The Best Towing Mirrors

If you're using your vehicle to haul around a hefty trailer, chances are your factory side mirrors aren't going to cut it! A set of specially designed towing mirrors provides the added visibility you need to see around your trailer. In some locations, towing mirrors are legally required (that's how big of a difference they make to driving!).

There are a variety of towing mirrors, each with their benefits and drawbacks including fit, ease of installation, security (lack of vibration), and special features like heated glass. Whether you're looking for a cost-effective pair of mirrors for your twice-per-year towing expeditions, or you're looking for a sweet factory-like setup with heated glass for those frosty mornings, we've rated our favorite towing mirrors for your benefit. Check them out below, and start enjoying true peace of mind on your travels!

Top Towing Mirrors

1. CIPA Magna Custom Extendable Towing Mirrors - Electric, Heated

WHAT WE LIKE:

Custom-fit replacement
Power adjustment
Heated mirrors clear frost/ice
Made in USA

This Is For You If:

If you want the best of both worlds—factory-like looks and functionality + increased visibility for safer towing—the CIPA Magna Custom Extendable Towing Mirrors are the perfect replacement to your vehicle's OEM mirrors.

The best thing about replacement mirrors is that once you put them on, you're covered each and every time you tow. Worried you'll miss OEM functionality like heated mirrors or power adjustment? Magna mirrors support both functions (as long as your vehicle does), so you enjoy the convenience you love in your vehicle. Simply install using the factory wiring connections for the electric and heat functions. As a bonus, the Magna mirrors come with wedge HotSpot mirrors to help further eliminate blind spots when towing.

"But what about pulling into my tight garage?!" you are probably wondering. "I don't have the room for giant towing mirrors!" Well, CIPA thought of that too. The foldaway design allows you to fold the mirrors in for parking or fitting into cramped spaces.

What makes these our #1 choice among similar OEM replacement mirrors? First, a 1-year warranty, which far surpasses the 90-day warranty offered by our #2 choice, K-Source. Also, we love that these mirrors are made right here in the USA.

This Is NOT For You If:

We won't lie—OEM replacement mirrors are expensive. If you're only going to tow occasionally, you might be better served with a snap-on or slip-on towing mirror (which we'll talk about below). If towing isn't a regular part of your life, these may not be worth the upfront cost.

2. K-Source Custom Mirrors - Heat w Turn Signal

WHAT WE LIKE:

Custom-fit replacement
Power adjustment
Heated mirrors clear frost/ice
Maintain's vehicle's turn signal feature

This Is For You If:

These K-Source mirrors are just like your OEM mirrors, but you know, way better.

Does your current vehicle have fancy features like heated mirrors and integrated turn signals? So does K-Source. These custom mirrors maintain these functions as long as your vehicle supports them, so you enjoy them even when you make the swap! Some K-Source models even have high-intensity LED turn signals built in, enhancing safety while maintaining an OEM appearance. These mirrors replace your existing ones, so it's a one-and-done setup for mirrors that will last the life of your vehicle.

Unlike your existing OEM mirrors, K-Source provides excellent visibility when you're towing. The telescoping design lets you easily peek around your trailer to safely change lanes, pass, and park. Extend the mirrors away from your vehicle to enhance your lines of sight, then retract them back in place when you're done towing. Fold the mirrors in near the vehicle if you need to park in a tight space.

This Is NOT For You If:

If you won't be towing often, or if you aren't ready to make a big investment in your towing setup, the price tag on these K-Source mirrors may be a bit steep. If you have an older vehicle or one that doesn't have features like heated mirrors or integrated turn signals, you also may want to consider a different mirror, since these mirrors only allow those benefits if your vehicle supports them. Some vehicles models may require drilling, and these mirrors don't come with temperature sensors, so if your vehicle came equipped with this feature, you'll lose that benefit with these mirror replacements.

Also note that between these mirrors and their competitors, K-Source offers a shorter warranty (only 90 days) and is not USA-made.

K-Source Custom Mirrors - Heat w Turn Signal

3. K-Source Snap & Zap - Snap On

WHAT WE LIKE:

Custom fit
Bestseller
Easy installation & removal
Won't obstruct factory mirrors
Snap-on design prevents vibration

This Is For You If:

If a secure fit at a great price is what you're after and you don't want to replace your factory mirrors, you won't find better than the K-Source Snap & Zaps. These snap-on mirrors provide a secure custom fit to prevent vibration and lessen wind noise. The snap-on design with built-in mounting clips grab the inside edges of your factory mirrors, providing more security than other custom options like slide-on mirrors in addition to providing a larger mirror surface for added visbility.

Installation is easy and tool-free, so you can be ready to tow in seconds and have your factory look back just as fast. Keep your mirrors safe and secure with the included storage bag when you're done.

How do we know these are some of the best towing mirrors on the market? Our customers told us so. The Snap & Zap mirrors are our bestseller, and with nearly 2,000 reviews and a 5-star rating, these mirrors have earned their spot on our list. But don't just take our word for it. After a year, our neighbor V. Nolan described them as the, "Best tow mirror on the market with an affordable price."

This Is NOT For You If:

For an alternate fit less likely to scratch or cause damage to your mirror, check out the similar slip-on mirrors by CIPA below at #3.

4. CIPA Custom Mirrors - Slip On

WHAT WE LIKE:

Custom fit
Easy installation & removal
Won't obstruct factory mirrors
Slip-on design unlikely to scratch OEM mirrors

This Is For You If:

If you don't want to permanently replace your factory mirrors for a bulkier set of towing mirrors, and you're concerned about possibly scratching your factory mirrors, consider a slip-on set like these custom mirrors from CIPA. Say goodbye to blind spots when towing by slipping these mirrors over your existing set and enjoying a wide field of vision.

Continue to use your factory mirrors like normal—adjust them freely, and use any integrated functions like turn signals, puddle lamps, LED spotlights, Blind Spot Detection Systems, cameras, etc. Then, when you're finished towing, slide the CIPA mirrors off and store them until next time. The felt-covered wedge locks securely, reducing the chance of wear or scratching the surface of your factory mirrors.

This Is NOT For You If:

If you're looking for a tighter, more secure fit without permanently replacing your mirrors, you're better off with a snap-on option like the K-Source mirrors at #3 on this list.

If price is your main concern, check out our top universal-fit mirrors lower on the list at #5.

5. K-Source Universal Dual Lens Towing Mirrors

WHAT WE LIKE:

Budget-friendly
Tool-free installation

This Is For You If:

If you need secure towing mirrors but don't want to invest a lot of cash, these inexpensive K-Source Universal Dual Lens Towing Mirrors are perfect for you. Don't take "inexpensive" as a knock on the quality of these mirrors—quite the opposite! These wallet-friendly mirrors are one of our bestsellers.

What makes these mirrors so great? They are easy to install, with no tools, hardware, or frustration required. The convex mirror allows you to see more than a flat mirror, and the manually adjustable mirror face lets you easily customize your view. Reviewers widely report experiencing no vibration with these clip-on mirrors due to the secure ratcheting system that holds the rubber straps in place over your OEM mirror. If you don't want to replace your current OEM mirrors, or if you plan on using this product on multiple vehicles, the clip-on system is a great option.

This Is NOT For You If:

If you want a more aesthetically pleasing custom fit or features like heated mirrors, you'll want to invest in a pair of mirrors designed for your vehicle model.

Although these K-Source mirrors don't fit every single vehicle, they do fit a lot (enter your year, make, and model on the product page to double check if they're right for your tow vehicle).

K-Source Universal Dual Lens Towing Mirrors

Still have questions?

Give our experts a call at 800-298-8924, or contact us online. We're happy to assist any way we can!

About the Author

As a content writer for etrailer, I might spend my morning loading and unloading a bike on five different bike racks to figure out which is easiest to use. I might be in the parking lot, taking pictures of an impressive RV battery setup our techs came across in the shop and discussing the benefits of the setup with the owner. I might spend an afternoon in a manufacturer training classes for some hands-on experience with new products, and then sit down to assemble all this information into a coherent article.

At etrailer, one of our core values is that we are always learning, and I learn something new every day. I start each morning with the goal in mind of taking all of this information and figuring out the best way to answer the questions people ask us (and the ones they don’t know to ask yet), and helping people get the solutions they need to make their lives easier, safer, and more fun. I’m a DIYer at heart, so it brings me great joy to help a fellow DIYer find what they’re looking for, whether that’s a product, an answer, or a community.

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Written by: Amber S.

Updated on: 2/11/20

Karla A.

6/20/2022

What mirror would best fit a 2010 Honda Odyssey? Only used when hauling kayaks in the summer.

David B.

6/20/2022

Well there is a lot of grey area there. Most of this will boil down to you and your preferences. I like the clip on style myself, there isn't a custom fit tow mirror for a 2010 Honda Odyssey so you will need to go with a universal fit. I'll link you to the universal clip on mirrors and to replacement mirrors. If you have any questions about a specific unit let me know Karla.

Helpful Links

mirror-2010_honda_odyssey.htm

s.aspx?qry=towing+mirrors&furl=-pg-towing_mirrors-sf-clip%7eon_mirror

John C.

7/1/2021

I have a 2015 GMC Acadia, standard mirrors. What are my options for towing mirrors/extension? I only tow a 20 ft trailer/camper a few times a year.

Jon G.

7/5/2021

Attached is a link to our selection of towing mirrors for your 2015 GMC Acadia. This is found by going through our fitguide system.

Helpful Links

tm-2015_gmc_acadia.htm

Bob S.

2/26/2021

What would be the best mirror for 2018 Ford F150 XLT? I'm looking at the K-Source snap on's but there are like 10 options... I can't see the differences...

Jon G.

3/1/2021

The only K-Source Snap-On towing mirrors available are the ones in kit # KS81850. The only other snap-on styles out there come from CIPA # CM11550 and Longview # LVT-2300-C. Any of the other mirror options you're seeing in the fitguide are universal clip on mirrors that don't fit as nice or look as sleek as the snap-on style. I really like the K-Source style because it has a bigger mirror and it covers the whole housing.

David

8/3/2020

Gosh so many ways, options on tow mirrors. I am one who reads a ton of reviews but now its left my head spinning. What has been the most popular and reliable snap on for the 2013 Sierra pulling an 80 in wide trailer? Thank you.

Chris R.

8/13/2020

Sometimes too much information can be a bad thing! For your 2013 Sierra the best custom snap-on option is the K-Source # KS80900 (as long as you don't have the telescoping mirrors or mirrors with chrome caps).

David

8/13/2020

@David Oops. Chris I do have the chrome caps...altherative?

Jon G.

8/27/2020

@David Since you have the chrome caps you want to go with the K-Source # KS80900 instead.

Mike M.

3/20/2020

Ok thanks that’s what I needed to know. Now I have to tell the wife I need a new truck with power folding mirrors thanks.

Chris R.

3/21/2020

No problem. Good luck with the new truck talk!

Mike M.

3/20/2020

2011 GMC 2500. I currently have mirrors that have to be extended manually with turn signals. Can I install mirrors that fold in with turn signal in mirror with out much rebuild

Chris R.

3/20/2020

If I'm understanding correctly, I believe the K-Source # KS62093-94G is the perfect towing mirror set for your Sierra 2500. These will replace the factory mirrors on your truck, maintain the LED turn signals, and are built on a hinge so they can be folded (manually) against the truck when needed. There isn't a power folding set available that will work on your Sierra.

Helpful Links

Custom-Towing-Mirrors/K-Source/KS62093-94G.html

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