Tow Mirrors

[ffej1010]

I have a 2001 Nissan Xterra that I tow my 1996 Starcraft with, and the trailer is wider than the TV, so it is hard to use the side mirrors, and the AC makes the rearview mirror useless.  I have tried those strap on mirror extensions that you can find at most auto parts stores, but the wind made them vibrate so much that I couldn't look at them too long.  Is there anything else out there that would work better?  I haven't been able to find anything made for the Nissan, like they have for the real trucks, so I don't know what else to do.

[SpeakEasy]

A lot of people recommend McKesh Mirrors.

http://www.hensleymfg.com/mckeshmirrors.html

I bought a pair and have been satisfied.

[tlhdoc]

I also use the McKesh mirrors.  I have used them on several different tow vehicles.  Just readjust the mirrors and you are once again set.

[wavery]

I have a 2001 Nissan Xterra that I tow my 1996 Starcraft with, and the trailer is wider than the TV, so it is hard to use the side mirrors, and the AC makes the rearview mirror useless.  I have tried those strap on mirror extensions that you can find at most auto parts stores, but the wind made them vibrate so much that I couldn't look at them too long.  Is there anything else out there that would work better?  I haven't been able to find anything made for the Nissan, like they have for the real trucks, so I don't know what else to do.

I use the strap -on mirrors and they work fine. Did you try tightening the straps?

They give me trouble if I go over 65 but that's fine with me. I shouldn't drive that fast while towing anyway

[fritz_monroe]

I bought a set of Suction Tow Mirrors  I was going to get the type that strap on, but the RV dealer suggested these.  I like that you adjust them by using your power mirror adjusters.  I thought they would easily fall off, but I connected them up and was unable to pull them off.

[tlhdoc]

I bought a set of Suction Tow Mirrors I was going to get the type that strap on, but the RV dealer suggested these. I like that you adjust them by using your power mirror adjusters. I thought they would easily fall off, but I connected them up and was unable to pull them off.

How long is the stem on the mirrors?  From the picture they don't look long enough to stick out past the sides of the trailer.  Can you see clearly or do they vibrate when you are driving?

[fritz_monroe]

There is very little vibration while driving down the road.  The stem is about 5 inches.  That puts the far edge of the mirror about 8 inches beyond the edge of the car mirrors.

[tlhdoc]

There is very little vibration while driving down the road. The stem is about 5 inches. That puts the far edge of the mirror about 8 inches beyond the edge of the car mirrors.

Thanks for the information.  They would not be long enough for my rig.

[fritz_monroe]

If we end up camping the same place at the same time, remind me to show them to you.  They work pretty well for me.

[tlhdoc]

Your welcome to join us on any of the COTOC trips.

If we end up camping the same place at the same time, remind me to show them to you. They work pretty well for me.

[tknick]

Don't know if you've already gotten a replacement mirror, but found this one online Universal Tow Mirror It's made by CIPA mirrors so I'm sure it's available from different places.  Although it straps to the mirror, it seems to have better adjustment capabilities to minimize or eliminate vibration.  Aparently not enough people need extension on their Xterra's because I couldn't find anything online especially for it.

[ffej1010]

A lot of people recommend McKesh Mirrors.

http://www.hensleymfg.com/mckeshmirrors.html

I bought a pair and have been satisfied.

I found some mirrors on the Camping World site that look to be the same thing as the Hensley mirrors, only about $30 cheaper, http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?deptID=&subOf=43,338&skunum=14887
While on the Hensley site, I did look at the weight distribution and sway control they have.  It looks like it might be a little over kill for a little pup. Has anyone used this sway control?

[zamboni]

While on the Hensley site, I did look at the weight distribution and sway control they have.  It looks like it might be a little over kill for a little pup. Has anyone used this sway control?

I presume you are referring to the "Hensley Arrow" (http://www.hensleymfg.com/whatisthearrow.html).  It is an incredibly funky system that I've only seen once.  A fellow Starcraft camper has it on his Avalanche to tow his big hybrid.  He swears by how much it improves the towing.

The basic theory is this (from how my friend explained it to me):  One reason a 5-th wheel tows so well, is its rotation, or pivot, point is centered above the back axle of the truck.  This greatly eliminates sway, etc, because the sway force of the camper is acting directly on the axle of the tow vehicle.

A PUP or regular TT that is towed with a hitch has a pivot point of the hitch ball.  This is at least several feet back from the axle of the TV.  Thus, when the camper sways, it pulls the TV on that pivot point (the ball), which rotates the TV around its rear axle, which in turn causes the hitch to sway, which makes the camper sway AGAIN.  A viscious circle.

With the Hensley Arrow, the whole ball where the trailer is mounted moves side to side.  This has the effect of moving the pivot point to a "virtual" spot some distance in front of the actual trailer hitch ball... effectively making your trailer tow as if the hitch ball were mounted on your rear axle.

Just like a 5-th wheel.