Extended Mirrors For 1/2 ton

Ford's factory towing mirrors are hands down the best as far as I'm concerned. Any factory mirror is better than aftermarket though.

Tvov wrote:
I don't know what the latest Ford factory tow mirrors look like, but on my 2008 F250 the factory tow mirrors are awesome! and Huge! Call them "Dumbo ears" but man are they nice, towing or not.

We have'em on our '09 F250 and they are totally awesome. The large glass area really helps. I wish the right side would extend out a bit more as the awning arms obstruct the view somewhat.

We bought Cipa mirrors for our old 2000 F150. The were a nuisance to re&re and the glass area was so small. Found a pair of OEM manual towing mirrors on ebay for cheap because the Ford dealer that listed them had a poor description that attracted little attention. I've found that on other items too from time to time.

SoundGuy wrote:


That said, I'm dealing right now on a 2012 Silverado to replace my aging Avalanche for towing and although I'd prefer to replace the stock mirrors with factory tow mirrors that's just not going to happen for $1000+ Cdn. :E

I see that ebay has a ton of power towing mirrors for an '07-'14 Silverado around $100-$200USD and look similar to OEM but don't know if any good. The few that are listed as OEM are around $500USD and if shipped to Canada would end up towards $1KCan incl. shipping & exchange which is silly. My BIL owns an auto parts store (BC) and can get us a good wholesale discount but usually says check ebay.com first...

RockDodger wrote:
My experience with aftermarket mirrors is that they wobble in the wind and vibrate to a point where rear visibility is sometimes non-existent.

SoundGuy wrote:
I've owned factory tow mirrors before and although I wouldn't disagree they're the best option they are an expensive option. These CIPAs I'm now using are rock solid at any speed. :B

RPreeb wrote:
I use similar, not CIPA, but same principle and they are rock solid. No vibration - work great and a much better price point.

Probably Longview towing mirrors? :@

I just bought a new 2017 RAM Rebel.
For $530 I got the Trailer Tow Mirrors AND the brake controller.

The mirrors normally lie horizontally and rotate up and out for trailer towing.

I am happy to know Indiana has a sensible approach. The mirrors must be such to allow the driver to view 200 feet behind the trailer.

The extendable mirrors allow this.

SoundGuy wrote:

RockDodger wrote:
My experience with aftermarket mirrors is that they wobble in the wind and vibrate to a point where rear visibility is sometimes non-existent.

Obviously you never bothered to read my most recent post and view the pics of the CIPA slip on mirrors I'm now using on my '12 Silverado. I've owned factory tow mirrors before and although I wouldn't disagree they're the best option they are an expensive option. These CIPAs I'm now using are rock solid at any speed. :B

I use similar, not CIPA, but same principle and they are rock solid. No vibration - work great and a much better price point.

I don't have extended mirrors, have used and abandoned clip on mirrors. Would I like extending mirrors,yes, am I satisfied with standard mirrors, YES. With mirrors set to see vehicles from rear to 180 L&R I have not had problems, the TV width + mirror extension is enough to give effective view. If you set mirrors to view TV sides YRMV. Been working for the last 15000 miles not looking to change.

RockDodger wrote:
My experience with aftermarket mirrors is that they wobble in the wind and vibrate to a point where rear visibility is sometimes non-existent.

Obviously you never bothered to read my most recent post and view the pics of the CIPA slip on mirrors I'm now using on my '12 Silverado. I've owned factory tow mirrors before and although I wouldn't disagree they're the best option they are an expensive option. These CIPAs I'm now using are rock solid at any speed. :B

I don't know what the latest Ford factory tow mirrors look like, but on my 2008 F250 the factory tow mirrors are awesome! and Huge! Call them "Dumbo ears" but man are they nice, towing or not.

And yes, once you get the power slide in and out - power folding - power angle adjust - and heated, they no long become luxuries... just like power windows, you will wonder how you lived without power mirrors.

I have towed with slip-on aftermarket mirrors, and they can vibrate at highway speeds. To reduce that, avoid buying the least expensive ones you can find, avoid buying "universal fit" (get ones fitted for your truck model and year), and take the time to mount them correctly.

My experience with aftermarket mirrors is that they wobble in the wind and vibrate to a point where rear visibility is sometimes non-existent. If you can get the tow mirrors, I would spend the extra dough to have them installed. Just my opinion, but I wouldn't go any other way.