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05-14-2017, 09:18 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Ceresco, Michigan
Trailer: 2015 escape 19
Posts: 134
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f-150 towing mirrors
does anyone tow their trailer with a f-150 with factory towing mirrors? if so do they seem to large for everyday use?
are the standard mirrors wide enough or do you need add on mirrors pulling a 19 our current tow vehicle is narrower than a f-150
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05-14-2017, 09:37 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Mtns of NC, North Carolina
Trailer: 2013 19' Escape 1977 Trillium 1300
Posts: 311
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I added aftermarket tow mirrors to my 2010 F150 Lariat as the factory tow mirrors are really expensive. Mine cost $135 on eBay for the pair. Really not required for my 2013 Escape 19 more like a nice to have. I would do it again as I really like the lower mirror aimed at the trailer wheels while the upper mirrors are more aimed towards traffic. So I can glance down and quickly see lane position with the lower mirrors.
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05-14-2017, 10:07 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Woodland, California
Trailer: 2019 F150 eco boost with 2017 5.0 TA in tow
Posts: 116
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F150 with factory tow mirrors.
I love the large size of the factory tow mittiors but I do not extend them out when towing my 5.0 TA or my vintage Airstream. I used them extended when towing an 8' or 8.5' wide stick or a wide boat trailer. The visibility of these mirrors is excellent.
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05-14-2017, 09:59 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Boise, Idaho
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19
Posts: 42
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We are towing our 2016 Escape 19 with the standard mirrors on our 2016 F-150 and feel they are most adequate.
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05-14-2017, 10:08 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA (Little Elsie) Extensively Personalized
Posts: 2,987
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Standard mirrors fine with 17 or 19. Towing mirrors needed with 21 or 5.0TA. I do like the towing mirrors. They stick out further than the standard mirrors but do not need to be extended for the 21 or 5.0 TA.
__________________
What a long strange trip it’s been!
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05-14-2017, 10:09 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 5.0 TA
Posts: 394
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We got the factory towing mirrors and are very happy with them. I would rather have large mirrors than the standard, way better to see towing or not. The factory tow mirrors are about 70% flat mirror and 30% curved, very good field of view. They also can be pulled out.
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05-14-2017, 11:09 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Westcliffe, Colorado
Trailer: 2010 EggCamper (#083); 2017 Escape 21 (#053); 2016 F-150 5.0L FX4
Posts: 1,765
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While I'm sure there are better mirrors for towing, we feel very comfortable towing our 21' with the standard mirrors on our 2016 F-150. That said, we do travel with a rear-view camera looking out the back window of the 21' to aid in seeing any vehicles that might be located directly/closely behind us.
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05-15-2017, 02:33 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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I have the factory tow mirrors on my 2012, they are fine for the 5.0TA but probably a bit overkill. I like having the wider view of the convex lower part. No need for the telescoping ability. I do think power folding would be worth having, once in a while I park on the road and feel better folding in the roadside mirror. Occasionally I feel like I'm going to clip another trucks mirrors in narrow spots, but I haven't.
I had the standard mirrors on my last truck, pulled a like width trailer. They were fine too although I added a small stick on convex to them.
Overall, the standard mirrors are okay for towing the narrow bodied Escapes.The factory towing set gives you a better view at the cost of feeling too big at times.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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05-15-2017, 04:41 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,561
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I have the factory towing mirrors, a feature that was a must for me. I used them extended with my temp trailer, but it was 8' wide. I have only towed my 5.0TA home so don't have lots of experience with this combo yet, but I did find for the most part they did not need to be extended, but really did add a bit more view rearward when they are.
What I really like about them is the large size. I much prefer them for all types of driving, as you get a great rear view from them, and the large convex at the bottom really give a wide view with not too bad of distortion.
These mirrors with their broad view are great for reversing as well.
If buying again, I would definitely be getting them.
__________________
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
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05-15-2017, 05:05 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,038
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
I have the factory towing mirrors, a feature that was a must for me. I used them extended with my temp trailer, but it was 8' wide. I have only towed my 5.0TA home so don't have lots of experience with this combo yet, but I did find for the most part they did not need to be extended, but really did add a bit more view rearward when they are.
What I really like about them is the large size. I much prefer them for all types of driving, as you get a great rear view from them, and the large convex at the bottom really give a wide view with not too bad of distortion.
These mirrors with their broad view are great for reversing as well.
If buying again, I would definitely be getting them.
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Hi: Jim Bennett... On the other side they make great "Mosquito catchers" too!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
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
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05-15-2017, 05:37 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,561
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Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist
Hi: Jim Bennett... On the other side they make great "Mosquito catchers" too!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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My grill works great for that 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
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05-15-2017, 06:18 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Knox, Maine
Trailer: 2017 19'
Posts: 96
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We have the standard mirrors on our F150 and use fit system's snap on tow mirrors to tow our 2017 19'. Really does give you a wider view behind you and makes lane changes much safer. Also much less expensive than the ford tow mirrors and I like the standard mirrors size-wise when not towing.
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05-16-2017, 05:45 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA (Little Elsie) Extensively Personalized
Posts: 2,987
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TallyHo
I like the standard mirrors size-wise when not towing.
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Interesting you would say that. I replaced the standard mirrors on my F150 with towing mirrors and find I like them much better whether I am towing or not towing. They provide a larger view and are infinitely adjustable. I actually use them more when not towing than the rear view mirror on the windshield, which obviously is not of much use when towing.
__________________
What a long strange trip it’s been!
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05-16-2017, 06:58 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Knox, Maine
Trailer: 2017 19'
Posts: 96
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C&G in FL
Interesting you would say that. I replaced the standard mirrors on my F150 with towing mirrors and find I like them much better whether I am towing or not towing. They provide a larger view and are infinitely adjustable. I actually use them more when not towing than the rear view mirror on the windshield, which obviously is not of much use when towing.
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Hum, well maybe I would like the ford towing mirrors more, never had them. I did have them on an old chevy, they were huge and forever getting in the way in parking lots etc. The only way to get them out of the way on the passenger side was to get out and fold them in. Do the shopping, get ready to drive off, look, get out again to fold them out!
Funny about the rearview mirror, when we got home from our cross country trip it took several days to learn to reuse the rear view and the first time or two I had that instant where I thought omg where's the trailer!
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05-15-2017, 06:43 AM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Lake Leelanau, Michigan
Trailer: 2006 Casita
Posts: 9
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Same question for a 2016 GMC 4x4. We're picking up our 21' in mid-June and would like to hear from anyone with this combination about mirror size. Are the standard mirrors sufficient or should we invest in larger size?
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05-15-2017, 01:31 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Marysville, Washington
Trailer: 2022 Coachmen Nova 20C
Posts: 652
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smanitou
Same question for a 2016 GMC 4x4. We're picking up our 21' in mid-June and would like to hear from anyone with this combination about mirror size. Are the standard mirrors sufficient or should we invest in larger size?
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Hi Sue,
I bought my 2014 Silverado off the lot, it had everything I wanted & nothing I didn't - except towing mirrors.
When I looked into retro fitting them it was a lot of money & work (the 2014 was a new style & dealers weren't offering them yet).
I went with Fit System clip on mirrors. Probably not as good as trailering mirrors, but more than adequate to see behind us and I like the look of the smaller mirrors on the 1500 for everyday driving.
https://www.amazon.com/Fit-System-80...silverado+1500
__________________
Paul & Norma
2013 Escape 21 & 2014 Chevy Silverado - sold
2022 Coachmen Nova 20C
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05-15-2017, 09:44 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Lake Leelanau, Michigan
Trailer: 2006 Casita
Posts: 9
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Thanks for the input. Although our mirrors fold down I don't think they're extendable. We'll check out the additions.
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05-15-2017, 07:06 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Houston, Texas
Trailer: '87 Bigfoot 20DLX 5er (sold) - 2017 Escape 5.0 TA: Sep-17
Posts: 523
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f-150 towing mirrors
I bought my 2013 F150 XLT with standard mirrors. My I purchased OEM towing mirrors on eBay and installed them myself. I just sold my Bigfoot trailer. At eight feet wide, it required extended mirrors.
Now that I have them, I love the wide field of view, especially in the convex mirrors below. I now feel uncomfortable driving my wife's car, which doesn't have them.
If I were doing it again, I'd get OEM electric retracting tow mirrors. IMO worth the money for the peace of mind!
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05-15-2017, 07:29 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,561
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ReagentGrade
Now that I have them, I love the wide field of view, especially in the convex mirrors below. I now feel uncomfortable driving my wife's car, which doesn't have them.
If I were doing it again, I'd get OEM electric retracting tow mirrors. IMO worth the money for the peace of mind!
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Pretty much how I feel too, Rich. You really do notice the difference when going to a vehicle without them, and miss having them.
Another thing I like is that they fold flat against the truck if you want. Great for when parked in tight places.
__________________
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
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05-15-2017, 08:23 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Houston, Texas
Trailer: '87 Bigfoot 20DLX 5er (sold) - 2017 Escape 5.0 TA: Sep-17
Posts: 523
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One item I didn't mention... The towing mirrors allowed me to see both the stripes and the trailer wheels in the lower section at all times. (When towing my Bigfoot 5er with mirrors extended.) I could see how close I was getting to the line. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!
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