Extended Rearview Mirrors

[Campaholics]

I'm looking for some advice on extended rearview mirrors.  We have a pair of mirrors that attach to the TV's mirrors with rubber straps.  The main problem is they tend to vibrate.

When  I was in Walmart today I saw a mirror that attaches with a screw clamp.  The brand and model is CIPA Towing Mirror #11960.

Has anybody had any experience with these?  Should I keep looking?

Thanks,
Bob

[tlhdoc]

I have the Mckesh mirrors, made by Hensley.  I really like them and I don't have much vibration with them.  I bought them from my local RV dealer for about $90 a pair.  They are more expensive but you can use them on multiple vehicles.  Here is a link to their web page.

http://www.hensleymfg.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=1&cat=&page=&xid=3ffe55c4dacad9491a478ae4f82daca0

[Gone-Camping]

I have those "Slip on" CIPA mirrors, and they work pretty good. I've seen others post here that they vibrate, but I haven't had much of a problem with that. I also added a pair of convex (fish-eye) mirrors to them to extend the field of vision. They are good low cost alternative to the McKesh.

[bearbait]

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[aw738]

I know my Taos is small but it doesn't block the vision in my mirrors at all. The only mirror that I can even see it in is my inside rearview mirror, and only the A/C unit on top. BTW my mirrors are realitivly small for a full sized pick up.

[6Quigs]

When  I was in Walmart today I saw a mirror that attaches with a screw clamp.  The brand and model is CIPA Towing Mirror #11960.

Has anybody had any experience with these?  Should I keep looking?

Thanks,
Bob

I have the CIPA Mirrors that clamp to the mirrors on my Chevy truck, and I am ver happy with them.
I have never had any vibration with them.
They are easy to install and remove,
and greatly increase my rear view behind my Hybrid.

[Turn Key]

We had a set of the CIPA custom fit mirrors for our '95 S-10.  Worked very well for us.  Sold them to some one on this board when we got our new TV last April.  Of course the new TV has power towing mirrors that I don't need as the darn truck sits so high I can see OVER the PU, AC and all!  :S

[B-flat]

Someone has some mirrors for sale in the classifieds on the board.  I don't remember who it was but it was under something like "Stuff I don't Need" and it was because someone had gotten a different tow vehicle.  It might be just what you need.  There were photos of everything.

[AustinBoston]

Just a note to anyone reading this, most states have laws similar to the ones I know of for sure and that is that you must be able to see one common point in both mirrors at 200 feet behind the trailer.

While I don't doubt that many states have a rule such as this, I don't use my mirrors like this even when I'm not towing.  (When towing the van is tall enough so the rearview mirror can see over the trailer, so I use the mirrors the same way either way.  I know that's not the case for everyone, thus the extended mirrors.)

The following is limited to non-towing use of mirrors:

AAA recommends adjusting the side mirrors farther out than most people do.  What I do is to lean halfway to the driver's side window and adjust the driver's side mirror so that I can just barely see the side of the car.  I then lean the other way about the same distance and adjust the passenger side mirror to just barely see the side of the car.  The perfect arrangement will have the side mirrors approximately centered on the adjacent lane.  The result is...

THERE ARE NO BLIND SPOTS.

When a vehicle passes on the left, I can see his left headlight in the side mirror before his right headlight disappears from the rear view mirror.  (Passing vehicle is seen in both mirrors at the same time, but without overlap.)  Before the back of the car disappears from the side mirror, his front bumper is even with (beside) my side view mirror, visible in my normal perhipheral vision.  There is never a time or place when any vehicle (excepting motorcycles...more on that in a bit) are not easily visible without turning my head.  Never.

Motorcycles are the only exception, with two very small blind spots.  One is at the transition point between rearview and side view, and at highways speeds even this will not apply unless the motorcycle is following too closely.  The other is the brief space between disappearing from the side view and appearing in direct perhipheral vision (cars are longer than motorcycles and can't hide in this spot).  While this is something that requires caution, the two blind spots combined represent a much smaller blind spot than the typical arrangement used by most drivers.

It takes a bit of getting used to, but once adjusted it is clearly superior and clearly safer than the "old" way.

Austin

[tlhdoc]

Austin that is how I have my mirrors adjusted.  I don't need to see the side of my car to know it is there.  I need to see the other person's car.

[NightOwl]

AB, not only is it great to see you again, you have brought lots of helpful information.  I was trying and trying to remember who it was who had posted the mirror adjustment technique on our earlier board and couldnt remember but am not surprised to see you providing that information. I hope your new life is a happy one for all of you--tell PJay and the kids I said hello and send a hug.  How is her school going?  In fact, come over to the campfire sometime and tell us how life is there in the land of  snow,  Lakes,  and Norskies (and a very active arts/cultural scene in the Twin Cities I understand)

[Campaholics]

Thanks for all the information.  I don't know if Illinois or Wisconsin have laws more or less requiring extended mirrors.  But, a little added view of what's back there does a world of good for my comfort factor.

I have been using the method Austin described for adjusting side view mirrsors for about five or six years.  IMHO it's clearly superior to the traditional method.

As has been pointed out on many occasions,  the information and experience on tap for all is well worth the price of admission.  Thanks again,

Bob