Newbie: Mirrors/cameras for truck/trailer?

jcubeta wrote:
We have an F150 Lariat with standard mirrors, and it has the max towing package with integrated trailer brake and trailer backup system.

I know they make mirror extensions ...

With a truck like an F150 that's designed for towing you don't want mirror extensions but rather Ford factory tow mirrors. Expensive - yes, but FAR superior to any 3rd party add on mirror extensions. I've been towing for years with a Silverado and Avalanche and use GM factory tow mirrors after discovering the hard way that nothing else compares.

X2, get the Ford OEM style towing mirrors. You can buy them cheaper on Ebay.com

OEM or Aftermarket OEM style tow mirrors are the best. Best towing safety investment I made on my Ram. As far as backing, cheap 2 way radios if you have bad visibility, especially backing up to the blind side (right side).

I'm sure the factory tow mirrors are the best. However, on my Armada, I don't need anything other than the regular mirror on the driver side and I use one of these on the passenger side and it works great and has for the last 3 years. No vibration and doesn't work loose. I don't have any idea how well they would work on your truck.

Tow Mirror

I know for folks with pick up trucks money is no object but for me I'll stick with the $12 solution. :) <---(just a little joke folks, see)

As far as backing up, I get out and look then formulate a plan. The wife just watches and yells if I'm gonna' hit something. Otherwise she just observes. We've found that keeps us out of trouble when she says go left but means go right. I bought a wired camera (heard bad stories about wireless) about 6 months ago but haven't gotten around to installing yet.

ChooChooMan74 wrote:
As far as backing, cheap 2 way radios if you have bad visibility, especially backing up to the blind side (right side).

Downside is 2-way radios are only one way communication at any given time ... phones offer duplex communication. These days I guess most would use cell phones but for years I used a home wireless phone with an intercom feature - base station in the truck with me, my wife with the wireless phone, and we could each talk & listen simultaneously. :B

Double post.

SoundGuy wrote:
Downside is 2-way radios are only one way communication at any given time ... phones offer duplex communication.

Landlines are duplex, cell phones were back in the analog days, but not so much with "digital" service that's the norm these days.

If your Lariat doesn't have the extendable mirrors, I'd suggest to get them. The Ford towing mirrors are the best I've had on any truck.

I'd bet an auto salvage yard would have them for sale at reasonable cost.

SoundGuy wrote:
Downside is 2-way radios are only one way communication at any given time ... phones offer duplex communication.

trail-explorer wrote:
Landlines are duplex, cell phones were back in the analog days, but not so much with "digital" service that's the norm these days.

As I said I've always used a wireless phone from home so I wouldn't know from personal experience but any articles I've read on the subject certainly suggest cell phone communication whether analogue or digital is certainly duplex, not half duplex. Regardless, the point is that 2-way radios are half duplex and therefore not the best tool for backing a trailer into a campsite with a spotter attempting to provide constant instructions to the driver.

Duplex Communication

Overview of Cell Phone Technology

SoundGuy wrote:

ChooChooMan74 wrote:
As far as backing, cheap 2 way radios if you have bad visibility, especially backing up to the blind side (right side).

Downside is 2-way radios are only one way communication at any given time ... phones offer duplex communication. These days I guess most would use cell phones but for years I used a home wireless phone with an intercom feature - base station in the truck with me, my wife with the wireless phone, and we could each talk & listen simultaneously. :B

I deal with radios all the time at work while backing trains. No big deal to me.