Chinook RV

My 1999 Chinook Concourse has Velvac model 2015 mirrors. I encountered a problem wherein the arms would not stay all the way out as I was driving (especially in windy or bumpy highway conditions). The head/glass were fine, but the whole arm would start to fold in (as you would when going into a narrow garage), thus effectively changing the adjustment angle of the glass. It would only "fold" an inch or so, but that was enough to give me nothing but a great view of the side of the coach!

I searched all around Velvac's site and the internet, but didn't find anything about the arms (just the heads). Of course it's one of those things that there are a million ways to say, so not that easy to search. Also many RV's have the Velvac 2020 model (including some Chinooks), so much of the information I found pertained to them (and the arm/base interface is not the same on the 2015 and 2020 models).

Eventually I called Velvac, and got the info I needed to adjust the arms, so I thought I would post it here for reference.

First of all, to see if you have the 2015 model, look at the way the arm joins the base at the van body. On the 2015's, the arm sits in a U-shaped cup, with the base of the U facing forward, as in the photo below. The 2020 does not have the U-shaped cup.
To adjust the arm folding tension, there is an allen screw near the end of the long arm where the arm meets the van body. The exact location of the screw was changed around 1997. I asked for a description of both just in case Chinook had a stock of older mirrors lying around when my 1999 was built (as it turns out, I have the newer style).

On the newer style, the screw can be found on the rear-facing side of the long arm just where it meets the base (i.e. close to the body of the van, and where you can see it while in the driver's seat). On the older style, from what I understand, you need to "fold" the mirror arm in and then you can get to the screw (so it is hidden while driving).
I was counseled to first loosen the screw, and then to re-tighten it. Basically it's a matter of going by "feel" in how tight you want to make the detente (obviously if it is too tight the mirror will not fold or "break away" properly when needed; too loose and it will have the problem I had with starting to fold when driving).

I've now driven a couple thousand miles since I adjusted mine, and it totally did the trick. No more "creeping" mirrors, even in headwinds or on bumpy roads. I'm glad because my mirrors are in good shape, however, as the 2015 is no longer made, certain parts aren't available (it's then suggested that one replace the whole shebang with the 2020 model; also nice mirrors but expensive).

Blue~Go wrote: I was counseled to first loosen the screw, and then to re-tighten it. Basically it's a matter of going by "feel" in how tight you want to make the detente (obviously if it is too tight the mirror will not fold or "break away" properly when needed; too loose and it will have the problem I had with starting to fold when driving).

I'll have to try the loosen, then re-tighten. Right now I have mine so tight they don't break-away.

Since this thread was referenced (in another query), I'll update that my mirrors have stayed put just like they are supposed to ever since I made that adjustment (yet they still fold in when I want to do so, such as when entering very narrow garages).

Does anyone out there know how to shorten the mirror arms? They sure do stick out alot.

Agreed! I just about wacked myself in the face several times not remembering that they stick out so far!

I really don't think they need to be so far out. I think I read somewhere that a member shortened his, but I don't know the thread.

I say no! Here is why: A friend had an "other brand" Class C that also came with Velvac mirrors - like ours. However, the company either cheaped out or didn't have a clue because they bought the next size shorter arms than recommended for the coach body width. Oh my. When I was 1/4 mile behind my buddy, he couldn't see me and I couldn't see his mirrors! Those short little arms.

When we got to our camping spot we did a test where we parked side by side (me with my correct length Velvac arms, thank you Chinook) and he with too-short ones (for his coach size). I walked back behind our rigs until I could see the complete mirror face on both my Chinook's mirrors. At that point I couldn't see his at all. So I walked back further, and further, and FURTHER, until finally I could see the mirror faces on his Velvacs. Geez, I was a mile out! Should have packed a lunch.

He then ordered the next size up arms and what a difference. Much safer and better. He could actually see: go figure.

The reason they "seem" to stick out so far on a Class C like we have is that the cab is narrower than the coach body, even on our Chinooks. The mirror arms are sized for the coach body. As I remember it (I delved into it back then), our mirror arms fall nicely in the middle of the size range for the body width.

So I say, keep them (and they are easy to fold in in camp).