Tow Vehicle Mirror Extensions?
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10147
Printed Date: 05 May 2024 at 4:55pm
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Topic: Tow Vehicle Mirror Extensions?
Posted By: Kup-Pod
Subject: Tow Vehicle Mirror Extensions?
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2017 at 7:43pm
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Good evening all,
We recently purchased a 2017 RP178 and will take delivery in a couple of weeks.
I am towing with a 2016 Santa Fe XL, 3.3l with AWD. I have a fair bit of towing capacity available for this vehicle and will be equipped with a sway control / load leveling hitch.
The one question I do have, will I be needing side-mirror extensions for highway travel?
Any thoughts or advice out there?
Thanks... K&S
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2017 RP-178
2021 F150 5.0l
"Lead me on a level path"
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Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2017 at 8:02pm
Although this has been covered before, you can find it under topic search mirrors, ect, i will put in my 2 cents worth. We have towed our 177 going on 7 years now with 3 different vehicles, 94 F-150, 08 Explorer and currently a 13 Explorer. In none of the cases have I seen warranted the use of extension mirrors. Before we purchased our 177 back in January 2011 we saw our first R-Pod at Fort Wilkens State Park in Copper Harbor, Michigan in October 2010, being towed by a Subaru and that didn't have mirror extensions on it either. There are some on this forum that use them, I believe more don't. Nevertheless, go with what you are comfortable with, the beauty of this being narrower is the great visibility you have using your existing vehicle mirrors.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2017 at 8:06pm
Depends on the state. Vermont, for example, requires towing mirrors. The criteria varies by state, but the main requirement is that you have a clear view parallel to the side of the vehicle to the rear. If your 'Pod is wider than your tow vehicle, then mirror extensions are a good idea, even if they are not strictly required.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2017 at 8:18pm
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I like to see down the side, and peek at the tire bulge from time to time. I don't know how one could pull back in after passing without being able to see down the side of the trailer. Listening for honking is one way, I guess.......
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2017 at 8:27pm
Ditto!!
I like checking the tires and the side marker lights. I think they are a plus!
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2017 at 8:53pm
Probably depends somewhat on the TV itself. When we tow with our F-150, I can see down the sides of the R-pod very well. Of course the F-150 is a lot chunkier than your average RAV4 (for example).
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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Posted By: Kup-Pod
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2017 at 8:55pm
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Thanks everyone, that helps.
Still getting used to the forum and maneuvering my way through all the posts. Lots of helpful info in here!
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2017 RP-178
2021 F150 5.0l
"Lead me on a level path"
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Posted By: Grandpa Hiker
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2017 at 5:00am
I tow with a 2014 Explorer. Using the factory mirrors, I can see the sides of the Pod, but I can not see if there is a vehicle close behind me. So with mirror extensions I can get a good view of my tires & also know if someone is ridding my bumper.
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Rob & Becky
2014 Ford Explorer 3.5 SOHC V6
2015 R-179 Pod aka Piddle Pod
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain!!"
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2017 at 8:51am
I bought mirror extensions while I was looking for a trailer. I tried them with our pod and found that for our Dodge Dakota 4x4 the factory mirrors work fine. So, now my extensions are sitting in the garage collecting dust. We have a clear view down both sides of the trailer and behind us. As with all trailer mirrors configurations there is a cone of blindness directly behind the trailer. As the bumper sticker on some trucks says: If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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Posted By: Codex1554
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2017 at 9:17am
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For what it's worth, I replaced the mirrors on my Xterra with a set from a Nissan Titan. Yes, they manually extend, but for me the convex mirror is what I use, particularly when changing lanes. The larger mirrors combined with the extension do make the job of backing easier.
Jim
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Jim McP
Beaverton OR
RPod 180 (Podamus)
Nissan Xterra
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2017 at 9:18am
I started with towing mirror strap on, switched to ones with the ratchet clamp, and just upgraded the mirrors on our Frontier to proper towing mirrors that slide out for towing and slide back in for regular use. I like not having to deal with the strap/clamp on mirrors. I got them from 1A Auto ( https://www.1aauto.com/ - https://www.1aauto.com/ ). They weren't cheap, but they should last as long as the truck.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2017 at 11:05am
We bought them, used them once, and then never used them again. I can lean enough to the side that I can see almost directly behind our 179.
One might be useful on the passenger side to counteract the distortion from the factory mirror on that side. It's sometimes difficult to tell when I can get back over after passing someone. However, the one we have is so jiggly when moving that I almost got sea sickness.
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2017 at 3:48pm
+1 to SH. Not a fan of clamp/strap on. They wobble and vibrate. Best to check options available for your make and model vehicle. Many manufactures have a towing mirror option. I replaced mine on Silverado, they extend out manually, but are power and heated. The upper half is standard side view mirror, the lower half is a convex. I can see from shoulder to shoulder on a 4 lane.
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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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