Standard Mirrors on a 2011 F150 enough?

[m.hony]

I got some extending towing mirrors just like the factory ones, but aftermarket less than half the price. They were $115 each from Discount Auto Mirrors online. The towing mirrors from Toyota were $265 each. The ones I got aftermarket look factory. I can't tell the difference. They are heated and power adjusted and have turn signals in them. They are extended manually. Even with the tow mirrors extended the awning arm keeps me from seeing as well as I would like to on the curb side. I see better on the driver's side- no awning arm. I stumbled across their website ordering 14 pairs of extending towing mirrors for (14) 2011 Ford Econoline vans we bought used in December 2011.

[HeadWest]

I have a 2013 F150 with max tow with the big mirrors. They are power fold and power extend on my truck. My son has a very similar F150 except without max tow and it has the standard mirrors. When I first started driving the truck this spring, I really disliked the large mirrors because they create such large forward blind spots, especially for shorter drivers. However, with going back and forth between my truck with them and my son's without, I really have come to appreciate the larger mirrors and especially the convex portions on each side. The extended position is nice but honestly I don't feel it makes a huge difference. I'm still not going to see much behind an 8'6" wide 28' long trailer.

[Goal15]

If gour decide to iser CIPAs, a word of caution. If you are camped for a few days, consider taking at least the drivers side mirror off when not towing. I had an unfortunate run in a year ago with a F-250 with his tow mirrors extended on a very dark an curvy park road. Two lessons learned: get factory tow mirrors that slide in, slow down on park roads after dark, 10 mph instead of 20

[Mike91208]

Originally Posted by 911Patriot

(CIPA 11800 Ford F-150 Custom Towing Mirror - Pair
Best price I was able to find was at Amazon. They are perfectly fitted to the original mirrors, no vibration and easy to adjust. They stay adjusted once set and can easily be removed and reinstalled without having to readjust the mirrors.)

Thank you for doing the investigating on this and leading us to the source for purchase. I just purchased them!
Attachment 202997

I used these with another vehicle and they work great. However, mine did not come with instructions (I doubt any do) and there is a LEFT and RIGHT mirror. If you look closely it is stamped in the plastic. These must be on the left and right side of the vehicle or they won't fit correctly. As I recall the left is the driver's side.

[Aviator]

We replaced the factory stock mirrors with the Ford F150 Tow mirrors (they didn't come on the truck originally) Mine are not power extending nor folding. Both are manual operations. However, the bolt holes line up exactly with the original mirror, and the wiring harness uses the same plug as well. The visibility is much better with the tow mirrors, than the smaller original ones. The tow mirrors also are two part with an upper flat mirror and a lower convex mirror which eliminates blind spots beside the truck/trailer

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Mike91208

I used these with another vehicle and they work great. However, mine did not come with instructions (I doubt any do) and there is a LEFT and RIGHT mirror. If you look closely it is stamped in the plastic. These must be on the left and right side of the vehicle or they won't fit correctly. As I recall the left is the driver's side.

On the F150, I don't think you can even put them on the wrong way. They come individually boxed (at least mine did) and the box is clearly marked left or right. The F150 mirrors themselves are readily identifiable left vs right by shape and by having the printing on the mirror right-side-up, but the little curved parts that hug the inner edge of the mirror cap and into which the set-screws tighten are marked with an L or R, because they're nearly indistinguishable. They seem like they'd be easy to lose, as well, but I leave the mirrors in the Argosy when they're not on the truck and so far I haven't lost the little parts.

[JDS]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

John,
MILENCO GRAND AERO TOWING MIRROR



They have larger mirrors than the Aero 2. I found them on Amazon and placed my order. They will be here tomorrow in time for my trip on Wednesday.

Hi Michael,

They do look good - hope they work for you.

John S.

[switz]

I used the McKesh strap on mirrors on the Mercedes when initially towing the 25FB home and they were a challenge to get setup properly, but at least I could see around the trailer.

Mirrors & Accessories

[Wanna EB]

I really appreciate the help. It sounds like a self install is not too big of a deal. Also, it is good to know that the factory mirrors are power folding.

THanks very much.

[slowmover]

ORA Products

The best tow mirrors will also have a LARGE convex mirror for lane changes. Lack of same, or too small in size, is crippling.

For this alone, the McKesh or EAGLE is likely the best choice for ease of purchase and use.