Anyone else tow with standard mirrors?

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.

I use the Cipa slip on mirrors when I remember to put them on...

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On both my 78 and now 01 Ford Van I have had the "Recreational" mirrors like you see on Ambulances, and Emergency vehicles and have even added a 4x6 convex wide angle mirror on top of each of those. These are the SS swing out type and IMO if you can't see the both sides of your entire trailer including the wheels/tires then your mirrors are probably not what you need. There is a reason you see these particular mirrors on the types of vehicles above and they provide "FANTASTIC" visibility and with the convex addition eliminates totally any blind spots. I think the main mirror are like 6x10":p

I have come up on way too many folks towing where I can't see their mirrors when I'm within say 500ft of them and those are the ones that merrily cut folks off when changing lanes because their mirrors are deficient.

Larry

I've forgotten to extend my mirrors a few times towing. I don't get very far before I realize I'm not seeing to the rear as well as when they are are extended. I know for sure extended mirrors are better for towing.

I used to have the CIPA mirrors, but they were cumbersome and I eventually broke one of them, so stopped using them. I'm not sure they helped much, other than easing my anxiety when I moved from a PU to a TT.

I'd love to have a rear camera to monitor traffic behind me.

6.7 tow rig wrote:
Plenty of people don't "think" they need them because they don't see the people they are cutting off. I've seen it several times. What really dangerous is when they go to switch lanes and notice a quarter way in the change they are cutting someone off and then jerk it back into their lane almost losing control.

Use tow mirrors PLEASE

I don't agree that the mirrors are the issue. The issue is people not checking their mirrors, regardless of mirror type or length.

My stock mirrors (not factory towing, just normal mirrors) on my Sierra allow me to see down the entire length of the trailer, both sides. I just can't see the first 100 feet behind the trailer. When I put my extension mirror on, I reduce that blind spot by about half. I don't use my extension, because the 100 feet behind my trailer isn't a critical sightline area for me.

When I tow with my SUV, I can not see down the sides of the trailer, so I use the extension mirrors.

Most pickup truck factory mirrors allow adequate visibility for a travel trailer. Extension mirrors do offer more visibility, but the lack of extension mirrors should not be the reason lazy drivers cut-off other drivers when changing lanes. Smaller vehicles like cars, suv's, and minivans usually require the extensions for safe visibility.

They are not cutting people off due not having tow mirrors. They are cutting people off because they are bad drivers.

Plenty of people don't "think" they need them because they don't see the people they are cutting off. I've seen it several times. What really dangerous is when they go to switch lanes and notice a quarter way in the change they are cutting someone off and then jerk it back into their lane almost losing control.

Use tow mirrors PLEASE

I just ordered my tow mirrors for my '09 Sierra. I will let you know once installed. I did not like the fact that I could not get a good view of the rear of the trailer and had to really look hard when passing a vehicle to make sure I was past them. I believe in safety and doing it right hence my decision. I like the fact that with the convex lower mirror, I will be able to see the trailer wheels when moving without having to move a mirror out of normal position to view.