Anyone else tow with standard mirrors?

john&bet wrote:

Jerrybo66 wrote:

elivi8 wrote:
I have extended mirrors and they help a lot. The other key factor is that if you are in a tight area and you bump the mirrors you KNOW that the trailer is next. It gives you a little warning and can save you lots of damage if you weren't paying close attention.

OK, Just a thought, are your extended mirrors within the legal 102" max? If your mirror gets "bumped" the trailer is next, but are you in a situation where your trailer should not be in? I'm all for safety but If I figure I can safely pass a 102 trailer I don't want to clip a mirror over the legal limit. It's rare but I've been in close quarters. There are safety standards but there are also those who sell items that have attraction to a consumer but nothing else. Just a thought, but if I can get passed your 102 trailer safely, I expect to get passed your truck.. IMO

Rear view mirrors are not limited to to 102" max. law. They are a safety item. Even semis can not see anyone right behind they in thier mirrors. If u see a sign on back of the trailer that says, if you can not see my mirrors then I can not see you, They mean it.

WOW finally the first correct answer and to see if you mirrors are sufficient go stand straight behind your rig 200' and then move 3' off centerline to each side and if you can't see at least one mirror then your mirrors are deficient and are IMO not safe. This is my test and opinion only since I believe the actual requirements are by state and just say you have to see a vehicle "X" feet behind you and generally don't get any more specific than that. I doubt many here except for MH and Class "C" have proper mirrors and even clip-ons might not be doing the job. I'm not even sure the Ford Towing mirrors are enough for the wider trailers, but I don't have any experience with them so I might be mistaken. Until you have towed with proper mirrors it's like trying to explain the color red to a person that has always been blind.

Larry