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.