I always park way out in the lot -- aggravates the hell outa my wife and daughter. Parking is not the issue: I want to minimize the possiblity of some dumba$$ mouth-breather whacking my baby. I do the same with my 300C. I, too, find backing in easier at work. I used to have an '88 Chevy 1500 Ext. cab longbed. Used to have to parallel park that one downtown often.

 

I do have a QCLB and I always look for a pullthrough space unless I'm going to be loading something in the bed. Parking lots ARE really made to fit as many small cars as possible. Kinda hard to pull a land yaght into one of those slim/short spaces. I usually end up walking.

 

+1

 

What about parking garages, are they usually out? Also is it generally annoying to drive such a large truck on a daily basis?


Thanks,
Zack

 

I back in. It's so much easier. I have to pakr in the back of my townhome and it has an alley. If I try to drive straight in, I have to make about 10 turns. Backing in, I can do it in 2 - back at angle, pull forward a little, back up and done.

 

i have SB QC and i always park way out in the middle of nowhere near a light, backwards, it's easier for me to swing the front end around with the large turning radius the truck has then try to nose her into somewhere. and i always put my wheels against the curb tp present the smallest profile possible to other vehicles, i don't worry about hitting the curb since i've got some decent ground clearance. as far parking garages, i try to avoid them if i can, no point in temtping fate to remove the sirius antennae

 

I park in parking garages all the time...Just plan on parking on the roof or in a corner if possible to keep from hanging too far out. I can usually find a parallel parking space too.
If you're really worried about it being a good every day driver, I'm sure the dealer would let you have it for the weekend to make a deal.

 

If the parking garage has slanted spots, you're usually safe to pull in. But if they are straight spots, I look for one that is against a wall so I can back in and bump the wall, not another car.

As others have said, backing in is so much easier if you know when to stop. But there are times I'll get out and check if I'm backing in opposite of a really nice car. Just play it safe and you'll be fine.

Mike

 

Drove a Ford F-250 SD long bed for the past 9 years so I don't even have to think about my new Ram QC long bed. You get used to it although it is annoying at times. I do think the ride of the long beds is really nice because of the long wheelbase.

RIck

 

best practice is to find an empty parking lot some time and practice to your heart's content. church parking lots are great, because they're empty most weeknights. set up some cones if you can. simple rule of driving: "Know Thy Wheelbase." Both friends and family that have driven with me have been suprised at the turns I can make in my truck, and it's because I went out one saturday, found me an empty lot, and practiced. Since then, I haven't had any trouble using my Ram as a daily driver.