Trailer tow mirror prototype

[RangerAJS]

Hi Ranger5g,

Ever since I bought my Ranger, I’ve been trying to find a solution for towing mirrors that worked well and didn’t look like crap. Soooooo, I went and bought a 3d printer and decided to create my own. Still working on a couple things but they fit snugly and attach with Velcro straps and a friction fit to the mirror. Strong enough that they won’t wobble , move or flex.

I’m using these for a 7 foot wide trailer but imagine I could tweak the design to get a couple more inches of extension.

What do you guys think?

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[Big Blue]

Hi Ranger5g,

Ever since I bought my Ranger, I’ve been trying to find a solution for towing mirrors that worked well and didn’t look like crap. Soooooo, I went and bought a 3d printer and decided to create my own. Still working on a couple things but they fit snugly and attach with Velcro straps and a friction fit to the mirror. Strong enough that they won’t wobble , move or flex.

I’m using these for a 7 foot wide trailer but imagine I could tweak the design to get a couple more inches of extension.

What do you guys think?

Nice, but I'll stick with my Clearview extendables. Bigger mirror more visibility.

 

[subquark]

Hi Ranger5g,

Ever since I bought my Ranger, I’ve been trying to find a solution for towing mirrors that worked well and didn’t look like crap. Soooooo, I went and bought a 3d printer and decided to create my own. Still working on a couple things but they fit snugly and attach with Velcro straps and a friction fit to the mirror. Strong enough that they won’t wobble , move or flex.

I’m using these for a 7 foot wide trailer but imagine I could tweak the design to get a couple more inches of extension.

What do you guys think?

Dang, you did that with a 3D printer and designed it too?

Looks great!

 

[Grumpaw]

For a 7 foot wide those will probably work very well, but for a standard 8 footer they would have to be bigger, possibly twice the size. I tried making a set that attached via an aluminum extention that I mounted to the bottom of the mirror.
Were rock steady until I hit around 60 mph, and the wind would blow the entire set up in.
Went to ClearView which have an OE type detent and don't fold in by wind speed.
To make your more resistant to wind, I suggest making the back side of the mirror your mounting have a rounded or cone shape to divert the airflow. That was the problem with my home-made set up...the mirror backs were flat and caught the airflow instead of diverting it.
If they do work out, I'm sure there will be a huge market for them as an alternative to the expensive ClearView.

 

[RangerAJS]

For a 7 foot wide those will probably work very well, but for a standard 8 footer they would have to be bigger, possibly twice the size. I tried making a set that attached via an aluminum extention that I mounted to the bottom of the mirror.
Were rock steady until I hit around 60 mph, and the wind would blow the entire set up in.
Went to ClearView which have an OE type detent and don't fold in by wind speed.
To make your more resistant to wind, I suggest making the back side of the mirror your mounting have a rounded or cone shape to divert the airflow. That was the problem with my home-made set up...the mirror backs were flat and caught the airflow instead of diverting it.
If they do work out, I'm sure there will be a huge market for them as an alternative to the expensive ClearView.

Thanks for the feedback. I wanted to ClearViews but couldn’t justify the price for as infrequently that I tow. I was also thinking about what you mentioned about the mirror back catching wind. So far so good, but what the heck, I can always make another prototype!

After a couple more interactions I’ll see if anyone on the forum wants to try a set and give me feedback.

 

[RangerAJS]

Dang, you did that with a 3D printer and designed it too?

Looks great!

Thanks! It’s been fun and challenging. And it was a great excuse to buy a 3d printer? ?

 

[Peragrin]

as soon as I can scrounge up $700 I will get clear view as well. just to many other things need money this year.

Like prepping the camper, and a generator for the house, etc etc etc

 

[Lcr3000]

Hi Ranger5g,

Ever since I bought my Ranger, I’ve been trying to find a solution for towing mirrors that worked well and didn’t look like crap. Soooooo, I went and bought a 3d printer and decided to create my own. Still working on a couple things but they fit snugly and attach with Velcro straps and a friction fit to the mirror. Strong enough that they won’t wobble , move or flex.

I’m using these for a 7 foot wide trailer but imagine I could tweak the design to get a couple more inches of extension.

What do you guys think?

I like what you're trying to do. Keep tweaking. The main thing is, one, that is works and attaches well, second, if it looks good enough some may run with it permanently.

 

[MarkCl]

Hi Ranger5g,

Ever since I bought my Ranger, I’ve been trying to find a solution for towing mirrors that worked well and didn’t look like crap. Soooooo, I went and bought a 3d printer and decided to create my own. Still working on a couple things but they fit snugly and attach with Velcro straps and a friction fit to the mirror. Strong enough that they won’t wobble , move or flex.

I’m using these for a 7 foot wide trailer but imagine I could tweak the design to get a couple more inches of extension.

What do you guys think?

How did you print the mirrors?

 

[Cabose-1]

let me know!! I could certainly try them out for you. I do enough towing for sure, looking to buy clearview mirrors, but could use the money for the roadactive suspension instead.
The mirror looks like a nice setup too. 70 with headwinds would be a great test too. I dont tow over 70mph. And heading south, always run into a headwind

 

[DougH]

let me know!! I could certainly try them out for you. I do enough towing for sure, looking to buy clearview mirrors, but could use the money for the roadactive suspension instead.
The mirror looks like a nice setup too. 70 with headwinds would be a great test too. I dont tow over 70mph. And heading south, always run into a headwind

 

[DougH]

The best option that I have found is Clearview Tow mirrors. Just installed on my 2021 Ranger Lariat. These pics are with tow mirrors not in the extended position. Plug and play .

 

[Cabose-1]

The best option that I have found is Clearview Tow mirrors. Just installed on my 2021 Ranger Lariat. These pics are with tow mirrors not in the extended position. Plug and play .

Aaagghhh. No pics with em extended

 

[Msfitoy]

Dang, you did that with a 3D printer and designed it too?

Looks great!

What I was going to say...learning 3D is not easy for newbs let alone learning how to print 3D...great job!

 

[DougH]

Aaagghhh. No pics with em extended

I’ll take some in the next day or two of them extended.

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