Do I Need Tow Mirrors For A Travel Trailer

There are lots of extras, such as brake controllers, that you'll need to purchase to make sure you're towing your trailer legally and safely. Another required purchase is towing mirrors, which we're covering today.

With the added length of your tow truck, your existing mirrors won't offer adequate coverage, creating large blind spots. There are laws in place that make tow mirrors a necessity when you're towing a trailer because the trailer obscures what your existing side mirrors are able to see, while towing mirrors show you the entire length of your carriage.

Today we're going to cover the different kinds of towing mirrors that are on the market so you can decide which is best for you, as well as suggest a few of our favorite options.

What is a Towing Mirror?

Towing mirrors are purpose-built extendable mirrors that provide a greater range of vision from your cab. Some trucks or SUVs designed for towing come with built-in towing mirrors designed for this task, but in most cases, you'll need to upgrade your factory mirrors.

Towing mirrors come in a variety of formats allowing you the freedom to pick the one which best suits your needs.

The size of the towing mirror you're legally required to have will vary depending on the trailer you're towing. Some smaller trailers need a smaller towing mirror, while larger trailers will require a larger, full-body mirror.

Exact laws can vary from state to state, but your mirror needs to show you the full length of your load as well as the traffic behind it. Driving with no clear vision behind you can be extremely dangerous.

Is it Illegal to Tow Without Using Towing Mirrors?

We've briefly covered that laws can vary, but there are places where they tend to line up. All necessitate the use of towing mirrors, but the degree of vision they require offers a slight variation.

Generally, state laws say that your rear-view mirrors need to be able to see up to 200-300ft behind your trailer.

Typically trucks come installed with mirrors that offer this amount of towing vision, and some SUVs and large RVs also come fitted with adequate mirrors, but the longer your trailer gets, the more attention you should pay to how it impacts your visibility to ensure you're following the law of the state you're in or traveling to.

Another important thing to consider is that any incident that may occur while you're using insufficient towing mirrors will also invalidate any insurance you've got.

Types Of Towing Mirrors

So, you know you require towing mirrors, but _which _towing mirrors should you choose?

There's a variety of towing mirror options that break down into two main categories, with a few more sub-categories within those. The two main distinctions are portable and permanent mirrors.

The difference between these two is fairly self-explanatory but let's break down the differences between them.

Portable Mirrors

Portable mirrors are incredibly easy to install and are a great option for someone who isn't going to be towing a trailer all the time, as you can take them off when you don't need them.

Portable towing mirrors are easy to install and remove and come in three main forms.

Convex mirrors

These are universal fit mirrors that use adhesive to fix to the offside of your primary mirrors, extending your vision further.

Custom slip-ons

These mirrors are designed for specific models and makes, so you'll need to make sure you purchase the correct ones for your vehicle. They slide onto your current mirror and click into place.

Universal fits

Universal fit towing mirrors clip onto your existing mirrors or are mounted directly on your window and will fit any wing mirror. They can cause wear and tear if improperly fitted.

Permanent Mirrors

Permanent mirrors have a more involved installation process and are typically more expensive as they replace your current wing mirrors.

These trailer towing mirrors are the best choice for someone who is a regular RVer or who has a towing job. They also come in three main formats.

Telescopic mirrors

Sometimes known as telescoping or extendable mirrors, these are similar to standard mirrors but are generally larger and have a mounting bracket that extends to provide a greater range of vision.

Manual telescopic trailer tow mirrors need to be extended by hand, but there are powered options that can be adjusted via the touch of a button.

Powered options require being wired into the electrics of your car and often come with other features like turn signals and puddle lights. The wiring process is generally uncomplicated but, of course, much more involved than attaching portable mirrors.

LED mirrors

LED towing mirrors come with wiring as standard, so they will often telescope electronically as well as include light signals for braking and turning, providing you and other drivers a greater degree of safety.

Heated mirrors

If you really like your toys, you can get a heated towing mirror, which will come with all the light features of previous permanent mirrors but with an inbuilt heater to melt frost and snow build-up if you're driving in or to colder locations.

Folding Mirrors

These deserve an honorable mention as they come in both permanent and temporary forms and can provide greater maneuverability, especially if you're driving a larger vehicle.

They can come with all the features of a high-end permanent trailer mirror, such as heating or LED features, or as cheaper, basic temporary fixtures, but the option for folding them forwards or backward can make parking and navigating tighter spots easier than fixed position tow mirrors.

How Do I Decide Which Towing Mirror Is Best For Me?

Towing mirrors aren't a one size fits all solution, and there's plenty you need to consider when you're selecting one to fit your needs.

The key consideration is the size of your trailer. Whether you want permanent or temporary tow mirrors doesn't matter if they don't provide adequate vision around your trailer. Measure the trailer first and make sure that any mirrors you add to your shortlist let you see the entire length of your trailer. The bigger and longer your trailer is, the larger your mirror will need to be and the longer the mount.

The rule of thumb is that 1 inch of mirror generally equates to 10ft of visibility; by this logic, a combined vehicle and trailer length of 30ft will require a three-inch mirror.

You also need to take into account how often you plan on towing your trailer. If you're only going away seasonally, taking the time to remove your standard mirror to fit a tow mirror isn't necessary, though if you don't mind having larger mirrors or would even prefer the aesthetic of them as many truck and SUV drivers do, then you can, it's all a matter of personal preference.

Towing Mirror Options

Now we're going to take a look at some of the best examples of towing mirrors we've covered.

__Dometic DM-2912 Milenco Grand Aero3 Towing Mirror

These are a universal design option with a handy, straightforward clamping that accommodates all rearview mirrors. The mirror can be adjusted with a full 360 degrees allowing for a spectrum of vision, and it comes in one piece, so there's no need to fuss with assembling it, as you can attach them out of the box.

An issue with many tow mirrors is that their larger size and distance from your car can create drag and lead to them vibrating annoyingly when driving at higher speeds. The Dometic mirror has been calibrated to function effectively at high speeds and in high winds, also reducing the drag caused by larger passing vehicles.

__AERDM Telescoping Towing Mirrors

The reinforced plastic on these sturdy mirrors reduces drag and prevents vibration while driving while giving your truck a powerful, robust look.

They can telescope up to 3.75 inches out from the already generous extension they offer on your existing mirrors and also include a convex spotter glass in the bottom left corner for greater visibility.

They are, however, specifically designed for specific trucks, so be sure to check your vehicle is one that caters to this model.

__ECCPP Towing Mirrors

ECCPP provide excellent electric rearview mirror upgrades to your existing mirrors with quick, easy installation, so swapping them in is a simple process.

They come with all the trimmings we mentioned of high-end electric rearview mirrors, such as LED signal features for your brake lights and for when you're indicating an upcoming turn to fellow drivers. They also have a built-in width light that shows other cars the increased size of your vehicle, keeping you both safe.

They are power-adjustable, too, so there's no need to wind the window down to fuss with finding the best position. Heaters behind the mirrors remove rain and mist, making them safe during driving in poor weather conditions.

They are much more expensive than temporary options but considering they are a much more comprehensive, permanent solution; it's a small price to pay.

FAQs

How do I know if a tow mirror will fit my vehicle?

Almost every variety of clip-on or adhesive towing mirror will be a universal solution that will clip onto any rearview mirrors, though there are some exceptions they will always state if they don't work effectively on smoother wing mirrors.

Custom slip-on mirrors will be designed for specific models ranging between various years and will always state clearly which models they are suited to so you can make the right choice. The wiring of electronic options will also always be model specific with clear information on which model and year of vehicle they are suited to.

How far behind my trailer should I be able to see with towing mirrors?

A decent towing mirror should enable you to see a minimum of 200ft behind your trailer. As trailers tend to be higher than most cars on the road, you'll need to ensure that they are an adequate height as well as width.

Begin by setting your towing mirrors perpendicular to your vehicle and gradually adjusting them inwards as this affords you a greater distance. Do this on the left side and then move to the passenger side and repeat the process to ensure you're getting rid of any blind spots. This also allows you to comfortably check the safety of kids and passengers in the back.

Are snap-on towing mirrors reliable?

Don't be put off by the cheaper pricing on temporary snap-on towing mirror fixtures. Lots of this variety receive glowing reviews from users who only require temporary solutions for when they're towing.

If you're not technically minded and don't want to fuss with removing your current mirrors and rewiring a new set, clip-on mirrors are a great alternative. Then when you're not using them, you can remove them and keep them clean until the next time you need them.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you should understand a little more that there is plenty to consider when you're deciding what towing mirrors are right for your needs and vehicle. The market is deep, and the variety can be intimidating.

If anything, though, the takeaway from this should be that regardless of your specific needs, there will be an exact sort of tow mirror out there to suit your needs, whether you want a basic temporary option or a deluxe permanent fixture to beef up the appearance of your truck.

It's also important to ensure that whichever option you settle on that it abides by the laws in your state or the state you're taking a trip to. If you've got a big trailer, you need to make sure that rearview mirrors provide adequate vision not just to the end of it but the required amount of distance beyond.

Whichever towing mirrors you settle on, you can look forward to enjoying a more comfortable and relaxing safe experience the next time you rig up your trailer and get on the road!

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