Trailer tow mirrors or not

[Philandterry]

Originally Posted by Gripper

Looking for opinions on this. I have always had trailer tow power mirrors now. Never had the f150 smaller mirrors. Does anyone tow with the f150 regular mirrors and how is it? I can get a new truck off lot with max trailer tow but smaller mirrors, any thoughts?

IMHO…. Don't waste your money on the temporary add on mirrors. I used them on my first Dodge Ram 1500 when I towed a TT. The mirrors shook/ vibrated so badly I couldn’t see a thing.Go head and spend the extra bucks for perm type after market mirrors.

[Eldereaglewatcher]

We tow with a 2018 F 150 eco boost. Love the truck! We use clip on mirrors to extend the smaller ones, and we've had no problem.

[Chuck_S]

Of note my McKesh strap on towing mirrors do not affect the blind spot function in the Ford mirrors on my Expedition.

No surprise 'cuz the blind spot sensors are located behind the rear bumper fascia on each side of the vehicle.

-- Chuck

[Scottnweeze]

Bit late to the party but I found strap on mirrors to be a PITA and dont really care for the dumbo mirrors either. I've just gone with standard mirrors and rear view camera and with my 25', I've got no blind spots.

[Gripper]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

I towed with a 2005 Durango with strap-on mirrors. It worked fine. I now tow with a 2016 F150 with power-folding tow mirrors and really like them for towing, but they're BIG, actually causing a significant blind spot for pedestrians in crosswalks.

I have an XLT HDPP on order. I placed the order to include tow mirrors but XLTs can't get power fold mirrors. (I placed the order before Ford cut off orders for tow mirrors.) My experience having to fold the big mirrors I have now tells me I'll have to get out of the truck sometimes to do that - a PIA.

Reading others' experience with strap-on mirrors I decided to change the order to regular mirrors but I was told by the dealer that I couldn't do that without having to pay the $1,500 MSRP increase that happened after I placed the order. I now plan to replace my manual-fold tow mirrors with power-fold mirrors. There are threads on F150Forum documenting the process.

I wouldn't worry about not being able to order the tow mirrors. There are plenty of options for strap-on/clip-on mirrors. You can also replace your regular mirrors with tow mirrors if you have the skills and desire. Be aware the tow mirrors aren't cheap when purchased as parts after the fact and you may have to replace some wiring harnesses, depending on what you get as OEM and what you want as add-ons.

I've heard you can be ticketed if the highway patrol can't see your mirrors when looking down the side of your trailer from the rear. As to the likelihood of that happening, I don't know, but I'd get tow mirrors of some kind for safety, anyway.

Thank you, i purchased the truck yesterday and probably will order the after market add ons. To purchase ford tow mirrors Expensive yes it would be 1700.00 a mirror to purchase and install myself. Thats steep for as much as i tow.

[Gripper]

I did purchase the truck with standard mirrors. Odds of ordering a truck and getting a new one next to none in this day and age of shortages. Thanks all for the feedback, i think for now i will get a pair of the add ons. New f150 tow mirrors with power etc are 1700.00 each and i install which is not that difficult. So a new F150 max tow lariat with the V8 will be picked up in a week!

[mmartin_tdc]

Well congratulations on the new truck. Hope everything works out for you.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Philandterry

IMHO…. Don't waste your money on the temporary add on mirrors. I used them on my first Dodge Ram 1500 when I towed a TT. The mirrors shook/ vibrated so badly I couldn’t see a thing.Go head and spend the extra bucks for perm type after market mirrors.

Sounds like it's a Ram issue. I've used CIPA add-on mirrors on my Chevy Avalanche and my F150. Never shook or vibrated and were well worth the money.

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by WIAframers

I have a Silverado half-ton with the small factory mirrors and use the CIPA slide-over style add-ons for towing. They are effective, easy-on / easy-off, way less expensive than upgraded factory or dealer installed mirrors, and not in the way when using the truck for non-towing duties. I use the add-ons when towing anything that is tall enough to obstruct the view straight back from the windshield mounted rearview mirror.

I prefer the slide-over type vs. strap-on because the slide over are easier on/off, studier, and always come back to the same aim point so you can set once and forget it.

These are the bomb! Used strap-on mirrors on my 2017 Silverado 1500 but the rubber bands would degrade and kept breaking. Switched to CIPA slip overs and never went back. No vibration or loosening. They are excellent!

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Sounds like it's a Ram issue. I've used CIPA add-on mirrors on my Chevy Avalanche and my F150. Never shook or vibrated and were well worth the money.

It's the rubber bands. The vibration is from the wind while you are driving. CIPAs are the way to go.

[Edmund]

I towed for a couple of years with standard mirrors then bought extensions. Much prefer the extensions. They aren't that expensive, especially for the peace of mind.

[Boomerweps]

$1700 for factory mirrors?
RUNAWAY! RUNAWAY!

I paid $220 for my tow mirrors and added turn signals and heat.

[GFD47]

I replaced the smaller standard mirrors on my 2009 F150 with the 2009 OEM trailer-tow version. Getting Ford brand maybe wasn't necessary ($300) but the mountings and the wiring for the mirror heaters and ground lights were all ready to go. I had to extend and retract them manually, but that wasn't really a big deal. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

[Bob2019]

It is much safer to get better mirrors on your tow vehicle to see. Been towing since 1979 and used what ever came standard on the truck. Towed a 30' TT all these years until buying the Forester in 2019. Wow! what a difference. Should have done something with better mirrors a long time ago. Live and learn.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Boomerweps

$1700 for factory mirrors? ...

Yup, but that's for the power-fold/telescope version with BLIS and 360 cameras: https://accessories.ford.com/product...-tow-mirrors-3

I'll probably end up paying that to replace the manual-fold tow mirrors on my future XLT. But I can sell the like-new takeoffs on ebay, offsetting the price. The manual fold version retails for $750 each:
https://accessories.ford.com/product...er-tow-mirrors

[Tundra 2014]

I got some from Trailer, they had a good selection. The ones I had came w/ 1 rubber strap each and a racket strap. I zip tied the rubber strap, that held up to 20K miles of towing w/ no problem. If the truck has everything else you want, go for it.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Gripper

Looking for opinions on this. I have always had trailer tow power mirrors now. Never had the f150 smaller mirrors. Does anyone tow with the f150 regular mirrors and how is it? I can get a new truck off lot with max trailer tow but smaller mirrors, any thoughts?

Last year I bought a set of extend-out tow mirrors for the GMC Sierra 2500HD on eBay for $95. They were perfect knock-offs of the factory mirrors. I's sure the same are available for F250s.

With prices that reasonable, why spend time thinking about it? Just make the move!

[Downhill.Bob]

Originally Posted by simiHal

I have a 2012 with standard mirrors. I use the CIPA add ons and have no issue with them. Here’s a link for a possible fit for your model.
https://www.etrailer.com/Towing-Mirr...ID=20124025021

Yes, this!

[varhino]

I have used the CIPAs also on our previous tow vehicle, which was a 2020 F150 towing a Wildwood X-Lite 24 foot camper and we liked them very well. We did not tow that often either and the ability to remove and store them when not needed was great.

[Dbpprcp]

My add on mirrors work just fine.