quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I’m convinced that modern vehicles have really suck ass visibility and they are actually harder to park than old cars and trucks which is why they have all these cameras and things on them.

This is true, the beltline of vehicles has come up significantly in later model vehicles, part of the governments crash protection zones raising the door height.

That an the change of parking spaces to be smaller than they were decades ago, now they expect you to put an F150 in a normal size space that's just big enough for a compact car.

Think I'll just get one of those cars with auto parking features and let the computer park it..

That’s true of the F150 and domestic trucks. My labeled “compact” truck is as large as a full size of say 15-20 years ago. Many of the current full size trucks are behemoths. Same for full size SUV’s like Burbos. Damn they are near bus turf.

I never back in, ever. And I’m a stickler for parking within the lines, and reversing and pulling in again, an extra 1-2 times to get it right because I do not want door dings, scratches, etc. I also park out in the absolute sticks. I’ll walk 100 yards if necessary. And I try to always put the driver’s or passenger’s door next to a curb to the point of 1-2 inches from it. I also scan for loose shopping carts anywhere because people just leave them out un-racked, everywhere.

quote:

I’m convinced that modern vehicles have really suck ass visibility and they are actually harder to park than old cars and trucks which is why they have all these cameras and things on them.

Another of my old vehicles was a 1984 Chevy C-20 similar to this one.



With the 7.4 (454) engine it passed everything but gas stations. Anyway, the short hood with a slope to it made for good visibility, and the tailgate top and bed corners could also be seen. Not the case with a new one. Also, discounting that most trucks these days are coming with crew cabs, it is positively dwarfed by the new ones.

Parallel parking was never a problem since we were exposed to backing boats up at an early age.

If you need a laugh, go to a public boat ramp on a weekend and watch the new comers gain experience.

When it was time for my wife to get a new car a high def 360 camera system was a requirement. It makes parking like a video game...

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
I had a '64 LeSabre in mid 70s and parallel parking was a daily thing.

But the windows were large, the beltline was lower and you could see the "edges" of you car, could use reference points on the car for steering cues.

As stated about todays watermelons with portholes on wheels.

I agree, the smaller higher windows today plus not being able to see the edges of the car is disadvantageous. Throw in getting older, I can't flex my head around like an owl anymore it seems.

"watermelons with portholes" Ha, I LOL'd.
Good analogy.

That horse video made my day! Thanks....STOLEN

I drove a '64 Newport in college and law school. Lug nuts were "lefty tighty." Trunk and passenger space was incredible. Unbelievably strong bumpers!

Despite size, parallel parking was easy with practice.

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Unbelievably strong bumpers!

I had a Honda rear-end me on the Dulles Toll Road and it caused extensive damage to the Honda while you couldn't find where it hit on the Chrysler. You had to look close and see where the dirt/dust had been wiped.

I had seen this person reading a book while driving on numerous occasions.

I am not good at it.

There are very informative YT instructional videos (several by a lady from Asia-Pacific region) with helpful keys for doing it right.

Sadly, none of these helpful videos address the parking of a 3/4 ton four-door truck. Which I have.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:

Can you still buy curb feelers?

J.C. Whitney used to sell cheesy car accessories like this.
<snip>

Including Burmese Gas Snakes. And fake CB antennas to “give your car that CB look!”

When I took drivers training in my school in 1970 in Detroit we spent 1 whole day parallel parking. When I left everyone in that class was a pro at it. I haven't had to use that skill in over 40 yrs since living in Texas.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:

Can you still buy curb feelers?

J.C. Whitney used to sell cheesy car accessories like this.
<snip>

Including Burmese Gas Snakes. And fake CB antennas to “give your car that CB look!”

My uncle had an Oogah horn from J.C.Whitney on his 69 Impala that we could fit three or four
kids in the trunk to sneak into the drive in theater.

quote:

Ooga horn

My mother had a Ooga horn from a Model A that was mechanical and foot operated on the back porch that was on the second story.

You could hear it a mile upriver and she used it to call us when supper was ready.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
Posted by lyman:

quote:

however, I struggle backing in a parking spot straight with our year old Transit 250 …

Ugh. Wait until it needs repairs, especially the brakes. But Ford no longer makes the old E-series (aka Econoline) except in a E350 or 450 "cutaway."

7 year warranty and also 7 yr maintenance plan (oil changes etc covered)

not sure if that includes brakes,

planning on selling my old E350 as soon as I get the time to take it up and get the front brakes (stuck caliper ) fixed

I drive a quad Kenworth dump and various semis with lowboys, dump trailers etc plus run dozer, excavator daily at work and I can get all the dumps, semis etc into places you wouldn’t think possible but I get in the Mrs’ Explorer and you’d think it was the first thing I ever drove. I think a bunch of it is just knowing the vehicle you drive and the characteristics of its handling, but I do agree with the statement of the newer vehicles suck as far as visibility.

^^^^^^^^^^^
A lot of this is genetic, just like being able to throw a 100 mph fastball,

quote:

Originally posted by Oaklane:
I drive a quad Kenworth dump and various semis with lowboys, dump trailers etc plus run dozer, excavator daily at work and I can get all the dumps, semis etc into places you wouldn’t think possible but I get in the Mrs’ Explorer and you’d think it was the first thing I ever drove. I think a bunch of it is just knowing the vehicle you drive and the characteristics of its handling, but I do agree with the statement of the newer vehicles suck as far as visibility.

If you weren't a pro big rig transporter I wouldn't feel so bad about my F150 parking troubles. But you still get a pass.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
^^^^^^^^^^^
A lot of this is genetic, just like being able to throw a 100 mph fastball,

I think you're right. I think pretty much anything one does well has a genetic baseline supporting it. I never learned to play the guitar very well, after trying a long time. Same problem with golf. If I had any ancestors that did, those genes didn't make it into my blood.