For a truck expert.... Why do older trucks side mirrors stick out very far out? (like elephant's ears)?

All great answers so far... on older pick up trucks, the larger mirrors were included for towing... even on some older model station wagons, they were added so that a family could tow a camper or boat with increased side and rear visibility. It is true that on newer pick ups, there has been some movement to create a towing/driver friendly mirror package that allows for the occasional camping or boating trip... some models of the F-250 and even a few Dodges have both larger rear side mirrors with an angled convex or "fish-eye" mirror similar to what is found on commercial or semi trucks. Hope this helps answer your question!! :-)

For a truck expert.... Why do older trucks side mirrors stick out very far out? (like elephant's ears)?
It's the difference between cabin width and bed width.





If you look at some older trucks, the cabin width is NARROWer than the truck bed width. This is especially true in dirt-hauling trucks like Mack and such. It is still seen today on vehicles like Ambulances and minibuses, where the "head" is narrower than the body. Thus, the mirrors have to stick further out to see down the flanks of the body.
Reply:Because once upon a time, most trucks were sold to and used by farmers or other people who actually needed the utility of a truck bed on a daily basis.





This type of use required the mirrors to stick out farther so they could see past their load, or the trailer they had hooked up behind them.
Reply:i would guess for towing purposes... better visibility
Reply:We used to call them Dumbo ears. It's just an old design


for towing or trailering, so the driver can see better behind them. Mirrors have evolved in modern trucks, Ford trucks


now have power telescoping mirrors that fold in.
Reply:My 72 F100 has the "camper special" mirrors installed. They stick out so that you can see past the boxy camper shell.
Reply:so when u pulling a big *** boat u cant see in the back
Reply:defininately for seeing towed vehicles.... or possibly a conspiracy involving garage door manufacturers wanting to sell larger doors :)

amc theatre