I'm looking for mirrors for my 2012 Nissan Frontier towing a Jayco X17C hybrid. The TT is about 18', coupler to rear bumper. I have not found any vehicle-specific mirrors (that are less than $200!!) so I've narrowed it down to the CIPA 11950 and Aero 2 2899 mirrors. The CIPAs would be less than $25/pair and the Aero at about $90/pair.CIPA 11950AERO 2 2899The straps on the CIPA make me nervous but I'm thinking they might work for our usually less than 2 hour trips. Of course I have to stop every couple of hours anyway since my 20 gallon gas tank doesn't last long at 10 MPGs!!Any experience with either of these 2 mirrors and what do you guys think?

Yep. Had them both. I had a problem with the CIPA mirrors staying on my passenger side. I have an Expedition with the turn signal below the mirror. I tried everything I could think of, from the CIPA, to the suction cup ones. The Aero were the only ones that would stay since they clamp onto the mirror frame.The Aero mirrors are rock steady too. All of the other ones I use vibrated very bad. So much so that I was ready to give up having a mirror on the passenger side since I couldn't see anything anyways. I LOVE using the Aero mirrors. I've only had them a year, but I wished I had started out with them. I thought I could get by cheaper. It was definitely worth the expense to get the Aero.

I also have had both. The CIPA straps will decay with age and I would have to replace the mirrors about every 1.5 to 2 years; I never found any replacement straps so I'd end up buying the whole unit again. Other than that I had no problem with them staying on my Highlander.So then I tried an Aero. They worked also, but the gap between the vehicle's mirror and housing was too small (about 1/8" gap at most) to allow the OEM mirror to move properly. In other words, the clamps on the Aero would intrude too far and bind the OEM mirror in an unnatural position, rendering that mirror about useless. I didn't have this problem with the CIPA, so the latter remained my preferred mirror. I'm sure it's a problem that not every vehicle mirror would have, though. On the Lexus GX I just bought this month, the housing-to-mirror gap is more like 1/4" and the Aero should work fine.

I have the CIPA mirrors and they have worked well. Check the straps every so often to make sure they are tight, they will stretch in warm weather.To prevent the straps from decaying quickly, store then in a dark place when not being used.

PPL (ppl.com) has the Grand Aero mirrors for $94.50! I've got them and they really do the job. The Grand mirrors are larger and provide a better view. Of course, that depends if they will fit on your Nissan.

scbwr wrote:PPL (ppl.com) has the Grand Aero mirrors for $94.50! I've got them and they really do the job. The Grand mirrors are larger and provide a better view. Of course, that depends if they will fit on your Nissan.LinkBarney

CIPA or Aero 2 mirrors? | Good Sam Community

SpeakEasy
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
DRKMinWA wrote:
Yes - direct replacement for factory mirrors. Plug and play for power mirrors or power/heated mirrors. They have them for Toyota as well as other vehicles.

What I got when I searched 1A Auto for my vehicle: "Unfortunately we could not find any parts matching 'towing mirror' for your 2010 Toyota 4Runner, but we have many other great parts for your vehicle. Please select a category below."

Very cheerful!

But it's just as well. I've already got the Aero's on order. :)

-Speakl
DRKMinWA
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
Yes - direct replacement for factory mirrors. Plug and play for power mirrors or power/heated mirrors. They have them for Toyota as well as other vehicles.
SpeakEasy
Explorer
Apr 29, 2016
DRKMinWA wrote:
Looks like i'm late as well. I had the grand aero and they were OK but a bit of a hassle to put on when needed then remove and store.

I found these for my 2010 Frontier and they are fantastic. The mirrors extend about 3 inches and really provide nice view around the trailer.

http://www.1aauto.com/search?q=towing+mirror&year=2012&model=333

Wow, DRK, those look amazing. So you remove the original, factory mirrors and replace them with these?

My Toyota 4Runner has lights in the mirrors, and (I guess?) because of that, no one makes a mirror that slides on over them. Otherwise I might have gone for the CIPA mirrors. They seem to have a lot of positive reviews.

-Speak
DRKMinWA
Explorer
Apr 29, 2016
Looks like i'm late as well. I had the grand aero and they were OK but a bit of a hassle to put on when needed then remove and store.

I found these for my 2010 Frontier and they are fantastic. The mirrors extend about 3 inches and really provide nice view around the trailer.

http://www.1aauto.com/search?q=towing+mirror&year=2012&model=333
gmw_photos
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
Speak,
I'm late to this party, but I too used the grand aero's on my '06 Frontier. One thing I did was to cut the rod shorter because it was far longer than needed for my setup.

Since then I have bought the dual arm towing mirrors from 1A auto, so the GA's are sitting on the shelf in the garage.
SpeakEasy
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
Thanks to ALL who participated in this thread so far. Based on recommendations here, and on a road test with one of the possibilities (Tow n See), I decided to get the Grand Aero set. I found them at Dyersonline for $94. There's also a promo code right now for $10 off a $100 purchase, so I bought a little something extra (a $7 roller for the top of the door to protect the awning), used the promo code, and got $10 off the entire order.

Grand Aero 3 Mirrors at Dyers

-Speak
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jul 29, 2015
To the OP; I bought a pair of the cheap CIPA strap-on mirrors at Wang Mart for my old first generation Tundra. They're junk, but they do work as advertised. I used them for about 4 years and found them better than nothing.
penguin149
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
Thanks for the feedback! I see on the CIPA site where you can get replacement straps for $7/mirror + $6 to ship, so a new set would be $20.

CIPA Part 11951

I like the Aero 2 better but at a $65 premium over the CIPA, I'm just not sure! On my first F150 I had CIPA mirrors that slipped over the truck's OEM mirrors and tightened by hand with a knob. I ended up rigging a separate strap to hold the mirror in case it came off during travel; at least it wouldn't become road trash. I need to take the plunge soon so I can be ready for the next trip out.
rexlion
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
gemsworld wrote:
I have the CIPA mirrors and they have worked well. Check the straps every so often to make sure they are tight, they will stretch in warm weather.

To prevent the straps from decaying quickly, store then in a dark place when not being used.

I stored mine in the lower storage compartment of the trailer, and the lack of light didn't seem to help. I might have had better luck keeping them in the house, out of the summer heat, but not sure.
BarneyS
Explorer III
Jul 29, 2015
scbwr wrote:
PPL (ppl.com) has the Grand Aero mirrors for $94.50! I've got them and they really do the job. The Grand mirrors are larger and provide a better view. Of course, that depends if they will fit on your Nissan.

Link
Barney

Forum Discussion

CIPA or Aero 2 mirrors?

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

CIPA mirrors

Aero Towing Mirrors

Pay It Forward - CIPA Mirrors

getting used to CIPA mirrors

Aero Turbine muffler?