I have a garage that is limited in space. I need something to indicate I've backed up far enough. Something simple. One idea was a ping pong ball on a string. Any other suggestions? Thanks!

 

I have a couple methods since I need different options in my garage.

Laser: If you are parking very consistently in the same spot then my favorite is a motion activated laser pointer that mounts on the ceiling or in front of your car. You can position the laser to point at any part of your car. I make it go somewhere on the dash so it's easy to see when I pull in. Just line it up and stop. The model I got on Amazon actually has two lasers so you can make it work for two cars side by side or two positions for two different cars in the same spot. I've had this for a few years and love it. This cost around $20.

Old School: On one section of my garage I am always pulling in different cars and trucks so needed something very flexible for different vehicles and totally removable if I needed it to be removed. I simply bought 5' of stainless metal rod, drilled a small hole in a 8"x8" piece of wood base and jammed it in. I wrapped some colorful tape on the rod to make it easier to see. When I pull in, or more often back in, I simply look in the mirror and when I see the stick wiggle I know I am exactly where I want to stop. I double-up cars on one side of the garage and have literally inches to spare. This combines accuracy and flexibility for ever changing types of cars. Simple but effective. Cost about $3.

 

I use a brick as a tire stopper. Park where you need to, then place a brick as a stopper on one of your tires. Next time you enter the garage, drive up or back up until you hit the brick stopper and you know that is as far as you need to go. They sell stoppers with adhesive backing to stick to the floor so the stopper doesn't move, but you can just use some caulk on the brick to stick that to the garage floor. It is what I do and is a very simple solution.

 

My wife has a hard time with the BMW as it takes up a lot of room. Same line as the Ping pong ball, I have a nice tennis ball on a string. She pulls in until the ball touchs the windshield. Was easy to install and can be removed or adjusted as needed.

 

I have a friend who has these things that stick to the floor that are made out of rubberized/plastic.. like this: just google or search for "parking aids" on amazon.. Personally I like the yellow ones.

 

http://www.calcarcover.com/product/1..._Parking_Light

 

I use the yellow and one black rubber parking stop for my vehicles. Line up, pull in and wait to hit the 'stop' and you are good to go!


Some other very good ideas in this thread!

 

+1 for a couple of. $ at Home Depot the paving bricks work great?

 

I have something just like this. Works great. I don't glue it the floor so it does get pushed around after a while. I just mark the floor so I know where to move it back to when it does get out of alignment.

 

I used to use a fishing line hanging from the ceiling and a fishing bobber. Just tie the fishing line onto a screw, place the screw into the ceiling drywall, and the bobber on the lower side. It's easily adjustable for the height needed, and I would stop when the bobber hit the window. It's a very easy and cheap method that works very well.

 

The only problem with it not be perm fixed is if it gets moved a little forward.. Bad things for the front of the car ..

 

park it perfect.use string and tennis ball tofront windshield..cant go wrong..

 

Yeah, I would glue it if I was that limited in my garage but I still have a few feet in front of both of my cars. But I would prefer to have something like that glued to my floor than something hanging over head.

 

Why? The ball against the windshield idea is something that you see instead of something you feel. I use the tennis ball myself and it works great.

 

Oh, I think it's a great idea and definitely more accurate. I'm just talking in terms of aesthetics.