I agree with that truck towing that load its questionable, but to the question. Tow mirrors are great. Have them on my Eb would never go back, gives you the blind spot mirrior and they telescope. But it comes down to what your comfy with. Some say theyre ugly, but then again your standard F150 is a truck not a ferrari.

 

Most people can't get past the look of the tow mirrors. I have them on my Platinum and I honestly don't think I'll ever own another truck without the big mirrors. Visibility in every day traffic is far superior. Blind spots are a thing of the past.

I regularly tow a bass boat or a three-rail motorcycle trailer and the tow mirrors are a big plus there too. I was unfortunate enough to drive a friend's Chevy 1500 with the 5.3 and small mirrors on one of our fishing trips lately. Within a few miles of leaving the house I was sorely missing my EB and big tow mirrors... they're especially convenient when backing.

Having said all that, are the big mirrors a necessity? Probably not. Are they a much better experience, most definitely.

 

Just an FYI you don't have a towing package... the towing package consists of towing mirrors and trailer brake controller... not just the reciever hitch... every truck has the hitch... The fact you don't have towing mirrors means no towing package... and good lord thats a ton of trailer for a 1/2 ton truck...

 

I'm not sure of that. I have the original window sticker and it says Trailer Tow Package for $350. It just doesn't have the mirrors. Everything I've found says those were optional. I could be wrong though.

 

max tow = tow mirrors.

 

I had the same dilemma with my 2008. Then I asked myself, would I rather take hand signals from my wife while backing up or just ante up for the tow mirrors and make both our lives easier. I loved those mirrors.

 

This.

Trailer Tow Package does not equal Max Tow Package...

 

Max tow also gives you and upgraded bumper, which im assuming helps in tow rating.

 

Good point.... The width of the TT makes all the difference.

 

I used to tow a 24' 8.5' car trailer with my Expedition. I bought the silly suction cup add on mirrors and i found it was helpfull. NOW on the same thought, i have the 2012 F150 s-crew with the the elephant mirrors and the truck won't fit into some drive through areas { banks, fast food,dry cleaning}.

 

Sorry.. your wrong... I have the Max Tow Package on my truck.. Has the Brake controller. 3:73 gears.. but not the big mirrors.. tow package does not alway = big *** mirrors..

I also don't think 24 foot is to much for a 1/2 ton.. heck I'm pulling 35' Ball to bumper at 7200lbs gvw

 

I think the tow mirrors are ugly as sin. I've pulled wide-body cow trailers and a 30' low-boy goosneck behind my '00 F250 with the base dog-ear mirrors and never felt uncomfortable. I don't tow nearly as large a trailer with my F150 these days.

Really though, it's all about how much visibility you feel comfortable with.

 

Lift it, they look better on lifted rigs!...actually on second thought, that would kill the towing capabilities of the 4.6L with that trailer.

But my experience with the tow mirrors are favorable. They are great for backing up and the concave blindspot mirror does its job perfectly. If I go thru a smaller then normal drive thru or tight space I just reach out and fold in the mirror, problem solved.

 

Well I finally had a chance to give the travel trailer a tow earlier this week. Seem to pull just fine. It's a little slow merging onto the highway at 50mph, but from a start, around town, and running down the highway, just fine. Pulled it for 34 miles and averaged 10.5 mpg.

Now for the mirrors, the factory standard mirrors worked OK I guess. I can see just down the side, but not the back corners. Towing mirrors would fix that.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tjgerber/7188354397/

 

With the 2013 F150 around the corner , I am really hoping the electric folding Max tow mirrors will at least be a retrofit for 2009-2012 trucks. 2013 is power folding. Had these "dumbo" ears on my 08 F250 and they are the best mirrors on any truck I've ever owned