The answer to your question depends on the width of your Tow Vehicle vs. the width of your Trailer.
You want to be able to see down the ENTIRE Side of the trailer (BOTH SIDES), Including being able to see both corners of the rear bumper. If your mirrors are not far enough apart you will not be able to see those back corners of the trailer bumper.
To get some idea whether you will need new mirrors beforehand, you could roll down the front windows and measure the distance between your mirrors, if your mirrors are wider (by at least a couple inches) than the width of your trailer you should be able to use the existing mirrors.
However, you also need the right type of mirrors. When Towing you absolutely need a larger mirror surface and a good "Spot" type mirror to see objects and vehicles which may be in your (significantly larger) blind spot. Additionally, a "Spot" mirror can let you see if you are about to run over the curb as you make turns. You are going to hit the curbs anyway, but at least with good "Spot" mirrors you have a fighting chance to avoid them.
If you do need to upgrade your mirrors it is not too difficult to add "Towing Mirrors" to most Trucks, Vans or SUVs. On smaller vehicles like Crossovers, you will probably need to look into "add-on" type mirrors that attach to your existing mirrors.
I personally like the "Extendable" type mirrors which can be extended when towing and be collapsed whenever you are not towing.
Most tow mirrors can be found in either motorized or non motorized versions, depending on how your tow vehicle is equipped.
Remember, your mirrors are an Extremely Important part of your Safety Equipment and you need to ensure your mirrors are large enough and that you can clearly see everything behind you and beside you at all times.
Really good info on the mirrors as we were wondering the same thing. Until we have a trailer, I don't think we'll know since the Durango has some really nice, big mirrors. My husband did get a set of those, I can't remember the name, little mirrors about 2" or 3" inches in diameter and put them on, probably on the bigger mirrors. Years ago we had the big, clip-on mirrors that hooked on and we didn't have them on unless towing. They worked very well.
I LOOKED AT CIPA MIRRORS BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY SLIP OVER MIRRORS FOR MY 2008 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. ANYONE KNOW WHAT BRAND OF EXTENSION MIRRORS I CAN BUY THAT WILL FIT OVER THE EXISTING MIRRORS ON THE TRALBLAZER?
In Ohio, if I remember correctly, you have to be able to see 100 feet behind the trailer. This will require extended mirrors. I don't know about other states. Of all the extended mirrors I have used the McKesh mirrors by Hensley Mfg (800-410-6580) are the absolute best. Not cheap, but the best!!! I also use the kind that strap on to my SUV mirors with 2 elastic straps and they are OK except they don't extend out far enought to meet the 100 feet behind requirement.
Don
2015 Scamp 16'
Tow Vehicle...2013 Lincoln MKX 3.7L V-6
SW Ohio
I use the strap on mirrors. I find them an additional help when backing up. At certain points and direction I lose the use of the Jeep mirrors while backing so the extended mirrors give me that little extra vision.
Between the Jeep mirrors and the extensions I have absolutely no blind spots. The biggest problem is driving at night as I get the lights in all four mirrors, drives me crazy sometimes, although I really don't drive at night that often.
The answer to your question depends on the width of your Tow Vehicle vs. the width of your Trailer.
You want to be able to see down the ENTIRE Side of the trailer (BOTH SIDES), Including being able to see both corners of the rear bumper. If your mirrors are not far enough apart you will not be able to see those back corners of the trailer bumper.
To get some idea whether you will need new mirrors beforehand, you could roll down the front windows and measure the distance between your mirrors, if your mirrors are wider (by at least a couple inches) than the width of your trailer you should be able to use the existing mirrors.
However, you also need the right type of mirrors. When Towing you absolutely need a larger mirror surface and a good "Spot" type mirror to see objects and vehicles which may be in your (significantly larger) blind spot. Additionally, a "Spot" mirror can let you see if you are about to run over the curb as you make turns. You are going to hit the curbs anyway, but at least with good "Spot" mirrors you have a fighting chance to avoid them.
If you do need to upgrade your mirrors it is not too difficult to add "Towing Mirrors" to most Trucks, Vans or SUVs. On smaller vehicles like Crossovers, you will probably need to look into "add-on" type mirrors that attach to your existing mirrors.
I personally like the "Extendable" type mirrors which can be extended when towing and be collapsed whenever you are not towing.
Most tow mirrors can be found in either motorized or non motorized versions, depending on how your tow vehicle is equipped.
Remember, your mirrors are an Extremely Important part of your Safety Equipment and you need to ensure your mirrors are large enough and that you can clearly see everything behind you and beside you at all times.
As always,
Happy Scamping !!!
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Thanks for the info.
Really good info on the mirrors as we were wondering the same thing. Until we have a trailer, I don't think we'll know since the Durango has some really nice, big mirrors. My husband did get a set of those, I can't remember the name, little mirrors about 2" or 3" inches in diameter and put them on, probably on the bigger mirrors. Years ago we had the big, clip-on mirrors that hooked on and we didn't have them on unless towing. They worked very well.
Cathy
I LOOKED AT CIPA MIRRORS BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY SLIP OVER MIRRORS FOR MY 2008 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. ANYONE KNOW WHAT BRAND OF EXTENSION MIRRORS I CAN BUY THAT WILL FIT OVER THE EXISTING MIRRORS ON THE TRALBLAZER?
Thanks
In Ohio, if I remember correctly, you have to be able to see 100 feet behind the trailer. This will require extended mirrors. I don't know about other states. Of all the extended mirrors I have used the McKesh mirrors by Hensley Mfg (800-410-6580) are the absolute best. Not cheap, but the best!!! I also use the kind that strap on to my SUV mirors with 2 elastic straps and they are OK except they don't extend out far enought to meet the 100 feet behind requirement.
Don
2015 Scamp 16'
Tow Vehicle...2013 Lincoln MKX 3.7L V-6
SW Ohio
Camping World sells strap on mirrors for large trailers, not at all necessary for the Scamp.item #69160.
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
I use the strap on mirrors. I find them an additional help when backing up. At certain points and direction I lose the use of the Jeep mirrors while backing so the extended mirrors give me that little extra vision.
Between the Jeep mirrors and the extensions I have absolutely no blind spots. The biggest problem is driving at night as I get the lights in all four mirrors, drives me crazy sometimes, although I really don't drive at night that often.
Joy A. & Olive
2001 13 Scamp "Puff"
Full-timer
2019 1500 Ram Longhorn
SOI #168