A Good Reflection
Not satisfied with your current towing views? It might be a good time to invest in an aftermarket trailering mirror.
by Randy Scott
July 1, 2004
Towing a trailer can be a challenge. However, with the right equipment it's a challenge that
can be easily met. With the added length and width of a trailer behind your tow vehicle, there's a
lot to keep track of. Having adequate mirrors is essential. Without them, your chances of running
into trouble increase greatly. The problem is, the outside mirrors that come standard on your
vehicle aren't satisfactory for towing. The degree of vision they offer usually doesn't allow you
to see around and beside your trailer.
Fortunately, others have noticed this dilemma and addressed it. There are numerous
aftermarket mirrors available that provide the vision needed to tow safely. Most are available for
nearly all domestic trucks and SUVs. Mirrors for imports are not as readily available.
Small convex mirrors with adhesive backs that allow them to stick in the corner of existing
side mirrors are great for eliminating blind spots. These inexpensive little mirrors can be
purchased at practically any auto parts store and are handy whether you are towing or not. When it
comes specifically to towing, however, there are two basic categories of aftermarket mirrors -
portable and permanent - and within these categories are a variety of different applications.
Cipa Mirrors and Wheel Masters are two companies that make portable mirrors that can either
attach to your tow vehicle's fender or door. Both companies make mirrors that extend up to 17
inches to allow you to see better behind the trailer for backing up and monitoring rear traffic.
Both feature non-scratch mounting hardware and are easy to install and remove. Wheel Masters
provides a larger mirror (9 1/2 inches long by 6 3/4 inches wide) than Cipa (7 3/4 inches long by 5
inches wide), but it costs more. Cipa runs $60 each or $110 for a pair, while Wheel Masters costs
about $145 a pair. Both companies also offer a 5-inch convex mirror that eliminates blind spots.
These are very practical for towing but are not very aesthetic.
Another portable towing mirror, and one that is more attractive, is the type that goes over
your tow vehicle's existing mirror but extends out for better vision. The Slip-On Mirror from
Tmirror literally slips on the existing mirror but has a secondary mirror that extends beyond the
original. It costs about $65.
Cipa makes a similar slide-on product under its Custom Towing Mirror label. The glass is 4
1/2 inches by 5 inches, and the unit starts at around $45 for a pair. A storage bag is available
for $8, which keeps it from getting scratched when you're not using it. Cipa also makes a Clip-On
Towing Mirror with adjustable arms for easy installation and removal. It is available to fit on
either flat or convex existing glass mirrors and costs a mere $10 to $12. Cipa produces a more
streamlined Universal Towing Mirror that attaches to the existing mirror with the use of straps and
a tension knob. As the name implies, it can be fit to any vehicle according to the manufacturer.
The Universal Towing Mirror costs $60 a pair.
The good thing about all portable towing mirrors like those mentioned is that they can be
removed to restore the tow vehicle to its standard format. The bad thing about portable mirrors is
that they need to be installed every time you want to use them. And while headway is being made to
make them more attractive, they still have to fit around the existing mirrors and often look a bit
cumbersome. Still, the value that they bring to towing safety can't be overstated.
The permanent replacement mirrors, on the other hand, take the work out of installing and
removing each time you tow and often look more like a regular feature of the vehicle rather than an
afterthought. In addition to that, they provide some other advantages, such as power adjustment as
well as defrosters on select models.
Bestop Mirrors makes a nice-looking extendable towing mirror that replaces the vehicle's
standard mirrors. In addition to providing greater mirror area and a near panoramic view for the
driver, they feature vibration-dampening construction for a sharper image. Bestop's extendable
mirror slides on telescoping bars and will fold flat against the vehicle. The mirror is available
in three versions: manual-tilt, power-tilt and power-tilt with defrosters. Like other extendable
mirrors, Bestop's can be moved out to the desired position while towing and then retracted to
normal driving settings when not towing. Prices start around $260.
Power Vision is another maker of extendable towing mirrors. It makes a 6-way power mirror
(no manual adjustment available) with a heating option. The accordion-like mirror extends up to 5
inches (from 16 inches to 21 inches from the vehicle) and will fold on impact or when needed due to
close quarters. Mirror size is 10 1/2 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches long. The cost is $439 to $499,
including shipping.
Cipa also makes an extendable replacement towing mirror. It comes in manual or electric, and
features a reflector on its outermost edge so oncoming traffic can see how wide your vehicle is.
Deluxe models come with a defroster, a light and a turn signal built in. The turn signal alerts
other drivers to your intent on changing lanes, which is a nice safety feature. The unit is made of
telescoping arms with a swivel socket at the base so it can fold in toward the vehicle. It also
comes with a vibration-limiting feature and has a replaceable cap that can be changed to optional
chrome or special-order paint. Cipa used a wind tunnel to design the head and arms aerodynamically
to reduce drag. It costs from $325 to $425, depending on the features you choose.
Another premium replacement mirror is Schefenacker's Telescopic Trailer Tow Mirror, or
TTT-Mirror. The aerodynamic unit slides 4 inches outward and has special graduation markings on the
arm covers to help you remember optimum settings for the particular trailer being towed. It will
fold forward or rearward against the vehicle for tight access and comes in chrome as well as black
covers that can be painted to match the vehicle. It comes in either manual or electric. The manual
mirror has two mirrors, a primary flat one and a secondary wide-view spotter mirror that is
manually adjusted. The Electric and Heat model adjusts the primary mirror electrically and features
a defrost system. A third model features electric power, heat and a light. The light serves as a
turn signal and a clearance light. The TTT-Mirror ranges in cost from $400 to $550.
One of the pioneers in mirrors with built-in turn signals is Muth Mirror Systems. Its Signal
Mirror uses a high-intensity flashing chevron, or arrow, to clearly indicate to other vehicles that
you intend to turn. This is especially valuable when you have blind spots to deal with. It ranges
in price from $219 to $269, depending on whether it is heated or not. Muth also makes a nice
compact wide-angle signal mirror that will fit most vehicles' existing mirrors. It costs about
$149.
As you can "see," there is no shortage of towing mirrors available to make your towing
experience much safer, less stressful and more pleasurable.
Information Sources:
Cipa Mirrors, 888-776-6758,
www.cipamirrors.com
Wheel Masters, 800-325-9784,
www.wheelmasters.com
Tmirror, 866-454-7767,
www.tmirror.com
Bestop Mirrors, 800-845-3567,
www.bestop.com
Muth, 800-844-6616,
www.kwmuth.com
Schefenacker, 877-888-6472,
www.ttt-mirror.com