Extended Mirrors For 1/2 ton

[Galena]

Getting ready to purchase new 1/2 ton truck, do I need to get a truck with the extended mirrors like used with the 3/4 ton trucks for a 30 TT?

[rbpru]

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.

[RPreeb]

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.

[Timtation]

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.

[SoundGuy]

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

[Tvov]

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.

[RockDodger]

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.

[gmw_photos]

Another vote here for the 1A auto double arm tow mirrors. The have them for my Frontier. I put the pair on several years ago, and they work great. Less than $250 for the pair.

[rbpru]

The Ford dealer wanted $800.00 for a pair of extendable towing mirrors for my F-150. Amazon wanted $250.00 for the same pair.

The OEM mirrors worked okay but I finally opted for the bigger towing mirrors with a second curved mirror which is very handy.

The Ford dealer charged me $80.00 to install the pair. (I did not want to tackle removing the door panels.)

The bigger mirrors make the truck look like Dumbo the elephant but they work and that is what counts. 🙂

[LAJMINNIEPLUS]

Just got my Ebay aftermarket tow mirrors today. Ordered the GM wire harness so I can have all options except power fold. I plan to take the truck (2016 GMC Sierra 1500) to a body shop next week and let them do the install. They quoted me $67 to install both mirrors. I'll have $421 in the complete package. I was using Milenco Aero 3, but decided to take the plunge for the dumbo ears.

[SoundGuy]

An UPDATE, if anyone cares. :W

I decided to go with the CIPA slip on mirrors for my Silverado and can now report they work quite well ... no vibration at all, dead solid image, stock power mirrors aren't affected in any way and still power fold in/out without restriction. These CIPAs aren't quite as good as $1000 factory mirrors but for 1/10th the price, darned good, so I'd have to recommend them. :B

[bacmb]

We tried to get mirrors from 1aauto.com, but they asked for VIN then replied with "The mirrors that you need are; power glass, heated, with a turn signal, auto dimming, and power folding". We have a 2013 2500HD; anyone have other possible avenues? I didn't even know they had 'auto dimming'...

[bobndot]

Galena wrote:
Getting ready to purchase new 1/2 ton truck, do I need to get a truck with the extended mirrors like used with the 3/4 ton trucks for a 30 TT?

30 ft TT with a 1/2 ton should have a tow package and often incl. mirrors. You're going to need a tow package, right ?
I went GM and ordered the max tow pack which incl ext mirrors.

[SoundGuy]

SoundGuy wrote:
If anyone has experience with the K-Source I'd like to hear about it! :B

hellfirehydra wrote:
I used K-source snap on mirrors on my Tundra before I changed trucks. They got the job done but they did vibrate on the highway at 65mph. The drivers side mirror on mine was much worse than the passenger side for some reason. They were still usable, but definitely not OEM quality/function. I'd recommend them to get the job done for cheap, but they definitely have some downsides.

Thanks for your comments - appreciate it! I guess I should try CIPAs instead, they just look a little "cobby" to me but they seem to be pretty popular. Since I haven't yet taken delivery of this 2012 Silverado does anyone know if the stock GM power mirrors that are on it retract automatically or is that something you trigger yourself with the remote? My concern is the CIPAs may interfere with movement of the stock mirror swinging in and out.

[hellfirehydra]

SoundGuy wrote:
Nothing beats factory tow mirrors IMO and if I were ordering a new truck and intending to use it for the purpose of towing a travel trailer factory would be my first choice. The are expensive though so those 1A Auto replacements look like a pretty good alternative. 🙂

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 In fact, for non-towing situations I really like the stock GM mirrors that are on the truck now - power, heated, and they even (power) swing in when parking in tight locations. I'd like to retain all those features and it looks like I can do that with a set of inexpensive K-Source Snap On Mirrors which I think won't interfere with power mirror operation as might CIPA Slide On Mirrors. If anyone has experience with the K-Source I'd like to hear about it! :B

I used K-source snap on mirrors on my Tundra before I changed trucks. They got the job done but they did vibrate on the highway at 65mph. The drivers side mirror on mine was much worse than the passenger side for some reason. They were still usable, but definitely not OEM quality/function. I'd recommend them to get the job done for cheap, but they definitely have some downsides.

[hellfirehydra]

Definitely want the mirrors!

Although with a 30ft trailer, I think if I were you, I'd buy the 3/4 ton truck with the mirrors rather than a 1/2 ton and trying to add them.