Re: [A/S] Mirrors; was New Airsteam Owner

[Perry Scudder <perryjoe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I use the McKesh mirrors on my 2000 GMC Sierra 2500 to tow a 34' Limited
A/S. I find the mirrors to be good in that they can be setup wide enough
to see straight down the sides of the trailer while towing. They are
stable for the distance they are required to be extended. There is a
very small amount of vibration if the road is rough. They are very easy
to put on and remove. they stay setup when removing them, as long as you
put them back on the window track in the same place.
The things I don't like about them is the ease with they could be
stolen. They are held in place by a nylon web belt that is wound up on a
small ratchet operated shaft. All you have to do to remove them is press
the small spring clip that holds the ratchet, and it allows the belt to
unwind relieving the tension that holds the mirror in place. The only
thing that would hinder a thief at all is the fact that the clip that
clips on the bottom of the door is trapped unless the door is open.
The other thing is the setup I have includes the wide angle convex
mirrors on each side. That makes a total of three mirrors to look in for
information about what is going on behind you, and in a panic situation,
I almost hit information overload, can't decide which mirror to use the
data from. The data is quiet different from each mirror, the truck
mirror sees the front corners of the trailer, the two big McKesh mirrors
see back along the side of the trailer, and the convex mirrors see all
of the above plus the traffic in the adjacent lane. This makes for lots
of activity in your peripheral vision.
Last but not least, the mirrors are a hazard if you are not towing. They
extend out enough for people to hit them when walking past, and they
would only make one trip into my garage - partial trip that is. Parking
garages would be the same.

Joe Scudder
WBCCI 8624