Towing Mirrors

[IceOnFire]

Just purchased a new TV, 2013 Ford F-150 which came with standard mirrors. To tow our new X23B, we are contemplating between upgrading to the larger telescoping mirrors or the less expensive CIPA towing mirrors. Price is not an issue, as we will end up selling our replaced mirrors online to make up some of the cost. The telescoping mirrors will be manual, but blind view coverage would be greater than the CIPA mirrors. Any suggestions?

[OnTheGo]

We had the same thoughts about our 2012 F-150 and ended up not doing anything. Ford telescoping mirrors were not an option for me because there was no simple retrofit option. There is different construction (mounting & wiring?) in the door, and I never found add-ons that I liked. By the time I finished searching I was comfortable without them.

Obviously, you want a secure fit and eliminate all the vibration you can. I think some mirrors work better on different TVs. For that reason I would make sure they were capable of being returned if they don't work as advertised. And try different ones until you get the result you're looking for.

If your comfortable with the cost, rear view cameras work great.

[Jayr143]

If your not worried about price I would definitely go for the telescoping mirrors, with the other mirrors you have to put them on and take them off continuously unless you leave them on and run the risk of somebody stealing them. I'm not to sure if people would steal them but they are quite easy since they are only held on with two bolts.

[lx22f/c]

I would go with the telescoping mirrors. I have added them to both of our trucks(gm) and wouldn't be with out them.
I don't know if yours are model year specific or not? If not then you can check with aftermarket suppliers and maybe get a better price.
Good luck
Robert

[Dirtfan]

This is what I went with this year, they snap on and you can remove them when you get to the campground Mirrors

[Jagiven]

Personally I would get the extra set of mirrors. The CIPA will work. I considered them but they were not available for my TV. I purchased EARO 2 Towing mirrors. I really like them. I have them setup to extend way out there. If it was not for the wheel flares on my 23B I would be able to see the HTT bumper. I have them adjusted so I can see what is back behind and alongside the HTT. Then I adjust my power mirrors to see my blind spots. The down fall is you do have to take them on and off, but I have not found that much of an issue. When I am at camp, and we are not planning to drive any where I just fold my power mirrors in and the whole setup is out of the way from being bumped.

[bigbird]

If my truck was not my daily driver I would have gotten the trailer tow mirrors in a heart beat. The problem is they are huge and make it a tight fit when parking in most parking spaces that are now more suited for compact cars. Now if they could only get them to power fold as well as power extend I would have ordered them. I must say i'm very happy with my cipa mirrors.

[clubhouse]

Get the actual towing mirrors, so much better field of vision. I used CIPA mirrors for about 7 months before I changed to the telescoping tow mirrors. I am much happier now.

By the way I bought after market replacement mirrors from 1a auto online. By far the lowest cost and they have 100s of how to videos on YouTube. The mirrors aren't OEM, but they fit perfect, used the same electronic connector and mounting hardware.

[tinlizzie23]

I replaced the standard remote mirrors on my F350 with telescoping remotes, and they have been great. Don't take up significantly more space than the standard, and real easy to pull out when you need them, push back in when you don't. After having telescoping, I would not even consider the ones you have to put on and take off every time you need them. JMHO

[Heady]

I just upgraded my tow vehicle to a 2013 F150 FX4 Screw Ecoboost 3.73 with the tow mirrors. The two mirrors are awesome. I have not towed with it yet, however just daily driving is great, you can see everything. Very little to no blind spots.

[clutch]

The CIPA mirrors are better than nothing. I really prefer the pull out or flip out mirrors that are available for most trucks.

[Camper_bob]

I picked up the K-Source custom clip-ons from e-trailer.com on sale for an excellent price. They're kind of like the CIPAs, they look great, but they rattle just a bit, and the passenger side is not very helpful, I kind of wish they were a bit bigger vertically.

I think I would prefer something mounted, but for the money, these work for me for now.

[tls001]

The CIPAs work great and are very easy to install and remove. If I was full timing and moving around a lot I might consider the OEM tow mirrors.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Buy the OEM tow mirrors and never think about it again! I will never be without them. I have a set of CIPA's that will never be used by me again! My Tundra and my 2003 Ram both have had the tow mirrors installed. Absolutely NO vibration and there is a much better view of the camper sides and much better for backing up.

[LabMan]

I have the CIPA's for my GMC Denali. They were OK when I was towing a 96" wide TT, but they are about useless with our Octane Toy Hauler wide body (102" wide). Since we are looking at a new TV next spring, I'd like to hear from anybody towing a 102" wide with OEM mirrors. I do agree, given a choice, I would definitely go with the factory tow mirrors. Our son's F350 has them, and they are 100% better than the CIPA's IMO, but that was pulling his 33' gooseneck horse trailer, 96" wide. Haven't use it to pull the Octane yet, don't want to hear again how much better his F350 is than my Denali!

[IceOnFire]

I just installed the upgraded tow mirrors on our F-150 and they were well worth the purchase. Thank you to everyone for your feedback!

[clutch]

You will not regret this mirror option.

[TCNashville]

Since we are looking at a new TV next spring,

You know, if you spend just a little more money, about $55,000 not including trade, you can upgrade to an F-250. Your towing mirrors will fold and extend with the touch of a button. He-he

[campingva]

I have the McKesh mirrors and they are great. Can be moved easily to any vehicle and are easy to adjust. On and off in just a matter of minutes.

[eldermike]

When I had the F150 I used one of the clip on mirros with the rubber straps and rachets. There are two types and the one without the magnified section is best. Never had a single issue with them, quick to put on and they worked just as good as my towing mirrors on my F250.