EricR
Well-known member
FOR FACTORY TOW MIRRORS:
AGAINST:
WAFFLEING:
OUR EXPERIENCE:
Our truck does not have tow mirrors. Our 2008 Ram 1500 had to go, so I bought off a dealer lot.
My prior head injury means my wife does almost all of our driving. From around town to multi-state trips towing our travel trailer.
On our first trip out with the F150 and trailer she was uncomfortable not knowing what was behind her (she was used to the aftermarket tow mirrors I added to the RAM). Then I added a VisionWorks HD wireless rear-view camera* and she was very comfortable again.
We have had several discussions about adding either factory or clip-on tow mirrors, but her response has always been "I'm happy the way it is".
One concern we have is the factory tow mirrors in combination with her short stature. With her preferred seat position, it is highly doubtful she would be able to see over those "elephant ears" - causing a good portion of her left-forward visibility to be obscured.
* FOOTNOTES
The VisionWorks wireless camera with display monitor is excellent. We have had it for over a year, on many trips, and there hasn't been a single drop-out! Their customer service is great, as well!
That said, wanting TPMS for the trailer I have purchased the Ford accessory package with TPMS and trailer cam. We'll see if we like having the trailer cam displayed on the 12" center screen better.
I dissed the Elephant Ears on an F150 for years.
Then I drove one with them for a road trip.
I suddenly realized how much I missed them from my SuperDuty days. Had a helping of personal crow eating and special ordered my KingRanch Powerboost with the huge ears.
AGAINST:
I'm sure I don't want the tow mirrors. They're heavier and overly big, with an MPG hit, as per a truck driving friend of mine who has them on a 2021. I'll deal with that via BLISS and rear and running light cameras on the trailer.
WAFFLEING:
Your opinion on the tow mirrors is swaying mine. I suspect you're right that BLIS and cameras can be an adequate (or better) substitute. That makes the XLT more acceptable, as you can't get electric-folding mirrors except on Lariat or higher.
OUR EXPERIENCE:
Our truck does not have tow mirrors. Our 2008 Ram 1500 had to go, so I bought off a dealer lot.
My prior head injury means my wife does almost all of our driving. From around town to multi-state trips towing our travel trailer.
On our first trip out with the F150 and trailer she was uncomfortable not knowing what was behind her (she was used to the aftermarket tow mirrors I added to the RAM). Then I added a VisionWorks HD wireless rear-view camera* and she was very comfortable again.
We have had several discussions about adding either factory or clip-on tow mirrors, but her response has always been "I'm happy the way it is".
One concern we have is the factory tow mirrors in combination with her short stature. With her preferred seat position, it is highly doubtful she would be able to see over those "elephant ears" - causing a good portion of her left-forward visibility to be obscured.
* FOOTNOTES
The VisionWorks wireless camera with display monitor is excellent. We have had it for over a year, on many trips, and there hasn't been a single drop-out! Their customer service is great, as well!
That said, wanting TPMS for the trailer I have purchased the Ford accessory package with TPMS and trailer cam. We'll see if we like having the trailer cam displayed on the 12" center screen better.
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