Hitching a massive load behind your vehicle presents many logistical and physical challenges. Center of gravity, tongue weight, lighting, and visibility have to be considered and understood. Towing safely has a host of challenges beyond starting and stopping safely.

Best Rear View Mirrors for RV and Tiny Home Trailering

Rear view mirrors help you with the backup process as well as traveling down the road. The mirrors need to extend farther out from the tow vehicle than the average mirror.

Visibility is the law

The law in most states says you must be able to see along the whole length of your trailer and the traffic behind you.

Towing mirrors are mandatory

Some well-equipped trucks come with extendable rear view mirrors. If yours doesn’t have these, you can add some very workable mirrors for a very reasonable price.

Your rear view mirrors must be large enough for the length of your rig. Figure 1″ of mirror size for every 10′ total length. Personally, I wouldn’t go less than a 5″ mirror. You should be able to see 200′ behind you.

If your tow vehicle doesn’t have the proper mirrors, here are easy add-on rear view mirrors:

Amazon’s Rear View Mirrors Customer Picks

MILENCO MIL-2912 Grand Aero 3 Towing Mirror

• UNIVERSAL DESIGN –has been designed to offer superior vision and a vibration-free view far past your caravan. Perfect view adjustment allows the head to rotate 360 degrees. This mirror attachment mounts on all existing mirrors, including curved mirrors.
• EASY GRIP CLAMP ATTACHMENTS – This clip-on towing mirror is easy to assemble and does not require the use of any tools.
• AIR BALANCED DESIGN – The mirror design utilizes airflow around your car to stabilize and balance the mirror head at speed, offering superior vision and a vibration-free view far past your caravan. This design also offers superior performance in high winds, and the effects of passing large commercial vehicles has been minimized.
• TESTED AND PROVEN – Dometic mirror extensions complies with the very latest international regulations. This tow mirror also complies with the very latest pedestrian safety laws, and is engineered to minimize injury in the event of an accident.
• HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS – The mirror screws are high-grade stainless steel and turn-in brass inserts that will never corrode. The mirror glass is chrome safety glass, which will offer extremely long life and will not discolor after a few years.

Fit System 3891 Deluxe Universal Clip-on Trailer Towing Mirror

“Deluxe, clip-on, extra large-size towing mirror. No tools to install, easily clips on to your existing mirror, increasing your field of view while towing. Will not block vision of your existing mirror. Dual ratcheting plastic mounting straps will fit most mirrors to 11 1/2″ in height. Ratchet lock system allows for maximum clamping power, which reduces vibrations. The straps have rubber pads to protect your mirror. Fits most vehicle applications.”

• Fits all mirrors up to 11 1/2″ tall • Secure Mounting Hardware • The mirror head is 5” x 8” with a viewing area of approximately 5 1/8” x 7 ¾”. The mounting bracket area is approximately 4 ½” x 11 ½”

Backup Cameras Allow the Best Vision Directly Behind Your Load

Backing a giant travel trailer is a challenging experience, even for seasoned drivers. Camping spots often have obstacles like boulders, trees,  and guardrails to contend with. Increasing your situational awareness is vital. A backup camera can be used in conjunction with good rear-view mirrors.

HD 1080P Digital Wireless Backup Camera System

This system has a 7” monitor, and high-speed observation system with night vision.
The IP69 rating means it can withstand high pressure water spray and dust incursion, as well as high temperature environments. It’s the quality you need for dependable, long-lasting service.

The camera is fairly easy to install, with the power lead connecting to your running lights. It works continuously, not just when you’re backing up.

This unit has a dependable digital wireless system for an interference free connection, better than unstable analog signal transmission. It’s reliable up to 320′ so it has plenty of power for your 40′ distance, even with a metal trailer and vehicle between the two devices.

You can adjust the parking lines’ width, moving Left/Right/Up/Down to make it fit the real conditions. You can also turn it completely off. The image can be flipped between mirror (rear view) and facing (front view). You can use the camera as rear camera or a front camera. It costs $139.99.*

The company will send you a wiring pigtail for a “Furrion” pre-wired power outlet for free* if you email them. It’s capable of recording and is expandable to 4 cameras.

Here’s a great YouTube® instructional video on backing up a trailer:

They use tiny model cars to demonstrate techniques (see the photo at the top of the page).

Visit this page for more information about safely towing an RV or tiny house.