We have all been there before - trucking down the open road when our arms shoot up too slowly to block the piercing sunlight from stabbing our eyes. Seems like the factory model just doesn’t cut it. It doesn’t matter if you wear shades and just want a cool, new look for your truck or you’re more safety conscious and need to keep your windshield clear - rain or shine - every haul is easier with an aftermarket visor.
Problem is, because too many of us don’t often feel the need to get these aftermarket thoughts, there’s too much confusion about the best way to go about it. Before you click ‘add to cart’ on that chrome visor for your Big Rig, be sure to check out some of these tips on buying a visor.
First off, there are custom visors available for order. However, we warn you, this is (generally) not going to come cheap. Visors, because of the various, specific measurement and function requirements, can be tricky to have custom made. More importantly, there is quite a bit more trial-and-error involved in the process which can lead to costs of $1,000 or more, depending on the quality of the materials and the shop you choose. But, for those of us with a taste for some flair on our rig, it all could be well worth it.
After all, a custom fitted visor when it’s all said and done should be able to perform well - and should look pretty good doing it too.
If you’ve chosen to go the pre-fabricated route instead, there are quite a bit of options to choose from. Mainly, finding out what exactly your make of rig calls the different styles of visors - trust us, there’s plenty. Popular models of visor can include dropped, bowtie (and extended bowtie), slammed, and wicked style.
Each of these visors provides some slight variation on both the form and function of your visor - slammed, for example, is fitted much tighter to the windshield compared to the wicked style which is known for the curved edge along the bottom. This is where you will probably want to shop around for a bit to get a feel for what these different visors will look like on your particular make and model rig.
Between a simple Google search and stock manufacturer photos there should not be too much trouble imagining what your rig will look like with the new aftermarket visor. You will also need to decide whether or not you would like the bolts to be visible along the visor or not. Take note that each manufacturer has different names for their styles as well. Names like Batman, Butterfly, or Southern Style will dot webpages and auction sites as you search for your perfect visor. Some of these names do not translate to other manufacturers and so this can, at times, feel frustrating.
Keep in mind, like all parts of your rig, that there is not a limit to how you can customize your visor. Often made of stainless steel or aluminum, painting your visor (if not done already) is an option to keep up with the carefully crafted look of your rig. Another thing to consider, you’re going to be staring at the back of your visor for quite a bit of time - 10 hours or so - so feel free to put something there to keep you happy - or at least not bored.
Also, most visor kits you purchase will come with all the hardware and brackets necessary for install and do a pretty good job staying in the stock bolt holes of your cab. If not, never fear, there are plenty of ways to remedy that. In addition, for those of you with newer, aerodynamic models, there are plenty of options available to meet the specific requirements of your cabs (provided that you are willing to do the proper research and measurements).
Like just about every outward facing part of your rig, your visor is a reflection of you. Just like you wouldn’t lay down a coat of paint, replace the tires or engine, or add some accessories without first doing your research, your search for the perfect visor is the same. Different manufacturers have better and worse reputations and can often mean the difference between a quality visor that makes your haul better or something that constantly reminds you that you messed up.
Don’t let flashy gimmicks or biased reviews fool you into making a purchase you’re going to regret. There are a large number of reputable vendors that sell quality manufactured products and even some custom shops that have quite a few options for those of you that are looking for something special (even some at comparable prices). It’s certainly worth the time to make your home-away-from-home that much more useful (and, maybe, just a bit flashier too).
