Trailer Towing Mirrors
 

I've just purchased a small holiday trailer and I'm going to be picking it up on the weekend. I've never towed a holiday trailer with my X5 before but I'm confident thanks to all the great info in these forums (got my Tekonsha brake control installed with the help of the DIYs).

What I'd like to know is: will I need add-on side mirror "extensions" in order to see around my new trailer? My trailer is 8' wide. Does anybody tow an 8' wide trailer that can comment on this? Are stock mirrors sufficient for seeing around the trailer?

Never done it, but BMW sells them for your car so you might want to pick one up at a local dealer and test it out.

As an FYI, the mirror is made by a German company called EMUK. The model for the E53 X5 is 100 053 and it is part of their 'special mirror' product line.

EMUK GmbH ::: Automobile & Caravan Accessories, Industrial Parts

EMUK GmbH ::: Automobile & Caravan Accessories, Industrial Parts

i tow mine on a regular basis. i suggest using a 1.5" or 2" round stick on mirror . affix it to the lower outside corner of your standard mirror and it will be enough to change lanes , back up etc. the auto parts store has them for about 3 bucks.

I don't have a trailer but as per the manual you'll note that the overall dimension of outside mirror to mirror is 85.8 inches. That's obviously no where near the width of the trailer at 8' (96 inches), so yes you'll def need mirrors. Meisters suggestion appears to be sufficient.

And what would be the fun in that when you can spend $150 and get one with a BMW logo on it.????:thumbup:

I towed my trailer home last night and confirmed the need for mirror extensions. I can see enough to make sure nobody is in the way when changing lanes but it's still a little risky if someone is coming up fast.

Has anyone found any non-BMW mirror extensions that fit properly (aside from the stick on round ones)?

Most mirror extensions vibrate badly and are useless. I've seen ones that slip-on over the existing mirrors and extend outward. These seem like a good solution but I don't know if they make them for X5's. Sorry.

You just hit the nail on the head. That's why BMW's is so expensive, it has an anti-vibration design built into it.

that makes them worth the big bucks. or you could do what i've suggested and know works. it's your money. good luck

I went to pick-up my new boat yesterday evening ( Princecraft SS172 ) and it's a little more than 8 foot wide and I was amaze at how easy and stable it was to pull the boats, the stock mirror are good enough to me, no need to add ugly pick-up style mirror. Instead I will add a rear bullet camera and plug it to a LCD monitor.