How to properly adjust the mirrors

[dm6]

I have read the other mirror threads and the one about the aftermarket glass. I can't imagine not liking the aftermarket glass that is slightly convex, but some people say they do. I am in the boat that hates the flat glass and has trouble seeing out of it. I guess it's OK to see the other lane while driving, but it's extremely hard for me to back up using it and hard to see a small trailer in it. I have read comments that say people have trouble with them because they aren't adjusted properly. So before I buy the aftermarketet glass, can someone explain how to properly adjust these mirrors? I mostly look into the small convex mirror when backing up or to make sure nobody is in my blind spot. These mirrors must work if they have made them for so long so I want to know how they should be adjusted so I can give it a try. There must be some advantage to this flat glass, but I sure haven't found it yet.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I cant use my center mounted rear view mirror for much at all so I rely on my side mirrors completely. I feel like I can see everything very confidently trusting my mirrors

I have my upper glass set in such a way that I can see behind me clearly and just see the corners of the truck in the mirror, and not aimed downward more of a straight shot down the side of the truck. When I tow my enclosed, I have to adjust them slightly but same idea, I adjust them to see the edges of the trailer in the edge of the mirror and can no longer see the edges of the truck. Having the corner of my vehicle visible in my mirror helps me judge distance. Can’t see what’s beside me in the top glass, it’s for seeing behind me. When not towing, a car in the top glass is typically far enough back to merge in front of or pretty close to it.

The lower glass I have adjusted so I can see the sidewall of the tire in the corner of the glass and it is adjusted no higher than the bed rail. This gives a blind spot view and having the tire in perspective helps line up for backing up.

This setup for me gives full coverage with no blind spots. There is just enough overlap that a car passing me comes out of the lower mirror as it’s entering view out of my window. Likewise as I pass a vehicle it comes out of the lower mirror as is starts to enter the top mirror.

 

[Pasta4lnch]

I have read the other mirror threads and the one about the aftermarket glass. I can't imagine not liking the aftermarket glass that is slightly convex, but some people say they do. I am in the boat that hates the flat glass and has trouble seeing out of it. I guess it's OK to see the other lane while driving, but it's extremely hard for me to back up using it and hard to see a small trailer in it. I have read comments that say people have trouble with them because they aren't adjusted properly. So before I buy the aftermarketet glass, can someone explain how to properly adjust these mirrors? I mostly look into the small convex mirror when backing up or to make sure nobody is in my blind spot. These mirrors must work if they have made them for so long so I want to know how they should be adjusted so I can give it a try. There must be some advantage to this flat glass, but I sure haven't found it yet.

Agreed. I'm 6k miles in (mostly highway) and I still haven't acclimated. What's more, I find myself looking at the small convex so much on the passenger side that I instinctively only look at the small convex, ignoring the larger mirror, on the drivers side too. What year is your truck? When I looked for something aftermarket for my 2024 there wasnt anything. Wonder if thats changed...

 

[Poolmonkey]

I have read the other mirror threads and the one about the aftermarket glass. I can't imagine not liking the aftermarket glass that is slightly convex, but some people say they do. I am in the boat that hates the flat glass and has trouble seeing out of it. I guess it's OK to see the other lane while driving, but it's extremely hard for me to back up using it and hard to see a small trailer in it. I have read comments that say people have trouble with them because they aren't adjusted properly. So before I buy the aftermarketet glass, can someone explain how to properly adjust these mirrors? I mostly look into the small convex mirror when backing up or to make sure nobody is in my blind spot. These mirrors must work if they have made them for so long so I want to know how they should be adjusted so I can give it a try. There must be some advantage to this flat glass, but I sure haven't found it yet.

Unless you pull a very long trailer maybe, the convex glass is so much better..afaic.
I pull my small boat behind a small TT for a total of ~ 35’ and still think the convex glass is awesome.

I could not get my passenger side mirror adjusted to where it was plenty good for towing, around town…all condition.

 

[dm6]

Unless you pull a very long trailer maybe, the convex glass is so much better..afaic.
I pull my small boat behind a small TT for a total of ~ 35’ and still think the convex glass is awesome.

I could not get my passenger side mirror adjusted to where it was plenty good for towing, around town…all condition.

Did you get the Suma replacement mirror? The longest travel trailer I would ever get would be in the 28'-30' range, so it is good to know you can see up to 35' ok. Right now I have a popup trailer and it is so hard to backup because I can't see it!

 

[dm6]

I cant use my center mounted rear view mirror for much at all so I rely on my side mirrors completely. I feel like I can see everything very confidently trusting my mirrors

I have my upper glass set in such a way that I can see behind me clearly and just see the corners of the truck in the mirror, and not aimed downward more of a straight shot down the side of the truck. When I tow my enclosed, I have to adjust them slightly but same idea, I adjust them to see the edges of the trailer in the edge of the mirror and can no longer see the edges of the truck. Having the corner of my vehicle visible in my mirror helps me judge distance. Can’t see what’s beside me in the top glass, it’s for seeing behind me. When not towing, a car in the top glass is typically far enough back to merge in front of or pretty close to it.

The lower glass I have adjusted so I can see the sidewall of the tire in the corner of the glass and it is adjusted no higher than the bed rail. This gives a blind spot view and having the tire in perspective helps line up for backing up.

This setup for me gives full coverage with no blind spots. There is just enough overlap that a car passing me comes out of the lower mirror as it’s entering view out of my window. Likewise as I pass a vehicle it comes out of the lower mirror as is starts to enter the top mirror.

I think I have something similar and when on the freeway trying to change lanes, I don't have a problem. If I don't see it in the big mirror or the convex mirror, and the BSM light doesn't come on, I figure it is clear. The only thing that would make me nervous is if I had a to make a quick lane change to avoid something, because it is harder to process all of that as opposed to a regular non-flat mirror where you can tell if something is there or not immediately. What about backing up into parking spaces, etc.? I find it much easier to back into a tight space, or something between two cars, than I do to back into a space with nothing around it. It is so hard for me to see the lines on the road to know where I am going! Do you just use your little mirror for that?

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I think I have something similar and when on the freeway trying to change lanes, I don't have a problem. If I don't see it in the big mirror or the convex mirror, and the BSM light doesn't come on, I figure it is clear. The only thing that would make me nervous is if I had a to make a quick lane change to avoid something, because it is harder to process all of that as opposed to a regular non-flat mirror where you can tell if something is there or not immediately. What about backing up into parking spaces, etc.? I find it much easier to back into a tight space, or something between two cars, than I do to back into a space with nothing around it. It is so hard for me to see the lines on the road to know where I am going! Do you just use your little mirror for that?

I use the lower mirrors to watch my clearances such as the corner of another vehicle or a bollard etc when backing into a space. I think that’s why it helps me to have the edge of my tire in the mirror.

I don’t trust the active guidelines on the backup camera but I do look at the backup camera right before I put her in park to judge how far I can back up before punching a hole in something with the hitch or hanging too far into the spot behind me. Most often I park far out and pull through. I have the rear cam hot key saved on the screen and I’ll pop the rear cam button to see if I pulled through enough which is hard to tell from the mirrors.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

@dm6 I just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page

Do you have the tow mirrors and do you have them set to “moose” mode aka “cornholio” or “assault” mode

Because The tow mirrors folded down to peasant mode you can’t see squat out of them.

 

[Poolmonkey]

Did you get the Suma replacement mirror? The longest travel trailer I would ever get would be in the 28'-30' range, so it is good to know you can see up to 35' ok. Right now I have a popup trailer and it is so hard to backup because I can't see it!

I did…but some guys say they don’t like them when pulling long and I can see their point.
It is harder to judge distance way back with the convex.
It’s worth it to me to have a proper parking lot and around town mirror with no blind spots, can’t put faith in any spot monitors myself and have towed for many years with convex passenger side mirrors.

 

[609er]

My convex mirrors are set so I can see the rear tires and what is right below my door in the both lanes. The flat mirrors are way out seein down the lanes behind me. I can’t see my bed unless I lean forward a tad. If a car isn’t in my convex or when I look out my window I’m clear

 

[dm6]

@dm6 I just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page

Do you have the tow mirrors and do you have them set to “moose” mode aka “cornholio” or “assault” mode

Because The tow mirrors folded down to peasant mode you can’t see squat out of them.

I have to tow mirrors and don't have them in moose mode. I just don't want those big things sticking up!

 

[Enve46]

@dm6 I just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page

Do you have the tow mirrors and do you have them set to “moose” mode aka “cornholio” or “assault” mode

Because The tow mirrors folded down to peasant mode you can’t see squat out of them.

I really don’t feel this way but like *******s, everyone has an opinion hahaha it’s also important to know if he has a 2023 mirror or older version. I loved the 2023 mirrors and felt they were far superior in being able to see things despite their lack in looks department.

I have to tow mirrors and don't have them in moose mode. I just don't want those big things sticking up!

For me, on the 2022 and older mirrors, in peasant mode you call it haha, I have the big mirror inside bottom corner aligned with the lip of the fender flare so I can’t see the top of the tire. This gives me a ton of mirror for blind spot. This is how my father taught me wayyyy back when I was learning to drive. I have the smaller glass adjusted so I can barely see the side of the truck but can see almost the whole lane next to me. I don’t have any desire for new glass but do miss my 2023 mirrors now that I’m back in a 2020. Hope this is helpful

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I have to tow mirrors and don't have them in moose mode. I just don't want those big things sticking up!

There’s your problem. In my opinion they’re designed to be upright. I can’t get them adjusted worth a dang folded down and it isn’t worth fighting with the manual mirrors on my truck every time I fold and unfold them so they stay up.

 

[dm6]

There’s your problem. In my opinion they’re designed to be upright. I can’t get them adjusted worth a dang folded down and it isn’t worth fighting with the manual mirrors on my truck every time I fold and unfold them so they stay up.

All the Rams I see in this year range (the HD's and the 1500's) all look like they have this same style of mirror that flips up into the moose mode. Is the glass the same on all of them? Do the 1500's that have the same style of mirror have the same flat glass, or is it different?

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

All the Rams I see in this year range (the HD's and the 1500's) all look like they have this same style of mirror that flips up into the moose mode. Is the glass the same on all of them? Do the 1500's that have the same style of mirror have the same flat glass, or is it different?

I’m not sure. I have boost auto mirrors but I think they’re the same as oem except with both glass heated