F150 Tow Mirror Modification

[Murff]

As I posted a couple of weeks ago, I traded off the Explorer Sport Trac Ltd for a 2011 F150. The F150 was lacking the Ford Trailer Brake Control (TBC) and a decent set of tow mirrors.

The TBC (purchased from Amazon) wasn't too bad to install as my F150 doesn't have the floor console. Just removed a couple of screws and trim panels and the junk box and it went in fairly easy. The hard part was having to pay the Ford dealer a minimum one-hour's worth of shop time to have the TBC "flashed" so the truck would recognize it. That happened today. (If you do this mod, there are a couple of YouTube videos to help you along).

The YouTube videos for the mirror installation made it look a bit intimidating, so I had some assistance on this one. The one video with a guy and his wife in a garage was actually the best one for a 2011 F150 (despite the guy not looking like he would know the difference between a screwdriver from a stop sign).

Where some of the videos showing a lot of things being removed from the doors (earlier F150s) the 2011 is easy. Two screw cover pieces and four screws total hold on the door panel. Once those are removed, the whole door panel slides up. You then have access to the mirror electrical connection and the three bolts holding the mirrors on while everything else stays connected to the door, like door latch cable and power window connectors.

Long story short, here are the mirrors that are now on my new-to-me F150.

Driver side:





Extended:





Passenger Side:





New mirrors are heated, turn signal, the power adjuster still works and the F150 now has puddle lights. The telescoping part is still manual. The only negative is the convex parts of the mirrors seem to be "fixed" and I see more of the side of the truck and less lane in that mirror. The mirrors also came from Amazon.

Overall, better than the stock mirrors for towing!

Murff

[Mikey]

Nice, Murff! Now your setup is very much like mine - a White Hawk towed by a 12th generation F150 with tow mirrors and integrated brake controller, all tied together by an Andersen WD hitch!

I find this combo downright relaxing to tow with. I think my favorite thing about the F150 is the 6-speed automatic transmission in tow/haul mode. It helps avoid gear hunting, provides nice transmission braking when going downhill, and helps improve mileage somewhat.

Hope you enjoy every mile with the new truck!

[Murff]

Thanks, Mikey!

We will find out next week how it all does.

Murff

[Marcm157]

Nice work Murff - I've been searching for a pair of tow mirrors for my 16 F150 but no aftermarket stuff out yet and Ford wants a ridiculous amount for a factory set.

[Mikey]

Mine came with tow mirrors but I couldn't resist doing a mod anyway - chrome mirror caps. Cost me about $75.

[micron]

I did the same upgrade ladt year to my 2013 F150. The bottom mirrors are adjustable. They do get a bit easier to adjust as time passes.
It took me a few days of driving to get used to the new moose antlers sticking out so far on the sides.

[genxrainman]

I had the same issue with the tow mirrors I installed on my Tundra. I first thought they were fixed but with a little more pressure they loosened and started moving easier. You will love them when towing, and backing up is much easier. Here's a pic of my moose antlers.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DJL1967]

After 2 years of using Cipa slip on mirrors I added tow mirrors to my 12 F150 and love them. Bought them new off eBay for $140 for the pair with free shipping. Great price and very good quality too! As mentioned previously the bottom convex mirror is adjustable it just needs some firm pressure to move it.

[micron]

I will say that if I had it to do over I would have gotten them with the power-fold option.

[dougk53]

FWIW, the Ford mirrors are affectionately called Elephant Ears. The Ram flip up tow mirrors are called Moose Antlers. If you ever see a Ram with the mirrors out driving at you there will be no doubt as to the appropriateness of this.
Doug

[Dropnaduece]

the tGreat job murff! The mirrors are a huge help it was a must have when I bought my truck and I love it helps to see those cars that like to creep up on me when I hit my blinker 🙈 But when I make my lane change they don't hesitate to get out of the way...lol

New to the forum looking forward to learning new stuff, making TT friends, and sharing MODS. I have had mine for a few months and I love adding new things that are custom to my likings. Love N' my custom coat rack cause the wardrobe closet grew shelves for my kids clothes. 👌🏼 I

[micron]

I had a Toy Tacoma with the modified Ram tow mirrors so that must be whete I got the term. When those mirrors were flipped up/out it looked pretty crazy on that Tacoma. As Trump would say, the were HUGE...