Okay are these MUST HAVES for you?

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Just curious.
DH just informed me he's "not driving towing the trailer to FW" unless we have these extended mirror things attached to the fender so he can see around the trailer better. So he won't have blind spots since it's such a long drive.

Okay fair enough.
Do you guys use these?
And if not- what do you use instead to be able to see without blind spots?
And if you DO use them- where in the world do you get them from? I've checked all the RV places in our town and surrounding cities even all the way to FW area- no one there carries it. I look online and can find them but the prices are pretty high EXCEPT for on ebay- which worries me about whether they'll get here in time and also i'd rather buy them at a brick and mortar store so we'll be sure it will fit! If I buy online and they arrive right before we leave- and they don't work on my vehicle... bad bad bad. One website with reasonable prices I emailed them to ask if they would fit on our vehicle since all it said was "fits most late model vehicles" and they haven't replied in 6 days. I'm running out of time here- we leave in just over 3wks.

HELP!
I also have to find a 4 to 7 pin plug adaptor because he also just informed me that MY vehicle (the one we're taking on this longer trip) doesn't have the 7pin plug like his does- that is required with our trailer. Mine is a 4- so I have to get the adaptor. Again the RV stores don't carry this? why? ugh
help help help please.

 

[becky1960]

I see you are in Texas as we are, you can find adapters at most trailer supply places as well as Tractor Supply. You may have problem going four to seven as you may not have enough wires for Electric brakes if you are pulling a larger trailer. Most trailer sales and supplies can wire them for you..

 

[BearwithMouseEars]

4 pin plugs dont have the pins for brakes . Youll need to have a 7 pin installed along side your 4 pin .

 

[stpetedisneydad]

I'm surprised your local places don't carry the mirror extentions. Camping World has them online, CLICK HERE

You didn't mention what kind of camper you have. Pop-up? travel trailer? Do you know if it has electric brakes?

 

[LONE-STAR]

Just curious.
DH just informed me he's "not driving towing the trailer to FW" unless we have these extended mirror things attached to the fender so he can see around the trailer better. So he won't have blind spots since it's such a long drive.

Okay fair enough.
Do you guys use these?
And if not- what do you use instead to be able to see without blind spots?
And if you DO use them- where in the world do you get them from? I've checked all the RV places in our town and surrounding cities even all the way to FW area- no one there carries it. I look online and can find them but the prices are pretty high EXCEPT for on ebay- which worries me about whether they'll get here in time and also i'd rather buy them at a brick and mortar store so we'll be sure it will fit! If I buy online and they arrive right before we leave- and they don't work on my vehicle... bad bad bad. One website with reasonable prices I emailed them to ask if they would fit on our vehicle since all it said was "fits most late model vehicles" and they haven't replied in 6 days. I'm running out of time here- we leave in just over 3wks.

HELP!
I also have to find a 4 to 7 pin plug adaptor because he also just informed me that MY vehicle (the one we're taking on this longer trip) doesn't have the 7pin plug like his does- that is required with our trailer. Mine is a 4- so I have to get the adaptor. Again the RV stores don't carry this? why? ugh
help help help please.

What kind of vehicle are you using and what size trailer are you pulling?

 

[LONE-STAR]

I like these. http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/product/cipa-extendable-towing-mirror/3410

 

[medic9016]

Etrailer.com They have the mirrors you are looking for, they are $39. There are different styles that cost less. There is not a 4 pin to 7 pin adapter. The above post is correct you will have to get a 7 pin female plug installed on your tow vehicle.

 

[medic9016]

Also since your current tow vehicle does not have a seven pin already, you may need an electric brake controller depending on the size and what kind of trailer you are towing.

 

[Elliott]

As to your original question....

I pull a 30 ft Jay Feather (lightweight but full size) with an F-150 supercrew without any mirror extensions and I haven’t had any trouble. I rotate the mirrors to look down the side of my camper and I can see anything coming up beside me on either side for as far away as I would need to. I can't see directly behind my trailer so that is technically a blind spot, but I can't see directly behind my truck if the trailer isn't there so no big deal! Now if you have a tow vehicle that is significantly narrower than your trailer, the mirrors may be a necessity.

 

[auntie]

We use the extendable towing mirrors..but I haven't heard of anything that attaches to the fender. Are you sure you've got that right?

 

[stpetedisneydad]

My dad always used the fender mount mirrors when he towed his trailers. He swore by them. The fact that they were mounted on the fenders meant he only had to glance slightly to the side to view them, felt that was safer. I also recall him saying that the law required you to be able to view a central point 100 feet behind the trailer with both mirrors, I have no idea if there is any truth to that, that was 30 years ago and in New York state. If you Google "fender mount towing mirrors" you'll get a ton of hits including this set on Craigslist.

 

[SCCamper]

When I pulled my campers with my F-150, I used the strap on mirror extenders from camping world. They worked pretty well. My F-250 Super Duty's mirrors extend when I need them, so I know longer need the extensions. I'd be more than happy to give them to you if you'd pay the postage. If interested, I can provide a link to Camping World with a description. If your TT has brakes, I'd highly recommend a brake controller. As was previously stated, you will need to upgrade your wiring.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks for all the info everyone!

Okay first off we haven't really travelled super far while towing the trailer before-maybe a couple hours drive to camping sites around these parts. We usually use his Suburban to do so... this time I would prefer to use my vehicle (it is for a variety of reasons- mine is newer, more reliable for long distance travel, not to mention also more comfortable for everyone involved AND more packing space since in his suburban we can't put the back row down since his has captain chairs so the 3rd kids has to go in the back- in my vehicle the entire back can go down since I have seating for 9, not seating for 8 like his vehicle- so no kid has to go in the back row).

I didn't know it would cause a lot of problems. My vehicle is 2004 Expedition Eddie Bauer. It's just as wide and big as his vehicle. I'm not sure how much the trailer sticks out from it but it can't be a whole whole lot -same as with the surburban, KWIM?
He's never mentioned even needing these before- not a word in all the times we've towed the vehicle... but with EITHER vehicle now he's saying he'd rather not drive that far without the extra mirrors.

In looking around I thought the mirror extensions would be easier/etc.- but he doesn't think that will help him see in the "blind spot" as well as the fender mount ones. Then I had difficulties trying to find them but I was only looking at RV places around here- I hadn't tried the Tractor Supply! Even in my little town we have a Tractor Supply- this is Texas after all. LOL I'll check there tomorrow!

I'm concerned about the comments about the 4 to 7 pin won't work. Why do they show them online to purchase if they don't exist? Does it make a difference if it's 5 to 7? Maybe I'm remembering it wrong. But OMG if it's a 4pin- how in the world are we gonna get this changed in time and how much is that gonna cost? and why did DH act like it was no big deal to get the adaptor- wouldn't he know that won't work? Maybe our TT doesn't have brakes? all he mentioned was I HAD to have the adaptor or the lights won't work on the TT and we can't just go without it attached and no lights- obviously since we do plan on travelling when it's dark sometimes- we're not just travelling in daylight plus you need brake lights anyway. I think he mentioned the brake LIGHTS but didn't mention actual brakes on the trailer.

All I THINK I know about the trailer is that it's a 27ft (I think? maybe 28) Nomad Lite... not a new model. We bought it used (couple years I think) about 6-7 years ago. I'd have to go dig out the registration and such to find the year if that's needed. Anyone have a clue if that has brakes? LOL

Dh said the trailer is like 8ft wide.. IDK how wide our vehicles are but if that gives you any idea. like I said -he's never ever even mentioned any blind spot or needing bigger mirrors until NOW saying he'd rather not drive with the blind spot on so much highway such a long distance. He tells me NOW that basically in the past he's just "hoped" there wasn't a vehicle there whenever he moved over lanes scared1: nice to know that now DH!) but the shorter distances he just dealed with it without saying a word to me... but the longer trip he'd rather not chance that.

ugh I really REALLY don't want to go in his vehicle. It smells like oil and grease (yeah he drives home every day without taking a shower and putting oily rags and crap in there), and generally not as comfortable for a long trip (for all us passengers- including no dvd/etc. for the kids) and then the biggest issue is that we can't use the back space since with all of us in the vehicle we can't put down the back seat to have space back there for luggage/etc. No we cannot cram everything in the trailer. I don't want to spend 2 days unpacking it all once we get there. LOL We can pack camping stuff/food/bikes/etc in there but I'd prefer to have our camping trip AND cruise luggage in the vehicle with us. Just personal preference on that. I really really hope we don't have to go in his vehicle all because of this plug issue. Is it something that is really costly and time consuming to get done- if we have to get a new plug put in completely? I really don't know if I want to spend a bunch since it's likely this is the only trip- atleast for a long time- that we'd use my vehicle to tow the trailer. The next time we'd do that would be a future FW trip and I don't know when that will be but it's LIKELY it won't be for years... we have a cruise planned for 2010 that we can't drive (TA repo) and hoping to be on new ship in 2011... so that might be the earliest we'd drive but if we end up taking the Wonder repo to Ca- no driving that time either. So potentially we're looking at maybe 2012 before we'd tow with my vehicle again to stay at the fort... so it's not really a cost I want to incur right now unless it's not that expensive? I'll have to ask DH if that's something he can do himself... probably but I'll have to ask to make sure.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

When I pulled my campers with my F-150, I used the strap on mirror extenders from camping world. They worked pretty well. My F-250 Super Duty's mirrors extend when I need them, so I know longer need the extensions. I'd be more than happy to give them to you if you'd pay the postage. If interested, I can provide a link to Camping World with a description. If your TT has brakes, I'd highly recommend a brake controller. As was previously stated, you will need to upgrade your wiring.

Wow, how sweet! Are you talking about the fender mount mirrors my DH wants?
How much do you think shipping would be? LMk and thanks!!!!!!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

My dad always used the fender mount mirrors when he towed his trailers. He swore by them. The fact that they were mounted on the fenders meant he only had to glance slightly to the side to view them, felt that was safer. I also recall him saying that the law required you to be able to view a central point 100 feet behind the trailer with both mirrors, I have no idea if there is any truth to that, that was 30 years ago and in New York state. If you Google "fender mount towing mirrors" you'll get a ton of hits including this set on Craigslist.

Do those darn fender mount mirrors damage the car in any way? Just curious. I told Jeff they better NOT scratch up my vehicle or something. LOL

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I'm surprised your local places don't carry the mirror extentions. Camping World has them online, CLICK HERE

You didn't mention what kind of camper you have. Pop-up? travel trailer? Do you know if it has electric brakes?

I tried to talk him into mirror extensions -even MADE him get in the vehicle and me hold up a big hand mirror up against/outside of the existing rear view mirrors to show him that would "work" to see better but he insists it still doesn't help with the blind spot he's worried about (seeing if other vehicles are there when he changes lanes on highway/etc.). Darn hardheaded man of mine! Maybe I should have done the "looking" and have HIM hold the mirror up there for me to see thru. LOL

I posted again about what kind of trailer just now.Does that help? (don't know if it has electric brakes- will ask tomorrow though!)
I think, I'm not positive but I THINK, Jeff probably would have mentioned needing brakes unless he thought the plug adaptor would somehow take care of that? All he mentioned was we have to have it so the lights on the trailer will work. That's all he said. I'll ask him tomorrow about this.

I'm a little peeved that his vehicle has the right plug and mine doesn't. I'm gonna ask him if that's something we had put on his vehicle when we bought the trailer- it's possible. I mean his vehicle is 4yrs older than mine- why doesn't MINE have the right type of plug already? LOL

 

[stpetedisneydad]

If your trailer is 27ft then it has brakes and you will need a 7 pin plug installed on your vehicle and a brake controller. You don't want to drive that far on highways without the trailer brakes, NOT SAFE!!! The fender mount mirrors have a protective coating on the contact points to avoid scratches.

 

[des1954]

I can only chime in regarding the mirrors. Get whatever will give you the most visibility - even if they might put a scratch in the paint. A little touch up paint is cheaper than a crunched vehicle & TT.

 

[papopup]

Does your Expy. have the tow package ? If it came with only a 4 pin plug I would think it doesn't. If your trailer is in the 27-28 foot range you will need a brake controller for the electric brakes on the TT.I use McKesh mirrors on our Expy and recommend them highly. Get your trailers weight and length and drive your Expy to a Ford dealer and ask them if your Expy. can tow your trailer. Good luck

 

[stacktester]

Are you sure he wants to go on this trip? Wow, what a lot of fussing over a blind spot. I recently bought the slip over existing mirror extensions from CW and I can see fine around my 31' 5'er. I can see the sides of my trailer and behind it.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/cipa-slip-on-tow-mirrors/7753d

You have at least one axle with brakes. Uhaul or any place that installs hitches and what not can put in a brake controller for you. Most vehicles already have the wiring harness under the dash. It's usually tucked underneath the brake pedal. Whether or not the harness has the wires by the bumper I'm not sure. I use a Drawtite digital controller. I bought it in 04 and it's worked fine. Good luck with Mr blind spot lol.