Garage parking aid

[sierradmax]

I've seen lasers, hanging golf balls, and bumps stops but I'm curious as to what other methods are there?

Problem: I keep my truck (08 GMC crewcab long bed) parked in my attached garage, 24' deep. There's about 3" difference in length between inside wall/garage door to front and back of the truck. I back the truck in as it's the most feasible to enter and exit. Even with the back up sensors, I need to get very close to the rear wall in order to close the door.

With the door open, a laser guided parking aid would not work as the door would block the laser projecting onto the dash. The truck also has cargo racks so anything hanging to touch the rear glass would be obstructed by the cargo racks. And, I hate the idea of bump stops, which would act as a tripping hazard.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

The laser does not have to be under the door. It can be alongside the track as it is activated by remote control. Aim it so it hits the garnish molding on your windshield or one of your wipers. I also put a "target" on the floor so when my vehicle is not in the garage I can quickly verify that the laser is still aimed correctly. I have a piece of pink duct tape about 1" square on the floor. Simple.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

The laser can also be on the ceiling or any wall. Maybe point it to hit the top of the tailgate.

 

[nh_yota]

Reinforce the wall and get one of these.

 

[bczygan]

Add bump-out to garage.

Bill

 

[ford33]

Park truck in garage. Pick a spot on the side door of the truck Mark a spot on the side wall opposite the door mark. When parking backup until the mark on the door is aligned with the wall mark.

 

[mike93lx]

I use a tennis ball on a string. Parked where i wanted and adjusted the length. Easy as it gets and it cost nothing.

 

[jimreed2160]

Park and measure the distance to the back wheels. Then build a frame from a pt 4x4 and place it on the floor. You should feel the frame as soon as the tires hit it.

 

[Ilikeike]

Maybe a wheel chock,trailer places have the type you can roll over,I used one for my boat trailer.
When I park my full size extended cab lifted truck in the garage,I just use my passenger side mirror and the garage side doorjamb as reference/target. Been working fine for 15yrs. Park in the same spot every time and keep the 1" clearance so I can still use and fully open the side garage door exit.

 

[rattle_snake]

cheap backup camera on truck

 

[bradpac]

Need a laser beam aimed right in behind the garage doors, where your truck breaks the beam until it is in far enough in, then when the beam is all the way across it triggers a light to tell you to stop. Then you can turn off the light or have it on a timer or something. You can probably make something up out of the garage door kid sensors pretty easily.

 

[wretched73]

I have the same issue. Bought this for my wife and it works well https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BRMYN8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[niget2002]

Park and measure the distance to the back wheels. Then build a frame from a pt 4x4 and place it on the floor. You should feel the frame as soon as the tires hit it.

Dad did this using a 10lb bag of unmixed concrete on the floor where he wants to stop. Got it where he wanted it and drew a sharpie line around it. That way if one of the 'kids' accidentally moves it, he can just slide it back.

 

[Kevin54]

 

[nolimits76]

I used something similar to this before. The problem is unless you either anchor it in or adhere it to the concrete somehow, then it will eventually slide around on you. Not a big deal to re-align, just maintenance that is always inconvenient.

Being in road construction, I have thought about having some rumble strips cut into the concrete; however, it's not practicable for the next owner or when you change vehicles and need a different alignment.

 

[Joe Reed]

I just laid a short piece of 2x6 on the floor where I want the tire to stop. Drilled through it into the concrete...dropped a bolt into the hole. When I'm working in the garage and want it out of the way I just pick it up and drop it back in place when I'm done.

Also painted it "Safety Yellow" to make it more noticeable when the SUV isn't in the garage

 

[NUTTSGT]

At the fire station, we have a line painted to backup along. There is a perpendicular line (about 8") that marks where the front tire should be placed. Temporary marks are sometimes placed with a piece of duct tape.

 

[RVDan]

I had a block of wood glued to the floor for years. I never tripped over it, it would have been the least dangerous thing in my garage.

 

[slowTA]

Masking tape on the wall lined up with a side view mirror.

 

[DPG]

I have a short piece of 2x4 that placed on the floor and marked it out with a sharpie. It only moves when I kick it out of the way.

 

[csi123]

Masking tape on the wall lined up with a side view mirror.

+1. That's what i have. No need for anything high tech.

 

[SeattleSaleen5.0]

In our last old house I marked out a square with duct tape. When the left rear is in the tape shut er down!

 

[spam4us]

roofing nails scattered on the floor at the stopping point. You'll learn your lesson the first time.

 

[bradleykd]

I had the same situation in my last garage, only, I had about 1.5" between the door. I just backed in really slow. When the truck touched the wall, I hit the parking brake. I did this for 2 years daily and never messed up the drywall or my truck. I was the only one that parked the truck though.

 

[bczygan]

Park outside.

Gives you more shop space!

Bill