Towing

[dbozian]

What is everyone using for tow mirrors? I can’t see the back of trailer for the life of me. I can’t see it till I’m almost side ways. Frustrating most other tow vehicles had pull out mirrors. So what are you using to help back up trailers?

 

[Jon2099]

I couldn't find any mirrors I liked so I went with a Haloview camera system with one camera on the back and two side cameras. The screen can be set to show all three at once. It has it's pluses and minuses over mirrors, and may not satisfy the legal requirements for mirrors, but I guess I'm willing to take that chance. As for safety, it shows me everything I need when driving down the road, and then if I have someone helping back in I can turn on the microphone on whichever of the cameras I want and can easily hear instructions. The only real minus is that I think mirrors can show an object at a greater distance, but these work and show me what I need way before another vehicle is an obstacle. This solution works best if you only tow one trailer that needs the extra view. They're not made to move from one trailer to another on a regular basis.

 

[ExpyNole]

There really aren't any "replacement" tow mirrors for these. We use a cam on the back of the TT but to be fair, it's lousy. The trailer blind spot monitoring on these is great, though. Clip on mirrors are hit or miss

 

[bzav]

Still shopping .... With the tow package I assumed it was a towing machine, but the standard power-folding mirrors aren't enough? wow!

 

[Deep8174]

I actually don't use the extended tow mirrors that I had (from another car) because I can see the sides of the trailer with the stock side mirrors when adjusted slightly

 

[Huntsw1]

I can see down the sides fine on my '22 limited with our 35' camper. Between trailer backup assist and 360 camera, this is an amazing tow vehicle

 

[ExpyNole]

Still shopping .... With the tow package I assumed it was a towing machine, but the standard power-folding mirrors aren't enough? wow!

even the F150 non-towing mirrors suck towing most travel trailers.

 

[techdude99]

The standard mirrors work fine with my car hauler. I haven't tried anything else. A friend had a nice trailer camera with his F450. I'll ask him about it and post back.

 

[chuck s]

I've been using the same set of McKesh strap-on towing mirrors for 20 years how. First on my 2002 Explorer and now on the 2d Expedition. I set them 6" wider than the trailer on both sides and like cat whiskers I know if the mirrors fit thru the opening the trailer will too. These also give my 3 mirrors on each side: 2 large flat mirrors and 1 round very wide angle mirror.

Absolutely ugly when on the truck but I'm not entering the truck at Pebble Beach. And the mirrors come off in seconds when I'm done using them.

-- Chuck

 

[Happy Dog]

Been using these. They do a decent job and aren’t very expensive.
The price you see is per mirror. You need two.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AJH1HK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Meeker]

I have been using these because I don't like the extensions with the rubber straps - these are easier to put on, stay adjusted, and vibrate less in my opinion - Amazon link: Dometic DM2912 Milenco Grand Aero3 Towing Mirror (Twin Pack)

 

[Left Coast Geek]

hmm, that SKU is NLA, but this looks to be a pair of the same things?

https://www.amazon.com/Milenco-MIL-2912-Grand-Towing-Mirror/dp/B085MHK9D1

 

[chuck s]

See post #9.

-- Chuck

 

[jjscsix]

hmm, that SKU is NLA, but this looks to be a pair of the same things?

https://www.amazon.com/Milenco-MIL-2912-Grand-Towing-Mirror/dp/B085MHK9D1

I would be paranoid that I’d be going down the freeway at 70mph and that thing comes loose and does $5,000 damage to the paint down the side of my expedition.

 

[Meeker]

I would be paranoid that I’d be going down the freeway at 70mph and that thing comes loose and does $5,000 damage to the paint down the side of my expedition.

These hold really well - actually better than the rubber strap version. Not a concern as long as you clamp it tight enough. I've been using mine for ~9 years with no issues. They vibrate far less than the other (rubber strap) version I had first.

 

[Left Coast Geek]

yeah, I tried strap-ons with my Tacoma and they came loose in the first 100 miles.

anyways, I got the Milenco's I linked (overnight free shipping, gotta love Amazon Prime), and test fit one this afternoon, and the clamps fit nicely and seemed very secure. and THEY don't hit the window when the mirrors auto-fold when you park and lock the truck. A quick sit in my drivers seat at my driving position, and they seem to give a very wide field.

 

[duneslider]

I have been using a pair of the rubber strap ones for almost 10 years on 3 different vehicles and they have been great. However, this spring while driving, one of the straps snapped and the mirror was gone. Prior to this incident, I never had any issues with them at all.

I am going to look at those clamp on style linked above.

 

[Meeker]

yeah, I tried strap-ons with my Tacoma and they came loose in the first 100 miles.

anyways, I got the Milenco's I linked (overnight free shipping, gotta love Amazon Prime), and test fit one this afternoon, and the clamps fit nicely and seemed very secure. and THEY don't hit the window when the mirrors auto-fold when you park and lock the truck. A quick sit in my drivers seat at my driving position, and they seem to give a very wide field.

I like this - the mirrors being able to power-fold with the extension mirrors installed. My passenger mirror does hit the window but only gently - doesn't move the mirror.

 

[HugoSchmidt]

I had these for one season: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Q161BQ5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Did not like them. The mirrors are so small and constantly shook making them pretty much worthless except for backing the trailer into a site.
I hesitated getting these (that were suggested above): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085MHK9D1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
for the same reason others posted "they are gonna fly right off!"

I was WAY wrong. I think these are more secure than the straps. I went through Benicia, CA (for anyone who doesn't know the area, it is ALWAYS WINDY). No problem. If you aren't comfortable tightening down by hand, use a wrench (but not too tight as to crack anything).

They still vibrate (anything will - I think), but because the mirrors are so large, it wasn't as noticeable. Once you have them sized the way want them, you just remove the #1 screws and put them away in the nice bag it comes with.

 

[JimmyM]

I've been towing a travel trailer (6500lbs, 27ft ball-bumper, 8ft wide). This thing pulls like a locomotive. I love it. EXCEPT the mirrors. I'm adding a camera to the camper. Too bad Trail Ridge doesn't make mirrors for this like they do for my 2011. Those were awesome.