I'll be towing a 20 foot 8'3" boat at least twice a month at least 30 miles one way in the spring and summer...

Is it worth getting the tow mirror? I'll be losing the chrome on the standard mirrors...

Does it look ok on an armada?

how difficult is it?

Does it work well for it's purpose or are there better options?

thanks for those with any experience or opinions

I do not tow, so I can not give opinion on functionality, but I have seen them on the Armada and they look sweet.

Tow mirrors do look sik. I wouldn't mind losing the chrome mirrors for the tow mirrors due to it's functionality.

The advantage to an open trailer is that you can see clearly around (in this case your boat). If you are running an enclosed style trailer you NEED to have Tow mirrors because the extension to see around the trailer is necessary.

That being said, if you like the tow mirrors get them it won't be bad to have.

Thanks for your input guys... I went and ordered them from yournissanparts... they were cheapest overall...

The boat is pretty tall, a few inches taller than the MADA... and wider than it so a tow mirror was going to be useful... I was thinking of going with a removable one but I do agree the tow mirror does impart a different look.. less chrome, more brute...

finally got my new tow mirrors installed... took 1 hour for one side, 30 minutes for the other...

The mirror I got actually had the chrome caps which are great..

I need to get used to the new mirrors... these things are big and block some of the traffic when making a right turn...

They're also farther away and I need to learn to twist my neck farther... but overall a good upgrade...

finally got my new tow mirrors installed... took 1 hour for one side, 30 minutes for the other...

The mirror I got actually had the chrome caps which are great..

I need to get used to the new mirrors... these things are big and block some of the traffic when making a right turn...

They're also farther away and I need to learn to twist my neck farther... but overall a good upgrade...

I am just seeing this thread for the 1st time. Yep...my tow mirrors are chrome too. And I noticed the same thing you have noticed. It actually takes some time to adjust to the big *** mirrors. They work awesome when towing, but it's almost overkill when errand-hopping. Also I REALLY miss the auto-dim function! But tint on the front windows has helped some.

I purchased a set of clip-on mirrors from e-trailer.

http://www.etrailer.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=E&Product_Code=11953&Category_Code=M

They work fairly well but larger section does tend to vibrate. Any tow mirror is better than none when trying to see around a trailer (mine is a 24' enclosed trailer).

Toyhauler - I tried this type of tow mirror (I bought mine at Camping World), and found that the clips that held them on made it so you could not adjust the regular mirror. So, the regular mirrors were completely out of adjustment, and the tow mirrors vibrated so badly I couldn't see anything. Do your mirrors have the same problem? I would like to get the Nissan tow mirrors, but I have to fold in my mirrors to get in the garage, so would rather not lose the power fold feature.

Thanks....Keith

I did have to add two foam spacers between the clip on mirror and the factory housing for that exact reason. The OEM mirrors now adjust with no problem. The larger mirror does vibrate but is still usable. The only other thing I can think of is that they will cause the mirror to fold-in if there is a strong wind and you are going over 70mph.

I got these because I just couldn't spend the $400 for the oem tow mirrors.

I got these because I just couldn't spend the $400 for the oem tow mirrors.

Good point. It is highway robbery! The only reason I got mine was because the dealership owed me a class IV weight distrobution ball mount hitch. But the service department manager told me that they were being recalled, and that they were back ordered. I was attempting to have them buy an Equal-i-zer brand WD hitch......but they wouldn't go for it! lol

I asked if they would let me take the tow mirrors (of which I had to provide the part #). They balked initially because the cost is greater for the mirrors than the hitch, but they finally did the deal.

I really wish that Nissan sold the tow mirrors with the power fold feature. The auto-dim and integrated signals would be nice too. Like I said, I can't fit the Armada in the garage without folding the mirrors, so the power fold is really handy. Right now, I'm making do without tow mirrors, and I really don't have much problem seeing behind the trailer (8 ft wide).

Keith

the auto dim would really be great... the bigger mirrors reflect so much more headlights...

regards to towing... it makes a big difference on a 20 foot boat compared to a shorter travel trailer.

But I also got myself one of those backup rearview cameras (portable) that I hooked up to the boat transom so I can actually see behind the boat as well..

as to cost, it is expensive, but for me worth it... best mod I made and most useful as well... once I get used to looking at the right mirror when not towing...

I posted this a couple times before but here I go again, I just can't help myself. If you like the look/features of the stock mirrors and If you want to tow a big trailer safely and don't want the big Nissan tow mirrors to deal with everyday, get some "McKesh type" tow mirrors, they are the ONLY way to go for high quality temporary tow mirrors. They are well designed, well made and work great. The clip-on plastic ones are just disposable pieces of junk and vibrate like crazy, I know, I went through 3 different sets before I got smart and made the $100 investment in real tow mirrors, worth every penny and will last me for a lifetime, and I can use them on any of my vehicles I want.

I posted this a couple times before but here I go again, I just can't help myself. If you like the look/features of the stock mirrors and If you want to tow a big trailer safely and don't want the big Nissan tow mirrors to deal with everyday, get some "McKesh type" tow mirrors, they are the ONLY way to go for high quality temporary tow mirrors. They are well designed, well made and work great. The clip-on plastic ones are just disposable pieces of junk and vibrate like crazy, I know, I went through 3 different sets before I got smart and made the $100 investment in real tow mirrors, worth every penny and will last me for a lifetime, and I can use them on any of my vehicles I want.

I've looked at these mirrors on the Internet, and they look pretty good. My main concern was leaving marks on the doors. Have you had that problem?

Keith

I posted this a couple times before but here I go again, I just can't help myself. If you like the look/features of the stock mirrors and If you want to tow a big trailer safely and don't want the big Nissan tow mirrors to deal with everyday, get some "McKesh type" tow mirrors, they are the ONLY way to go for high quality temporary tow mirrors. They are well designed, well made and work great. The clip-on plastic ones are just disposable pieces of junk and vibrate like crazy, I know, I went through 3 different sets before I got smart and made the $100 investment in real tow mirrors, worth every penny and will last me for a lifetime, and I can use them on any of my vehicles I want.

I actually saw your post when I did a search before making this post.... I figured I only have one tow vehicle, the eaglevision cost 100 bucks and since I got mine on clearance for 330 shipped, decided the tow mirrors were a reasonable alternative...

I too was concerned about where they attach to your window sill as it looked like it needed to clip into the door between the glass....

I actually saw your post when I did a search before making this post.... I figured I only have one tow vehicle, the eaglevision cost 100 bucks and since I got mine on clearance for 330 shipped, decided the tow mirrors were a reasonable alternative...

I too was concerned about where they attach to your window sill as it looked like it needed to clip into the door between the glass....


I just make sure the spot where the pad lands is free if dirt or grit (clean) and it leaves absolutely no marks, even after a week on the road. Same for the weather stripping where it clips on next to the window and the beauty of it is the tighter you clamp the mirrors down the better the clearance between the clip and the glass becomes. BTW the inside of the clip is lined with Teflon in the case it does hit the glass. I have the original McKesh mirrors but the knock-offs I have seen look virtually identical and most likely perform the same. I got mine in 1998 when I was towing a 5th wheel with a GM 1ton. I have used these mirrors on 3 different trucks and they have had zero issues fitting/performing. They do not show any signs of wear or weakness from the last 8 years of use and will most likely out-last my next three tow vehicles. Just remember when they are new and they need to be adjusted for the first time for fit, it is advised that you have an extra pair of hands to help because they can be awkward, after that they are a piece of cake to r&r. Oh, yeah they fold up nice and flat for storage in the trailer when not in use and when reinstalled the mirror itself requires very little if any tweaking for the optimum rear view. Just hook them on window sill and hold the bottom hook on bottom edge of the door and turn the strap handle tight and you are done, ready to go.