I need wider mirrors
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Rusty, Maine
I need wider mirrors
Has anyone heard of a mod to make the mirrors on our trucks wider? I'd like to keep the power telescope in tact but have the mirrors about 2-3 inches wider when in the IN position. All I can find in a search is people complaining about their mirrors being too wide.
I looked at buying '14-'15 F-650-750 mirrors but I'm not sure how much wider they are and how they would look on my truck.
I found a set of fully manual F-750 mirrors on eBay but I don't want to spend $450 on manual mirrors and have them look like Dumbo.
I tow almost every mile this truck travels and when pulling a 8'6" wide trailer, the factory mirrors leave a lot in the dark.
I'm not a fan of mirrors that strap on the hood or on the outside of my mirrors either.
I looked at buying '14-'15 F-650-750 mirrors but I'm not sure how much wider they are and how they would look on my truck.
I found a set of fully manual F-750 mirrors on eBay but I don't want to spend $450 on manual mirrors and have them look like Dumbo.
I tow almost every mile this truck travels and when pulling a 8'6" wide trailer, the factory mirrors leave a lot in the dark.
I'm not a fan of mirrors that strap on the hood or on the outside of my mirrors either.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Rusty, Maine
I guess it's a matter of preference then.
When I tow in town after getting off the highway I notice the lack of sight more. If there were an Ambulance behind me with lights on I wouldn't be able to see them unless they were 4 car lengths behind me or more. Or unless they were driving in the middle of the road behind me.
Some complain about the headlights on these trucks. I find them very adequate. It's the mirrors that could be wider.
When I tow in town after getting off the highway I notice the lack of sight more. If there were an Ambulance behind me with lights on I wouldn't be able to see them unless they were 4 car lengths behind me or more. Or unless they were driving in the middle of the road behind me.
Some complain about the headlights on these trucks. I find them very adequate. It's the mirrors that could be wider.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Waco, Tx
I agree that there are times I've wished for more mirror even when driving a tractor trailer but the truth be told.. If anyone including an ambulance is so close you can't see them in the standard towing mirrors then they are following WAY TO CLOSE... There is an old saying in truck driving... If the following vehicle can't see your mirrors, then you can't see them.
If the driving public would only get that message the lives of us towing big trailer would be a lot simpler.. Well that and if the idiots would realize that these rigs can't stop on a dime like their little CUV's can..
If the driving public would only get that message the lives of us towing big trailer would be a lot simpler.. Well that and if the idiots would realize that these rigs can't stop on a dime like their little CUV's can..
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Rusty, Maine
I agree that there are times I've wished for more mirror even when driving a tractor trailer but the truth be told.. If anyone including an ambulance is so close you can't see them in the standard towing mirrors then they are following WAY TO CLOSE... There is an old saying in truck driving... If the following vehicle can't see your mirrors, then you can't see them.
I don't have an issue so much on the highway with people following, it's in town. Stop light to stop light I lose 2 or 3 cars behind me for miles at a time.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
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I think the headlights are an embarrassment on a vehicle that costs nearly $70k. They can do better, much better for very little money.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Waco, Tx
While I agree with everything you're saying (having driven tractor trailers as well) my combination is the equivalent of hauling a 53' van with and F-250. My trailer is a 48' deck and at 102" wide loads I can't see much. If my trialer were 28' long I wouldn't have as much of a problem.
I don't have an issue so much on the highway with people following, it's in town. Stop light to stop light I lose 2 or 3 cars behind me for miles at a time.
I don't have an issue so much on the highway with people following, it's in town. Stop light to stop light I lose 2 or 3 cars behind me for miles at a time.
I don't mind the OEM headlights they're plenty bright enough for me... but then I've had cataract surgery and my vision is as bright as a 15 year olds.
What I don't like is the extremely bright aftermarket lights when they aren't adjusted properly...
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
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I agree the longer the trailer to more difficult it is to see behind the trailer, especially at 102" wide.. since the extended towing mirrors are only 104 1/2" Glad mine's only 38 foot and just over 98" wide
I don't mind the OEM headlights they're plenty bright enough for me... but then I've had cataract surgery and my vision is as bright as a 15 year olds.
What I don't like is the extremely bright aftermarket lights when they aren't adjusted properly...
I don't mind the OEM headlights they're plenty bright enough for me... but then I've had cataract surgery and my vision is as bright as a 15 year olds.
What I don't like is the extremely bright aftermarket lights when they aren't adjusted properly...
They help me see a lot further then the OEM mellow yellow lights did....Was not thrilled with the install cost of $150 at my Ford dealer...in most cases I would have done it myself, but right now I don't have time to mess with it and I am leaving on a almost month long trip...
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
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My mirrors seem pretty good when towing a standard 96" wide 5th wheel.
But, when I am towing my Toy hauler at 101", I would like the mirrors to extend out at least another inch. I think 2" inches would give the sight needed to see the ends of the trailer.
Sure beats swinging the trailer to see what is behind you.
But, when I am towing my Toy hauler at 101", I would like the mirrors to extend out at least another inch. I think 2" inches would give the sight needed to see the ends of the trailer.
Sure beats swinging the trailer to see what is behind you.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Rusty, Maine
My mirrors seem pretty good when towing a standard 96" wide 5th wheel.
But, when I am towing my Toy hauler at 101", I would like the mirrors to extend out at least another inch. I think 2" inches would give the sight needed to see the ends of the trailer.
Sure beats swinging the trailer to see what is behind you.
But, when I am towing my Toy hauler at 101", I would like the mirrors to extend out at least another inch. I think 2" inches would give the sight needed to see the ends of the trailer.
Sure beats swinging the trailer to see what is behind you.
If I find a way to mod these mirrors to start 2" farther out ill post plenty of pics. The only downfall for some would be that when the mirrors are in the Retracted position they may be too wide to fit in their garage.
I can't find the thread where someone fixed their power fold gears and had a few pics posted up.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2002
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I tow a Vnose 101" x 16ft trailer and have no issues with the mirrors. I tow in downtown Boston,Interstates,rural areas. I put many thousands of miles a year with it as I use it for work. If you extend them further would it put them out past the legal width allowed? also bad enough now they almost get clipped by other vehicles and bicycles.
On these rural black woods/forest roads I live and travel on the High Beams just don't cut it.
My younger neighbor of 50 yrs hates his 2011 F250's lights...I have no idea if Ford has them at the legal output or not. I always thought the truck is so wide the beams aren't focused down the road on a tight pattern causing a not so bright result.
On these rural black woods/forest roads I live and travel on the High Beams just don't cut it.
My younger neighbor of 50 yrs hates his 2011 F250's lights...I have no idea if Ford has them at the legal output or not. I always thought the truck is so wide the beams aren't focused down the road on a tight pattern causing a not so bright result.