TopHat Mirror addition

Topic: TopHat Mirror addition (Read 1308 times) previous topic - next topic

TopHat Mirror addition

April 17, 2012, 09:14:47 am

I would be interested in adding the TopHat mirror to my existing mirrors on my 02. I saw some on line but what has anyone here done? Any assistance in seeing the blind spot would be helpful. DAN

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #1 – April 17, 2012, 09:22:22 am

Dan you can call Ramco directly and get the tophats. Mine were $75.00 each but they are black.
Dean

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #2 – April 17, 2012, 09:37:13 am

Dean: How did they attach? Tks DAN

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #3 – April 17, 2012, 10:24:00 am

Wouldn't be without them, use them more than others. Average handy guy install. Two holes and screws.

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #4 – April 17, 2012, 10:28:49 am

I have not received mine yet but Ramco told me I will have to remove the large flat mirror and drill and bolt the tophat on.
I have read that some folks Velcro them on but I wouldn't recommend it.

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #5 – April 17, 2012, 11:09:53 am

Yes, large flat mirror does come out, as I recall it snaps out and back in easily. I think Dave Head installed his own, so should be a snap for anyone with anywhere near average handyman skills...,..?

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #6 – April 17, 2012, 11:19:14 am

Dan, On all the RAMCO Mirrors I have seen the flat as well as the convex mirrors are attached with VELCRO. You remove them by carefully slipping a flat object ( think putty knife ) between the mirror and the backing, then gently pull out and separate the Velcro. As additional security most have a DAB of silicone between the Velcro halves. Installation is the reverse.
Gary B

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #7 – April 17, 2012, 11:59:47 am

Ok, one was a ribbing for Dave....

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #8 – April 17, 2012, 02:51:23 pm

I LOVE my top hat mirror, but it does have a small blind spot towards the top.

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #9 – April 17, 2012, 05:25:24 pm

Quote

How did they attach?

I installed mine without removing the large flat mirror. I just pushed the top of the flat mirror back as far as it would go. Then I clamped the top hat in place and drilled two holes per the Ramco instructions. I think I used an extension on the drill to keep the chuck out of the way. Be aware that chrome is very hard and you will need sharp drill bits. Although not suggested by the Ramco instructions, I put a layer of silicone between the mirrors before screwing the top hat into place.

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #10 – April 17, 2012, 05:51:11 pm

I did it the same way but slipped and chipped the upper large mirror. ? would not do it that way again.

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #11 – April 17, 2012, 06:05:33 pm

Tks for the info. I had to go to Nacogdoches today so I went by FOT to see their price which was $155 each. I also looked at some units at MOT which had the TopHat mirrors installed. They were installed as you have indicated with two screws. Also appears that you could install without removing the mirror but I will have to ck mine to see if the mirror will go in at the top that far to allow for the drilling etc. I did not see the item on the Ramco web site so I guess I will need to call. Tks DAN

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #12 – April 17, 2012, 07:56:03 pm

Dan,
If you went to the rear of FOT (in the campground) you may have seen my top hat additions on my 1995 U300. I installed those without removing the mirrors. I believe I did not drill the holes as far in as their instructions suggest.
Good luck,

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #13 – April 17, 2012, 09:34:37 pm

Tilt the center mirror in At the top, clamp the top hat mirror in place with vise grip. Drill upward at angle and insert self tapping screws. Remove vise grips adjust mirrors...

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #14 – April 17, 2012, 09:42:07 pm

Dave sounds good. Rick, I did see your coach but just did not notice the mirrors. Tks DAN

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #15 – April 17, 2012, 11:11:12 pm

Ramco mirror glass are "First Surface" mirrors to eliminate double reflections.

The outside glass mirrored surface can be scratch with a razor blade or other sharp cleaning tool.
First surface mirror - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #16 – April 21, 2012, 09:33:35 am

Finally recieved my tophats and got them installed yesterday. Easy job other than the screws they send you don't work for the size drill bit the instructions tell you to use. I ended up using a couple self tapping screws and put some adhesive silicone between the mirrors.

About a 30 minute job abd I think it's going to be a great improvement to get the blind spots visible. Any suggestions on mirror adjustment? Like bottom convex verses tophat?

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #17 – April 21, 2012, 09:37:33 am

Dean: , Pls post how these work for you after you use them on the road. I am thinking of doing the same but I want to make sure they really make a difference in visibility. Tks DAN

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #18 – April 21, 2012, 09:50:06 am

Will do Dan. I can already tell just setting here in the campground I have much more of a visible area than before. I nearly cut a car off that was in my right side blind spot. That was the deciding factor for me.

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #19 – April 21, 2012, 10:10:19 am

Quote from: Dean & Dee – April 21, 2012, 09:33:35 am

Finally recieved my tophats and got them installed yesterday. Easy job other than the screws they send you don't work for the size drill bit the instructions tell you to use. I ended up using a couple self tapping screws and put some adhesive silicone between the mirrors.

About a 30 minute job abd I think it's going to be a great improvement to get the blind spots visible. Any suggestions on mirror adjustment? Like bottom convex verses tophat?

Dean, here is a good video for aligning your mirrors.
RV Driver Confidence Course: Part 1 - Better RVing

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #20 – April 21, 2012, 10:46:08 am

What does a driver see in the top hat that would not be seen in the lower convex mirror or the flat mirror?

I reviewed the videos in the video course that Barry recommended. I considered it time well spent.

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #21 – April 21, 2012, 10:52:34 am

Yes, I have watched all of those videos Barry. They were very helpful a few weeks ago when I first bought this coach and was very apprehensive about piloting it.

I guess I am just wondering if it's best to use the lower convex or the tophat to highlight the passenger side blind spot by the entrance door. I have actually watched cars disappear as they came up beside me. My wife has become my lookout for right hand lane changes but sometimes she's preoccupied with her knitting.

Re: TopHat Mirror addition

Reply #22 – April 21, 2012, 11:45:30 am

Quote from: J. D. Stevens – April 21, 2012, 10:46:08 am

What does a driver see in the top hat that would not be seen in the lower convex mirror or the flat mirror?

I reviewed the videos in the video course that Barry recommended. I considered it time well spent.

JD,
This mirror is typically set up to view what's right below the right or left front corners of the coach.

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