i need a driving tip!!!!!

[killerZ-71]

i need a little help. when it comes to driving my ext. cab. Z-71 i can drive my baby through the eye of a needle if i had to, but i have one problem. whenever i am backing up(lets say in a parking lot) and there is another vehicle behing me(as i am backing up my pick up bed would be heading towards their hood), i feel like i am getting to the point where i am going to hit them and i stop. well, when i get out i am STILL VERY FAR FROM THEM. so i get back in the truck and ease it back more until i feel i am just close enough. i feel like i am backing up right into them, but i am still very far away. i don't know if this is just me or others have this issue.

i have tried to figure out a trick or something to help me fix this problem, but i can not fix this. it may sound stupid , but it is a pain in my ass. do any of you have a trick or a tip to help me remedy this situation. i know there are those back up sensors out there, but it seems like a lot of work to fix a problem i want to fix ON MY OWN!. THANX

[az'03Silverado]

I know exactly what you mean. I won't tell you how many times I got out of my truck the first time I hitched up my trailer by myself. I usually just go until the other car's grill is just out of view and leave it at that. Although, you can usually go until the bottom of their windshield is just visible. It's all trial-and-error. You just have to inch back a little at a time and keep checking until it's perfect and then just make a mental note of what that looks like from inside. Then, in the future try to create that picture without getting out of the truck. It is a little embarassing, though, when I see semi-truck drivers back a big rig exactly where they want it on the first time with no help and I can't even parallel park my puny Silverado. I guess it's just practice, practice, practice.

[gnutruk]

Same problem here. Just after I got my truck I found I couldn't judge distances behind anymore.

 

Using the mirrors I'm invariably off by a long shot. Only way for me to back up accurately is twist around and look out the rear window.

 

gnutruk

[gglaeser22]

I seemed to be the same way when I got my first truck. I lived in San Diego where we only had street parking. Needless to say I learned to parallel park real fast. I just went out there the Sunday with, no traffic, after I got it and practiced it. For backign up I found it helpful to look through the little crack between the pickup bed and the tailgate. Worked for me. Just keep practicing that's how they get it dead on in a semi-truck. Also always trust your mirrors... once you get used to them.

[Greg]

Thank you for caring about this and not being one of those people who park by "touch".

[03 GMC]

Take the tailgate off so you can see where your bumper is while you're practicing. Just pay attention to where the top of the bedrail is imposed on the car in your mirror when you're backing up so when you put the tailgate back in you'll be able to judge the correct distance. Just a thought.

[tmf6902]

I dunno what to tell ya.....after driving my truck for 2 1/2 years, I just sorta have a "feeling" of when I am close enough. But most of the time I try and find a pull through space if there is one. I don't mind walking the extra 30 feet for a space far away.

 

EDIT** Of course I use the "wife meter" too. She's not riding shotgun for free ya know.

[ktmjim215]

Get one of the back up cameras. Some are well concealed and they even work well while you are on the road. Go to a dealer and test drive a vehicle with one in it. They are neat once you get used to it. You can buy them online for a few hundred $$.

[airbalancer]

I know what everyone is talking about

I also have a cap on my truck.

Park one day and got only to find I was 2 inches from a very small car that did not show up in my mirrors.

I am looking at a back system http://www.reversesensors.com/Wire_P1.php it like $40 us

Camera would be nice but are they to costly?

[99silveradoz71]

I like the big mirrors on my Rado and have learned to use them pretty effectively. I had to when I was still living with mom and dad. Getting in the garage was a bit snug to say the least. Now when I drive the Vic at work it's the same scenario- we've got the plexiglass shields, but you can't see through them all to well all the time, so I use the mirrors when backing the cruiser up too. It's not bad when you get used to it. And after you've been through a road course that relies on it, you do what you have to do.

[Scyry]

When I got my truck, I was going from a 2WD 1500 to a 2500HD and it was a lot higher and made it hard for me to judge the nose and tail. I got couple plastic trash cans, taped brooms to them (so I had something high enough to see) and drove into them until I hit them. They are about the same hieght as many vehicles, so when they disappear from view, until the time you hit them is about the same. Just tap into them a few times to get the feel of where they are. Then drive up to them to where you think you are about to hit them. Get out check and see if you really are close. Rinse and repeat until you start getting it right.

[Bgdsub72]

I guess I am just used to it, I have been driving my first silverado since I was 16, I am now 20 and I am on my 3rd Silverado...On top of all your experiences try doing what you are describing with Limo tint on top of the factory tint at night. I guess I can just judge distance from experience, although on dark streets I have to roll my windows down to see where I am going when trying to backup...

[gnutruk]

Another solution might be to hire a professional limousine driver full-time. Those guys are excellent drivers, can do minor maintenance and fix-ups jobs on the truck, keep it well waxed and vacuumed, etc. You can have them sleep out in the garage at night.

 

 

gnutruk

[04-silver]

With my 94 1500 EC I had very little problems (that doesn't mean I had none )backing up and stopping.

 

Now with the 04-2500 EC, might as well of bought a cap for the box, I loose the guys grill and I'm still 6' away, you look pretty silly getting out to check that. That only happened once!!

 

Usually or 95% of the time I back up against something like a wall/rail/trees, that was due to my old truck, I wanted to make sure I left with my tail gate. There is always a curb there for your tires to hit when you do this.

 

If I have to back up to another vehicle, when I think I'm close I'll take a look at the vehicles beside me and compare our front ends, like who is farther ahead and do I still need to go back. This way you don't have to get out and it actually looks like you knew when to stop.

 

 

John

[PELICAN]

One thing that helps me with backing up is I have a small round mirror on the lower outside corner of my side mirrors. With the way I have my side view mirrors adjusted the little round mirrors point towards the ground behind the rear tires and then I just use the parking lines as a guide.