Towing mirrors

Just bought a 97 F350 with a 7.3 powerstroke and I need to find mirrors for towing. Why Ford put such dinky mirrors on is beyond me. I know they make them that bolt on in the original holes in the door, but can't seem to find them. Any help?

http://www.topgearautosport.com/part/A1015NMB221/Ford_F250_Light_Duty_1997-2003_Black_Manual_LED_Signal_Towing_Mirrors.html

http://compare.ebay.com/like/350470557453?_lwgsi=y&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Mirrors/Ford/F250-Truck/1AMRP00011/431931?utm_source=NexTag&utm_medium=comparisonshopping&utm_campaign=NexTagNew

the first ones i posted dont look like they will work , you just might want to give them a call and see if they offer them in that style mirror ...... the next 2 would work for your app

Thanks Bruno it gives me someplace to start. Not sure any of them will work though.

Mr. Bruno has done an excellent job offering direction for your search. Not aware of mirror application for your vehicle, I would like to add my preferences which may offer a "happy driving experience", if I may?

As with any part, option or level of quality, price will be or may be the deciding factor. A side mounted rear view mirror offers the operator many options when a few options are added to the mirror's application. The ability to position the mirror's glass remotely (electrically) is almost a must. Add the option of heat and your strutting now! A continuous burning light mounted at the forward position of the mirror may only cause hampered vision during rainy or foggy conditions. Most of all, if one chooses none of the above additions to a basic mirror, the mirror MUST allow movement outward away from the vehicle when loads wider than the tow vehicle itself is towed.

I like the use of GOOD spot mirrors. Most small rectangle spot mirrors offer little assistance to maneuver in close situations. An example is the second link Mr. Bruno posted, like the factory mirrors on my 2001 F250. I know it may not be convenient and may look gaudy, my 1982 F150 uses a 5" X 7" standard mirror and with the type of mounting it offers I installed a 4" spot mirror just below the standard mirror. IMO, this setup works great!

Just my reflections,
Dave.

514Fox87 wrote:Just bought a 97 F350 with a 7.3 powerstroke and I need to find mirrors for towing. Why Ford put such dinky mirrors on is beyond me. I know they make them that bolt on in the original holes in the door, but can't seem to find them. Any help?

Im in the same boat thanks for posting this. You can't see anything beside you when your towing an enclosed trailer, and the passenger mirror is the one that all objects look smaller (great idea there on a 3/4 ton truck)

I am also been looking for some more mirrors for my 93 I don't want to have to drill more hole in the doors.Ford did put some mirrors on the XLT model that work good but you will have to put new holes in the doors and have 2 holes showing.I bought the extension mirror but still can't see around my 8.5'x24' enclosed I have the 5''x7''.I am working on building a set now so I can see around my trailer.I will post some pics when I finish them if it works, it want cost alot to make a set where you don't have to leave them sticking out so far when not hooked to a trailer.

Jim

I had the same dinky rectangular mirrors on my 97 F350. Here is a picture of an easy effective solution. Ford used this type of mirror on optional towing packages for trucks and on Econoline RV applications back in the 1990s (I think).
The curved tubular bracket bolts directly to your original mirror arm by drilling a new hole. The large flat mirrors bolt to the curved bracket. The brackets for the convex mirrors bolt to the original mirror holes in the arm. The convex mirrors shown are just ones that I had laying around, but the big square (lower) convex on the passsenger side is great for eliminating the blind spot. You can pick up everything you need at a local TruckPro or FleetPride truck store. I am sure the fine folks at BF Evans Ford would also be glad to hook you up.
Keith

I just looked again. The flat mirrors are made by Velvac and they are 7-3/4" x 10-1/2"

Wheelie58 wrote:I had the same dinky rectangular mirrors on my 97 F350. Here is a picture of an easy effective solution. Ford used this type of mirror on optional towing packages for trucks and on Econoline RV applications back in the 1990s (I think).
The curved tubular bracket bolts directly to your original mirror arm by drilling a new hole. The large flat mirrors bolt to the curved bracket. The brackets for the convex mirrors bolt to the original mirror holes in the arm. The convex mirrors shown are just ones that I had laying around, but the big square (lower) convex on the passsenger side is great for eliminating the blind spot. You can pick up everything you need at a local TruckPro or FleetPride truck store. I am sure the fine folks at BF Evans Ford would also be glad to hook you up.
Keith

Kieth that is same mirrors I have but they are the painted ones what I am working on is put a exstenion about 2 1/2'' to 3'' where the mirror itself bolts to the L part so I can see down the side of my trailer

The 7-3/4" x 10-1/4" flat mirrors are a Velvac RV mirror. The stainless ones are part number 709002.
The tubular elbow is part number 748216 in stainless.
Here is a link to the Velvac catalog. You can design just about any convex combo with parts from here.
http://www.velvac.com/pdf/mirrors.pdf
Keith

"Kieth that is same mirrors I have but they are the painted ones what I am working on is put a exstenion about 2 1/2'' to 3'' where the mirror itself bolts to the L part so I can see down the side of my trailer"


Ok...that would involve using a 3" long section of 3/4" aluminum bar stock drilled and tapped appropriately on each end. I can make those easily if you wish.
I bet you have a newer trailer (wider body) than mine! (I just figured that out)
Keith

mine is a 100'' wide box which gives me 82'' between the wheel boxes it is a 2003 Pace American Shadow model I beleave we have the stuff to to make mine wider just got late on me friday when i was working on them and trying to get tires on my trailer to get it ready to use.

Yeah...I think mine is an old 89 or 92 incher.....
Have fun!
Keith

Get a 7.3 with green oil........everything will be 300' behind you..no worry.

Lem Evans wrote:Get a 7.3 with green oil........everything will be 300' behind you..no worry.

Got the 7.3 green oil and the methanol in the trailer