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Here's yet another option... I essentially made a parking block out of a 4X4 post. I ran 4X4 "arms" behind the front 4X4, cut to the proper distance, to butt against the wall to prevent it from moving (essentially picture a U shape with the wide part as the parking block). I pull up to the block, it stops the truck in the perfect spot every time. I have about 2" in front of my truck, and about 1.75" in the back, so I needed it to be perfect every time. Over 3 years now and I haven't had to touch it.
I have about 2" on each side going in and out. I just go slow and watch closely at the mirrors. Hoping the day never comes when i go to fast and catch one of the mirrors.
It beats parking outside though.
If you've got a garage door opener with a light, you can wire up a cheap laser level to turn on when the light is on. mount the laser level so it puts the laser on a point in the dash that you can track. Ex. when the laser hits the left edge of the dash speaker cover, your passenger mirror is four inches from the wall.
I have my garage set up with a relay off the garage door bulb socket that powers on the four recessed lamps. You could do similar to power a narrow field outdoor bulb and place a shield in front of it to form a line of light. The edge isn't sharp and might not work. You'd have to play around with a bulb, but bulbs are cheap and can be returned.
I think the potential of this idea?? Can you post a couple of pictures? I am thinking doing similar with a laser that points down when the door is open and guides you as you enter. You could have another when you pull all the way in?? A lot of potential!
I understand that your specific issue is left to right and not front to back, but wanted to add an alternative method to the ball on a string suggestions. I use bicycle flags as parking stops. You cut the metal bracket off so you just have a flag on a fiberglass pole. Then drill a shallow (1"-2") hole in the garage floor at the right spot that is the same diameter as the flag pole. Now drop the pole in the hole. When you pull in, just bump the flag and you're clear. I like this over the ball method because it works equally as well pulling in or backing in. Also easy to remove if you need the floor space.
Convex mirrors are a big help. Backing in also allows you to tuck the front end, depending how tight your squeeze is. I also built wheel stops that are braced against the wall so they dont move. I back up until the truck stops on the chocks and then set the Ebrake. I'm pretty tight in there so I keep it from rolling forward. If you have the wiggle room to pull straight in, these half dome mirrors are great. I hung it so my wife could see her front end. I got mine from amazon. They're plastic so you can hang them with some double sided tape.
here's my setup. I also have a small wall-mounted convex mirror on the garage door frame, so I can make sure the front end clears the opening when I back in. I have to tuck the truck behind the door frame, so I check the mirror to make sure I'm clear to swing the front end.
12-14-2018, 08:24 AM
