RE: Towing Mirrors. Worthwhile?

Wayfarer · Sep 28, 2003, 07:05 PM

Do those extended " towing mirrors" really help all that much?

Didn t really need one with the Utah but with the Rockwood Roo it is a different story. With the standard mirrors on the F150 I can easily see what s in the lanes immediately to the left and right but absolutely nothing behind me. Am wondering if any of you use towing mirrors and if the extra 4-6" really make all that much difference, what type you use (clip-ons or whatever), etc.?

Thanks for your input.

Turn Key · Jun 30, 2003, 01:00 PM

WayfarerExtended mirrors won t help much when it comes to seeing behind the PU/trailer. If you can t see over it, your pretty much out of luck. Of course, you real don t need to see what s directly behind you because there isn t much you can do about it any how[

]! Sometimes ignorance IS bliss!

BTW: Did you sell your Utah? Have some one up this way that may be interested. E-mailed him about it last night and told him to check board as a " guest" .

campingboaters · Jun 30, 2003, 01:10 PM

WayfarerIf you are going to get extended mirrors, I would HIGHLY recommend the McKesh mirrors. We ve had most of the other towing mirrors and these are BY FAR the best for extra view and hardly any vibration. Vibration was the worst part of most of the other extended towing mirrors. The McKesh are almost as good as the factory installed mirrors. They are expensive, but worth it! We won t tow our Trail Cruiser without them!

whitestar505 · Jun 30, 2003, 01:35 PM

campingboaterscampingboaters,

QuoteMcKesh mirrors

I agree with your recommendation. I have the one s that strap on the side mirrors and it vibrates all over the place. They look like they are on sale now..

ckkevin · Jun 30, 2003, 03:10 PM

WayfarerWhen towing our hybrid, I would say that towing mirrors are a must. You may not be able to see what is directly behind the trailer but you can see what is coming up in the lane. A few inches can make a huge difference when you get ready to change lanes and the red corvette is getting ready to pass you.

I have the clip on mirrors and as mentioned in previous post they tend to vibrate but they are better than nothing. I have heard that just about the only mirrors that don t vibrate are the McKesh mirrors. I hope to own a pair someday soon.

YellowXterra · Jun 30, 2003, 06:01 PM

WayfarerAnd the Mckesh are on sale right now I gave $150 now they are $93
http://www.hensleymfg.com/mckeshmirrors.html

Turn Key · Jun 30, 2003, 06:28 PM

WayfarerWill have to re-vamp my answer with the McKesh mirrors on the table as an option. I had read Wayfarer s original post as asking about CIPA mirrors and the less expensive strap-on type mirrors you often find at Wally World.

Though I found my CIPA custom mirrors a great help, they yielded little if any vision directly behind the PU. McKesh mirrors will surely give you a certain amount of vision behind the trailer. If I were concerned about being able to see in this area, the McKesh mirrors are the way I would go. Had considered them at one point but felt that the cost-to-benefit ratio did not work for me. Can see how it might for others.

Just my 2-cents and happy camping.

Wayfarer · Jun 30, 2003, 08:32 PM

WayfarerThanks for the input, especially about the vibration of those mirrors that you hook on with the straps. I bought one at Walmart for about $27.00 and took it back for a refund because of the way it shook just from closing the TV door. The McKesh sounds like what I want.

Did an internet search and found the link for McKesh and was about to post it here when I noticed that Randy beat me to it (see his post, above). Believe they are the mirrors for me...and as soon as my account gets over the shock of buying the Rockwood I will likely get a set.

Is this a great forum, or what!

tlhdoc · Jun 30, 2003, 09:03 PM

WayfarerI have used the McKesh mirrors since 1999 when I got the Nevada. They are a very good mirror and hold up well. I added the round convex mirrors that they sell as an option, too.

Wayfarer · Jun 30, 2003, 09:55 PM

WayfarerTracy (tlhdoc):

Are the convex mirrors worth the extra $12.50 each; or, do you think one of the small stick-on convex s from Wally World suffice? Gee, $93.00 sounds like a bunch to me for a pair of the mirrors without adding $25.00 for the convex s.

Comments?

[font=" Script MT Bold" ]Wayfarer[/font][/size]

YellowXterra · Jul 01, 2003, 07:29 AM

WayfarerI figured after spending 150 what was 25 more. I love them

SheBantam · Jul 01, 2003, 07:57 AM

WayfarerWe bought the stick on convex mirrors for the truck and they fell off after the first change in weather.

I want a set of McKeshes, but Raymond says not on HIS truck.

tlhdoc · Jul 02, 2003, 07:08 PM

Wayfarer

QuoteORIGINAL: Wayfarer

Tracy (tlhdoc):

Are the convex mirrors worth the extra $12.50 each; or, do you think one of the small stick-on convex from Wally World suffice? Gee, $93.00 sounds like a bunch to me for a pair of the mirrors without adding $25.00 for the convex.

Comments?

[font=" Script MT Bold" ]Wayfarer[/font][/size]

I do think they are worth the money. I towed with out them on a few trips and then added them. You can adjust them separate from the main mirror and it gives you a much larger area of sight.

Gone-Camping · Jul 02, 2003, 10:06 PM

WayfarerI won t leave home without them (while towing that is....)

I bought the CIPA slip-on mirrors 3 years ago when I got my first PU. I had to have something, and these were effective, low cost, and didn t interfere with my electric OEM mirrors. I ve since done a mod on them, adding a pair of convex mirrors to them.

Now that I have a hybrid, and it s 9" wider than the Coleman, I ve had to rethink the mirror situation. I tried some cheapie copy-cat mirrors similar to the McKesh, and they simply don t work, won t stay mounted to the Jeep because of all the plastic at the bottom of the door. Not sure if the McKesh will do the same thing, I m affraid to spend nearly $100 just to find out they won t stay on either. That plastic on the bottom of the door panel on the outside is the culprit.

Meanwhile, I found some nice solid looking fender mount mirrors at the local thrift store, paid $4.98 each for them, and they mount onto the Jeep nice & solid. I haven t tried towing with them yet, and have no idea of the vibration factor, but will find out tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, I ve been offered a pair of " Barely used" McKesh mirrors for $65, which I ll probably buy them and try them, I know I can sell them off here if they won t stay on the Jeep!!!!

Y-Guy · Jul 02, 2003, 11:40 PM

WayfarerCIPAs worked great on my F150 and now on my Avalanche. Gives me just enough to see what I need. Hard to beat the price on them too. Never had vibration issues on either truck. If you can spare the change the McKesh are the best out there.

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