parking in a garage

in my garage, i went from parking a mazdaspeed3 to a f'n double cab 4x4. i was thinking of lots of things to help park it precisely, but they would either be annoying when not in use, or hard to create without access to tooling and a production plant in vietnam.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...u=03318181000P

i'm getting it. anyone have anything similar or use something other than a damned tennis ball on a string?

without getting something with lasers, i'm wondering what would be the best way to set something up where i could park it precisely in terms of not only the front of the truck, but also the side. the doodad above takes care of the front of the truck, but i'm still figuring out the side issue.

 

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/home/improvements/792927874-garage-parking-stops-set-of-2.html

 

and.......... http://www.autobarn.net/cardoorprotf.html?site=google_base

 

ahh, this is a good one.

it sucks because i've always been super "spacially" aware when moving things, driving, running, etc., i just have a "feel" that i'm going to make it, but this truck in my garage makes me a bit nervous.

 

I have a roll of electrical tape hanging from the florescent bulb in my garage. When it touches my back windshield, I'm perfect! Sometimes I think they built the garage for my access cab.

Just the opposite of what your look for, but its cheap and works.

 

Try a tennis ball with a string poked through it.
Park your truck in it's best position and hang the ball so it touches the windshield just under you rear-view.
Gives you a point both left/right and front/back.
It also has the advantage of not costing a small fortune.

 

I went though the same thing with my dbl cab. I just got out and looked all around the first handful of times.. After a few times of doing that you become pretty aware of where it needs to sit. You could probably dial it on your own by the time one of those things arrives at your door.

 

Just practice. My mirrors miss the garage opening by about 4" on each side. I've backed it in many times but it's easier to pull straight in.

I have rubbed my mirrors 3 times all in one week when I first moved in but haven't done it in a long time since.

 

hah, I went from a full size lifted extended cab Dodge Ram to a Taco double cab short box. Wish I had got the long box, but this thing is a breeze to park. With that backup camera I can pull in nice & tight, about 2" to spare in the back. You'll be fine with practice.

 

I have a 3' 4x4 (wood haha) laying on the floor where the drivers front tire should stop. Perfect everytime, and easy to pick up if in the way. Just a suggestion that works for me.

 

I just put tape on the floor and use it as a guide.

 

that's what my grandpa always did with his old toyota truck. it worked pretty good. nothing hanging from the ceiling and it was never in the way

 

my mother n law has that stop sign. simple,cheap and it works

 

Practice makes perfect. I use the narrowing intensity of the headlight beam to guage how far out i am as I pull in. I pushed in the drywall a little bit the first few times, but after getting the hang of it its no big deal.

 

Ditto, I have 4" in front to spare and 4" in back, never miss.

 

I use the tennis ball method, works and very cheap! I used to back all my other cars into the garage but since the truck is much wider I just drive straight in so I
don't have to worry about hitting my mirrors.

 

Here is the laser item. http://www.improvementscatalog.com/home/improvements/792928779-2-car-laser-parking-guide.html

I like it better than the stop sign but then, the Tacoma sits outside while the wifes car sits in the garage. I have the tennis ball hanging so she knows when to stop. It does the trick and provides entertainment when her car isn't in there.

 

If you live near a Pep Boys auto they have them both in stock for about the same price at the store. I can remember exactly what they call them to look it up on their website tho.

 

I have a water heater that tells me when to stop

 

I always had a small mark on the wall to the drivers left. In my old Ranger, I would line up my door lock with that mark. No door lock on the Toy, but there is a small piece of trim. Just get the truck parked correctly, then sit in the drivers seat and see where your eyes, the piece of trim line up on the wall and make a small mark.

Of Course this doesn't solve left and right, but I've never had an issue. If you struggle with this, you're probably one of those guys I always laugh at in the parking lots who are parked on the yellow lines.