1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Do I need tow mirrors?

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by HappyCamper7424, Oct 16, 2020.

  1. Oct 16, 2020 at 12:41 PM
    #1
    HappyCamper7424

    HappyCamper7424 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Member:
    #49668
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    I plan to buy a '21 in the next few months to use as a tow vehicle for a new travel trailer. The travel trailer would be at least 22' but not more than 25' long. Some models that I'm looking at are only 7' wide. What is everyone's opinion about the need for tow mirrors for a trailer of that length and width?
     
  2. Oct 16, 2020 at 12:47 PM
    #2
    Johnders2586

    Johnders2586 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2019
    Member:
    #37741
    Messages:
    310
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra SR5 W/TRD pkg
    Toytec Performance Aluma 3" Lift- Toytec rear shackle, Fuel Vector Wheels, Toyo Open Country C/T 295/70/18 Tires
    Couldn't hurt. I don't think anyone could argue the extra visibility is a plus even for a smaller trailer. Mine is 24" an 8 ft wide. I started with some cheap clip ons to get by. But they vibrated horribly. Was lucky to get some OEM style tow mirrors off a buddy for 20 bucks. It was the best 20 bucks I've spent on the truck. If you plan to tow more then a couple times a year I think it's worth the investment.
     
  3. Oct 16, 2020 at 2:17 PM
    #3
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2019
    Member:
    #25048
    Messages:
    14,231
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rosy
    Alberta, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM SR5 CM 4X4
    Boost Auto mirrors, RSB, Leer Legend canopy, Line-X bed liner
  4. Oct 16, 2020 at 2:19 PM
    #4
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2018
    Member:
    #20928
    Messages:
    2,406
    Alberta, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2018 Cement Crewmax TRD
    Function before sparkle.
    I have a similar sized trailer and installed towing mirrors. They are great when you are towing, they are terrible the 300 other days a year. I swap mine on and off for my summer towing season and suddenly my world is better.
     
    johnnyv5 and frichco228 like this.
  5. Oct 16, 2020 at 2:29 PM
    #5
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #378
    Messages:
    40,012
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Aurora CO
    Vehicle:
    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    I had tow mirrors on my 07. I don't tow much but I miss the tow mirrors. I plan on putting a set on my 14. Not a fan of the smaller mirrors. :lalala:
     
    YeeYeeTundra and Cpl_Punishment like this.
  6. Oct 16, 2020 at 2:41 PM
    #6
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2020
    Member:
    #40952
    Messages:
    4,470
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Frank
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Crewmax 4WD, TRD Offroad
    Eibach Pro Truck Stage 2 suspension, HD RAS, 285/75-18 Nokian Outpost AT, LoPro bed cover, TRD rear sway bar, DD 10 inch exhaust, and various other goodies
    Just my experience on vehicles with tow mirrors- they are GREAT for towing. If you are not towing then they have some pretty bad blind spots to the point of being a little sketchy. So just like anything you change from stock- lift, wheels, big tires, tow mirrors- there are trade offs and benefits.
     
  7. Oct 16, 2020 at 2:43 PM
    #7
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #378
    Messages:
    40,012
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Aurora CO
    Vehicle:
    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    Interesting, I find the opposite to be the case for me.
     
    Tracy Perry likes this.
  8. Oct 16, 2020 at 2:50 PM
    #8
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2019
    Member:
    #24845
    Messages:
    4,897
    Gender:
    Male
    Huntington Beach
    Vehicle:
    2010 DC 5.7 2wd
    Trd sways, bullydog, magnaflow, sumo springs
    My trailer is 20x7.5 wide. I don’t “need” tow mirrors, but i really want to add them for safety
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  9. Oct 16, 2020 at 3:10 PM
    #9
    danno266

    danno266 n00b

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2019
    Member:
    #25945
    Messages:
    265
    Gender:
    Male
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2016 White CM SR5/TRD OR
    GODZILLA and mountainpete like this.
  10. Oct 16, 2020 at 3:29 PM
    #10
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2019
    Member:
    #35514
    Messages:
    27,092
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Wyoming
    Vehicle:
    2023 Solar Octane TRD Pro TACOMA, 2022 Honda CB500X
    Trying not to mod it
    I am considering something similar. Have you had any issues with rub/wear marks on the mirrors where these clip on?
     
    TTund16 likes this.
  11. Oct 16, 2020 at 3:39 PM
    #11
    danno266

    danno266 n00b

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2019
    Member:
    #25945
    Messages:
    265
    Gender:
    Male
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2016 White CM SR5/TRD OR
    My mirror caps are black, and these do go on pretty tight, I start at the top and get them hooked, then spread just a little to get over the bottom and push to clip them on. They certainly aren't going anywhere, and the vibration really isn't too bad. I haven't noticed any scratching or scarring. This is my second summer with them, so I've put em on and off about 5 or so times.
     
    TTund16 and GODZILLA[QUOTED] like this.
  12. Oct 16, 2020 at 3:51 PM
    #12
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2018
    Member:
    #20928
    Messages:
    2,406
    Alberta, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2018 Cement Crewmax TRD
    Function before sparkle.
    I also have a set of these. I put a piece of bicycle inner tube to prevent any marks. Zero issues.

    Tow mirrors are much better than the clip ons, especially on the passenger side, but they are 70% as good for 20% of the cost.
     
    TTund16 and 2018TundraLimited like this.
  13. Oct 16, 2020 at 3:55 PM
    #13
    danno266

    danno266 n00b

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2019
    Member:
    #25945
    Messages:
    265
    Gender:
    Male
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2016 White CM SR5/TRD OR
    I couldn't commit to the semi-permanent tow mirrors. Getting in and out of the garage is important to me. It's already tight and I've rubbed at least once with the factory mirrors :frusty:
     
  14. Oct 16, 2020 at 3:58 PM
    #14
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2018
    Member:
    #20928
    Messages:
    2,406
    Alberta, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2018 Cement Crewmax TRD
    Function before sparkle.
    Power folding upgrade! I did that with my regular mirrors and it’s glorious.
     
    danno266[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Oct 16, 2020 at 4:19 PM
    #15
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2019
    Member:
    #35514
    Messages:
    27,092
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Wyoming
    Vehicle:
    2023 Solar Octane TRD Pro TACOMA, 2022 Honda CB500X
    Trying not to mod it
    I've had lots of experience with tow mirrors, but I don't tow often enough to warrant the permanent swap. I also don't care for them aesthetically on the Tundra.
     
  16. Oct 16, 2020 at 8:43 PM
    #16
    runCMD

    runCMD BAMF Nerd

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Member:
    #17911
    Messages:
    238
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Radiant Red CM SR5 TRD OR
    3/2.5 BOSS lift, 35s
    I recently put on some tow mirrors from Boost, and I can tell you I love them. I tow my 26' long, 7' wide Micro Minnie and they made a big difference. Contrary to the lack of visibility comment above, I have the opposite experience; I find I get lots more visibility with them and love just driving around with them. I will concede there is a larger spot blocked in FRONT of you from the size of the mirror, but it's not sketchy or anything once you get used to it. I also upgraded to power folding and that makes tight spots fine. I like the boost mirrors way more than the Tundra ones, and you can upgrade later, so I wouldn't let it hold you back from getting a truck that doesn't have them if you decide you do want them. I installed myself and it wasn't the most difficult thing I've done on the truck at all.

    Do you NEED them? No - I towed my 7' wide trailer without them, but the first time towing yesterday with them was a significant improvement.
     
  17. Oct 17, 2020 at 4:15 AM
    #17
    johnxmccoy

    johnxmccoy New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2016
    Member:
    #2535
    Messages:
    389
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Grove City, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2019 Crew Max
    Tow mirrors make your truck faster and they look more manly.
     
  18. Oct 19, 2020 at 6:31 AM
    #18
    Buckaroo

    Buckaroo New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2019
    Member:
    #39114
    Messages:
    245
    Gender:
    Male
    Central Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra 5.7L 4WD DC TRD
    2020 GD 2670MK Travel Trailer
  19. Oct 19, 2020 at 9:21 AM
    #19
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2019
    Member:
    #35514
    Messages:
    27,092
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    Wyoming
    Vehicle:
    2023 Solar Octane TRD Pro TACOMA, 2022 Honda CB500X
    Trying not to mod it
    Ah. I see. So they're like truck nuts hanging off your hitch?
     
    JLS in WA, TTund16 and Cpl_Punishment like this.
  20. Oct 19, 2020 at 9:33 AM
    #20
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2018
    Member:
    #20928
    Messages:
    2,406
    Alberta, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2018 Cement Crewmax TRD
    Function before sparkle.
    Unless you offroad in areas with heavy trees and the branches get caught in that hole in the arms and then twist and smack back.

    Did I mention I swap my mirrors back and forth? :bananadance:
     
    JLS in WA likes this.
  21. Oct 19, 2020 at 9:37 AM
    #21
    Fishhead

    Fishhead New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2020
    Member:
    #52362
    Messages:
    101
    Gender:
    Male
    I tow my wife's horse trailer a lot while my wife tows our travel trailer. As said above, while towing, I really do like towing mirrors. If I didn't tow a lot I would switch back to the stock mirrors.

    I also tow a 21 foot bass boat and honestly, it doesn't really matter for it either way.
     
  22. Feb 7, 2021 at 4:49 AM
    #22
    Hawkdriver19

    Hawkdriver19 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2020
    Member:
    #51938
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 CrewMax SR5 4WD White w/ XP Blackout kit
    I am going to be taking my family on a cross country adventure, moving from Alabama to Alaska in a few months. I’ll be towing a uhaul 6x12 double axle enclosed trailer. With a trailer this size, does anyone recommend tow mirrors or should I be fine without them?
     
  23. Feb 7, 2021 at 5:05 AM
    #23
    CTB Mike

    CTB Mike It's RED? My rods and cones must be screwed up!

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2020
    Member:
    #42090
    Messages:
    180
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Southern Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2011 Red Rock Warrior
    I towed the exact same (U-Haul?) trailer across the country a couple of years ago when I moved from NJ to AZ with a 2008 4Runner, which is narrower than a Tundra. No problems seeing behind me at all. That trailer at 6 feet is narrow enough.
     
    Cpl_Punishment likes this.
  24. Feb 7, 2021 at 5:27 AM
    #24
    Njmike13

    Njmike13 New Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2017
    Member:
    #7655
    Messages:
    1,279
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Hunterdon county, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2021 PRO Lunar Rock
    You should be fine with standard mirrors.
     
    Cpl_Punishment likes this.
  25. Feb 7, 2021 at 6:13 AM
    #25
    Doxiedad

    Doxiedad New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2020
    Member:
    #40763
    Messages:
    469
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra SR5 TRD Off Road Cavalry Blue
    how much more do the tow mirrors stick out vs stock mirrors?
     
  26. Feb 7, 2021 at 6:39 AM
    #26
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2019
    Member:
    #25048
    Messages:
    14,231
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rosy
    Alberta, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM SR5 CM 4X4
    Boost Auto mirrors, RSB, Leer Legend canopy, Line-X bed liner
    I rented a 5x10, if I recall correctly, and it was so narrow that I couldn't even see it in the mirrors. I suspect you'll probably be ok without for a 6 foot wide trailer.
     
  27. Feb 7, 2021 at 6:40 AM
    #27
    MaxYota

    MaxYota GrilledCheese

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2017
    Member:
    #9269
    Messages:
    220
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Murf
    MS Gulfcoast
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD PRO VooDoo Blue
    Mighty Mouse suction cupped to the review 8 ball shifter. Driver side "Oh poop" handle. Smoked side window deflectors. ReadyLift TRD PRO +2 for front. 1.5" ProFormFab Shackles + 1" ToyTec block for rear. SDHQ Hidden winch mount with Badlands 9000 winch. 305/70r18 Cooper Discoverer STT PRO
  28. Feb 7, 2021 at 6:46 AM
    #28
    Hawkdriver19

    Hawkdriver19 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2020
    Member:
    #51938
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 CrewMax SR5 4WD White w/ XP Blackout kit
    Thanks for all the input! We towed a 29’ TT a few months ago, just to get away from everything during the height of unrest/uncertainty due to covid and the election. That was uncomfortable with the standard mirrors, to say the least. I was hyper-sensitive to being able to see while towing, but feel much better about the small size trailer and the comments.
     
  29. Feb 7, 2021 at 6:49 AM
    #29
    Hawkdriver19

    Hawkdriver19 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2020
    Member:
    #51938
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 CrewMax SR5 4WD White w/ XP Blackout kit
    MaxYota, thanks for the suggestion. I like the new design with taller convex portion. How hard was it to remove the factory mirror from the housing?
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2021
  30. Feb 8, 2021 at 10:08 AM
    #30
    MaxYota

    MaxYota GrilledCheese

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2017
    Member:
    #9269
    Messages:
    220
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Murf
    MS Gulfcoast
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD PRO VooDoo Blue
    Mighty Mouse suction cupped to the review 8 ball shifter. Driver side "Oh poop" handle. Smoked side window deflectors. ReadyLift TRD PRO +2 for front. 1.5" ProFormFab Shackles + 1" ToyTec block for rear. SDHQ Hidden winch mount with Badlands 9000 winch. 305/70r18 Cooper Discoverer STT PRO
    It was an easy push/pop up then unplug the old and plug in the new(I believe I put the left wire to the top pin of the new mirror) then a hefty pull down/pop to install. Took about 10 minutes to do both.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top