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Maryjoe1 · 08-31-2018, 03:33 PM

I drive a 2014 Chevy Silverado would I need to change my side mirrors out to towing mirrors to pull a 25’ airstream?

**moosetags** · 08-31-2018, 03:56 PM

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. As to your question, I don't think that you would need to spend the small fortune that it would take to change out your OEM mirrors.

We have two tow vehicles. One is a 2018 Silverado with the pull out tow mirrors. They work really well and I like them. Our other tow vehicle is a 2005 Suburban. We have been towing a 25FB with it for twelve years. The Suburban has the standard rear view mirrors.

We use the tow mirrors that attach to your standard mirror glass. They have worked very for us for many years. They adjust by moving your OEM mirrors. They are easy to attach and to take off. They are reasonably priced and are available at Wal-Mart. I am as comfortable towing with these mirrors as I am with the pull-out mirrors on the Silverado.

Here are a couple of pictures of ours on the Suburban. I have two of these mirrors, but I usually only use the one on the driver's side. I don't find that one on the passenger side is particularly useful.

Brian

Wayne&Sam · 08-31-2018, 07:28 PM

Or just get a rear view camera. No blind spots. And it will work in any vehicle you use.

StreaminGeo · 08-31-2018, 07:47 PM

We use Cipa mirrors on our 2016 Tundra. Easy on and off. They make them to fit just about any rig.

LBelle · 09-01-2018, 07:38 AM

We also use CIPA ("Custom Towing Mirror Sleeve") mirrors on our F-150 and like them for use with our 19' Bambi. And as StreamingGo said easy on/off and there are models for specific TV's by model and year. Decent price - $60 for ours.

wsrb · 09-01-2018, 09:18 AM

I purchased add on mirrors for our F-150. Frankly, find them distracting and it works fine without them.

farafield · 09-01-2018, 09:46 AM

Hi and welcome!

I got these for my F-150 and Sport 16. They seemed to be recommended by several folks.

Dometic DM-2912 Milenco Grand Aero3 Towing Mirror - Twin Pack

They were pretty easy to put on/take off, wiggle around a bit while driving and cut down on visibility out driver side window (so take the time to double check what's out there) but they do add to visibility behind. They take a little getting used to if you're used to using your sideview mirrors.

SafariSarah · 09-01-2018, 11:01 AM

I used a slide-on type extended mirror to haul a horse trailer as well as the Airstream with my GMC truck. The extended mirror adjusted separately from the OEM mirror, which I found handy. I would adjust the OEM mirrors for a side/blind-spot view (what's coming behind and beside me in the adjacent lane - both sides) and the extended mirror for a rear view of my lane.

fotoman1527 · 09-01-2018, 12:42 PM

I tow a 27-foot Airstream begind a Chevy Silverado. We have the OEM extendable sideview mirrors, and I highly recommend them to anyone contemplating how to equip their tv. They make a big difference vis a vis the side view mirrors not extended.

I wanted to respectfully disagree with the commentator who advised just getting a rear view camera. We have a Garmin GPS which displays the feed from a rear view camera, so that while driving we have a constant view of what is behind our A/S. This view supplements, but does not replace the side views. I am not a fan of this Garmin product: expensive; image quality not great; not reliable. Good luck!

Daquenzer · 09-01-2018, 01:23 PM

I have slip on mirrors for my F150. Also have Bliss system that shoots the length of the trailer. The mirrors work fine. I just keep them on because they look pretty well. But I also have a rear view Voyager Camera. Actually with the rear view voyager camera the regular mirrors pretty much do the job as well.

ShinyPete · 09-01-2018, 01:30 PM

Maryjoe1-

Like farafield, we also have the Milenco add-on mirrors attached to our standard 2015 F150 mirrors when towing our Airstream. They work great for us (they are the regular size, not Grand), don't wiggle at all, and are a big improvement in visibility.....

Hope this helps.

tvketchum · 09-01-2018, 03:45 PM

We went and spent the money for Ford tow mirrors on our F150 as after the sale items, along with the Ford integrated brake controller. The mirrors are manual extend/retract, offer more surface area of reflective image, and, have larger blind spot mirrors than the OEM mirrors. A plus also is the passenger side mirror is not as severely convex as the OEM, as the separate blind spot mirror provides this function. The OEM features of heated glass, turn signals and remote adjustment were retained in the tow mirrors, and added the puddle lights. We did lose the auto darken feature of the OEM, but when towing, your trailer blocks the light from the vehicle behind anyway, so that is minor.

Overstreet · 09-01-2018, 09:24 PM

It kinda depends upon the mirrors you have on your truck.

My former Silverado had the standard mirrors and I had "strap on" extenders. But sometimes I'd take off without the other mirrors installed. It worked. You need the drivers side more than the passenger side. But then again there are those guys that would drive on the breakdown lane to pass you.

Review cameras on the trailer are nice for checking on the bicycles but don't do anything for traffic in adjacent lanes next to the trailer and tow. Like those little sports that speed up to cut you off when you try to change lanes. It's also a little unnerving watching the road go away from you on the screen.

demijac · 09-02-2018, 08:27 AM

We are on the road with our Airstream 9 to 10 months a year. We pull a 27FB with a Tundra using the standard side mirrors. We have never felt the need to attach additional side mirrors and do not see what 'additional vision capability' value would be achieved by doing so.

Hope this helps!

Daquenzer · 09-02-2018, 09:19 AM

My rear view camera is like looking out my rear view mirror. I can see traffic coming up behind me and to the side.

Goonies · 09-06-2018, 09:54 AM

I looked into putting the camper mirrors on my 2015 Silverado 1500 and found that it wasn’t an option for my model. I learned that the door doesn’t have the same structure as the 2500 and at higher speeds the mirrors could fold back, damaging the door. I went with the Cipa slip on and they work well at a much better price.

Colossus · 09-16-2018, 06:34 AM

My TV is a 2016 Silverado 2500HD High country. I tow a 27 TB and I also have a 23D that I have towed for a year with factory non extendable tow mirrors. Both AS have rear vision cameras.
I switched my factory mirrors for manual extendable tow mirrors in July. My only regret is I didn’t do it sooner.
The new mirrors eliminates blind spots and aide in parking visibility as well.
Aesthetically I like the way they look on my Chevy.
You can drive just fine without the tow mirrors, just an added comfort and safety peace of mind when you take precautions to eliminate risk.

GMFL · 09-16-2018, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goonies

I looked into putting the camper mirrors on my 2015 Silverado 1500 and found that it wasn’t an option for my model. I learned that the door doesn’t have the same structure as the 2500 and at higher speeds the mirrors could fold back, damaging the door. I went with the Cipa slip on and they work well at a much better price.

I added factory towing mirrors to my 2015 1500 Silverado high country. Ordered them from GM dealership. They were not cheap at about $800 but bolted up perfect. The only feature they did not have was Auto Fold. Everything else worked the same.
I now own a 2016 2500 that came from the factory with tow mirrors. I have been in the doors of that one and the mirror mounts are the same.
So the only draw back I could see to adding tow mirrors to a 1500 would be the cost of the mirrors.

uraljohn · 09-16-2018, 08:24 AM

Check online for aftermarket towing mirrors that look and perform just like a factory towing mirror. They are available at much less cost than going to Ford or GM for OEM parts. Example....I have a 2013 Ford E150 XLT Premium van that I purchased used. It does have the factory Max Tow Pkg. However, in Fords infinite wisdom, the tow mirrors are a separate option which my van did not have. Sooooo…I looked at adding factory tow mirrors, about $500.00. A bit of research on Ebay and Amazon got me a pair of OEM style tow mirrors for $179.00. Yep, made in China of course. But very nice quality, power features works perfect, and bolted right up in less than 30 minutes per door. Huge improvement and makes rear view much better and safer. I drive professionally for a living with over 1.5 MILLION miles at the wheel of an 18 wheeler. There is no substitute for proper rear vision mirrors. I bet a bit of research will score you a set of proper mirrors. Just MHO.

P.S If anyone out there is considering a Colorado/Canyon for a tow vehicle, a factory tow mirror option is not offered by GM. There is a company called "CLEARVIEW" that makes a fantastic towing mirror for these trucks. If you tow anything with these you need a towing mirror as the bodystyle is narrow. Great product.

Llittle54 · 09-16-2018, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uraljohn

Check online for aftermarket towing mirrors that look and perform just like a factory towing mirror. They are available at much less cost than going to Ford or GM for OEM parts. Example....I have a 2013 Ford E150 XLT Premium van that I purchased used. It does have the factory Max Tow Pkg. However, in Fords infinite wisdom, the tow mirrors are a separate option which my van did not have. Sooooo…I looked at adding factory tow mirrors, about $500.00. A bit of research on Ebay and Amazon got me a pair of OEM style tow mirrors for $179.00. Yep, made in China of course. But very nice quality, power features works perfect, and bolted right up in less than 30 minutes per door. Huge improvement and makes rear view much better and safer. I drive professionally for a living with over 1.5 MILLION miles at the wheel of an 18 wheeler. There is no substitute for proper rear vision mirrors. I bet a bit of research will score you a set of proper mirrors. Just MHO.

P.S If anyone out there is considering a Colorado/Canyon for a tow vehicle, a factory tow mirror option is not offered by GM. There is a company called "CLEARVIEW" that makes a fantastic towing mirror for these trucks. If you tow anything with these you need a towing mirror as the bodystyle is narrow. Great product.

I got a pair of these (except the ones for my 2018 F150)
http://syppo.com/14-17-silverado-sie...p-lamp-chrome/ and couldn’t be happier. They work perfectly. Even the heat. These are manual extend but that’s fine by me. I saw one YouTube review that a guy didn’t like them and returned. He said they vibrate too much. There are 4 connector screws and I wonder if he only found 2. Mine are great and were super cheap. Do it again in a heartbeat.