Hi all

Driving a 99 Ram 4x4 with factory mirrors. Was just wondering, what have you guys done to eliminate the blind spot on your pickups. Was thinking of mounting a small convex mirror on the factory one, but the factory mirror is already plenty small.

Thanks

John

 

put the larger tow mirrors on

 

before i put my tow mirrors on, i found some decently small convex mirrors in walmart for like 2 dollars haha. yes the mirrors are small but i had them where i could see my blindspot and still see everything else if that makes sense haha .....but ya the tow mirrors are the way to go....i may have some for sale possibly but i'd try the convex stick ons first JMO

 

little round convex stick-ons. i have these without factory tow mirrors and only bikes or smart cars can briefly disappear on me. works really well for me right now, but will be adding the kool-vue heated/power/tow to the xmas list this year!

 

I use the little round convex stick on mirrors. All I want to know if someone is there, not who i'm about to run over.

 

I use the small convex mirrors also. Got'em at Wally World and they work great.

 

Something I read in Popular Mechanics a while back. . .most people set all their mirrors so that they can see directly behind them. Instead of doing that, set your drivers side mirror with your head leaning over to the window and then set it so you can just see the fender. Once you straighten up you have a mirror that covers the left hand side. Do the same for the right hand mirror except just lean over a similar distance still sitting in the drivers seat.

It looks strange and is different to get used to, but it almost completely eliminates the blind spot except for right at the cab. I can generally see someone out of the corner of my eye then, so no big deal. If you're towing though the stickons are probably your best bet.

 

waldersha is correct. I drive my truck with the mirrors set up the way they were designed to be used and I never have to turn my head to look behind me. I have never cut anyone off and can see everyone in the lanes to the left, right, and behind me easily.

This is how to set it up correctly:

Adjust the left mirror so that when you put your head against the left window you just barely see the left side of your truck. Adjust the right mirror so that when you lean over to your right you barely see the right side of your truck. The center rearview mirror just points straight back. While you are driving, wait for someone to pass you on either side (or you pass someone) the vehicle should go from your center rearview mirror, then you should see the car briefly in both the center and side mirror, then you should see it only in the side mirror, and then you should see it in the side mirror and when you turn your head to the side the vehicle is on. Reverse the process if you are passing someone.

Another way to set your mirrors up is to park your truck so that there is differing scenery behind you at least 25 feet or so (not all the same or repeating). Adjust the center mirror straight back. Adjust the side mirrors so you see overlapping objects in the corners of the center and side mirrors when you move your head like described above. The outcome should be the same.

When you think about it, there is no reason to have 3 mirrors pointing so that you only see what is directly behind you. This may sound weird but takes a tremendous amount of stress out of locomoting a 7-8,000 hunk of steel down the road....

 

I got rid of the fun house "objects may be closer" and traded for a real mirror.

 

I'm running the smaller convex mirrors, got them at crappy tire for about $4.00, would like tow mirrors, but will have to wait for now...

 

As I get older it gets harder for me to focus on that small convex on the towing flipout mirrors. I have a deck on my truck and always have the mirrors flipped out to see past the deck. I went to a local truck supply and bought some 6" convex that I mounted to the lower inside of the flipout housing. Better view. I can still flip the mirrors in if I need to. I have to be careful if move the arms in toward the door though as the convex mirrors will make contact with the door.
I also have my mirrors aimed to the outside as walder and sheriff advised. Another benefit is at night you wont have bright lites blinding you from the rear when sitting normally in the drivers seat. You can lean either way when you want to see behind you.
Stan

 

Get the larger convex's. Your eye will focus on the reg mirror just fine w/o noticing the convex. The small ones are hard to see at a glance and cause you to take your eyes off the road for a longer period of time. Place them on the outer corner of your mirror either hi or low. I prefer low myself but have gotten used to the uppers on my tow mirrors.

I took the 1" ones of dad's truck and replaced with the 3" and he couldn't believe the difference. He thought they would be to big and block his view but says they work just fine and he only has to glane over to see if its all clear. Luck

Kurt