One must exercise caution when driving. If one is coming up behind a bicyclist and there is oncoming traffic, one should slow down and wait until it is safe to pass the bicyclist. Just because a bicycle is small does not mean that it has less right to be on the road or to not be allowed space on the road just because the automobile/SUV/truck driver is in a hurry. Towing mirrors allow me better visibility and so I will use them. I will also observe bicycles and safely pass them so that my mirrors do not become a cause of injury.

Also, in NC, laws changed in 2016: https://www.bikelaw.com/2016/08/nc-bike-crash-lawyer-on-new-laws/

There are some pretty steep penalties for drivers who hit a bicyclist.

Well, ... I guess that depends maybe on how concerned you are about other people's welfare. 

Even standard side view mirrors injure other people, I have already shown that in the BMJ article.

Let's look at 'why' we use automobile mirrors. Rear view inside mirrors are useless when towing a trailer, even an r-pod. Side view mirrors, properly adjusted, are designed to minimize 'blind spots' to the side and rear, note - NOT 'eliminate', and they are not designed to see behind the trailer, that's impossible. For what I mean, see the 'Figure' in the reference below about 'Adjust Your Mirrors Properly':

 

So, because there is a known risk to others even with standard side view mirrors, in my opinion EVERYONE should be worried about hitting a bicyclist, with or without towing a trailer. Using extenders only increases that risk to others. 

Using mirror extenders is obviously a personal decision for each of us, but I feel that it is important that we include injury to other people when making our cost-benefit evaluation.

+1  

 You should always be aware of the size of your vehicle and accessories. If you feel that you are safer using the extenders than you should use them. 

Dave, Purchased my Pod used in Rural Hall, NC and spent my first two nights in Mt. Airy (Mayberry) before returning home to PA.  Enjoyed the area and people.

Well its one of those anyway....

Hey Hey You all Mayberry is in North Carolina! Just right up the road from me!

By the way if your worried about hitting a bicyclist with your rear view mirror extenders then maybe you shouldn't be pulling a Pod or anything else. Just saying.

Just one thing, the fictional Mayberry is in North Carolina. Andy Griffith was from Mount Airy, NC.  Gotta stand up for my state y'know. 

These laws are now being challenged or amended (on several fronts) because of the availablity of rear facing cameras (and so-called 'digital' mirrors) that are supposed to improve fuel mileage and safety (according to, who else, the manufacturres of the digital mirrors).

In the trucking world, there are efforts to completely remove the outside physical mirrors and replace them all with cameras and in-cab monitors on new trucks. I'm against all that myself, but the designers, bean-counters, and engineers forgot to ask ME!

But I can see and hear it now: 

[Whirring old-school siren, rotating red beacon on patrol car]

Officer Fife: Sir, the reason I stopped you is because you have to have mirrors on this here pickup to tow that there camper!

Millenial: But I have DIGITAL mirrors! See! (points to monitor on dashboard)

Officer Fife: I dont know about that, but you GOTTA HAVE MIRRORS! It says so right here in the Mayberry South Carolina rule book!

Millenial pulls out two little suction cup mirrors and sticks them on the doors: Am I good now?

Officer Fife: Yes, son, you have a nice day, ya'll come back now, ya hear!

Standard side view mirrors are a hazard, about 1/20 bicycle injuries are due to them.

See Table 2

Sticking on an additional extension can't make it better.

Although I can see pretty much adequately with our Frontier and 179, I opted to go for towing mirrors from 1A Auto.

The ones I got for our Nissan Frontier are manual extend, but electrically controlled, heated mirrors. They also have the convex mirror section that assists with a wider field of view. When extended, they provide an even better view of what is behind us while I am towing. They also make my little Frontier look like a grown-up truck.

They aren't cheap, but I figure they are worth the cost for the better view they provide, not just while towing, but for everyday driving. They are not hard to install either in the Frontier. I would think they are not difficult to install in other vehicles either.

I have a set of extenders, used them once or twice and found I can see fine without them.

Years ago, I had a Dodge 1500 that I used to tow a cargo trailer that was wide enough to need mirror extenders.  I bought a set of slide on that fit over the stock mirrors and they worked just fine.  Slip on mirrors are specific to each vehicle, but there are a number of sellers and you shouldn't have any problem finding a pair that fit fine, if it turns out you need or want them.  

Good luck on picking up you new Pod.

Good afternoon everyone!

New Rpod ownership day fast approaching.  2 weeks from today we’ll be at RVNation just outside Cincinnati getting ourselves acclimated.  Then it’s off to Indiana for our first ever weekend camping trip with our new Rpod!!!!

Two issues I still need help with.  I will deal with them separately.  Thanks in advance for your help.

Looking to purchase mirror extenders for our 2005 GMC Envoy SLT.  Initial research suggested possibly a CIPA Custom Towing Mirror Slip-on for both driver and passenger sides.  

Then I came across the etrailer.com website, and they suggested a set of K-Source clip ones that supposedly install easily by clipping to the lip around the edge of the mirror housings and are very secure. Part #KS3891-2.  Not sure whether etrailer.com carries the CIPA Custom Towing Mirror Slip-on-mirrors.

As a relative newbie to the trailer towing world, I thought I could just go out and purchase a standard slip-on, just like a TV remote.  Since then I’ve learned that mirror extenders are somewhat specific to the towing vehicle, and that not all of them fit securely onto your mirrors.

So, looking for some suggestions.

Thanks again,

Jack

2019 1/2 10th Anniversary Rpod 179

2005 GMC Emvoy SLT