Width of 2003 with trailer tow mirrors

[BSkinner]

I've got a 9 foot wide garage door. Will the 2003 Quad Cab fit with the power folding trailer mirrors? Looks like it could be a very tight fit.



Thanks,



Bob

 

[Casey Balvert]

It will fit with the mirrors flipped in. In other words, non trailer tow mode. Then you could always fold them in agains against the window and you will have at least one foot on either side then.



Casey

 

[Briman]

I have an 8' X 8' garage door. The first time I brought my truck home (with tow mirrors in Horizontal or narrow position) I backed it in with mirrors in normal position to see if I could do it. I was able to do it but it was a PITA. I now back in off center to the drivers side and just before going through the garage door opening I pull in the drivers side mirror. A friend of mine that drives a Ford told me thats how he does it. I never believed it would be nesasary but it seem like the best way for me. I am looking forward to towing with these new mirrors. I shouldn't have to wag the tail of the truck to see behind the trailer anymore!

 

[BSkinner]

Thanks for the help, guys.



I don't want to have to fold a mirror to get into my garage. Winter, strong wind from the north, rolled down window. Not my idea of a good time. In the past, I've towed small trailers with regular mirrors and won't be buying a large camper for several years so maybe I could get along OK with the regular mirrors?



Thanks,



Bob

 

[DBVZ]

In the narrow (horizontal) mode the mirrors are normal width. No more trouble than the standard mirrors. The great thing about these trailer tow mirrors is that they flip out about 5" wider each side, and are still heated and remote adjustable. Even if 90% of the time they stay horizontal the benefit is still worth the cost for that 10% when you tow something. You can see the rear trailer corner on either side. More useful than some other options you can spend your money on, and cheap to do when ordering and expensive to do later.

 

[DHRA]

How long is the 3500 quad long bed? I have a 22' garage and I'm guessing the truck is ~23'. Maybe some day I can put my truck in a garage.

 

[Briman]

Hi DBVZ. The new tow mirrors I have are substantially wider than the stock mirrors I had on my Y2K (even in the narrow mode). I don't know how they compare to the standard mirrors on the '03. I agree that it's worth the trouble to fold one in for the benefits they offer while towing. If you don't tow get the standard ones.



Eric - 20' 10" stem to stern.



Bskinner - I lied in the earlier post, my garage door is 9' wide, not 8'.

 

[hdfxrsconv]

I would totally agree with DBVZ. I just got back from towing a 8. 5 wide cargo trailer from Minnesota to Florida and back. The tow mirrors were great! Well worth the cost.

 

[BSkinner]

Originally posted by Briman

Hi DBVZ. The new tow mirrors I have are substantially wider than the stock mirrors I had on my Y2K (even in the narrow mode). I don't know how they compare to the standard mirrors on the '03. I agree that it's worth the trouble to fold one in for the benefits they offer while towing. If you don't tow get the standard ones.



Eric - 20' 10" stem to stern.



Bskinner - I lied in the earlier post, my garage door is 9' wide, not 8'.

If you pull straight in, can you fit OK with the mirrors folded in with the 9' doors? I wish I could find someone with the trailer tow mirrors in town to see if it would fit. One of the downsides to living in a small town.

I really don't want to fold and unfold the mirror all of the time (like tonight. 30 mph wind, snow and wind gusts to 40 mph. ) I would also worry about wear with the constant folding and unfolding.



Bob

 

[Briman]

Bob, I only fold in the drivers side, it simply makes it easier to hit the hole. As I originally said, it can be done without folding in the mirrors. There is just not much room for error.

I back in so I can drive straight out in the morning (I have to back up sometime) and folding in the mirror is not so bad. just as I get close I put the window on auto down and grab the mirror - than in I go. I also wondered how long the mirror will put up with this. I'll let you know in a couple of years how it is holding up.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[ALS]

103 inches outside to outside in the folded-in position.

They are well worth any slight inconvenience they might be.

Hope this helps.

Allen

 

[ThomasLawrence]

I have 9' wide doors on my garage, and it JUST fits with the trailer tow mirrors in their normal position - maybe 1/2"-1" to spare on either side. I just pull in slow, aiming the driver's side mirror to just graze the weatherstripping on the side of the door, then I know the passenger side will clear



The weatherstripping is about 1. 5" wide on the door, so that's 3" of weatherstripping, 2" of clearance, and 103" of truck. Yup... the math works out



As for length, a QC LB is 249. 7" long (according to Dodge) - I just measured mine, and from the back of the trailer hitch (no ball in it) to the front license plate is 20'10". It'll fit in a 22' garage - tight, but it'll fit (no grill guards allowed)



-Tom

 

[bighammer]

I put tow mirrors on mine (03) and they are wider than the stock mirrors. Maybe 2" more on each side?

 

[bighammer]

I put tow mirrors on mine (03) and they are wider than the stock mirrors. Maybe 2" more on each side?