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ATX-ranger
Member
They would probably be nice to have. I pull a ~60" wide daily for work, and I've never thought about extensions, but it's a little pain to see around already. The ranger body with mirrors is ~85.5" according to Google. So I assume legally you'd be ok in many / all areas, but if it were me I would definitely want the added visability, especially towing 14', and even more so if you have never towed before. Driving straight is easy. But manuvering you'll want all the vision you can get.
And for me, definitely blind spot mirrors as well, even if you've got blind spot indicators. They false alarm a lot and aren't 100% accurate. Should not be given blind faith especially while towing.
And for me, definitely blind spot mirrors as well, even if you've got blind spot indicators. They false alarm a lot and aren't 100% accurate. Should not be given blind faith especially while towing.
Alaska Steve
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BigBassDaddy407
Well-Known Member
Here are some tips:Buying a small Travel Trailer 2500lbs. loaded 79 inches wide 14 ft long. Do I need to extend side mirrors? Btw, I do have tow package. Any and all advice welcome. Jumping in never towed before
Mirror setup - Sit down in the truck, adjust your mirrors WITHOUT leaning foward etc. You should be able to look into your mirrors without having to struggle to see. Your best setup is going to be having the trailer on the inner edge of the mirror, and the rest of the mirror view being the adjacent lanes. So in your mirror you're going to want roughly 10% trailer/90% next lane over. Next adjust the mirror so that you can see the bottom of the trailer tires, maybe a hair under them. At this point, depending on the width of the trailer, you might not even be able to see the truck anymore. This is fine because if something is going to hit, its the trailer. See pic below
Give yourself extra braking distance in traffic, don't be in a rush, don't ride anyone's ass, stay in the right lane and cruise. Make a mental note to check your mirrors every few minutes, just a glance.
BIG TIP - when making turns, use all the space available
Also something I see a lot of novice drivers do, even in compact cars is proper turning. When you make a turn with a trailer, you don't swing out in your lane to clear the turn. INSTEAD you wait for traffic to clear on the road that you are turning onto and you use the space there. See below
As you drive and make turns, look at the mirrors and pay attention so how it turns. Over time you'll get used to it and understand its characteristics. All trailers are different.
Good luck.
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bigb
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Good tips, I realize that it is only a graphic but shouldn't the truck be closer to/hugging the lane divider stripes on it's left as it is approaching the turn to allow more room to make the turn? I often have to do that in my 21 foot long Superduty when turning onto a narrow street we have coming into my neighborhood. Or would tail swing put the trailer's back end across the divider? Just asking because I have not driven a TT.Here are some tips:
Mirror setup - Sit down in the truck, adjust your mirrors WITHOUT leaning foward etc. You should be able to look into your mirrors without having to struggle to see. Your best setup is going to be having the trailer on the inner edge of the mirror, and the rest of the mirror view being the adjacent lanes. So in your mirror you're going to want roughly 10% trailer/90% next lane over. Next adjust the mirror so that you can see the bottom of the trailer tires, maybe a hair under them. At this point, depending on the width of the trailer, you might not even be able to see the truck anymore. This is fine because if something is going to hit, its the trailer. See pic below
Give yourself extra braking distance in traffic, don't be in a rush, don't ride anyone's ass, stay in the right lane and cruise. Make a mental note to check your mirrors every few minutes, just a glance.
BIG TIP - when making turns, use all the space available
Also something I see a lot of novice drivers do, even in compact cars is proper turning. When you make a turn with a trailer, you don't swing out in your lane to clear the turn. INSTEAD you wait for traffic to clear on the road that you are turning onto and you use the space there. See below
As you drive and make turns, look at the mirrors and pay attention so how it turns. Over time you'll get used to it and understand its characteristics. All trailers are different.
Good luck.
wrf61
New Member
- First Name
- Bill
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- Jul 29, 2025
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- Pittsburgh, PA
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- 2024 Ford Maverick XLT AWD 4K / 2024 Ford Ranger XLT Sport
These mirrors work great. Very stable and adjustable and works with your mirror sensors and puck lights.Buying a small Travel Trailer 2500lbs. loaded 79 inches wide 14 ft long. Do I need to extend side mirrors? Btw, I do have tow package. Any and all advice welcome. Jumping in never towed before
https://a.co/d/0bDcqhuh
Bear376
Member
- First Name
- Steve
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- Apr 29, 2026
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- Stillwater, OK
- Vehicle(s)
- 2017 F150SC
I am ordering a 26 to replace my 2017 F150 SC and Flex. I need to haul my 20' car hauler (8' wide) and even with the F150, I had to replace the factory mirrors with extendable models. Trying to replace my truck with a new one before Ford is forced to installed the face recognition hardware that is replacing the start/stop as the most stupid add-on by regulation. I am all for technology, but that is going to be a disaster.
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