Installed my tow mirrors and have a couple of questions.

[Turbovsix]

Hi everybody -

I just installed tow mirrors on my 2010 1500 to help me see my boat trailer a little better. The units I purchased were from Amazon, and are made by DEPO - they are the flip up units identical to OEM, with the power adjust/puddle/turn signal/heated options. I believe they are also the same units sold by A1 Auto for reference.

Install was simple and the mirrors are solid - don't vibrate at all and are very well made. Direct plug and play. The convex portion of the mirror is very helpful and given the size of my trailer, I probably won't even need to flip them out when towing.

I need a sanity check on one thing as today was the first day driving with them:

1. Regarding the regular side mirror portion (NOT the convex) - seems like you could sort of go crosseyed looking into these. It's like instead of objects in mirror being closer than they appear, it's the opposite - objects in mirror are FURTHER AWAY than they appear in the mirror. I'm assuming this is because the large side mirror portion is adjusted so that the back of your trailer doesn't appear further away than it really is so you can see things easier. It just seems like there's a little distortion to the mirror - almost like you're looking through a magnifying glass to a degree. I see it in both mirrors. Again, my first day out with these and I'm sure I'll get more used to them.

Now, to adequately determine what's next to me, I basically have to use both the large side mirror and the convex to make that determination - using just the large portion, a car to my left seems like it's right on top of me when it isn't, and using the convex, it seems further away, so it's actually made it a little harder to judge changing lanes.

So, regarding the "distortion" or effect of the large side mirror - is it normal? Can't even really say that it's distortion - it's just "different" than a normal non-towing side mirror.

Any help or guidance would be appreciated. I was thinking of running an exchange on one of them through Amazon just to make sure what I'm seeing is normal but since I'm getting this view through both large mirrors on either side, I'm guessing it's just how they are meant to work.

Thanks in advance for any replies -

Rich

 

[whiteboycustom]

could you post photos or a link? i need tow mirrors

 

[riored4v]

The large portion of the towing mirror throws me off also. Its actually the biggest reason why i want/wanted to switch to non-towing mirrors. Like you said, something about them just seems off and they images reflected dont seem to appear right when compared to a normal mirror. I struggle with lane changes because of this also. I've had my truck since Nov and I'm still try to adapt to them lol.

 

[Turbovsix]

The large portion of the towing mirror throws me off also. Its actually the biggest reason why i want/wanted to switch to non-towing mirrors. Like you said, something about them just seems off and they images reflected dont seem to appear right when compared to a normal mirror. I struggle with lane changes because of this also. I've had my truck since Nov and I'm still try to adapt to them lol.

Thanks for the reply - I actually went as far just now to exchange one of the units and replace it with another one just to make sure what I'm seeing is normal. Box was punctured anyway so....

But yeah, I mean I can get used to it, but it certainly didn't "help" for lane changes. It's like a tradeoff I guess - I think trailering and backing my trailer down to the boat launch will be easier, but this weird view through the large mirror portion will make lane changes more difficult.

 

[Turbovsix]

Here's an image of the mirrors I got - not sure if this forum will let me post links, but just go to Amazon and search. Here's the exact description:

Depo 334-5419R3EFH1 Dodge RAM 1500/2500/3500 Passenger Side Textured Heated Power Towing Mirror with Turn Signal, Puddle Lamp


From a pricing perspective, these were somewhat even with what other vendors charge, but I went through Amazon for ease of returns and exchanges and such, plus Prime shipping, etc.

 

[BLKMAGIC]

They take a while to get used to...once you to, you will never look back...no pun intended

 

[whiteboycustom]

Here's an image of the mirrors I got - not sure if this forum will let me post links, but just go to Amazon and search. Here's the exact description:

Depo 334-5419R3EFH1 Dodge RAM 1500/2500/3500 Passenger Side Textured Heated Power Towing Mirror with Turn Signal, Puddle Lamp


From a pricing perspective, these were somewhat even with what other vendors charge, but I went through Amazon for ease of returns and exchanges and such, plus Prime shipping, etc.

thanks!

 

[Turbovsix]

BLKMAGIC - is what I'm describing about the large mirror accurate to you? Like, they give almost a reverse fish-eye effect or something?

 

[bobbo7915]

yeah i had the same sensation when i first got my tow mirrors and got used to is. i felt the same about the regular size mirrors but i felt it was way worse with those, couldnt see anything out of the regular size.

 

[Turbovsix]

I mean the convex part is outstanding. I have always had problems when my boat is in the water, and I back down the launch to retrieve, I can't see my trailer because it's not wider than the truck and of course, with the boat off I can't see anything above the tailgate. Now I'll be able to see my trailer and have a better point of reference for backing in. Just that the large mirror sucks.

Again, I guess it's a trade off...I always thought the std. mirrors that came with my RAM sucked too, as they were too small. But the mirror images were clear and not, I dunno, "funhouse style" like I'm gettin with the tow mirrors.

 

[whiteboycustom]

i know i ask a lot.....can you do some photos of your truck with the new mirrors?

 

[Turbovsix]

Sure man - I snapped this yesterday after I installed them. Truck is filthy - pardon the salt.

I got a little more used to them tonight on the way home. Another thing you have to get used to is the fact that they don't auto-dim like the stock small mirrors.

I'm still having issues with the large mirrors for lane changes but I guess it will get better over time. I tend to over analyze things and this is only my second day with them. I think they look sweet though!

 

[cajun87]

It takes some getting used to since the passenger side mirror is a regular flat mirror instead of the convex that we are all used to and if your not careful where to look you glance at both the flat and small convex at the same time and go all googly eyed. You have to almost train your self where to look.

 

[Turbovsix]

Yeah, for me all the weirdness is really just in the larger mirrors - almost like there's a touch of waviness towards the outer edges. Like you said, I guess they're just more flat than regular stock mirrors. The way the convex mirrors are on these - they're easier to "avoid" if you need to - but yeah, looking at both quick you can get jammed up.

I am relieved though that I'll finally be able to see my trailer when the boat isn't loaded on it! Quality product and I recommend them in terms of fit and finish.

Easy install too.

 

[jawzs2]

Where in NJ are you located? I put a set of OEM ones off a 2011 2500 on mine and never noticed this, I'll have to pay more attention to it next time I'm out. I'd like to compare them side by side one day. I'm in Evesham Twp, outside of Cherry Hill, maybe we can meet up at a M&G one of these if there's ever one around my area.

 

[Turbovsix]

I'm up north here in Essex county NJ!

Did some extensive driving today and in terms of getting used to them, much more comfortable now. I think I kinda overreacted to how flat the large mirrors are and it took me a little to get used to them.

I'm sure because mine are aftermarket that the large mirrors aren't as high quality as the oem's. Today the issue was much less of an issue though.

 

[Loaded]

I had to get rid of my tow mirrors because I could not get used to them. Luckily my father has a 2012 2500 that needed a set. Now hes the one having issues getting in and out of the garage.

 

[whiteboycustom]

they dont look bad at all....think ill order me some, cant be as bad as the mirror i have now that is discolored because the heating element screwed up my mirror

 

[1ATony]

Hi everybody -

I just installed tow mirrors on my 2010 1500 to help me see my boat trailer a little better. The units I purchased were from Amazon, and are made by DEPO - they are the flip up units identical to OEM, with the power adjust/puddle/turn signal/heated options. I believe they are also the same units sold by A1 Auto for reference.

Install was simple and the mirrors are solid - don't vibrate at all and are very well made. Direct plug and play. The convex portion of the mirror is very helpful and given the size of my trailer, I probably won't even need to flip them out when towing.

I need a sanity check on one thing as today was the first day driving with them:

1. Regarding the regular side mirror portion (NOT the convex) - seems like you could sort of go crosseyed looking into these. It's like instead of objects in mirror being closer than they appear, it's the opposite - objects in mirror are FURTHER AWAY than they appear in the mirror. I'm assuming this is because the large side mirror portion is adjusted so that the back of your trailer doesn't appear further away than it really is so you can see things easier. It just seems like there's a little distortion to the mirror - almost like you're looking through a magnifying glass to a degree. I see it in both mirrors. Again, my first day out with these and I'm sure I'll get more used to them.

Now, to adequately determine what's next to me, I basically have to use both the large side mirror and the convex to make that determination - using just the large portion, a car to my left seems like it's right on top of me when it isn't, and using the convex, it seems further away, so it's actually made it a little harder to judge changing lanes.

So, regarding the "distortion" or effect of the large side mirror - is it normal? Can't even really say that it's distortion - it's just "different" than a normal non-towing side mirror.

Any help or guidance would be appreciated. I was thinking of running an exchange on one of them through Amazon just to make sure what I'm seeing is normal but since I'm getting this view through both large mirrors on either side, I'm guessing it's just how they are meant to work.

Thanks in advance for any replies -

Rich

This is a different manufacturer than the one that we use. Our tow mirrors do include free shipping and also include a lifetime warranty. They're made very well.

If anyone has questions on the mirrors that we carry I can help you out.

Tony