Side Mirrors

After craning my neck around for the last several decades, I’ve started to learn how to back up a trailer by looking at the side mirrors. It’s getting better, but….

Why is the passenger side mirror made differently than the driver’s side mirror? It really throws me off when the view changes so abruptly. Can I get a replacement mirror that looks the same on both sides?

I also see that they sell these after market mirrors that snap on over your existing mirror. Any one ever try these things? Thoughts?

FWIW I have a 2012 Dodge Ram

Thanks guys

SR

Lol

The only difference is the distance from your face to each mirror.

No, it’s more than that. A Convex surface on the passenger’s side maybe? Only the passenger side mirror has the infamous “objects in the mirror are closer than they appear” label. There’s something going on there.

Old tired eyesight probably doesn’t help either.

SR

I had those snap on mirrors on my last ram. The only advantage is that they extend out so I got a better view looking around the slide in camper. I have a back up camera that works great. I don’t think they, re that expensive to retro fit any more.

Steve Root wrote:

No, it’s more than that. A Convex surface on the passenger’s side maybe? Only the passenger side mirror has the infamous “objects in the mirror are closer than they appear” label. There’s something going on there.
SR

You got it bud
After 30yrs of using 2 “straight” mirrors on my big truck those convex things drive me crazy………………

Unless you actually have a convex mirror on your passenger side (likely not standard) I think you’ll find that if you scoot over to the passenger seat and look at the drivers side you’ll experience the same *distorted view from the drivers side mirror as you do from the passenger side when sitting in drivers side

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

Unless you actually have a convex mirror on your passenger side (likely not standard) I think you’ll find that if you scoot over to the passenger seat and look at the drivers side you’ll experience the same *distorted view from the drivers side mirror as you do from the passenger side when sitting in drivers side

Nope, not even close. The mirror on the right looks entirely different from ANY distance. This is the standard setup on Dodge trucks. My last one had the same setup, three other guys at work drive Dodge’s and they have the same convex mirror on the right hand side.

SR

Passenger side mirrors are of a different view to help eliminate some of the blind spot. They are different from the drivers door mirror…..the view is more panoramic and is distorted.

Roger Roger.

I’m used to flat mirrors.

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

Unless you actually have a convex mirror on your passenger side (likely not standard)

Convex passenger side mirrors have been standard on all vehicles since the 1980’s.
Anything that says “objects in the mirror are closer than they appear” are convex….

From US Code 49/571.111 “S5.3Outside rearview mirror passenger’s side. Each passenger car whose inside rearview mirror does not meet the field of view requirements of S5.1.1 shall have an outside mirror of unit magnification or a convex mirror installed on the passenger’s side.”
“S5.4.2Each convex mirror shall have permanently and indelibly marked at the lower edge of the mirror’s reflective surface, in letters not less than 4.8 mm nor more than 6.4 mm high the words “Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear.”

Lol @Me!

I just walked to the passenger side, and indeed, slightly convex.

Guess it never bothered me, but being born in 84 I suppose I’ve had zero interaction with anything different, besides tractors.

I think the best thing to do is go fishing more often so I get more practice backing up

SR

Steve Root wrote:

I think the best thing to do is go fishing more often so I get more practice backing up

SR

You could always glue a flat mirror on the one you have now too

I just broke out the goofy mirror, and replaced the glass with standard mirror glass. works great!

The 3/4 and 1 ton mirrors for the ram are the same left and right side. You could look on eBay for a set for your truck, and then they fold out for better vision too. If you are ever in the north metro you can let me know and you can see if are what you are looking for, or go fishing with me at some point and check them out.

The cure for that right side mirror is never use it, always back in on left side,. Even if if you have to go around the block. Ha

catmando wrote:

The cure for that right side mirror is never use it, always back in on left side,. Even if if you have to go around the block. Ha

I have a neighbor that does that to back the boat trailer back into the driveway. You should see the mess he creates trying to launch his boat at the areas lake launches that mainly require use of the right side mirror!

Just got a 3/4 ton superduty, with straight mirrors, Friday.

The dozen times I’ve backed up with a trailer since Friday, I haven’t noticed the difference.

Steve Root wrote:

I think the best thing to do is go fishing more often so I get more practice backing up

SR

Your own answer is the best answer on this thread as far as I’m concerned.