quote:

Originally posted by bigwagon:
I don't understand the point. You either pull in and back out, or back in and pull out.

Because when I am backing in, I am in the travel lane and can see all traffic. Then when I drive out nose first, I have better visibility through the windshield of cross traffic. If I pull into a spot, then my view of cross traffic is blocked until I get most of the way out of the parking spot when leaving.

Spinzone is correct. And yet, there are some parking lots where you can get ticketed for backing in. I haven't been there for a while, but I think that's true of the parking garage at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Spinzone is correct. And yet, there are some parking lots where you can get ticketed for backing in. I haven't been there for a while, but I think that's true of the parking garage at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

I think that you can get ticketed if you back into the parking spot if it is a one way lane. But if it is a two way lane you can't get a ticket.

You can get ticket at University of South Florida for backing in to a parking spot in any of their garages or surface lots. Their permits are tied to license plate numbers and they drive around with license plate readers looking for violators. I did not know this, the first time I was there, had a temporary permit on my dash, and figured I'd back in so they could see the permit. Nope. Got a nasty warning.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

Sorry, but that bugs the shit out of me. If it doesn't fit, don't park it there. At LEAST park in the very back of the parking lot where you can take up two spaces without bothering anyone. Since you can't do that in a parking garage, don't park there. If you know you will have to park in a parking structure, take your Prius instead.

I have had a Super duty long wheel base in one form or another for the past 30 years.

I always park in the back of a parking lot and usually take up 2 spaces if it isn’t crowded or back into one of the perimeter spaces as a courtesy to everyone else. About six months ago I parked taking up two spaces in the back of an uncrowded lot to come back and find some a$$hole had kicked my tailgate so hard with his boot (left his impression) that it left a huge dent and fucked up my rear view camera.

To say I was pissed was an understatement!

^^^I try to do the same parking wise, but people still suck.

On the other hand, I've been trying figure out how taking up two side to side spaces makes anything better and you guys are talking about front and back spaces.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
Sorry, but that bugs the shit out of me. If it doesn't fit, don't park it there. At LEAST park in the very back of the parking lot where you can take up two spaces without bothering anyone. Since you can't do that in a parking garage, don't park there. If you know you will have to park in a parking structure, take your Prius instead.

That was the mandatory freshman orientation meeting at USF, the minivan was in Michigan and my wife needed her vehicle to ferry the other two kids. As a visitor, you park where they tell you. You can see in the picture I did park away from everybody else and there's only one car up the ramp beyond me, so it really shouldn't bug anybody.

One of my favorite forms of free entertainment; go to IKEA, hang out at the loading dock and just watch. You’ll see tons of trophy moms and metrosexual males struggle to back up their Subirbans, Escalades, Range Rovers and other high end SUV’s up to the dock to load their items. Almost as entertaining as the boat dock at the end of the weekend…

I feel sorry for people having to deal with large trucks in parking lots yet that's what it seems 1/3 of the vehicles there are. I don't even like having to park my mid size Ridgeline at shopping centers, grocery stores, etc.

I found this 1968 image taken of a parking lot during the grand opening of a new mall in Pittsburgh. Note how many pick up trucks.

^^^Other than the 3 Beetles, 1 Karmann Ghia, 1 Mustang, and 1 Corvair, those vehicles are giagantic.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,

^^^^^^. Lots of boats in that lot.

Some of them are even backed in (gasp!).

On another note, I wish more places had angled parking. It makes it a whole lot easier to park and exit.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

I wish more places had angled parking. It makes it a whole lot easier to park and exit.

The grocery supermarket that I usually go to has angled parking. The lanes are clearly marked with great big arrows for direction of travel. I frequently meet Wrong Way Corrigan, head-on.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: V-Tail,

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
^^^Other than the 3 Beetles, 1 Karmann Ghia, 1 Mustang, and 1 Corvair, those vehicles are giagantic.

There’s also a Valiant, Corvair and Mustang.

I was wondering what the Valiant was. I’m not positive, but I think there’s a first generation Corvair near the Valiant as well as the second generation one.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
^^^^^^. Lots of boats in that lot.

Some of them are even backed in (gasp!).

Those very few, could have pulled through. But notice when it’s time to leave it puts them in an awkward position. There are clear arrows painted.

VW Squareback and a few Tempests, to boot!

quote:

There’s also a Valiant, Corvair and Mustang.

That's either a Mercury or Lincoln with the reverse-angle rear window. Then there's the big swoop gull wing tail on that Chevy.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
^^^Other than the 3 Beetles, 1 Karmann Ghia, 1 Mustang, and 1 Corvair, those vehicles are giagantic.

You missed the VW Squareback wagon, several AMC Ramblers and I think that Karmann Ghia may have been a Porsche 356 because that roofline looks a bit long for the Karmann Ghia.

I will also note that not one single vehicle in that parking lot was nearly as long and an F250 Crewcab with the long bed option. Personally I started driving with a 1970 Beetle and have always had a preference for smaller cars because they handle much better and use less fuel. It also means that I have a real dislike for sightline blockers that are so popular today. If you cant take a corner at 10 mph you really shouldn't be allowed to drive on public roadways.

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123: If you cant take a corner at 10 mph you really shouldn't be allowed to drive on public roadways.

100%

What is extra weird these days is seeing it more often with younger drivers instead of almost always being the vintage motorists.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
Backing in is much easier. In some places, if cars parked on both sides after I pull in, I wouldn’t be able to back out because I just don’t have the turning radius. In this case, I hadw to pull in or get ticketed for not pulling in:

You must tow ALL the time.