Hitch mirror

[ALAN]

We are in the quote stage of purchasing a new 3400RL. Thanks to all of you who have purchased a unit and were willing to share your experience relative to good/bad dealers. I noted that the new units have a mirror over the hitch. I was wondering if this really helps with hooking up or is it just a gimmick.

Alan & Kathy

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Funny you should ask, I have my 3485 for over a year and a half and I never once looked to see how well it does or doesn't work. I had my system in the old rig, without a mirror, that I have gotten the habit of doing it my way. I completely forget the mirror is even there.

[jjackflash]

I never use it. I personally can't see we're it would help.
Jack

[ols1932]

It's used as a selling point. It makes you think that it is invaluable when hooking up. It might work some if you have a long bed crew cab truck, but other than that eyeballing is best.

Orv

[stiles watson]

I am tall enough to be able to see the top of the hitch plate and the king pin in my rear view mirror as I engage them, so I don't need it. I do glance into my rear view mirror to see how much movement I am getting while towing.

[bsmeaton]

I use mine all the time...........



Keeps the suction cup marks off of the gelcoat!

[scattershot]

I think it's a brilliant solution to a non-existant problem. I can't see the hitch in mine, so I just look over my shoulder like I always have.

[KathyandDave]

I can only see the top of the pin box in it, so it's of no use. I put a big stripe of tape down the centre of the pinbox, which helps a lot.

[Montyman]

I've been using a stripe of reflective tape on the hitch for 6 years. Never missed yet. Can't see the hitch in the mirror, but it's good for checking the lumps on my noggin where I forgot to duck low enough under the bedroom slide out.

[BB_TX]

Looks like it is unanimous. I tried it one time and found it of little use. I usually open my rear window and look backward to get a good view of the hitch and pin when I hook up. But I can see it well enough even with the window closed. I suppose if a person were too short to see the hitch very well out the back window, they might could get use to using it.

[TLightning]

I don't use it either, I can turn around and see the pin and the hitch.

[ggranch]

If you look in a mirror to see another mirror, which way do you turn the wheel to line things up? I like Brad's useage. Mine just shows the cobwebs behind the level thats mounted on the pin box. Bob

[Driftwoodgal]

Hubby is short and it is useless to him. He is only 5'5" and we have a 2500HD Chevy Club Cab/Long Bed. He says it is a waste of money for him.

Brad, love your use of the mirror. I need to try that.

Colleen

[TAKPAK]

I never have used mine. I can turn my head and look, and actually see better using the rear view mirror in the TV. I do sometimes use the "hitch vision" to be able to see what's going on up in front of the hitch, (what's rolling around back there) but never to hook up. Looking in a mirror to see into another mirror to see something else just makes me dizzy. I've been tempted to put some sort of decal over it, perhaps something stating "hitch goes here"....the possibilities are endless.

[JimF]

Hummm, I use mine all the time. We normally park the truck in front of the 3400 and I drop the tail gate and back up to where the hitch is just short of the pin box. I get this distance in the mirrow, personally I think it's great.

[richfaa]

If you have the Mor ryde pin box you can't see anything as the mor ryde is a extended pin box.I do however use the mirror all the time. I put some tape on pin box and the hitch and follow the yellow tape road in the mirror..

[Steve and Brenda]

Never use it for hooking up but to see if my satellite dish is still in the truck bed

[berridge]

I have tried to use mine enough to get used to it but often the light reflected from the rear window makes it difficult to see clearly so I give up. Marking the pin box and receiver as suggested in a number of the other replies really helps to get things centered whether or not you use the mirror.

[sreigle]

I think the 2008 models have the mirror at a better angle than does our 2007. I cannot see the hitch in the bed because of the length of the cab (megacab) and also my crossbed toolbox blocks the view. I tried using the mirror but cannot see the hitch and pinbox until almost to the hitching point. So, it's of little value to me. I think the 2008's with the different mirror angle might work better.

To solve my problem of not being able to see the hitch, a friend (member SteveS) gave me an extending magnetic tool pickerupper. Now I just extend that tool and set it on the hitch in alignment with the center of the pin opening on the hitch. I can line up perfectly now. The pinbox pushes the rod off the hitch but the rod is tied to a lower part of the hitch and it just lays in the bed when not in use. Works great (thanks Steve!)