Outside Rearview Mirror Replacement...

ktosv · July 25, 2010

We recently replaced our 2005 1/2ton Suburban with a 2004 3/4 ton Suburban. We love the truck so far with the exception of the power extending tow mirrors. I thought it was a feature we would want, and the truck we bought was one of the few that both actually worked. For some reason I guess I didn't pay a whole lot of attention when looking at the trucks and test driving that the passenger side mirror is the flat glass and not the convex.

With our driving style/habits the flat mirror is just about useless not towing. We do have the small round convex spotter mirror on it and that helps to see if something is next to you. We tow a 33' travel trailer and took it out for the first time last night. I can see where the flat glass would be beneficial on the highway, but around town making turns, I couldn't use the large mirror to watch the trailer in the turn and had to rely on the small image in the little convex mirror to make sure I wasn't going to clip something or run over a curb.

So, here are my questions...has anyone replaced these towing mirrors with the regular mirrors that came on this vintage of truck? Do those mirrors have the same wire harness as mine and I would be able to keep the power/heated features without having to redo any wiring?

I have also found that Powervision offers a replacement convex glass for the passenger side. I can get one shipped to my door for about $130. Has anyone replaced the flat glass with the convex? If so, how do you like it? Does it truly give you the wider vision? How does it do for towing? Can you see along the side of the trailer okay?

Has anyone bought replacement mirrors from Rock Auto? I see they offer the power heated mirrors and for a pair they would be about $100 plus shipping. I just wondered how the quality was for these aftermarket mirrors.

Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks