Posted 2007-01-23 9:22 AM (#54322) Subject: towing mirrors
Member
Posts: 23
Anyone know what is the best tow mirrors for a 07 Dodge Ram? The little mirrors they supply with the round sticker on the top don't work at all for a long trailer.
Posted 2007-01-23 10:46 AM (#54325 - in reply to #54322) Subject: RE: towing mirrors
Member
Posts: 23
I'm not sure if they are the factory tow mirrors. It seems to me that they should be extended out further in order to see the trailer properly. I'll ask the dealer. The truck is the 07 TRX 3500 dodge 5.9 l. diesel.
Posted 2007-01-23 11:01 AM (#54327 - in reply to #54325) Subject: RE: towing mirrors
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
Are you sure you have the mirrors adjusted correctly? Many people have them veiwing way too much of the tow vehicle, in other words, they are turned in toward the truck's sides too much.
Posted 2007-01-23 11:11 AM (#54328 - in reply to #54322) Subject: RE: towing mirrors
Member
Posts: 23
Thanks, maybe that's the problem. I just got a new trailer and it's quite different than my last one (3 H. gooseneck with lq as opposed to 2 H straight haul) so haven't got used to hauling it yet. I'll check out the adjustment.
Posted 2007-01-23 11:18 AM (#54330 - in reply to #54325) Subject: RE: towing mirrors
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
Originally written by cttwdfm on 2007-01-23 2:46 PM
I'm not sure if they are the factory tow mirrors. It seems to me that they should be extended out further in order to see the trailer properly. I'll ask the dealer. The truck is the 07 TRX 3500 dodge 5.9 l. diesel.
Here is how you can tell if they are. The factory tow mirrors are more of a rectangle shape laying down. Grab the mirror housing on the inside. Try to lift up on it. If you have factory tow mirrors they will pivot on the outside part of the mirror and you will have a rectangle standing up on end. Re-adjust the mirror.
Posted 2007-01-23 11:21 AM (#54332 - in reply to #54328) Subject: RE: towing mirrors
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
I set my mirrors so that I can JUST see the rear fenders of the truck, no more. That's all you need to see. That way you should have the rear fenders of the trailer in view too. That's all you need to see of the trailer. You want to make sure that your mirrors show you what is in the lane next to you and where your rear wheels are (for curbs and lanes), not the where your truck doors are. :)
Posted 2007-01-23 1:17 PM (#54346 - in reply to #54322) Subject: RE: towing mirrors
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
With an 8 foot wide trailer it is even more of a pain. I use the small mirror to see the truck fender and the regular I can't see the side of my truck. Need that wide view for turns so you can see the curbing or end of the trailer in a turn. Takes some getting used to.
Posted 2007-01-23 3:28 PM (#54362 - in reply to #54322) Subject: RE: towing mirrors
Expert
Posts: 2689
I think you only need to see your trailer wheels once in a very long while.
You should KNOW that you ARE in your lane. After a small amount of practice you should also know that your trailer is clearing everything on turns.
When backing around a curve the trailer wheels on the inside of the curve are the ones you need to pay attention to, mirror span is not an issue here, you lose sight of the other trailer wheels anyway.
BTW, most "8ft" trailers are in fact 8ft 6in at the outside of the tires, same axles.
Posted 2007-01-25 4:41 PM (#54500 - in reply to #54362) Subject: RE: towing mirrors
Member
Posts: 23
Thanks to Spooler...duh, yes they are factory mirrors...I checked and lo and behold they turn around just like you say. Geez, it would help if I read the owners manual but this is my third Dodge and I hadn't realized they'd changed them. Thanks for your help!!!
Posted 2007-01-25 6:38 PM (#54507 - in reply to #54322) Subject: RE: towing mirrors
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
Your welcome, but not all of the Dodge trucks have factory tow mirrors. It is an option. In my local area the dealers always order the trucks with the Tow package and Tow mirrorsn because of the farmers and horsey people.
Posted 2007-01-25 6:47 PM (#54508 - in reply to #54362) Subject: RE: towing mirrors
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
Yep, you should know where the trailer wheels are, but I like to make sure I am keeping the long rig between the lines (or off the barriers, as the case may be) when going thru narrow cattle shoots on a curve. I also will check back there once in a while to make sure there's no smoke coming off the wheels. I had a friend go down the road with her wheel on fire and didn't know it because you can't see any part of her rear wheels in her mirrors. I also glance in my mirrors for tight turns so I never run over curbs. Have the mirros adjusted right and you don't have a blind spot either (unless there are 3 lanes or more).
Posted 2007-01-26 12:21 AM (#54519 - in reply to #54322) Subject: RE: towing mirrors
Veteran
Posts: 148 Location: columbia tn
i have a 05 3500 dodge the only problem with the mirrors is having to readjust them all the time from in to out position...they need to come up with a auto adjustment when you pull the mirrors back in... good luck on pulling your new trailer..
towing mirrors
