parallel parking and washing shell

How is parallel parking with a shell for those living in metropolitan areas? I have a snuglid sl that im thinking of trading for a shell but worried about fitting into small spaces where i cant see my back too well. I noticed it was a little harder to park when i added an inch or two for the tonneau cover. I parallel park at least 4 times a day.

Also, how much longer does it take to wash your car with a shell and how often do you guys wax the shell?

 

It's nice to have the back-up camera in this application. Hard to see out the back with a full shell.

Washing does not take much longer, but waxing requires a ladder- used to get the roof by standing in the truck bed.

 

Yea it'd be nice to have the back up camera but mine is a 2007.

Edit* how often do you have to wax to maintain the fiberglass?

 

I have a back-stopper. It beeps at me when I get close to things. If you're going to add a shell, it might not be a bad investment to add a camera or sensor system of some sort.

 

Yea, but they typically run somewhere around 300 dollars?

 

Crimestopper CA5005SMD Backstopper Rear Vehicle Impact Warning

http://www.amazon.com/Crimestopper-CA5005SMD-Backstopper-Vehicle-Warning/dp/B001JT5D0S

This is the kit I have. On Amazon for under $70. I never mounted the LED display because it's useless but it beeps faster the closer you get to something and goes solid beep when you're 1' away. The downside is you have to drill a hole in the bumper to install this particular model. Others are surface mounted. I think new I paid about $125 for mine and it's worth every penny!

 

It's definitely more difficult to see out the back with 3 tinted windows between you and the outside world. Mine are so tinted that my auto-dimming rear-view mirror has never dimmed.....I'm hoping there is some way to turn it off for good, since whenever I start the vehicle, it automatically comes back on.

I try not to parallell park if at all possible, and if I do have to, I make good use of the camera.

The only problem I find with the camera, is if it gets too dirty it can be very difficult to see out of. The position of mine means that any sort of road dirt gets on the lens, and I have to constantly keep check on it.

 

I have a Dolphin Echomaster Backup sensor. It's super easy to install. It just mounts in the trailer hitch and gets it's power from the trailer hitch jack. It sends a wireless signal to a receiver unit plugged into the cigarette lighter.

It beeps when you're within 7', beeps faster when you're within 5' and sends a steady tone when you're within 3'. I like it better than backup cameras as I can still turn my head back and see what's behind me while listening to the beeps, whereas with a backup camera you're focused on the little screen in front of you. They're expensive but I found mine on clearance at Pep Boys ($50). The only time it doesn't work is when the tailgate is down (beeps steady like something is behind me).

It's pretty sensitive and will pick up curbs, or even small brush.
http://www.truckboxshop.com/browse.cfm/4,1059.html

There are also backup sensors available from other companies which can be mounted in your bumper (but you'd have to drill and wire them up). They wouldn't be as good in my opinion if you tow. They would sense something behind you whenever you backed your trailer. Mine is removed while towing.

 

Since I don't live in a big town I've never paralled parked my rig but I have backed down alot of boats ramps with the snugtop on and it's never been an issue.

 

I have the Echomaster reversing sensor system installed on my truck too. I don't tow so it suits my needs. It makes me feel much more comfortable when reversing, combined with the camera. Mine is the type where they drill into the bumper though.

A pic:



The sensors are those two black dots on the bumper.

 

This is the one I have. It's the step looking thing at the rear hitch:

 

A bit longer...and you should wax it every time you wax your truck. Duh.

 

I parallel park my DC 4x4 Sport short bed quite often because I travel from Baltimore to DC for work a few times each month.

The shell made no difference for me because I only use the mirrors to parallel park.

I wax it when I wax the rest of the truck.

 

Blind spot mirrors are a must with a shell and I use them on all my vehicles. Saved me many times. I do like the camera on my 2010 and am getting a little too dependant on it.

 

Definitely need the backup camera.

I stand on the tire to do the top of my shell. Helps to have something to step up with but it can be done without. I have a DC shortbed though. On a long bed, i might not be able to reach everything.

 

Parallel parking is no big deal with a cap. My cap glass is tinted black, too. Honestly, it's no tougher, just use your side mirrors, and you're set.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I like the products but am really leaning towards the echo master backup sensor because there's no installation. Evil monkey, how do you lock your sensor?

 

These trucks are small, no issues parallel parking for me.

 

It comes with a keyed locking pin for the hitch. The pin goes through the hole in the side of the hitch (just like a ball pin would).

 

Thanks again EM for all the info and everyone else too. Even if I don't get a shell im going to look into the sensor.