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Napa35fiver's avatar
Napa35fiver
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014

2003 F350 7.3 with a wide body toy hauler, mirror issues

Picked up my 2007 Vortex 3450 5th wheel last Friday. towed it home however I felt very uncomfortable with the field of view the factory towing mirrors give me. i can barely see down the driver side of the trailer and cant see down the side of the passenger side but can see the whole lane next to me. the freeway was fine even around town is ok since once i begin a turn the side of the trailer comes into view. Backing is a different story.

I already have the extended factory tow mirrors but they aren't wide enough. Ive called the largest RV dealers in the area and spoke to parts and service people. Nobody can believe the Ford tow mirrors aren't wide enough. trailer is 8'6" wide. nobody has a solution. i cant be the only person that has this issue? any ideas? Clamp on? aftermarket mirrors?
thanks
Dan
Tow Vehicles
  • blofgren's avatar
    blofgren
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2014
    I am a bit stumped by this one. I pulled my wide body (8'6" width as well) Citation fifth wheel with my 2003 F-350 for 8 years and the mirrors were great. Dumb question, but you have manually pulled them all the way out, right?
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2014
    Best mirrors on the market are Ferds. Guess I don't understand your question fully . Clamp on will disappoint anyone.
  • Napa35fiver's avatar
    Napa35fiver
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2014
    blofgren wrote:
    I am a bit stumped by this one. I pulled my wide body (8'6" width as well) Citation fifth wheel with my 2003 F-350 for 8 years and the mirrors were great. Dumb question, but you have manually pulled them all the way out, right?


    Ya they're pulled out all the way. I can see the drivers side but not passenger side. Part of the reason I asked was maybe I just don't have the factory mirrors adjusted well enough. I've towed a lot but this is my first 5th wheel. First time I've had visibility issues.
  • Napa35fiver's avatar
    Napa35fiver
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2014
    45Ricochet wrote:
    Best mirrors on the market are Ferds. Guess I don't understand your question fully . Clamp on will disappoint anyone.


    To clarify I'm asking if anyone else has visibility issues with my exact rig (crew cab ford with extended mirrors and wide body toy hauler)? If so what have you used successfully to help the visibily issue? Ie aftermarket mirrors etc. no way I'm the only one that's had this issue.
  • BrokeRVr's avatar
    BrokeRVr
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2014
    Have you looked at updating the mirrors to the 2008+ version? They are a direct fit and they give a larger viewing area than the original ones. Those who have swapped them out are pretty amazed on what they can see.
    I have been behind the wheel of a friends truck that had the 08 mirrors and when I got back into my Excursion with the stock tow mirror I couldn't believe how much my mirrors were missing.

    Tim M
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Apr 04, 2014
    My 2005 has the same sized mirrors as yours. I never had problems seeing the passenger side of my 8.5' wide body toy hauler. I now have a 8' wide truck camper and enclosed trailer and still love my mirrors. I did spend extra for the powered adjustment models with integrated heater and signals. Using the joystick on the driver door allows you readjust your view at any time. Are yours manual?
  • Napa35fiver's avatar
    Napa35fiver
    Explorer
    Apr 04, 2014
    Mine are powered without heat or turn signals though. I looked into the 2008 mirrors I found manual mirrors for 125.00 each. Seems reasonable since clip ons are 40 each.

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