While seated in the normal driving position, glance at each mirror. The sides of the truck should be barely visible in the outer edge of the flat mirrors. The convex mirrors should provide a wide-angle view of the adjacent lanes and the area behind the truck. If necessary, fine-tune the mirror adjustments until the desired view is achieved.

Another method to check mirror adjustment is to watch a vehicle as it passes the truck. Start by observing the vehicle in the rearview mirror. As the vehicle passes the truck, it should transition seamlessly into the view of the corresponding side mirror (flat mirror first, then the convex mirror). If there is a significant gap between when the vehicle disappears from the rearview mirror and when it appears in the side mirror, further adjustment is required. This “follow-through” method ensures continuous visibility and minimizes blind spots.

6. Adjusting Mirrors While Driving

Situational awareness is vital when driving a large vehicle. While the initial mirror adjustment should occur before starting the trip, it may be necessary to make minor adjustments while driving. U-Haul trucks often provide manually adjustable mirrors, allowing drivers to fine-tune the position as needed. However, drivers should make these adjustments cautiously and only when it is safe to do so. Pulling over to the side of the road is recommended if significant adjustments are required.