Folding 1 mirror for very narrow driveway

[Eric1]

Hi, I have an extremely narrow driveway with house/garage walls on both sides, one having a drainpipe to pass. Literally just inches to spare. Ideally, I need to start with both mirrors unfolded then, to pass the drainpipe and for the remainder of the driveway (between house and neighbour's garage) I want to fold just the driver's mirror. My mirrors are electrically foldable, but I can't see any option to selectively fold just the driver's mirror. I have seen it implied that this could be done on a T5, but can this be done on a 6.1?

Alternatively, I can manually fold the driver's mirror, but I am worried that this may cause harm to the electrical mechanism if done too often (eg twice per week)? Any thoughts?

And, as a last resort, are there any decent add on mirror protectors that can protect the actual mirror casing from being scratched?

Thanks

 

[sidepod]

I have a similar situation to the point I had to chisel a mirror shaped pocket into the stonework either side of my garage entrance.
I have about 30mm clearance each side with mirrors folded.

I’ve searched for a clip on mirror solution without success.

Easiest solution, just wind the window down, stick your head out and get the van as close as possible on your side. The other side looks after itself as long as you stay true to your side.

Once you get used to it it’s a doddle.

 

[Chriskend]

I had to chisel a mirror shaped pocket into the stonework either side of my garage entrance.

There’s nowt like ingenuity

 

[Eric1]

I have a similar situation to the point I had to chisel a mirror shaped pocket into the stonework either side of my garage entrance.
I have about 30mm clearance each side with mirrors folded.

I’ve searched for a clip on mirror solution without success.

Easiest solution, just wind the window down, stick your head out and get the van as close as possible on your side. The other side looks after itself as long as you stay true to your side.

Once you get used to it it’s a doddle.

I fortunately have more clearance than you, and can do it ok with my drivers mirror folded, albeit it is fiddly. But do you know about whether it is ok to manually force my mirror from unfolded to folded, and vice versa? I can do it, but it feels "wrong" and I am afraid I may break something if I do it too often.

 

[sidepod]

I don’t think they’re handrauliclly moveable.

 

[WelshGas]

I fortunately have more clearance than you, and can do it ok with my drivers mirror folded, albeit it is fiddly. But do you know about whether it is ok to manually force my mirror from unfolded to folded, and vice versa? I can do it, but it feels "wrong" and I am afraid I may break something if I do it too often.

Why not stick a supplementary mirror on the housewall to give a view along the wall.

 

[sidepod]

As I suggested surely?

The available width is obviously Van width + drain pipe + X

You obviously can pass through with the mirrors folded so all you need to do is get as close as possible to the drain pipe with the mirrors folded then stick your head out of the window and stay straight/parallel to the wall right next to your head. The other side will take care of itself. Just know the value of X and keep within that value.

I know it’s nerve wracking but it works. You just need to get used to it.

It amazing how much lateral movement the van has over the front wheels as a result of castor.
Try it when you’re right next to the drain pipe. Just turn the wheel side to side and not how much the van moves side to side.

I tried wall mounted mirrors etc but , in my case, and probably yours, it just gets in the way and doesn’t really achieve much.

 

[fantasque]

I have a similar problem, the wife normally guides me in, alternately…. put your phone on a selfie stick and hang it out the window!!!

 

[Mike Jenkins]

If your folding mirrors are electrically operated don’t try to manually fold them. I did mine (2015 model, mirror was stuck) and in doing so broke the mechanism inside. Needed replacement mirror (not cheap).

 

[sidepod]

I did a shallow dive into VCDS on this. There is definitely something there but I couldn’t get it to activate individually . I’ll post the question on the Rosstech (VCDS) forum, see if one of the adults there knows how to.

 

[CALIFORNIA-VW53DUB]

You could get one of these, attach a piece of thin plastic to the bit that is meant to stick and just wedge it in the upright of the window frame........

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Passenger-Adjustable-Surface-B-Pillar-Get-Off/dp/B0B8T9B4MC/ref=asc_df_B0B8T9B4MC?mcid=1be7bf27ef1f3395bec9119b21c02888&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=710844192170&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1348232668778570990&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007099&hvtargid=pla-2257916853032&hvocijid=1348232668778570990-B0B8T9B4MC-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1&th=1

Failing that, there are cheaper versions of this type of mirror...........

universal round classic car door mirror

A Universally fitting Classic and Vintage car mirror which mounts to the frame of the door.

classicpartsltd.com

I went to look at a van the other day for my daughter, and the owner had a similar problem, as he had put a rocker type switch on the dash, for passing vehicles in narrow lanes, and pressing the switch folded the mirrors on both sides, so it is obviously possible if you know the wiring colours to make up a loom just to fold the drivers mirror in and then put it back, once past your obstacle?

 

[kenseaton]

Does this help? From another bit of the forum - https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/folding-wing-mirror-problem.18249/post-209048

 

[Eric1]

Why not stick a supplementary mirror on the housewall to give a view along the wall.

Interesting idea, thanks

 

[Eric1]

If your folding mirrors are electrically operated don’t try to manually fold them. I did mine (2015 model, mirror was stuck) and in doing so broke the mechanism inside. Needed replacement mirror (not cheap).

Folding them manually felt horrible, I will not do again

 

[sidepod]

One other option would be to open the passenger mirror and access the wiring. Just add a simple switch into the power feed to the fold motor. Mount the switch somewhere in the door pocket?
Once the power is isolated the mirror won’t fold.
It’ll probably throw a code in ECU but so what.

 

[Eric1]

One other option would be to open the passenger mirror and access the wiring. Just add a simple switch into the power feed to the fold motor. Mount the switch somewhere in the door pocket?
Once the power is isolated the mirror won’t fold.
It’ll probably throw a code in ECU but so what.

That sounds really simple, but I am rubbish at that kind of thing. For now I seem to be coping with both mirrrors folded and using the reversing camera whilst reversing very slowly. My wife has video'd me and there may be mor space than I thought

 

[Roger Boeken]

Can the parking assist come to the rescue here?