Blind spot with K-Source mirrors
06-30-2017, 10:33 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Blind spot with K-Source mirrors
Just completed our first serious tow with the K-Source mirror extensions on my 2016 Lariat (w/ BLIS). I left the standard mirrors in their normal position (where I can just see the edge of the vehicle), set the extension mirror to just see down the edge of the TT, and since I was towing the BLIS was disabled automatically.
When being passed, vehicles not only disappear in the B pillar blind spot but between the 2 mirrors: see it approaching the TT >> gone >> see it approaching the truck >> gone >> see it next in peripheral vision. I tried adjusting the truck mirror but to no avail other than making the truck's blind spot worse. It was a bit disturbing but I got used to extra vigilant shoulder checking (which kind of makes the extensions redundant).
I did not have this problem with my 2010 and the slide-on extensions (forgot the brand name) so I am thinking that the K-Source mirror is too small to give the wider field of view you need. Combine that with the newer F150's over-sized blind spot (and why they all come with BLIS or fish-eyes) and you have a potential problem.
Maybe Ford should consider programming the BLIS so when towing instead of turning it off it should ignore the space where the TT is.
When being passed, vehicles not only disappear in the B pillar blind spot but between the 2 mirrors: see it approaching the TT >> gone >> see it approaching the truck >> gone >> see it next in peripheral vision. I tried adjusting the truck mirror but to no avail other than making the truck's blind spot worse. It was a bit disturbing but I got used to extra vigilant shoulder checking (which kind of makes the extensions redundant).
I did not have this problem with my 2010 and the slide-on extensions (forgot the brand name) so I am thinking that the K-Source mirror is too small to give the wider field of view you need. Combine that with the newer F150's over-sized blind spot (and why they all come with BLIS or fish-eyes) and you have a potential problem.
Maybe Ford should consider programming the BLIS so when towing instead of turning it off it should ignore the space where the TT is.
06-30-2017, 02:35 PM
#2
Senior Member
What are you towing? I just returned from an 1800mi trip towing a 8' wide travel trailer and I just used the stock non-towing mirrors..
I didn't have any blind spots (beside me). My mirrors are adjusted so that I can see down the lane next to me. To see the edge of the truck, I have to lean a bit.
I didn't have any blind spots (beside me). My mirrors are adjusted so that I can see down the lane next to me. To see the edge of the truck, I have to lean a bit.
06-30-2017, 05:16 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Its an 8 footer (24 ft long). I towed it last year without the extensions (they weren't available). Yes you can turn/move your head but that also means taking your eyes away from where your going for longer than I want. I don't tow enough to justify the power towing mirrors.
What I want them to do is give me an idea what is behind me -- which they do unless people are stupid enough to drive up to the backside of the TT.
What I didn't want is another blind spot that requires me to turn/move my head the same as if I hadn't bought/installed them.
What I want them to do is give me an idea what is behind me -- which they do unless people are stupid enough to drive up to the backside of the TT.
What I didn't want is another blind spot that requires me to turn/move my head the same as if I hadn't bought/installed them.
06-30-2017, 05:22 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
You appear to have a 2014 and as per my post this is more an issue with the 2015+ models with BLIS. When I test drove 2016's the fish-eye lens looked like it was going to work nicely (didn't have trailer hooked up though) but I ended up with BLIS.
06-30-2017, 08:37 PM
#5
The ones you had before were probably **** slide on mirrors, and I have a set for my old dearly departed 2014. I towed a 28' Coleman with them and had no apparent blind spots, they did rather well.
I now have a 2016 and bought the K Source snap ons, which were delayed for well over a month and while waiting ordered a set of **** slide ons that were very inexpensive since they were returns, paid $38 shipped for them, came in two days, and wouldn't you know it, the K Source shipped on the same day I got the other mirrors, two weeks prior to when I was told they would ship.
So I have both types and will see which ones have a better field of view. I got the K Source because they have a taller mirror, but I do believe the **** actually has a wider mirror, so kit may actually be the better of the two.
I now have a 2016 and bought the K Source snap ons, which were delayed for well over a month and while waiting ordered a set of **** slide ons that were very inexpensive since they were returns, paid $38 shipped for them, came in two days, and wouldn't you know it, the K Source shipped on the same day I got the other mirrors, two weeks prior to when I was told they would ship.
So I have both types and will see which ones have a better field of view. I got the K Source because they have a taller mirror, but I do believe the **** actually has a wider mirror, so kit may actually be the better of the two.