Are tow mirrors necessary for a 5.0TA - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Towing and Hitching
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-31-2018, 08:57 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Sequim, Washington
Trailer: 2018 5.0TA towed with a 2017 GMC Canyon V6
Posts: 143
Are tow mirrors necessary for a 5.0TA

We are leaving in about a week to pick up our 5.0 TA. We will be towing it with a 2017 GMC Canyon short bed. Do folks think tow mirrors are a necessity? Seems like other than ordering the Clearview (likely not an option at this point), universal clip/strap on ones are the only option. Thanks.
jkordzi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2018, 09:03 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
C&G in FL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA (Little Elsie) Extensively Personalized
Posts: 2,960
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkordzi View Post
We are leaving in about a week to pick up our 5.0 TA. We will be towing it with a 2017 GMC Canyon short bed. Do folks think tow mirrors are a necessity? Seems like other than ordering the Clearview (likely not an option at this point), universal clip/strap on ones are the only option. Thanks.
Yes, if you want to have a reasonable view of what is behind you.
__________________
What a long strange trip it’s been!
C&G in FL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2018, 09:20 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21, 2016 GMC Canyon Duramax
Posts: 587
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkordzi View Post
We are leaving in about a week to pick up our 5.0 TA. We will be towing it with a 2017 GMC Canyon short bed. Do folks think tow mirrors are a necessity? Seems like other than ordering the Clearview (likely not an option at this point), universal clip/strap on ones are the only option. Thanks.
We got these for our 2016 GMC Canyon short bed towing a 21. Works fine. Been on the truck for about 9 months now.

https://www.amazon.com/Dometic-DM-29...milenco+mirror
stephen99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2018, 04:44 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
C&G in FL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA (Little Elsie) Extensively Personalized
Posts: 2,960
The 5.0TA and the 21 art wider than the 17 and the 19. While you may be OK without towing mirrors on the 17 or 19, you definitely want them for the 5.0TA or the 21.
__________________
What a long strange trip it’s been!
C&G in FL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2018, 05:05 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
Can you measure the distance between the 2 mirrors? One would think they should be equal to or more then the Escapes 7'4" for effectively backing in to camp sites and having a proper view when under way.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2018, 09:47 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Jim Bennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
I have towing mirrors on my F-150 which already stick out further than a regular mirror, and will extend an additional 3". While I can see fairly well without them extended, and do drive like that in some situations, I still appreciate the much better rear view with them extended. If I had regular smallish mirrors I would add a set of towing mirrors.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Jim Bennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2018, 09:50 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Sequim, Washington
Trailer: 2018 5.0TA towed with a 2017 GMC Canyon V6
Posts: 143
Thanks everyone - mirrors ordered.
jkordzi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2018, 12:23 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
BCnomad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: O town, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 "Lightning"
Posts: 1,467
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
I have towing mirrors on my F-150 which already stick out further than a regular mirror, and will extend an additional 3". While I can see fairly well without them extended, and do drive like that in some situations, I still appreciate the much better rear view with them extended. If I had regular smallish mirrors I would add a set of towing mirrors.

Yep, yep. My sport (small) mirrors give me about 5" max clearance on either side of my full size pickup, but the clip ons might extend that out to 8" or so. The classic awning arms cut into that on the passenger side of course.
BCnomad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 11:00 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Bobnjudy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: 78748, Texas
Trailer: 5.0 TA 2017 Taj MaSmall
Posts: 115
Specs from new Clearview USA distributor. I was hoping that with the 2019 Colorado/Canyon body refresh there would finally be tow mirrors. Apparently, that may not be so these will be on my XMas list.
https://clearviewmirrorsusa.com/towi...rs/gmc-canyon/
The link even has a how to install video
Bobnjudy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2018, 12:49 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
StanLewis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21 - 2016 GMC Canyon 4x4 Diesel
Posts: 118
I have the Clearview mirrors and wouldn't be without them. Another upcoming option that looks like it might be equally good is from Boost Auto Parts, who are saying they will have tow mirrors for the Colorado/Canyon beginning sometime this summer. Boost already sells tow mirrors for the full-sized GM trucks.

https://boostautoparts.com/pages/col...on-tow-mirrors
__________________
Stan

"It ain't what you don't know that hurts you - it's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” - S. Clemens
StanLewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2018, 07:29 AM   #11
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
I have towing mirrors on my F-150 which already stick out further than a regular mirror, and will extend an additional 3". While I can see fairly well without them extended, and do drive like that in some situations, I still appreciate the much better rear view with them extended. If I had regular smallish mirrors I would add a set of towing mirrors.
We have power folding and telescoping towing mirrors on our new truck, but we had stock mirrors on our previous truck. I still prefer the "look" of the old smaller ones on an F150, but there's no comparison in terms of view. Now that I have the extended towing mirrors, I wouldn't be without them, and that's with a narrower trailer than a 5.0TA. Sometimes vanity has to give way to practicality.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2018, 07:42 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Jim Bennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
We have power folding and telescoping towing mirrors on our new truck, but we had stock mirrors on our previous truck. I still prefer the "look" of the old smaller ones on an F150, but there's no comparison in terms of view. Now that I have the extended towing mirrors, I wouldn't be without them, and that's with a narrower trailer than a 5.0TA. Sometimes vanity has to give way to practicality.
And for me having only had towing mirrors on trucks since they were first used, I find the smaller ones to look out of place on a truck, a vehicle meant for working. Along this same line, I know lots of guys who would never put a topper on a truck because they though they did not look good, but for me in the past they were too practical to not use. That is until now when I have to pull a fifth wheel.

Sometimes a balding head has to give way to practicality too.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Jim Bennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2018, 07:48 AM   #13
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
Sometimes a balding head has to give way to practicality too.
Bald"ing" Jim? I'm pretty sure we can both drop that last part.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2018, 08:49 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Jim Bennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
Bald"ing" Jim? I'm pretty sure we can both drop that last part.
Too be fair, I could do the monk look, just not diggin' it though.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Jim Bennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2018, 11:51 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Arcata, California
Trailer: 2011 Escape 17B
Posts: 209
I have a set of mirror extension on a Ford Explorer towing a 17B. Not really necessary on a short haul through town for service, but when we're headed through a city or in busy freeway traffic, they are great to have! Get them. You won't regret it.
Sherm2954 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2018, 01:57 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
I have to fold my power mirrors in when pulling the truck into my garage as I only have a 7' garage door. That said, some of the tow mirrors I have seen stick out from 18" to almost 24" which makes going down some city streets a little dangerous as you are close to 11" wide. If not towing on the road I'd pull my mirrors in if possible to prevent damage or hitting an obstacle as some lanes are 10' wide in the city.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2018, 02:19 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: East Dover, Vermont
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA!
Posts: 678
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkordzi View Post
We are leaving in about a week to pick up our 5.0 TA. We will be towing it with a 2017 GMC Canyon short bed. Do folks think tow mirrors are a necessity? Seems like other than ordering the Clearview (likely not an option at this point), universal clip/strap on ones are the only option. Thanks.
I went to ebay and bought Toyota towing mirrors for my Tundra and would never go back to the jittery strap ons. And yes get some towing mirrors, you can do it without but you can see so much better with towing mirrors and with the distracted drivers today you WANT to see as much as you can!
Ian and Sue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2018, 04:35 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
escape artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
Are tow mirrors necessary for a 5.0TA?

Hi: jkordzi... IMHO yes!!! Only because my truck is narrower than a full sized 1/2 ton did I make the decision while in Florida and purchased mirrors from http://www.1aauto.com The price was great and so was the service. Did the install with the help of some "Trailer park boys". Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
Attached Thumbnails
P1030540.jpg   P1030548.jpg  
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
escape artist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2018, 05:17 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
phalaney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: St Louis, Missouri
Trailer: 2017 5.0TA
Posts: 253
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkordzi View Post
We are leaving in about a week to pick up our 5.0 TA. We will be towing it with a 2017 GMC Canyon short bed. Do folks think tow mirrors are a necessity? Seems like other than ordering the Clearview (likely not an option at this point), universal clip/strap on ones are the only option. Thanks.
Sorry you ran out of time for the Clearview's. We got them for our 2018 CCLB Colorado and they are perfect. ~4500 miles of 5.0ta towing, with no blind volume from mirrors too close to the doors. They also have a US distributor now. I think that another threader has a link to a different US brand, so might try and expedite delivery/install from them. But IMO, you will be significantly less safe without some kind of extended mirror.

It's really a damn shame. We buy a mid size pickup touted as a trailer tower and in most ways it is. But no wide mirrors, and lousy headlights. We haven't driven at night yet with the overpriced LED light set we had installed yesterday, but just shining them against the back of the garage, they are dramatically better.
__________________
Peg and Bob
phalaney is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2018, 05:22 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Sequim, Washington
Trailer: 2018 5.0TA towed with a 2017 GMC Canyon V6
Posts: 143
We ended going with these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They seems to be very solid. I'll post back on how well they do. Thanks.
jkordzi is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:50 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.