Garage Parking Aid
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Garage Parking Aid
My garage is a tandem garage, rather than the side-to-side type of garage. When I bought the unit, there was a shoddily patched area in the front of the garage. Someone clearly drove into the wall. A contractor will patch up and paint the garage (after removing the popcorn plaster from the walls and ceilings) soon.
When there are two cars in the garage, the front car has to be very close to the wall. I can only imagine that one of these days, someone will drive into the wall accidentally. Is there some sort of garage parking aid that Bogleheads might use to prevent drivers from bumping/crashing into the front wall of the garage? I prefer not to hang anything from the ceiling or wall, as the walls and ceiling are concrete (for instance, a string with a tennis ball) and drilling into concrete is a pain.
I've seen ads for a variety of stop sign aids. I have also seen rubber parking blocks, which are much lighter than concrete blocks, but because of their weight, they also move if the car pushes it. Not sure how effective these parking aids are.
When there are two cars in the garage, the front car has to be very close to the wall. I can only imagine that one of these days, someone will drive into the wall accidentally. Is there some sort of garage parking aid that Bogleheads might use to prevent drivers from bumping/crashing into the front wall of the garage? I prefer not to hang anything from the ceiling or wall, as the walls and ceiling are concrete (for instance, a string with a tennis ball) and drilling into concrete is a pain.
I've seen ads for a variety of stop sign aids. I have also seen rubber parking blocks, which are much lighter than concrete blocks, but because of their weight, they also move if the car pushes it. Not sure how effective these parking aids are.
- lthenderson
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Re: Garage Parking Aid
I have owned a couple of those stop signs on a stick over the years but they don't seem to hold up very well with time and tend to flop over as the springs weaken. My end solution was to buy parking lasers that tie into the safety system of your garage door. I mount mine to the ceiling but they can also be mounted to walls. When a vehicle breaks the plane of the safety system, the lasers come on and pulse a blinking red light for two minutes. Once I have the car parked where I want it to stop, I adjust the laser so it points inside the car at a reference point. In both my cars, I use the edge of the dash as the reference point. When the light gets to within an inch of the edge of the dash, I know I have reached the point where I wish to stop. Works well and there is nothing cluttering up the space when I'm using it for a workshop.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0021 ... UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0021 ... UTF8&psc=1
Re: Garage Parking Aid
If you have a newer car, use the backup camera.
- SmileyFace
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Re: Garage Parking Aid
An set of old tires lined up against the back wall work well and are free (if you don't have some - go to a nearby tire place and they will gladly allow you to take a few off their hands). You can bolt them to the wall or use rope bolted to the wall to hold them in place.
Re: Garage Parking Aid
In my area, you can buy a 6' concrete stop for $75. They weight about 260 lb, so usually don't need to be anchored. If necessary, it's simple to add loose wood on each end to brace against the back wall. Simple, but will require a few wasted inches from the back wall if vehicles with very different dimensions will be parked in the same spot.
- SmileyFace
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Re: Garage Parking Aid
A second idea (the one my father used) is to build a small frame out of 2x4's (framing wood) laid out along the ground to the back wall such that your tires will hit the resistance of a piece of wood to tell you when to stop.
Looks like this:
BACK WALL
| <space> |
| <space> |
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Looks like this:
BACK WALL
| <space> |
| <space> |
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Last edited by SmileyFace on Mon Jun 19, 2017 2:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Garage Parking Aid
I use regular bricks that you'd build a house out of. Just build two columns (three of four bricks wide) from the back wall to where you want tires to stop. The lose bricks will absorb some of the tire pressure as they make contact. If you are still worried about the wall, where the bricks make contact, put a long 2 by 4 against the wall to disperse the pressure even more.is.
Re: Garage Parking Aid
I've had one of these on the garage floor for 3 or 4 years now.
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44442-Accu ... arage+stop
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44442-Accu ... arage+stop
Re: Garage Parking Aid
You could get a Command hook that would stick to concrete to hang a tennis ball. No trouble at all applying them to a clean surface. Would be fast and inexpensive.
A hanging ball is more effective at helping to get the car in the right place than a physical stop on the floor is if the lateral position is at all important rather than the distance from the wall in front of the car alone.
A hanging ball is more effective at helping to get the car in the right place than a physical stop on the floor is if the lateral position is at all important rather than the distance from the wall in front of the car alone.
Re: Garage Parking Aid
Bricks are a fine idea as is sonar on newer cars. My car beeps when I get too close to something whether a wall, car, person, or other obstacle.
My garage has a raised section of concrete, so one cannot drive through the back wall instead of brick indicators.
But I use the beeps when parking in public garages.
My garage has a raised section of concrete, so one cannot drive through the back wall instead of brick indicators.
But I use the beeps when parking in public garages.
Last edited by livesoft on Mon Jun 19, 2017 2:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Garage Parking Aid
We have a 3 stall garage and have 3 single lasers mounted on the ceiling.
Here is a single unit for 2 stalls:
https://www.amazon.com/MAXSA-Innovation ... arking+aid
Park cars where you want them. Aim the laser at the center of the dash or a spot that is easy to spot/remember.
When you pull in, the laser activates on motion and you stop when the laser is in the center of the dash.
Here is a single unit for 2 stalls:
https://www.amazon.com/MAXSA-Innovation ... arking+aid
Park cars where you want them. Aim the laser at the center of the dash or a spot that is easy to spot/remember.
When you pull in, the laser activates on motion and you stop when the laser is in the center of the dash.
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Re: Garage Parking Aid
Completely agree. Cheapest and quickest method.Pajamas wrote:You could get a Command hook that would stick to concrete to hang a tennis ball. No trouble at all applying them to a clean surface. Would be fast and inexpensive.
A hanging ball is more effective at helping to get the car in the right place than a physical stop on the floor is if the lateral position is at all important rather than the distance from the wall in front of the car alone.
Don't have a tennis ball? Can always buy a Styrofoam ball at Michael's or a fabric/crafts store.
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Re: Garage Parking Aid
My parents use the hanging tennis ball and it is a GREAT solution. I see others have suggested using adhesive attachments if you don't want to drill concrete.
Another alternative is a plastic kids play sign. We have a freestanding sign (doesn't matter what it says) that is light enough to withstand a bump by a car without damaging the car, but tall enough to be seen as you drive into the garage.
Another alternative is a plastic kids play sign. We have a freestanding sign (doesn't matter what it says) that is light enough to withstand a bump by a car without damaging the car, but tall enough to be seen as you drive into the garage.
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- Moderator
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Re: Garage Parking Aid
I used 2 different things.
a) hanging tennis ball, e.g. something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Genie-GPS-R-Univ ... ge+parking
Drawback is that it is working with your car, so if you park various cars in there it won't work. We had a short spot for our Honda CRV and used it there but it was always the same car.
b) a pole with a stop sign on it
https://www.amazon.com/Ekarro-Modern-Fl ... top+lights
This worked for all cars and you just slightly tap it with your car. I did not care much about the lights and we had a different model and the lights eventually stopped working but you can see when you hit it regardless of some fancy flashing light.
a) hanging tennis ball, e.g. something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Genie-GPS-R-Univ ... ge+parking
Drawback is that it is working with your car, so if you park various cars in there it won't work. We had a short spot for our Honda CRV and used it there but it was always the same car.
b) a pole with a stop sign on it
https://www.amazon.com/Ekarro-Modern-Fl ... top+lights
This worked for all cars and you just slightly tap it with your car. I did not care much about the lights and we had a different model and the lights eventually stopped working but you can see when you hit it regardless of some fancy flashing light.
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Re: Garage Parking Aid
I painted a line on the wall of my garage. When I am even with the line I put the car in Park. Leaves about a foot of space between front bumper and garage wall.
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Re: Garage Parking Aid
My wife pulls her car into the garage forwards and we use a tennis ball on a thin rope for her car. I back into my spot and wanted something that would make more noise so I drilled a small hole in a golf ball and used a hot glue gun to secure a rope into the hole. Works very well as I hear a distinctive "ding" when my back window touches the golf ball. Plus it looks cool and the dog doesn't try to jump up and grab the golf ball (he sure loves tennis balls though).
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Re: Garage Parking Aid
I've had 2 of these in my 2-car garage for 7 years and really like it. It's held up well to the texas heat.carguyny wrote:I've had one of these on the garage floor for 3 or 4 years now.
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44442-Accu ... arage+stop
Re: Garage Parking Aid
I'll throw in a suggestion for fishing line and a bobber, which is much lighter and easier to rig than a tennis ball.
Just clip the bobber onto the line at the desired height.
Just clip the bobber onto the line at the desired height.
Re: Garage Parking Aid
I put a 2 ft length of 2x3 on the ground at the front tire. Stop when you feel it. My wife generally enters the garage at a sportier speed than most drivers so the wood shifts around. I have a chalk outline so I know where to replace it to. If you will be parking different cars in that spot then different colors of chalk can be used to mark the right spots. I do have to re-chalk sometimes when I sweep out the garage.
- tuningfork
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Re: Garage Parking Aid
I use this "stop sign on a pole." I've had it for nearly 10 years. I use it to get within about 5 inches of the back of the garage. I use a couple of bricks to hold it in place; otherwise tapping it with the front of the car can occasionally move it slightly. The flashing lights are a gimmick; when the batteries died after several years I never bothered to replace them. At some point I replaced the plastic pole with a metal rod I bought at the hardware store for a couple of bucks. I don't recall what happened but I image the plastic pole broke at some point. If I had to buy again I would see if I could find one with a metal pole to start with.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RGI7BQ/
My new car has parking sensors, but I'm not close enough to the back when the beeps are at max, so I still need this to get closer.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RGI7BQ/
My new car has parking sensors, but I'm not close enough to the back when the beeps are at max, so I still need this to get closer.
Re: Garage Parking Aid
My family hangs a tennis ball by a string from the ceiling at the appropriate length to just hit the windshield when you're parked where you want to be. I think my great grandfather started the tradition. On a closer read, it looks like it's not a totally unique idea.
Re: Garage Parking Aid
I had the stop sign on the pole, until one day it got knocked over and broke. I got a colorful pool noodle at the dollar store to slip over the now topless pole.
Re: Garage Parking Aid
Any products that are good for parking assist on the sides? We have a water heater that is on one side of where DW parks. Rather not put in a pole, just a gentle reminder...
Re: Garage Parking Aid
After reading multiple reviews, I just bought one of these earlier this week:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008E ... UTF8&psc=1
I'll let you know how it works out.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008E ... UTF8&psc=1
I'll let you know how it works out.
Re: Garage Parking Aid
+1.neilpilot wrote:In my area, you can buy a 6' concrete stop for $75. They weight about 260 lb, so usually don't need to be anchored. If necessary, it's simple to add loose wood on each end to brace against the back wall. Simple, but will require a few wasted inches from the back wall if vehicles with very different dimensions will be parked in the same spot.
Check local construction supply houses for them. They are the same ones you see in parking lots everywhere.
I would get two shorter ones because they will weigh less and be easier to handle. You will then need some 2"x4" lumber to cut into pieces to brace against the back wall.
Answering a question is easy -- asking the right question is the hard part.
- pennstater2005
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Re: Garage Parking Aid
I pull ahead very slowly until I feel a slight bump. I then reverse just slightly off the wall. My kids get a kick out of it every time.
“If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.” – Earl Wilson
Re: Garage Parking Aid
+1 I use a piece of rope over a rafter and when it touches my left mirror, I'm good.You could get a Command hook that would stick to concrete to hang a tennis ball. No trouble at all applying them to a clean surface. Would be fast and inexpensive.
A hanging ball is more effective at helping to get the car in the right place than a physical stop on the floor is if the lateral position is at all important rather than the distance from the wall in front of the car alone.
Simple string/rope from ceiling held w/ 3M adhesive/tape = easy.
Putting tons of extra items in your garage to 'help' sucks up floor space.
Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light.
Re: Garage Parking Aid
Pajamas wrote:You could get a Command hook that would stick to concrete to hang a tennis ball. No trouble at all applying them to a clean surface. Would be fast and inexpensive.
A hanging ball is more effective at helping to get the car in the right place than a physical stop on the floor is if the lateral position is at all important rather than the distance from the wall in front of the car alone.
You could combine these ideas. Command hook + fishing line & bobber.LadyGeek wrote:I'll throw in a suggestion for fishing line and a bobber, which is much lighter and easier to rig than a tennis ball.
Just clip the bobber onto the line at the desired height.
Command hook is much easier to hang from the ceiling than drilling concrete, but it requires something light or else it will fall down. The bobber works well here. Plus, bobbers are usually brightly-colored. Mabye use two bobbers, one down low to hit the car and another higher up that you can easily see move.
- FrugalInvestor
- Posts: 6213
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Re: Garage Parking Aid
I agree. It's tough to beat the cost, effectiveness and simplicity of a hanging tennis ball.Pajamas wrote:You could get a Command hook that would stick to concrete to hang a tennis ball. No trouble at all applying them to a clean surface. Would be fast and inexpensive.
A hanging ball is more effective at helping to get the car in the right place than a physical stop on the floor is if the lateral position is at all important rather than the distance from the wall in front of the car alone.
Have a plan, stay the course and simplify. Then ignore the noise!