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davidz71 · 12-23-2003, 09:31 PM

I also use the slide-on CIPA mirrors and have found them to be be just what I need. They have left fine scratches in the middle of the chrome front of the mirror housing on my 2500hd but I blame myself for not loosening the screw-in nut enough and dragging the CIPA mirror across. Sometimes they have to be readjusted after having thrown then on the floorboard of the back seat and then othertimes not. I bought mine off ebay, payed next to nothing and have been pleased with them.

Pahaska · 12-23-2003, 09:43 PM

I have a belated Xmas present coming ... a set of the TTT extending mirrors with turn signals and marker lights. I casually mentioned that my truck, bought off the lot, didn't come with extensible trailering mirrors and I was offered a set of whatever mirrors I wanted. No way I would turn that down. They will be here the 29th.

My CIPA slip-ons will be available in about a week. The slip-ons work just fine, but it will be nice to have electrical control from within the truck and the secondary convex spotting mirrors will be nice.

luckydc · 02-21-2004, 07:53 PM

I'm looking for mirrors, my first set. Are these the CIPA mirrors y'all are talking about?

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/p...32&prodID=1534

I don't see my vehicle listed. Any advice?

overlander64 · 02-22-2004, 07:51 AM

Greetings Paul!

Welcome to the Forums!

Quote:

I'm looking for mirrors, my first set. Are these the CIPA mirrors y'all are talking about?

Yes, you have found the CIPA towing mirrors that are being discussed in this thread.

Quote:

I don't see my vehicle listed. Any advice?

This is not uncommon with the Camping World on-line catalog. Try checking the regular Camping World printed catalog where your application may be listed. If not listed in the regular printed catalog, a call to one of the store's customer service counters may provide special ordering information. Another possiblity would be to check with any RV delaer who is apt to have the latest applications and ordering information.

I have used the CIPA mirrors on both my '95 K1500 Z-71 Club Cab pickup and with my '99 K2500 Suburban early in its towing career. The limited reach with the CIPA just didn't give adequate viewing area (IMHO). Shortly after purchasing the Suburban (and the CIPAs to fit its mirrors), I switched to McKesh clamp-on mirrors. I am now a McKesh fan, they are stable with excellent viewing area, and they are easy-on/easy-off with very little adjustment necessary after initial installation. The convex spot mirrors are a valuable option as well - - I have them on both mirrors and they come in quite handy as well. You can find McKesh Mirrors at:

McKesh Mirrors

Good luck with your search!

Kevin

luckydc · 02-22-2004, 08:31 AM

Thanks, Kevin.

I have an e-mail into Camping World. Also, fortunately, they have a store near me. I may follow-up with a call.

Not sure about the McKesh. The clamp-on feature has me concerned. Window operation, scratches, etc. I see a lot of issues discussed above.

Maybe I have to learn the hard way! Imagine! Start with the CIPA and then end-up with the McKesh. Well, I have not decided yet. My AS will not be ready until the end of April, so I have sometime to ponder that and a million other newbie issues!

Not having towed before, I'm not real sure what to expect sight wise from a 19'er. I have large mirrors on the Envoy that I see clear back down the road with. I guess I'm hesitent to get mirrors that are HUGE!, which the McKesh appear to be.

Oh, well. Decisons, decisions.

Thank you for your help, Kevin. You've got me thinkin' the McKesh may really are the way to go. Will have to take a look see....

uwe · 02-22-2004, 08:42 AM

The Cipa mirrors are basically ok, but it depends on the tow vehicle's OE mirrors if they perform satisfactorily.
They were useless for my former Dodge van. Loose, wiggly etc.
On the Suburban they work great, because it is a different mirror, and it sticks out far enough to see where the trailer is going and the traffic lanes next to it.
Also, vehicle width makes a difference. I never needed towing mirrors with the Dodge, while the Suburban definitely needs them.
I guess it would be best for you to simply try a set. Make sure there is an adequate return policy where you buy them.

luckydc · 02-22-2004, 08:49 AM

Thanks!

Anybody know the difference between the McKesh and the Eagle listed on CW? The Eagle appear similar, but don't appear to be rated well by users.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s...=SRCH&tcode=37

overlander64 · 02-22-2004, 09:10 AM

Greetings Paul!

A thought that might help you with your trailer towing mirror dilemma. If your Airstream dealer is as helpful as mine has always been, you might consider giving them a call. Ask if you could bring your tow vehicle in and park it in front of a similarly sized coach (width would be a bit more important than length), and see what various mirrors he might recommend - - he may even allow you to try what he has available to see what gives you the best view with your tow vehicle. You may even find that your Airstream dealer stocks CIPA as well as McKesh mirrors - - I know that I have seen both in my Airstream dealer's accessory shop.

Both of my coaches are vintage so neither approaches the width of the new wide-body Airstreams. In checking the Airstream corporate site, it appears that the specifications call for an exterior width of 8' for the Bambi which is very close to the width of my Vintage Overlander and a bit wider than my Vintage Minuet. I suspect that you will find the CIPA mirrors to be a bit short on reach with your Envoy (slightly narrower than the Suburban). The mirror surface on the McKesh is large, but there is a reason - - it is much easier to interpret what is happening with the larger view.

While there is some danger of damage to tow vehicle if the the McKesh mirrors aren't properly installed and tensioned, I have experienced absolutely no damage with mine - - in fact, I had greater damage to the finish on my factory mirrors from the CIPAs than what I have experienced with the McKesh. I have towed over 30,000 miles with the McKesh mirrors on the Suburban and am quite pleased with their durability and usefulness. One hint that I have picked up with the McKesh mirrors is that it is wise to check the tensioner at each stop - - some slack may develop - - especially when the tensioning straps are relatively new. I am following a suggestion from a long-time McKesh owner to change my tensioning straps once every five years (I am doing this at the same time that new tires go on the coach).

Kevin

luckydc · 02-22-2004, 12:50 PM

Thanks for the advise! Been millin' it around today and have decided the McKesh is the way I'm going.

Can't thank y'all enough for your voice of expereince!

luckydc · 02-22-2004, 02:24 PM

Thanks for the advise! Been millin' it around today and have decided the McKesh is the way I'm going.

Can't thank y'all enough for your voice of expereince!