Towing a trailer brings a new set of driving challenges. Many trailers are wider than the truck towing them, which obstructs the driver’s vision in the rear. For reversing, turning or cruising on the highway, seeing past the trailer’s sides is critical for towing safely. If your vehicle didn’t come with factory towing mirrors, aftermarket towing mirrors will provide the extra vision you need.
Towing mirrors come in a variety of types, from slip-on and snap-on attachments to outright replacements for a truck’s factory mirrors. Because mirror designs often change, aftermarket mirrors must be compatible with your specific vehicle (it pays to compare). One option is a so-called “universal” mirror, but we’ve found owners complain that even those don’t fit their particular vehicle’s mirror. Here are the best towing mirrors we’ve found.
- Dometic DM-2912 Milenco Grand Aero3 : Best Towing Mirror
- Fit System 3891 Deluxe : Best Bargain Towing Mirror
- CIPA 11800 Custom : Best Slip-On Towing Mirror
- K-Source Snap & Zap 80710 : Best Snap-On Towing Mirror
- ECCPP Towing : Best Factory Replacement Towing Mirror
Featured Products
- Material - Aluminum, Glass, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
- Power adjustable & power heated
- Manually adjustable convex lens
- LED turn signal light
- Triangle construction
- Material - Glass, Plastic
- Injection molded textured black housing
- Power-adjusted, heated
- Manual flip-up, convex lens
- 6 months limited warranty
- Material - Glass, Plastic
- Triangular stable structure design
- Lens Curvature - Convex and Flat
- Features - Power control, heated, LED-turn signal
- 12-volt power
Editorial Picks
The Grand Aero 3 towing mirror is a universal clamp-on style mirror with a price tag closer to factory replacement mirrors than to its add-on competitors. What makes the Grand Aero3 stand out is the mirror’s design, which utilizes the airflow around the vehicle to stabilize and balance the mirror head. The manufacturer claims it is less sensitive to high winds and turbulence from large passing vehicles. The head can rotate 360 degrees, installation does not require tools and the mirror itself and the hardware are corrosion and resistant to color fade.
- Easy assembly and removal
- 360-degree adjustability
- Quality materials
- Obviously a clamp-on mirror
- Owners say theft prevention requires frequent removing and reinstalling
- Pricey
The Fit System 3891 is an inexpensive universal clip-on trailer towing mirror. It attaches to the existing mirrors of a truck by positioning to the outer sides. The manufacturer says it is adjustable to fit most mirrors, so check the specifics before buying. The mirror secures using a ratchet lock system and can be easily removed when not needed. Owners say it attaches tightly with minimal mirror vibrations at speed.
- Low price
- Adjustable to fit most mirrors
- Minimal vibration
- Buyers complain of poor instructions
- Users say rubber straps become brittle with age and weather exposure
- Some owners say straps expand in summer heat, loosening fit
The CIPA 11800 custom is a reasonably priced towing mirror designed to slip over the factory mirror on 2004-2014 Ford F-150 trucks. The manufacturer also makes similar mirrors for other makes, models and years. This mirror preserves the original mirror’s appearance. No tools are required to install it and it does not obstruct the original mirror.
- Reasonable price
- Slides over existing mirror
- Preserves original factory mirror appearance
- Some owners report getting a secure fit requires adjustment
- Mirrors are not adjustable once product is attached
- Some buyers report compatibility issues even with listed trucks
The K-Source 80710 snaps onto the factory mirror housings for 2009 and later Ram 1500 and 2010 and later Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks. The manufacturer also makes similar mirrors for other makes, models and years. The design accommodates factory folding mirrors and does not obscure under-mirror puddle lights and LED turn signals built into the factory mirrors.
- Reasonable price
- Slides over existing mirrors
- Allows folding function and puddle/turn lights
- Some users report vibration at speed, blurring vision
- Reports that sliding mirrors on and off can scratch factory mirrors
- Some buyers say plastic housing becomes brittle with age
For owners that want a full-function factory replacement mirror, the ECCPP towing mirror with an LED turn signal and a heated mirror is a solid, if pricey, choice. It replaces the OEM mirror on 2014 and later Chevrolet and GMC 1500 pickups and 2015 and later Chevrolet and GMC HD pickups. The manufacturer also makes similar mirrors for other makes, models and years. These mirrors allow for power adjustment and heat that turns on with the rear window defroster.
- Factory appearance
- Power adjustability and heat function
- Factory-style turn signals built in
- Removal of factory mirrors and installation is not for beginners
- Pricey
- Some owners report power malfunctions
Featured Products
- Material - Aluminum, Glass, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
- Power adjustable & power heated
- Manually adjustable convex lens
- LED turn signal light
- Triangle construction
- Material - Glass, Plastic
- Injection molded textured black housing
- Power-adjusted, heated
- Manual flip-up, convex lens
- 6 months limited warranty
- Material - Glass, Plastic
- Triangular stable structure design
- Lens Curvature - Convex and Flat
- Features - Power control, heated, LED-turn signal
- 12-volt power
METHODOLOGY
In order to determine the best towing mirrors for your vehicle, we considered the products most accessible to the widest swath of consumers in the U.S., which also includes performance, price and value. We also considered a broad range of end-user ratings and evaluations by multiple testers.