After a 2000 mile trip I'm done with shakey changing mirrors. For years I have used those slip-on mirrors, hate those. I got some Dometic clamp-ons which were better but too darn shakey. Part of the problem is the door sheetmetal that flexes with the extra weight, wind and bumps in the road. I had considered doing a "west coast" type setup but want something that will fold if hit. The folding 2nd/3rd gen tow mirrors are under consideration. Aftermarket knock-offs can be had for $80 - $160 on Ebay but what about the quality and stability? OEMs are expensive and on backorder. Anybody have any experience with the aftermarket mirrors or do I need to find some used ones? Other options? Thanks

 

The after market 2nd gen fold out tow style mirrors I have seen / used are floppy and of much less quality of the OEM ones. I would not install them on any of my own trucks for any reason.

Other than the "West Coast" style mirror Dodge did offer a further bumped out 4 post version of the 1st gen mirror on many W and D 350s. Might work for you.

 

I mounted a set of older ford stainless camper mirrors. Chevy used them too. Swing them in for clearance, swing them out for hauling.

 

Thanks for the heads up on the aftermarket mirrors. I wonder if I should post on the 2nd and 3rd gen forums, just in case theres a good aftermarket mirror available. I see checking CL daily for a while for used mirrors.
The low mounts have those rigid arms I'm trying to avoid.

 

You should look into threads on DTR about people installing 2nd gen mirrors on their 1st gen doors.
The work needed and the fact that most of them make it so the triangle window will not work as designed, makes it not an option I would want. The mounting point / bracket is pretty different than the 1st gen ones.

 

I think the DTR member "Thiss" welded up a custom piece to his doors on his crew cab build years ago to make those 2nd gen tow mirrors bolt up
It was cool to see it done, but nothing I would do to any of my doors on my 1st gens.

 

Yeah, I've read those threads. Not an easy project. I'm thinking there may be a way to bolt on a mounting bracket, but haven't looked into it very far. At least half the problem is with the door flexing. So beefing up the door down to the crease would help, but I'd still be using clamp on extensions. **** used to make an extendable head with gooseneck that fit the stock mounts. Seems like that would shake too.

 

My 93 has a set of tow mirror extensions that the PO installed in 94 ... the pass side is vibration free but the drivers side not so much

 

Even my stock ones vibrate, which is very annoying. On an 81 I had, I put a set of West Coast "Trucker" mirrors on it. Worked fantastic, no vibration at all. Unfortunately, they don't sell those exact mirrors anymore.

 

I combined a couple different kind of side mirrors and have been towing with them for 6 years with no issues....pretty stable and give decent visibility of the trailer.



My conversion starts at post #1129....

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...6/#post3301227

 

I tried the extensions on the 81, way too much vibration so I went to the West Coast set up. In retrospect, I supposed adding a side brace would have helped. My try that on the 92.

 

I want everything! Stock width for normal driving and extended for camper on board.
Out to out measurement on my mirrors is around 93" which is the width of the camper, so that is what I need to the inside of the mirrors when extended, for best visibility.

 

When I first put on the stainless camper mirrors I was nervous. That lasted about 3 days... then I was fine with the extra width. Don't even think about it now.

 

The exact style I mentioned on the 2nd post on this thread. If you leave the mirror bolt loose enough you can spin the mirror in my hand, if you need the truck to be narrower.

 

IIRC that was what came on my 81 originally. Vibrated folded in, worse folded out, and still not wide enough for my trailers. Then I went with the West Coast mirrors.