add on mirrors for trailer towing
Thread Starter
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Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 515
Likes: 5
From: N. KY
add on mirrors for trailer towing
'01 B2500...
just got a travel trailer, now I have to find some mirror add-on to be able to see around the trailer sides... I have limited rear vision, which is not good especially in traffic.
Anybody have any ideas?
I am looking at this model...
just got a travel trailer, now I have to find some mirror add-on to be able to see around the trailer sides... I have limited rear vision, which is not good especially in traffic.
Anybody have any ideas?
I am looking at this model...
Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 547
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
I would go to the wrecker and see if you can't find something purpose built for the van or similar year Dodge truck. I assume the trailer is 8' wide? How much width do you need to add to see around it?
Steve
Steve
Professional
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore County
seems to me with the model you linked, you'd have issues with the bottom strap since the door is rounded off at the wheel well.
also i'd be a bit concerned about the top hook/latch damaging the window channel weatherseal.
why not go with an extension that mounts directly to the stock mirror? would it fold in from the wind resistance? that would be my concern with the older side mirrors.
also i'd be a bit concerned about the top hook/latch damaging the window channel weatherseal.
why not go with an extension that mounts directly to the stock mirror? would it fold in from the wind resistance? that would be my concern with the older side mirrors.
Thread Starter
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Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 515
Likes: 5
From: N. KY
I did buy a strap on mirror (straps to the existing mirror) to try out. Vibrates like crazy and is mostly unusable. Might also blow off in a strong head-wind. I know there are a number of different strap-on mirrors out there to try... just looking for someone that has already fought and won that battle.
Thanks for pointing out the strapping issue... had not thought of it. I would consider wrapping the strap under the door and screwing it down inside for a stable tie down point. A 13 year old re-purposed work van will not be ruined by a new hole or two in the interior.
Thanks for pointing out the strapping issue... had not thought of it. I would consider wrapping the strap under the door and screwing it down inside for a stable tie down point. A 13 year old re-purposed work van will not be ruined by a new hole or two in the interior.
All Star
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 933
Likes: 1
From: South Kentucky
As I just finished an 1200 mile trek with a 14' cargo trailer I'll jump in here and give you my 2 cents.
Personally I think the stock mirrors on these are dangerous. They create a huge blind spot - really dangerous in parking lots - and are tricky to position properly. I tried the strap on mirror extension too and just like you I found it totally worthless. In my case the best solution (in town, no trailer) was to set the mirrors really wide, much wider than normal. When towing a trailer you need to be able to also see down the side of the van and watch the trailer so positioning them in this manner is not optimal.
If I had to tow a long trailer on a regular basis I would buy a second set of mirrors more or less like the kind in the link you posted except that they need to simply bolt on. You'll wind up with an even bigger blind spot (in front) but at least you should be able to position them so you can see everything going on behind you. When you're traveling down the freeway at 60 mph getting passed by semi trucks doing 80 I think it'll be a great deal safer.
Personally I think the stock mirrors on these are dangerous. They create a huge blind spot - really dangerous in parking lots - and are tricky to position properly. I tried the strap on mirror extension too and just like you I found it totally worthless. In my case the best solution (in town, no trailer) was to set the mirrors really wide, much wider than normal. When towing a trailer you need to be able to also see down the side of the van and watch the trailer so positioning them in this manner is not optimal.
If I had to tow a long trailer on a regular basis I would buy a second set of mirrors more or less like the kind in the link you posted except that they need to simply bolt on. You'll wind up with an even bigger blind spot (in front) but at least you should be able to position them so you can see everything going on behind you. When you're traveling down the freeway at 60 mph getting passed by semi trucks doing 80 I think it'll be a great deal safer.
Last edited by blackvan; Jun 10, 2014 at 09:43 PM.
Thread Starter
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Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 515
Likes: 5
From: N. KY
THX blackvan for your info...
This weekend I drove round trip 500 miles without my trailer, but I did use a set of tow mirrors I got on amazon last week to try them out...
**** 10500 Dodge Custom Pair Towing Mirrors
http://http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000...332200_TE_item
These were priced at $39 for the pair, which I thought was very reasonable. The mirrors slid onto the existing mirrors, then with an additional plastic insert between the slip on and the exisiting mirror, you then tightened a threaded **** to put tension between the two pieces. That tension held the slide on very tight to the exisitng mirror housing AND did not interfer with the positioning of the original mirrors. The added mirror was easy to position, vibrated just a little at freeway speeds but not bad, did not whistle, and really looked like they belonged there, and were not just added.
I did not pull the trailer on ths trip, but I can tell these mirrors will increase my sight lines into adjacent lanes of traffic down both sides of the trailer.
So far I am pleased with these add on mirrors. Next month I will pull the trailer round trip 500 miles and will do a final report on the performance. In the mean time, the add on mirrors are easy to remove when I am not pulling the trailer.
My 179K mile van is chugging along real good... thanks to help from all the great people on this forum!
This weekend I drove round trip 500 miles without my trailer, but I did use a set of tow mirrors I got on amazon last week to try them out...
**** 10500 Dodge Custom Pair Towing Mirrors
http://http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000...332200_TE_item
These were priced at $39 for the pair, which I thought was very reasonable. The mirrors slid onto the existing mirrors, then with an additional plastic insert between the slip on and the exisiting mirror, you then tightened a threaded **** to put tension between the two pieces. That tension held the slide on very tight to the exisitng mirror housing AND did not interfer with the positioning of the original mirrors. The added mirror was easy to position, vibrated just a little at freeway speeds but not bad, did not whistle, and really looked like they belonged there, and were not just added.
I did not pull the trailer on ths trip, but I can tell these mirrors will increase my sight lines into adjacent lanes of traffic down both sides of the trailer.
So far I am pleased with these add on mirrors. Next month I will pull the trailer round trip 500 miles and will do a final report on the performance. In the mean time, the add on mirrors are easy to remove when I am not pulling the trailer.
My 179K mile van is chugging along real good... thanks to help from all the great people on this forum!
All Star
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 933
Likes: 1
From: South Kentucky
Good to know, thanks for sharing this info. As I just recently installed a class IV receiver I already know I will be doing more towing in the future. And the stock mirrors don't cut it so, like you, I am still searching for a better solution. If these particular add-on mirrors work out well I do hope you will post again and let us all know.