Best Towing Mirrors

Driving any oversized load is a challenge, with a steep learning curve; but using the best towing mirrors will give you that extra bit of confidence, safety and visibility. Although some drivers might view towing mirrors as not strictly necessary, it is illegal to tow a large load without using the proper mirrors specialized for your rig.

The law requires you to have additional mirrors installed when towing anything that is wider than the rear of your towing vehicle. This applies to anything you might tow with your car or truck: from trailers and caravan to a boats and horseboxes.

If you do not use towing mirrors when hauling, you can be prosecuted, get points taken off your license and your insurance might be voided in case of an accident. Worse than that, you will be endangering your safety and the safety of others by having glaring blind spots on the road behind you.

There is a mind-boggling variety of different towing mirrors on the market, so gooseneck RV and towing enthusiasts really are spoiled for choice. A perk of towing mirrors is that you can take them off and store them when you are not towing anything with your car. This not only does wonders for the aesthetics of your vehicle, but is also useful for reducing the chance of damage or theft.

An important thing to note is that all towing mirrors must comply with federal and state regulations, so be sure to buy from a retailer, as older secondhand mirrors might not be road legal. As a rule of thumb, don’t buy any mirror older than five years and you should be good to go in the eyes of the law.

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Do you want to remove your existing mirrors?

Whether you are willing to remove your existing mirrors or not will play a huge role in your decision. For those who do not want to go through the trouble of removing their stock mirrors, there are clip-on or suction models available. They effectively act as extension mirrors, and can be easily installed and removed.

Replacement mirrors, on the other hand, require you to remove your stock mirrors and install the new ones. This process might require you to go to a mechanic, especially if you decide on a model with electronic adjustment motors.

While they are more expensive and challenging to install, replacement mirrors provide more stability and security than extension options. In addition, they are far more durable than clip-on or suction mirrors.

How long is your towed vehicle?

The longer the load you are towing, the bigger your mirror needs to be. A 10-foot horsebox and a 60-foot RV pose very different rear view challenges. Your mirror needs to be large enough for you to easily see the back of your towed vehicle, in other words, there should be no blind spots.

If you have an extremely long trailer, there simply might not be a mirror big enough to work. Luckily, there is a huge choice of extendable towing mirrors on the market. These telescopic models allow you to extend your mirrors further out from your car to achieve a wider viewing angle.

On the other hand, clip-on or suction type extension mirrors can be extremely effective if you are not towing anything too long, or too far. It is also useful to consider how your towing needs might evolve and change in the future. Going with a larger mirror than you currently need can help you transition to a longer load if you want to.

Is there a custom towing mirror for your specific vehicle model?

Towing mirrors are a crucial safety feature and increase confidence and performance on the road. Unfortunately, they can be quite hard on the eyes. For those drivers looking for a stock look without having to replace their mirrors, most of the big truck manufacturers offer custom towing mirrors for specific models.

This is a mid-priced, semi-permanent solution. They usually do not require any tools for installation. These slide-on mirrors give your car a clean, sleek, factory-like look. You just need to check if a model exists for your specific vehicle.

What additional features do you need?

Towing mirrors range from the simple to the high-tech. Depending on your budget, your towing mirrors can be kitted out with all the features of a modern top-of-the-line car mirror.

Heated mirrors are ideal for those driving in cold weather, or who just want a convenient way of remove morning dew. Some dual mirrors only have a heated main mirror, so look out for this if cold weather driving is something you will be doing often.

The second additional feature is an integrated turn signal. The mirror comes with all the necessary wiring, and just hooks up to the electronics of your car like a regular mirror. Needless to say, your car needs to be fitted with mirror turn signals to begin with in order for the blinkers to work.

Last but not least, the ultimate in mirror-maneuvering convenience: your towing mirror can be fully power adjustable. Nothing changes in your car’s interior: you just use the pre-existing mirror angle controls, just like normal.

 

Type

All towing mirrors fall into one of the following categories: universal, custom or replacement towing mirrors. They vary significantly in form, function as well as price and ease of installation.

Universal Towing Mirrors

Universal mirrors are the ones that you attach onto your existing mirrors for an extended field of view. They are easy to take on and off, and are the cheapest option of the three. They do not have any of the advanced features as replacement towing mirrors.

Custom Towing Mirrors

Custom mirrors are simply slide-on extension mirrors that are custom-made for specific truck models. Not all makes and models have a customized tow mirror model, so check online or with your local car dealer. Replacement mirrors are more streamlined than universal ones, but lack the additional features of replacement models.

Replacement Towing Mirrors

For the most serious of RV drivers, there is no substitute for the replacement mirror. These models are more expensive than universal or custom models, but provide superior functionality as well as safety features like a heater and a turn signal. They are the most stable option, as they bolt right into your existing mirror infrastructure.

Dimensions

The size of your towing mirror should meet your visibility needs. Towing a compact, short trailer requires a far smaller mirror surface than towing something far wider and longer. The longer and wider your load, the larger mirror surface you will need.

Single/Double

When it comes to how many reflective surfaces you can have on your mirror, it’s either one or two. Single mirrors are just that, one piece of reflective material, just like a regular mirror.

Double towing mirrors, on the other hand, consist of one larger flat mirror and one smaller convex one, usually near the bottom or corner of the model. This additional mirror provides an extra wide field of view, so you can be sure there are no blind spots behind you.

Features

Features add additional convenience and safety to your mirror. The big ones to look out for are heated mirrors, power adjustable mirrors, telescoping mirrors, and integrated turn signals.

Telescoping Mirrors

Telescoping towing mirrors allow you to retract or extend the mirror arm length. This means you can adjust how far the mirror extends from your vehicle.

The fully extended position is used for towing the largest loads. The telescoping feature lets you return the mirrors to a normal, non-towing position when you are driving around unencumbered.

Heated Towing Mirrors

Depending on where you live, and what destinations you will be driving to, heated mirrors may or may not be a must-have feature. They are lifesavers in cold climates, as they melt any ice that has formed on your mirrors, and prevents further ice build-up and fogging.

If you do not plan to drive in extremely cold weather, the heating function might not need to be utilized at all. A rule of thumb is, if you already use the heating function of your existing mirrors, get a heated towing mirror. It is important to note that most dual models only heat the main mirror.

Integrated Turn Signal

Changing your existing mirrors with replacement towing models does not mean you will lose the integrated turn signal feature. There are many models with integrated turn signals that will give you increased visibility and provide a safer driving experience.

Power Adjustable

Towing mirrors that are power adjustable let you electrically modify the angle of your main mirror. If your vehicle is pre-equipped with power adjustable mirrors, you can continue using this feature with your replacement mirrors.

 

Can I go through a car wash with my trailer mirrors?

If you have installed replacement mirrors, it is not a problem to go through a car wash with them, as they behave exactly like your stock mirrors. On the other hand, if you have clip-on or another type of temporary trailer mirrors, it is best to remove them when going through any car wash, to avoid damage.

I don’t want to remove my existing mirrors, what should I do?

There are plenty of solutions available for people who want to keep their original truck mirrors. They all work on the same basic principle: an additional mirror surface is attached to your stock mirrors. How they are actually secured to your mirrors is what sets them apart.

These universal mirrors can be attached using straps, clamps and suction cups. An alternative to these universal towing mirrors is a custom tow mirror.

Check with your truck manufacturer to see if there is a custom tow mirror available for your model of vehicle. If there is, it just slips on to your stock mirrors and you are good to go.

Can I control my replacement towing mirrors from inside my vehicle?

Electronic replacement towing mirrors are designed to hook up directly to your existing car electronic circuit. This means that you can still use all the handy mirror control options you are used to, like adjusting the angle and turning the mirror heating on and off.

Be advised that most replacement towing mirrors do not have an electronic fold in function, so you will have to fold the mirrors towards your vehicle manually. As the mirrors are quite large, this feature is likely left out because of safety reasons.

Blinkers are another feature that is available on replacement towing mirrors. It is hooked up to your blinkers, and activating the mirror blinkers does wonders for maximizing your visibility on the road.

Will a universal towing mirror damage my existing one?

Universal towing mirrors clip or strap onto your truck mirrors, so it is important to pay attention to the contact points. Most models have special padded sections to make sure you avoid any damage to your paint job. Watching for early signs of wear and tear is a good way to avoid scratches and damage down the line.

How do I maintain my towing mirror?

Towing mirrors are an important safety feature of your car, so keeping them clean is not only an aesthetic issue but also one of safety. Wash with soapy water and you are good to go. Dirt build up, especially on universal mirrors, can be abrasive to your car’s paint job over time.

Make sure to replace your mirror surfaces if they crack or incur some other form of damage that compromises rear-view visibility. Many manufacturers offer replacement mirrors, so it is a good idea to check with them first.

How complicated is the wiring?

The ideal situation when it comes to wiring is that your replacement towing mirrors plug right into your vehicle, and they are ready to use. However, this is often not the case. If you do not have a clear cut plug and play situation, things can get a bit complicated and frustrating.

Rewiring can be a simple DIY task, and there are a lot of instructional videos available online. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that there will be one for your exact mirror and specific vehicle model.

If you are an old hand at electronics, you could modify your unit by adding pins and wires to the factory side of the connection, i.e. to your truck’s wiring. If you are not sure you can do this successfully, your best bet is to have it done by a certified mechanic and not risk making a mess of things and voiding your warranty.

How do I replace my blinker bulb?

Most blinker bulbs on replacement trailer mirrors are LED, so they should last you a very long time. When they do burn out, you will have to replace them, and the best mirror manufacturers have done their best to make this process simple and easy.

In most models, a strong flat tool is all you will need to snap the blinker out. This can be an upholstery tool, a wide flat head screwdriver or even a sturdy kitchen knife. You then just replace the bulb and snap the blinker back in by hand.