Ideas for mirrors to see around 102inch wide body 5th wheel

[EXPSD]

Part of the deal when I recently purchased my D/A was to change the standard heated mirrors to towing mirrors. So now I have the standard mirrors in a box, and the towing mirrors on the truck. They where marginal with my old fiver, but now unacceptable because of the limited range to see around the 102 inch fifth wheel. Any ideas?

I may add, that if I was aware of and reading this web site I never would have asked for the mirrors, but thats water over the dam.

[sonofagun]

EXPSD,

I have the Lucerix mirrors. They are available from Camping world or direct Lucerix.com. They are the best I have seen to date. There is a little vibration, mostly on the right side, when extended. Unlike Maverick, I have had excellent service from Lucerix, including a very quick ship out on a right side mirror to reduce vibration. It helped.

Good luck,
Bob

[ 10-07-2002: Message edited by: son of a gun ]</p>

[chevmeister]

These mirrors? are they the stock towing mirrors? Some of us have Cipa/lucerix mirrors. Power/heated/extendable. Got some on my truck, check pics. Dunno bout 102 but there was a post about them before and ill measure them extended tomarrow. They look good and are still power/heated. Set will run you bout 300-400. Jokn Kennedy can help if you want a set.
BTW these mirrors have a lifetime warranty, if that means anything, and you can install them in bout 5 mins with factory plug and 3 bolts
search for CIPA/Lucerix there is a whole list of threads

[Vette Racer]

EXPSD

I believe there are several threads about this problem on here and as far as I know, no one has come up with a mirror that will do the job on a 102" trailer. The lucerix is better, just not enough. I have played with my towing mirrors and feel I need another 4-6 inches extension to see behind my 102" 38ft long trailer. I've been thinking about getting some tubing and extending the factory mirrors so when they are pushed in they will be at their outer limits and then can still be extended when needed. There has to be a way! Of course fully extended, you would probably have to retract them to get through a toll booth. If you find something that works, please let us know.

[Colorado Kid]

I'm afraid that to really have a decent view around a 102" trailer you're oing to have to go with the old fashioned three or four leg door mounted swing away mirrors. They're ugly. You have to drill holes in your door skins to mount them and they shake like crazy, but at least they're cheap!

[battmain]

I've read on other forums that some are using the black and white cameras from Target hooked up to a monitor in the cab. You can get monitors for under 100 bucks. So for about 150 you have a rear mounted camera system. The color cameras are about 20 bucks more. I bought some to use around the house. Hooked up to the TV I can flip to the camera to view outside. The next project is to add a channel plus multiplexer so I can add more cameras to cut out the blind spots. Some of the camera's are not waterproof, but the little project boxes work well to protect them from moisture.

[EXPSD]

Vette Racer

With the Lucerix mirrors can you see the trailer passenger side wheels when you make a tight right turn? Can you see little cars as they move along the side of you? I realy hate to buy a third set of morriors if they are not going to do the job.

Thanks

[Maverick]

I can see the trailer tires depending on how the mirror angle is set. I needed protection from blind spots so I installed a set of 5" convex mirrors on the Lucerix mirrors. The way they are mounted is rock solid and no shake what so ever. The reason for mounting them this way was so I wouldn't disfigure the original Lucerix mirror in case I had to return one, which I did already. The small stick on convex is a joke as you see 3/4 of your truck in the spot mirror. With my 5" I can adjust the angle so I bearly see my truck on the inside edge of the spot. I can see the ditch on the other side of the road and everything in between this way. Can also see the whole trailer in the spot while turning. This works good for me. Link below. Scroll down toward the bottom.

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=551338&uid=437876

[ 10-08-2002: Message edited by: Maverick ]</p>

[TLA]

My trailer is not even 102", and is a problem with any mirrors. I am pretty used to it, but over the winter, I think I will go the TV monitor route. There are systems made especially for that use - I think I saw one in the Summit racing cataloge. They are a bit more than $150, but probably less than replacement mirrors.

[Road Kill]

I am not sure I would buy Lucerix mirrors again as I have found their response to problems lacking. :confused:

[BigO]

I have the CIPA/Lucerix mirrors. Remember there is one manufacturer that makes these mirrors. It is neither one of the names mentioned above. They are strictly distributors.

I had the manufacturer special build me a mirror for the passangers side. I have a 98 inch wide 5th wheel, I could barely see down the right side. All I saw was 50% of the trailer, I had them adjust the angel on the pivot point so that it was pushed foreward more. It is great for towing, I sacrificed some for intown driving without the 5th wheel.. All I have to do is place a 5 inch convex mirror on there and it will resolve my in town situation.

[johns]

I have the Lucerix mirrors. I have a 101" wide trailer. No I cannot see down the passenger side of the trailer. I have to lean over, practically to the console, to see down the side. Driver side is better, but still can't see without leaning over a bit.

[White Knight]

I have the standard heated mirrors on my 2002. I pull a 1999 Airstream (8 1/2 ft. wide body). I use the McKesh strap-on mirror and am very pleased with them. They give me a good view to the rear and the optional convex mirrors address all the potential blind spots. The following URL gives all the information on the mirrors:
http://www.hensleymfg.com/mckeshmirrors.html

The mirrors are easy to strap on and they maintain thier adjustment when you remove and reinstall them. Vibration is minimal and does not effect the view. For further information, read the Trailer Life article referenced in the above URL. The article states that the mirrors extend 24 inches beyond the windowsill. I think this is well beyond any of the aftermarket camping mirrors.

If you really want to see behind your trailer, consider this alternative. It is not as "pretty" as the aftermarket mirrors, but it is easy to get on or off, so only has to be in place while towing.

[TLA]

Check out this web site - lots of rear view monitors there. http://www.nvproducts.com/rvsys

[EXPSD]

Thanks for your input!

What about putting a clamp on mirror on the factory towing mirrors. There are several manufacturers, one of which is Escort. They have a 7.5 x 4.75 mirror that should fit the factory mirrors. You could then extend the factory mirrors as much as needed and still have a lot of surface area. Its also relatively cheap.

[Jelisfc]

EXPSD, I have slid on extenders for my '99 C/K with std mirrois and can't see down the right side of my 102 wide. I was going to let them go with the truck but they might fit on the '03 camper mirrors. That will give me the added width for little effort.

[Redhawk]

Maverick, I have the feeling that you give your rig and everything attached to it a pretty good work out. How are the Lucerix mirrors working out for you? I have heard a lot about how they stand behind their product, but I still hear complaints about vibration. Any comments?

TLA, the web site you posted didn't work for me. I changed nv to rv but still no go.

[ 10-11-2002: Message edited by: Redhawk ]

[ 10-11-2002: Message edited by: Redhawk ]</p>

[toophless]

I've got the Lucerix mirrors and absolutely love them. I can see easily down both sides of my 28' 101" wide cargo. I put 4" round stick on spots on the outside lower corners of both mirrors and have no blind spots. No vibration problems either. I couldn't be happier with Lucerix mirrors.

[Maverick]

Redhawk,
The mirrors have worked very well for me so far. I wish they did pull out farther though. Especially on the pass. side. I did have the heated feature quit on my drivers mirror. It did take most of the summer to get my replacement mirror. Called once in very early in the year and was put on a list. I called again in Sept. and had my new mirror in about 3 weeks. My old mirror (drivers) did shake a little more than I liked but the new one is very solid. Pass is solid also. The warranty is what sold me when I first purchased.

[ 10-11-2002: Message edited by: Maverick ]</p>

[EXPSD]

BIGO How did you contact the factory? Also, would someone be so kind as to measure the perpendicular distance of the furthest mirror surface to the door on the CIPA mirrors. The extended Chev. towing mirrors is 18 inches. Thanks again for your help.