Opinion - Tow Mirrors

[hbrady]

So yesterday I picked up my TT from the shop (new tires) and on the way home I noticed my stock mirrors on my RAM (not towing mirrors) seem to give me plenty of visibility. My plan was to pick up some add on towing mirrors but I'm thinking it would be a waste of money. I haven't hauled many miles so I wanted to see what some folks with lots of miles think. Would this view suffice for you?

[marquette]

I just got (received today) a set of OEM towing mirrors for my 2001 Suburban. They were $110 for the pair on eBay. They are the same mirrors as a Silverado and are going to look really big on a Suburban. I tried a pair of CIPA mirrors and they were kind of so-so for me. I tried another add on mirror a few years ago that vibrated so bad it was like having a disco ball outside your window at night time from the headlights reflecting off them. I don't think towing mirrors are a necessity but they sure are a nice feature to have in traffic especially if you don't have a passenger to give you that extra set of eyeballs and right side perspective.

[cbshoestring]

Old sarge wrote:
If that is a Dodge ram those are tow mirrors. they will flip up . grab the bottom right corner and lift. They will swivel up'

Not aLL RAMS have tow mirrors. Mine don't swivel up....if they do, someone better show me how in a youtube video. They swivel IN, but not up or out, that I am aware of.

[cbshoestring]

270wsmhunter wrote:
I work in EMS and more often than not while running hot (lights and sirens) when I get behind a trailer and it doesn't move once we do get around them they don't have towing mirrors. If not for your own safety and convenience think about being able to see emergency vehicles.

Maybe you should not get "behind" the trailer. Any time a police officer has approached me from behind...they ride the left side of the lane so they are NOT in the blind spot. If I hear sirens, but you are tucked up my butt...how am I suppose to know where you are.



No amount of MIRROR is going to eliminate ALL blind spots....especially to the rear.


Look at the picture the OP has posted. They can clearly see "around" the trailer, and the spot mirror gives them additional visual. Of course, that is the driver side, and we all know the passenger side has a bigger blind spot. What would be gained by having the mirror stick out further???? I can clearly see the rear marker light in the photo.

For the record. WAY WAY WAY over a million miles pulling trailers. I have no problems what-so-ever seeing all I need to see pulling our KZ Sportsmen Classic 170 with the stock mirrors on my Ram 1500. If the trailer was wider (7') or longer (19') I might see the need to upgrade to a a mirror a bit further out, but as long as I can see "down" the side of the trailer, why would I???

IMHO...OP...save your money. However, you have to be confortable with what you see. So go with your gut.

[Bigbird65]

hbrady, I am in agreement. It would be a waste of money since you have a RAM. We have a RAM 1500 and have pulled our trailer thousands of miles just using the stock mirrors. No problems what so ever.

[awjoker]

If the trailer is under 20', I'd not tell you to get towing mirrors. Otherwise, think of them as a necessity to see properly while towing and backing your trailer.

[Campfire_Time]

Your state may mandate use of towing mirrors. They are required in WI.

Here's a list from AAA but I would verify this info with your local DMV.

I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket for not having them, but for the cost, why not? And as already said you'll find you really do want to know what's going on around you.

I have a set of Cipa custom fit extensions. I like them a lot. They look stock and don't bounce around. Don't know if they make them for your RAM.

[scbwr]

Grand Aero Towing Mirrors

I've been using these for about 6 years and although they are a bit pricey, I'd highly recommend them. If you do decide to buy them, just check them periodically to make sure they are secured tightly. Temperature changes can affect this. If I leave them on overnight, I check them before towing the following morning.

[270wsmhunter]

I work in EMS and more often than not while running hot (lights and sirens) when I get behind a trailer and it doesn't move once we do get around them they don't have towing mirrors. If not for your own safety and convenience think about being able to see emergency vehicles.

[Old_sarge]

If that is a Dodge ram those are tow mirrors. they will flip up . grab the bottom right corner and lift. They will swivel up'

[phillyg]

I like to see the rear corners. I used a pair of suction cup extended mirrors when pulling with my prior F150. Surprisingly, they never fell off, but if they had, they have a lanyard to prevent them from falling on the roadway.

[profdant139]

hbrady, you mention that you have not done much towing -- in my opinion, after a lot of towing, I have discovered that there are many times when you want as much rear visibility as you can get. When I am towing, I try to maintain a good mental picture of a big oval around me and my trailer -- front, sides, rear -- at all times. That way, if I have to make a sudden move to avoid a hazard (a box falls off a truck -- a clown is texting and drifting over --etc.) -- I can do so more quickly.

Only the paranoid survive. Sad but kind of true.

[krobbe]

For towing, they look ok. You have a decent view of the lane next to you. But I like to see the rear corners of the TT for backing. Not that you'll be able to see both sides with tow mirrors if you are backing/turning into a site anyways.
I put CIPA mirrors on my TV and really like them. No noticible vibration.
Link for your 2015 RAM 2500

[IdaD]

I think it's a worthwhile upgrade. OEM towing mirrors may be an easy swap. In all my searching I didn't find a single HD Ram that didn't have the towing mirrors so you've got a rare beast.

[RoyB]

I too added the tow mirrors that slip over the OEM setup. They definitely help.
The ones i got really fit tight with the large screw in the back to snug it up good... Great to have a set around in case you need them using a different truck for one reason or another...

I too have dreaded part of moving over to the right safely.. One hugh dead zone for me as well...

Roy Ken

[Alabama_Jim]

My tow mirrors attach to the factory installed mirrors on my F-150. I like the added view I get, but I must admit they do not reach as far out as I thought they would have. I especially like the right mirror's added view for moving back into the slow lane on Interstates.