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What's Up With Tow Mirrors?

Buckshot556

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Buckshot556 Enthusiast

Buckshot556

Posted
Posted

Rather, why would GM sell 3/4 tons without them?

 

i couldn't imagine not having the split mirrors on my truck. I mostly haul but with my tool box and the tall nature of the truck I can't check blind spots in the conventional manner (I have a reg cab).  With my split mirrors I have zero blind spot and need to remind myself to turn my head to check my blind spot when I'm driving my jeep lol.

 

anyone here have regular mirrors on their HD? Do they work ok? Why would GM do this? Gas mileage?

 

thanks

Waaazooo Senior Enthusiast

Waaazooo

Posted
Posted

Because they look like elephant ears?


I agree it’s dumb that they don’t.


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webshopper Enthusiast

webshopper

Posted
Posted

I can't speak for GM but here are the reasons I specifically didn't want large mirrors:

1)  can't back into my garage with them.  With regular mirrors I can with a couple of inches clearance each side.

2)  during a heavy winter snowstorm, it's great to back in with the Fisher plow on and be able to pull out with blade dropped 4WD engaged and a running start hitting 2-3' of winddrifted snow without worrying about large mirros.

3)  after replacing mirrors a few times you won't believe how much it costs for a fully remote, heated, blinker LED's, color matched mirror is.  About $1400.

4) no forgetting to fold in the mirrors when backing in or pulling out.

5)  on a fire scene (volunteer firefighter) the large mirrors hang way out and are a detriment to safety.

6)  Ford does not sell an F250/350 without large mirrors so I changed manufacturers Ford To Chevrolet, seriously, just over mirrors.

 

Hope that helps.

jerseytaylor Enthusiast

jerseytaylor

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, webshopper said:

I can't speak for GM but here are the reasons I specifically didn't want large mirrors:

1)  can't back into my garage with them.  With regular mirrors I can with a couple of inches clearance each side.

2)  during a heavy winter snowstorm, it's great to back in with the Fisher plow on and be able to pull out with blade dropped 4WD engaged and a running start hitting 2-3' of winddrifted snow without worrying about large mirros.

3)  after replacing mirrors a few times you won't believe how much it costs for a fully remote, heated, blinker LED's, color matched mirror is.  About $1400.

4) no forgetting to fold in the mirrors when backing in or pulling out.

5)  on a fire scene (volunteer firefighter) the large mirrors hang way out and are a detriment to safety.

6)  Ford does not sell an F250/350 without large mirrors so I changed manufacturers Ford To Chevrolet, seriously, just over mirrors.

 

Hope that helps.

you couldnt just take a set of standard half ton mirrors and put them on your f250/f350? 

Dale L Enthusiast

Dale L

Posted
Posted

For the rear view I get I love the big power folding trailering mirrors but Chevrolet screwed the pooch on the design.  They block your vision.  If you aren't extra diligent looking around the mirror they can easily hide a car as crossing traffic and pedestrians in a crosswalk will magically appear. :)

 

I suggest Chevy just lower the height of the mount about 1 inch.  They can reduce the height of the lower fisheye about 1/2 inch or so and probably take about 1/2 off the upper mirror as well.  Drop the mirror housing top down 1-2 inches and it will be much less of a hazard.

webshopper Enthusiast

webshopper

Posted
Posted

RE:  "you couldnt just take a set of standard half ton mirrors and put them on your f250/f350? " response.

 

This is a bit off topic for the person asking GM questions but here are my thoughts on your question.

1)  Yes if:

   a) you wanted to break into your brand new door panels,

   b) risk messing with the Body Control Modules (there are at least three) and their logic with all kinds of functions and circuits,

   c) obtaining the correct wiring harnesses, mirrors, and mounting holes was easy,

   d) you have the time to find and funds to pay for new mirrors,

   e) getting rid of the new removed mirrors isn't a problem,

   f)  you're not concerned with, as soon as something happens odd in your new vehicle the dealer will support you under warranty.  Who then covers the replacement parts and issues that may arise from the modification?

 

All these items come down to reward vs risk.

 

All the best.

 

 

crankman Enthusiast

crankman

Posted
Posted

I dont have them on my 2015 gasser. I tow constantly during the week but didn't want the the big mirrors. Just a personal thing i guess I can see fine with regular mirrors and I kinda wanted a sleeker look. Not knocking people with the larger mirrors at all I just didn't care for them. 

SierraHD17 Senior Enthusiast

SierraHD17

Posted
Posted

I never wanted them but my 17 came so equipped.  I had driven lots of the previous style tow mirror that debuted in 06 and I found them pretty useless overall even pulling.  My trailers are open deck and there is a good chance the ones on my current 17 will never get extended out.  They are okay and I like them more than the previous tow mirrors.  The convex portion  is basically what I like about them and am now used too.  The led back up lights are pretty damn cool so I do enjoy that.  However if I bought a new truck again would it be a deal breaker with or without them... no.

jerseytaylor Enthusiast

jerseytaylor

Posted
Posted
14 hours ago, webshopper said:

RE:  "you couldnt just take a set of standard half ton mirrors and put them on your f250/f350? " response.

 

This is a bit off topic for the person asking GM questions but here are my thoughts on your question.

1)  Yes if:

   a) you wanted to break into your brand new door panels,

   b) risk messing with the Body Control Modules (there are at least three) and their logic with all kinds of functions and circuits,

   c) obtaining the correct wiring harnesses, mirrors, and mounting holes was easy,

   d) you have the time to find and funds to pay for new mirrors,

   e) getting rid of the new removed mirrors isn't a problem,

   f)  you're not concerned with, as soon as something happens odd in your new vehicle the dealer will support you under warranty.  Who then covers the replacement parts and issues that may arise from the modification?

 

All these items come down to reward vs risk.

 

All the best.

 

 

I see man. Was just genuinely curious as a lot of guys here swap out from what they have to what they want 

Dale L Enthusiast

Dale L

Posted
Posted

Due to a dealer error on my order my Silverado 2500HD came with the standard folding split mirror.  After educating the dealer parts manager that the power folding trailer mirrors do exist they were able to order them and get them installed.

 

Having driving about 176K miles with my 07 Silverado 1500 I would in hindsight have just kept the standard folding mirrors.   For the amount towing I do they would have been fine and my wife and I wouldn't have to contend with the negative side of the bigger mirrors

Waaazooo Senior Enthusiast

Waaazooo

Posted
Posted
For the rear view I get I love the big power folding trailering mirrors but Chevrolet screwed the pooch on the design.  They block your vision.  If you aren't extra diligent looking around the mirror they can easily hide a car as crossing traffic and pedestrians in a crosswalk will magically appear. [emoji4]
 
I suggest Chevy just lower the height of the mount about 1 inch.  They can reduce the height of the lower fisheye about 1/2 inch or so and probably take about 1/2 off the upper mirror as well.  Drop the mirror housing top down 1-2 inches and it will be much less of a hazard.

Maybe you can just sit up? The g-funk lean does inhibit use of mirrors.. lol. I keed I keed. Ha ha


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GMC4Zee Enthusiast

GMC4Zee

Posted
Posted

I agree the mirrors do exhibit a blind spot looking forward. I tow a 5th wheel and really like the ability to pull the mirror out for better outward and side vision. The backup lights are useful also. I would not tow without them. Power folding is nice but GM needs to add that as an automatic option when the vehicle is turned off. I have to manually push the button or double press the fob.

brclark82 Enthusiast

brclark82

Posted
Posted

To each their own I guess but I use my tow mirrors almost every single day, even when I’m not towing.  

 

Will never have a truck without them. 

 

Wish GM would make them power telescoping in addition to folding.  Lots of times I forget to pull them out or push them in before or after towing. 

2017HD Enthusiast

2017HD

Posted
Posted

I have had the towing mirrors on my last two trucks - an 07 and 17 - the 17 is an LTZ with power fold which is nice in parking lots - they now have a feature where you hold down the lock button on the fob for an extra second and the mirrors auto fold in, do the same on the unlock button and they fold out.

I tow larger travel trailers and really appreciate these great mirrors - have used the clip on mirror extensions - hated them - way too small and they wiggled too much. 

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