TJM-HILO
Senior Member
Thanks for the info. Is your Tacoma a 4wd and what mirrors are you using?
Extension Mirrors
- Thread starter campthewestcoast
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- hilo
Thanks for the info. Is your Tacoma a 4wd and what mirrors are you using?
RogerWYO
Member
It is a 4wd. No mirrors yet. I've only had the camper for about a month & only towed it about 9 mi from town to my home in the country. The Mckesh looks like a good product. Looking forward to a short (week or so) shakedown run in a couple months at the first sign of ice-off to do a bit of fly fishin out of the new camper.
RogerWYO
TJM-HILO
Senior Member
Yeah we are leaving home narch 29th to go to J & R trailer in Ohio to have our's totally looked over. Then it's back home and we will leave on April 12th to head out to california again for 3 or 4 weeks.
TJM-HILO
Senior Member
Well, we arrived at J & R yesterday and would like to comment on our McKesh mirrors. They are great. Jim and Rob,at J&R, are some extremely friendly folks.
Frank and Tom,
Really appreciate your test reports! Nothing better than hands-on experience to rate a product.
One question about McKesh mirrors... Do they hold their position when you close the door? I don't mean slam, just a normal closure.
Thanks,
Jim
Really appreciate your test reports! Nothing better than hands-on experience to rate a product.
One question about McKesh mirrors... Do they hold their position when you close the door? I don't mean slam, just a normal closure.
Thanks,
Jim
rogerssj
Member
Another option
This is my first post to the forum, but after reading all the comments about add-on towing mirrors, I thought this might be of interest to some of you.
I use the Cipa slip on mirrors on my 07 F150, they work OK, but as discussed about , they do vibrate at speed.
I went a step further, in part to aid in seeing what was behind me, and in part to make backing into a site easier. I installed a reverse camera. Not the wireless type, they have to many problems that can't be fixed. I went with a hard wired system, available from rearviewsafety.com. They were very helpful in guiding me as to what package to order. In addition to the camera and monitor set, they offer a "Trailer Tow Quick Connect/Disconnect Kit" that allows me to unplug the trailer wiring from the truck harness.
This is not an easy install due to needing to accommodate the raising and lowering of the trailer, and would be different on each model of trailer, but is a straight forward wiring job once you figure out how to run the wire. I also wired the system so that it can be on at all times, not just in reverse. An added feature is a microphone in the camera and speaker in the monitor.
I used this system all last year including a trip to Lake George, NY and have really enjoyed having it. The wife likes the fact that I can see and hear her as well. Total cost was under $400.
2806C
07 F 150 FX4 Super Crew
This is my first post to the forum, but after reading all the comments about add-on towing mirrors, I thought this might be of interest to some of you.
I use the Cipa slip on mirrors on my 07 F150, they work OK, but as discussed about , they do vibrate at speed.
I went a step further, in part to aid in seeing what was behind me, and in part to make backing into a site easier. I installed a reverse camera. Not the wireless type, they have to many problems that can't be fixed. I went with a hard wired system, available from rearviewsafety.com. They were very helpful in guiding me as to what package to order. In addition to the camera and monitor set, they offer a "Trailer Tow Quick Connect/Disconnect Kit" that allows me to unplug the trailer wiring from the truck harness.
This is not an easy install due to needing to accommodate the raising and lowering of the trailer, and would be different on each model of trailer, but is a straight forward wiring job once you figure out how to run the wire. I also wired the system so that it can be on at all times, not just in reverse. An added feature is a microphone in the camera and speaker in the monitor.
I used this system all last year including a trip to Lake George, NY and have really enjoyed having it. The wife likes the fact that I can see and hear her as well. Total cost was under $400.
2806C
07 F 150 FX4 Super Crew
TrulyOregon
Advanced Member
McKesh update:
We returned from the coast in less than optimal conditions: rain, sleet, wind. The mirrors held their place, steady as a rock. No wind noise, thanks to the twist in the strap. As for mirror movement, on the way home we stopped for lunch and when we returned to the truck, noticed the mirrors were out of sorts. First logical conclusion, someone bumped them. We stopped for groceries and returned, and, once again, mirrors were off. It was then that I realized that the door closing was probably the culprit. Solution: at the bottom of the mirror where the rotating-adjustment ball is located, there are three screws which when tightened, will hold the mirror. Bottom line, if the readjustment continues to be necessary, I would still get them. I have clear vision for miles behind, absolutely no shake at all, and the convex mirrors are primo - giving you great coverage from top to bottom of the trailer.
Frank
We returned from the coast in less than optimal conditions: rain, sleet, wind. The mirrors held their place, steady as a rock. No wind noise, thanks to the twist in the strap. As for mirror movement, on the way home we stopped for lunch and when we returned to the truck, noticed the mirrors were out of sorts. First logical conclusion, someone bumped them. We stopped for groceries and returned, and, once again, mirrors were off. It was then that I realized that the door closing was probably the culprit. Solution: at the bottom of the mirror where the rotating-adjustment ball is located, there are three screws which when tightened, will hold the mirror. Bottom line, if the readjustment continues to be necessary, I would still get them. I have clear vision for miles behind, absolutely no shake at all, and the convex mirrors are primo - giving you great coverage from top to bottom of the trailer.
Frank
TJM-HILO
Senior Member
I just returned from an 1100 mile rountrip. Can't say enough good about the McKesh mirrors, little to no vibration. I personally did not have to twist my straps. Yes, once you have them set the way you want, tighten the three screws at the bottom of mirror. In closing, I definitely recommend them. Also, my wife and I visited with Jim and Rob at J&R Trailer in Butler,Ohio. Very nice,honest people.
Tom,
I saw your post about the snow. Today in sunny Northern California it is projected to be 75 degrees. That means I get to work on the trailer all weekend. Awesome!!
Time to put away the fins and snorkle.
I saw your post about the snow. Today in sunny Northern California it is projected to be 75 degrees. That means I get to work on the trailer all weekend. Awesome!!
Time to put away the fins and snorkle.
TJM-HILO
Senior Member
Les, Who do we need to contact at the campground in Bodega bay if we want to arrive sooner?
Tom,
I'll send you an e-mail over the weekend with the Bodega Bay contact information.
I'll send you an e-mail over the weekend with the Bodega Bay contact information.
Here is an interesting write-up about mirrors: Towing Mirrors are NOT optional
If I can find the individual states' regulations I will post them.
Basically, you need to be able to see the full length of both sides of the trailer and vehicles at 100 feet behind the trailer.
My experience with the slip on or clip on mirrors do not provide that. They come really close but not quite. That varies with the width of both the width of the trailer and the tow vehicle. Outside of factory telescoping mirrors, I think the McKesh mirrors are the only type that can be considered acceptable.
Rich
If I can find the individual states' regulations I will post them.
Basically, you need to be able to see the full length of both sides of the trailer and vehicles at 100 feet behind the trailer.
My experience with the slip on or clip on mirrors do not provide that. They come really close but not quite. That varies with the width of both the width of the trailer and the tow vehicle. Outside of factory telescoping mirrors, I think the McKesh mirrors are the only type that can be considered acceptable.
Rich
State regulations: These may or may not be current or accurate. Nor do I see much reference to towing trailers.
Mirror Laws by State (U.S.) - EcoModder
Mirror Laws by State (U.S.) - EcoModder
Last edited:
TrulyOregon
Advanced Member
McKesh
I love the McKesh mirrors. They're solid and performed as advertised on our spring trip. Highly recommend them.
Frank
I love the McKesh mirrors. They're solid and performed as advertised on our spring trip. Highly recommend them.
Frank
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