Towing Mirrors?

[biskit]

We will soon be ordering and towing a small travel trailer (Jayco JayFeather Sport 199).

Some on the board have mentioned not to even consider add-on auxillary mirrors (the type that mount on existing vehicle mirrors), as they will jiggle, vibrate, and disappoint, but we should be looking at only body mounted mirrors.

Other have said add-on mirrors are just fine.

What do YOU recommend? Do you have any pics or links you can share?

Thanks!

Chuck(ie)

 

[leftyrb]

I tried several types and found the 'Tow'n' See' about the best. They use a suction cup mount to attach to the existing mirror surface, so you can adjust the trailer mirror from the electric mirror controls. I never noticed an obvious shake, and they have a loop that goes over the factory mirror in case the suction lets go. A problem with the 4Runner is that it is narrow and even with extension mirrors, it may not be possible to see well behind the trailer. Others may use the McKesh mirrors, and I am sure someone will post a reply.

We generally use the Chev Avalanche for towing the 25 foot travel trailer and use the CIPA mirrors that fit over the factory mirrors. I wish they were available for our vehicles

 

[racedirt1]

I have the cheap ones that attach with rubber straps around the mirror. They work fine, no problems. I have used them often and never had any problem.

 

[drodvold]

I also use the Tow-N-See with no problems. My only complaint is that I wish they stuck out another couple inches. I have a 26' travel trailer (8' wide), and the Tow-N-See mirrors just barely stick out far enough to be effective. I use them on both sides. They are pretty inexpensive, and available on ebay.

If you do get them, I HIGHLY recommend getting the convex models. I tried the flat ones first, and I found them very difficult to get angled correctly.

 

[drodvold]

Here is a picture of the Tow-N-Sees on my T4R.

 

[drodvold]

And another...

 

[charlier180]

I have tried the CIPA mirrors that strap onto the stock 4Runner mirrors.
My enclosed car trailer is 8.5 feet wide and the CIPA mirrors did not give me the view I was looking for when towing.

After trying the CIPA mirrors I purchased a set of McKesh Mirrors. The McKesh Mirrors are adjustable in a number of different ways.
I purchased the optional convex mirrors as well. With the standard McKesh mirrors, the optional convex mirrors and the stock 4Runner
mirrors I have a MUCH BETTER view when towing. Yes, that is a total of three mirrors on each side but the view they give is well worth it to me.

More information about McKesh Mirrors can be found at: http://www.hensleymfg.com/mckeshmirrors.html

Not the best photo of my rig with the McKesh Mirrors but it gives you an idea.....

 

[hwheeler]

I've used the CIPA strap on mirrors (the kind that actually fit over the mirror are not made for the 4Runner) and they work Okay, but I now have the McKesh and there's no comparison. The McKesh are rock solid and very adjustable.

 

[JungleJim]

leftyrb and drodvold,

I like the looks of the Tow-N-See mirrors, but I have a question. Do you feel they put stress on the existing mirrors? At high speed, it seems like they would put too much stress on the 4Runner's mirrors.


charlier180,

How do the McKesh Mirrors attach? It looks like they have straps, which might scratch the paint? Is it possible to overtighten and dent the door?

 

[charlier180]

charlier180,

How do the McKesh Mirrors attach? It looks like they have straps, which might scratch the paint? Is it possible to overtighten and dent the door?

The bottom of the strap has a metal bracket-like hook.
When I first got the McKesh Mirrors I bent this bracket slightly so that it fit the bottom of the door better and does not scratch or dig into the door sill.
When mounting the mirrors it is VERY IMPORTANT that you position the metal bracket properly. If you do not do this, it is possible to scratch the bottom
of the door or door sill or crack the plastic cladding on the bottom of the door.

The part of the mirror assembly that touches the side of the door is padded so denting the door is not an issue.
It is kind of hard to overtighten the straps. The mechanism that tightens the strap is a gear like setup with teeth that click and stop.

To prevent scratches on the bottom of the door and door sill I use blue painter's tape on the door sill and the metal bracket.

After 3+ years of using the McKesh mirrors the straps have not scratched or scuffed the paint on the doors.
I do have a few scratches on the door sill from the metal bracket because I was not careful when mounting the mirrors (see above).

FYI, these mirrors do come with a 1 year warranty. One of my mirrors started to get cloudy (lost it reflective property) after about 10 or 11 months.
The defective mirror was replaced under warranty without a hassle. The original mirror and the replacement mirror have held up fine ever since.

 

[drodvold]

With the Tow-N-See mirrors, on a couple of occasions, as an oncoming semi went by on a narrow two-lane highway (relative closing velocity ~130MPH), the driver's side mirror "ratcheted" back a bit. If you put too much pressure on the edge of the mirror, it is built to "click" into a new position - no damage sustained. I just used the remote mirror control to adjust it back into position. The mirror stayed put, never came loose.

The only time the mirror has come loose unexpectedly is when I slammed the door too hard with the mirror attached.

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

Anyone tried the K Source mirrors sold by trailer? Look pretty rugged and are well reviewed - not sure if the would fir the T4R's mirrors, though.

K-Source Universal Towing Mirror - Clip On K Source Mirrors KS3891

 

[CXS]

I guess I have to be the one who didn't like the Tow-N-See mirrors. I think mine either vibrated or hit the plastic edge of the stock mirror. Either way I tossed them in my junk bin and did what works best for me. I mount a 4" convex to my stock mirrors by a bolt through a hole I drilled in the outer top corner. Yeah, I drilled a hole which probably doesn't appeal to many people here. They work great!