Towing Mirrors

Towing Mirrors: Why They're Important and How to Install Them

Towing a trailer can be tricky. The moment you accelerate, your visibility drops significantly and you need to see more than what your rear-view mirror is showing you. If you don’t have extended towing mirrors on your car, things can get quite risky.

Luckily, there are aftermarket towing mirrors that can make your towing experience a lot safer and easier. If you’re thinking of buying a new car soon and intend on towing something behind it from time to time, then this article will help you understand why tow mirrors are important and how to install them properly on your car.

Keep reading for everything that you need to know about these OEM accessories!

Clamped Towing Mirrors

Clamped towing mirrors are the most common type of aftermarket tow mirrors and they are also the cheapest. This is why they are a popular choice among car owners who intend on towing on a budget.

Clamped towing mirrors clip onto the edge of your vehicle’s side-view mirrors and extend them downwards, giving you a wider and clearer view of the road ahead.

While they don’t offer the same blended look as fixed towing mirrors, clamped towing mirrors are great for occasional towing and can be easily removed and stored away when you don’t need them.

‍Fixed Towing Mirrors

Fixed towing mirrors work by mounting a small towing mirror to the edge of your vehicle’s side-view mirrors. This then extends and tilts the mirror downwards to give you a wider and clearer view of the road behind you.

When choosing fixed towing mirrors, you should make sure that they fit your vehicle’s make, model, and year. This ensures that they clip onto your car properly and don’t come loose while you’re towing.

Fixed towing mirrors are more expensive than clamped towing mirrors, but they provide a more durable and stable towing experience. If you are looking to tow frequently, fixed towing mirrors are a better investment as they can be used with any car and come with a warranty.

How to Install Towing Mirrors on Your Vehicle?

Before you start installing your new towing mirrors, make sure that your vehicle is clean and free from dust, grime, and any other contaminants. Dirt or dust can cause damage to your car’s paint or finish and can make the installation process difficult.

When installing clamped towing mirrors, you want to make sure that they are attached to your vehicle’s side-view mirrors as tightly as possible. This will prevent them from falling off while you’re driving with a trailer attached.

To do this, clean and dry your vehicle’s mirrors and use a rubber or cloth clamp to attach the towing mirrors. Tighten the clamp as much as possible to ensure that the towing mirrors don’t fall off while you’re on the road.

 Tips for Safe Towing With Towing Mirrors

When towing with aftermarket towing mirrors, you want to make sure that you are positioned properly. This means that you want to be as close as possible to the center line on the road.

By being as close to the middle of the lane as possible, you will be able to see what is coming up behind you and steer your car accordingly. While towing, you also want to make sure that you are going below the speed limit.

Regardless of whether you have towing mirrors or not, you should always be going below the speed limit. Not only does slowing down prevent you from getting a ticket, but it also reduces the risk of an accident.

How to know which Towing Mirror suits your Vehicle

Before you buy any towing mirrors, make sure that they fit your vehicle’s make, model, and year. If the towing mirrors don’t fit properly, they can fall off while you’re towing and be a safety hazard on the road.

Remember that not all towing mirrors are created equal. You want to make sure that the towing mirrors that you buy are made from high-quality materials and are easy to install.

While you can find towing mirrors in any car parts store, it is best to buy them online. That way, you can read customer reviews and select the best towing mirrors for your vehicle.