Side mirrors?

[Donna D.]

I appreciate the responses and opinions voiced on this thread. My current tug/tow combo doesn't require extra mirrors, but I know my future combo will! Thanks group

[Gilda]

We tow a 13' Scamp with a Subaru Legacy sedan and have no need for additional mirrors and we did get the brakes when we had U-Haul install our hitch system.

A word to the wise: Do check that all systems work BEFORE you leave the garage. Our back-up lights did not work at first. Choose a weekday to have the installation done as they are very busy on the weekend and give priority to folks renting their trailers/trucks. We ended up waiting two days for an estimated 6 hour installation!

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Seeing 200' behind you is possible with many standard vehicle mirrors, I can just do this with the Honda's standard mirrors if you assume it doesn't mean the center of the lane at 200 feet.

My reason for installing a rear camera in the Scamp is the recognition that 200 feet is about 10 car lengths.

10 car lengths?? It's probably a bit more than that. But 200' is a long ways back now that I think about it. I want to be able to see the first car behind me.

[Glenn Baglo]

Not sure why you want to see the car that's immediately behind you. What you need to see is the car that may be fast overtaking you, particularly if you have to change lanes to take an exit.
If someone does choose to tailgate you, there is not much that you can do. Slowing down or applying brakes will likely just aggravate that driver and maybe precipitate aggressive action on his part. And, if you are busy watching him on your monitor, you don't have your eyes on the road ahead.

[Jim Bennett]

I too see no need to see the car directly behind you, but instead be able to see cars that are pulling out to pass you, or for you to see that is clear to pull back into the other lane when you are passing.

[honda03842]

Probably my statement wasn't too clear but at least on Northeast interstates following cars are frequently within 10 car lengths putting them inside the 200' distance. No mirror will make me aware of them, hence the installation of the camera. Often the car pulling out is directly behind you.

As most know we rarely pull out and pass anyone on the Interstate. When I do Ginny makes a joke about if and says something like, "10AM july 10, 2013" pretending to write it down in her log....

As to mirrors, we have generally stopped using extended mirrors but have the traditional standard flat mirrors and 'corner' convex mirrors on each flat mirror. As well I virtually never pull into the right lane without 'permission' from Ginny. We are as careful as we can be and no longer cocky drivers.

Though I've said it before. When we're not on multi-lane roads, we frequently pull over for people behind us, particularly working vehicles. It usually makes someone happy and spreads the message of being a courteous driver. I think of it as the Oregon 5 car rule.

[ThomKat]

Try it out first. I wasted money buying bolt-on mirrors before I picked up my Scamp, and I found that I didn't need them at all. I like that I can see right through the Scamp windows.
Decide what's best for yourself, but my advice is to try the camper first, and see how it feels to you.

[Glenn Baglo]

Suggest you read post #19 in this thread before offering advice.

[honda03842]

After driving 150 miles with a camera I would say the following.

I've had extended mirrors and a rear camera in the trailer. It's no contest, the camera is better. You can easily see what's behind you and regular mirrors show what's beside you.. Camera and normal mirrors are a great combo.

I do add small convex mirrors to the corners of the regular mirrors for a wider view.

[David B.]

Originally Posted by honda03842

After driving 150 miles with a camera I would say the following.

I've had extended mirrors and a rear camera in the trailer. It's no contest, the camera is better. You can easily see what's behind you and regular mirrors show what's beside you.. Camera and normal mirrors are a great combo.

I do add small convex mirrors to the corners of the regular mirrors for a wider view.

We do the exact same thing.
Dave & Paula

[Tom Trostel]

If you tow an eight foot wide trailer with anything other than a heavy duty pickup, you will need extra mirror width. I bought a pair of McKesh mirrors that strap from the lower side window opening and the bottom of the door. Still some vibration but they work very well. They extend 12" past the outside edge of the factory mirrors.

NW New Mexico Photo by tomNjo | Photobucket

http://www.safetowingstore.com/McKes...rs-p/70007.htm

[PatandBob]

Hi,
I purchased a pair of JR products 3100 Aero Blind Spot Mirrors on Amazon. They were $29.75 each which included shipping. I see they are now listed at $27.37 which includes shipping.
They install very easily and are almost vibration free. I am extremely happy with them on our Ford Expedition..
They can be mounted either on top of your existing mirror or on the side. I mounted ours on the side (end) and we're able to fold in our factory installed mirrors without the blind spot mirrors hitting the side glass.
Here is the link to the Amazon page:
Amazon.com: JR Products 3100 Aero Blind Spot Mirror: Automotive

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Tom Trostel

If you tow an eight foot wide trailer with anything other than a heavy duty pickup, you will need extra mirror width.

The good news is the OP is asking about pulling a Scamp which as are the Casita's only 6' 8" wide which is the same width as the OP's tow vehicle with mirrors. As has been suggested they *may* find that they do not need mirror extensions to meet the 200' law - only way to know for sure is to set it up and measure it out. Agree though that the more you can see behind the better.

[honda03842]

Just for laughs, the camera meets the 8 foot law and the 200 foot law. Once you have one, you can't imagine why every trailer doesn't come with one.

Best of all it costs no more than a good set of mirrors.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Just for laughs, the camera meets the 8 foot law and the 200 foot law. Once you have one, you can't imagine why every trailer doesn't come with one.

Best of all it costs no more than a good set of mirrors.

And like everything else they will soon become mandatory.
Rear cameras are already a pending DOT requirement for passenger cars.
For now, CIPA makes great attachable mirrors, here's an example...
Cipa Custom Towing Mirrors 10501 and 10502 Dodge Dakota Durango Set of 2 USA | eBay

[floyd]

This adapted bicycle mirror works GREAT for my Escape towing my 13Scamp....

[felix2]

The strap-on mirrors do let you see better behind the trailer (Burro 13) but they vibrate so much it looks like a line of 15 cars behind me, when it's really just two!

Also, at night, the angled mirrors tend to pick up headlights more than the regular mirrors, which is very annoying.

I'm on the fence about continuing to use them.

[rabbit]

Never had vibration problem with strapons. Maybe my eyeballs are vibrating in sync.

jack

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by floyd

This adapted bicycle mirror works GREAT for my Escape towing my 13Scamp....

Once again Floyd you have come up with a cool/sweet fix to a problem.

[RogerDat]

I can just meet the 36 ft / 200 ft with my Escape mirrors angled out. As confirmed in a wally mart parking lot. I do really like the add on provided by Floyd. I am a big fan of enough mirror to see as much as possible. Now if I could convince DW that she want this done to her car which is the TV..... I'll put it on my todo list.