f-150 towing mirrors

[LDRay]

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

[NCBill]

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.

[gudmut]

We are towing our 2016 Escape 19 with the standard mirrors on our 2016 F-150 and feel they are most adequate.

[RicVic]

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.

[C&G in FL]

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.

[Chris R]

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.

[War Eagle]

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.

[padlin]

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.

[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.

[escape artist]

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.

Hi: Jim Bennett... On the other side they make great "Mosquito catchers" too!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Jim Bennett]

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

My grill works great for that too.

[TallyHo]

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.

[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?

[ReagentGrade]

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!

[Jim Bennett]

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!

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.

[ReagentGrade]

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!

[ruscal]

We just got a new Silverado 1500 with the max trailering package. It included the powered extendable mirrors. This is the first tug we have had with adequate mirrors! The two position option while driving is nice. You can select the narrow position if needed to clear brush or heavy traffic areas. The power folding is nice for in shopping center parking slots or for letting motorcyclists pass by. You can also program them to fold upon exit. They have LED reverse lights and turn indicators built in. Fancy schmancy. No more excuses for being inept at backing!
Russ

[PGDriver]

Originally Posted by ruscal

We just got a new Silverado 1500 with the max trailering package. It included the powered extendable mirrors. This is the first tug we have had with adequate mirrors! The two position option while driving is nice. You can select the narrow position if needed to clear brush or heavy traffic areas. The power folding is nice for in shopping center parking slots or for letting motorcyclists pass by. You can also program them to fold upon exit. They have LED reverse lights and turn indicators built in. Fancy schmancy. No more excuses for being inept at backing!

Russ

Russ nice truck, we have the same and love it. The NHT package with all its upgrades sure make a difference.


Cheers
Doug

[paulw]

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?

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

[smanitou]

Thanks for the input. Although our mirrors fold down I don't think they're extendable. We'll check out the additions.