REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

mr00jimbo · 08-13-2018, 07:57 PM

Looking to get a small truck (Colorado or Tacoma). It's not the width or height I'm thinking about, it's the length. It's 212 inches long. My coupe is 188 long so that's another 2 feet. It looks as if it fits in most parking spots. Curious what people have gotten away with driving in Vancouver size-wise without going nuts.

bcrdukes · 08-13-2018, 08:07 PM

A Porsche Panamera and Honda Odyssey worked for me in Vancouver. The Tacoma measuring in at 212 inches, but the Panamera was about 198. Honda Odyssey was 202 inches. I'm sure the extra 10 - 12 inches do matter (that's what she said!) You'll just have to figure out where you're going to park most of the time.

snowfarmer · 08-13-2018, 08:16 PM

My work vehicle is a 2018 GMC Yukon, 208" length, no problem driving/parking it in Vancouver. I see Taco's around town, you should be fine.

ScizzMoney · 08-13-2018, 08:19 PM

My truck was:

~240 inches long, wheelbase was around 155 inches I think.
~80 inches wide without counting the mirrors (they folded in with the touch of a button, so wasn't much of an issue)
~80 inches tall at the top of the cab.

I didn't find it that bad, I just picked my battles when it came to parking lots though. I would usually park farther away than most people would. That said, a few parking spots didn't leave me much room to open my doors if someone parked right beside me. Luckily, for some reason people don't park beside full size trucks if they don't have to.

yray · 08-13-2018, 09:17 PM

If I can get a double cab taco to P2 of crystal mall sunday afternoon, you will be fine.

mr00jimbo · 08-13-2018, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yray

If I can get a double cab taco to P2 of crystal mall sunday afternoon, you will be fine.

That makes me sweat just thinking about!

twitchyzero · 08-13-2018, 10:30 PM

200" before the days of a backup camera but to be fair older vehicle has better rearward visibility
would occasionally jump the curb on right turns if I don't drive it for a while

Speed2K · 08-14-2018, 11:00 AM

I don't think driving should be a problem. I used to deliver stuff so maybe it's just me, you do get used to it. Parking a longer vehicle is more of a challenge, especially street parking; although nowadays, with backup cameras, it's much easier to do than before.

My dad's friend used to parallel park his one ton cube truck in Chinatown, this was before the days of back up cameras too, I was always amazed that he could do that.

yray · 08-14-2018, 11:06 AM

I'd say boxier the easier. You just need to know the point of reference. Of course, mirrors are a big help too.

i laugh at my boss GL with its C class mirrors.

I can park within 1" of the wall by looking at the change in the light pattern against the wall.

underscore · 08-14-2018, 12:07 PM

I never had any problems the brief time I drove a Panamera (196") but the in-laws had some issues parallel parking their Expedition (206") downtown. I think a lot of that had to do with their comfort level though, the more you park in tight spots the more familiar you'll be with eyeballing where you can and can't fit.

GS8 · 08-14-2018, 12:30 PM

Don't be embarrassed to get out and check clearance as well. Would be less embarrassing than hitting someone or something. Do it a few times and you'll get used to it. Eventually, you'll know out of instinct when to stop.

unit · 08-14-2018, 01:01 PM

do you need a bigger vehicle? i drive my dads sierra from time to time and while it's nice that we have a pickup in the family, i'd never want it to be my daily driver.

!LittleDragon · 08-14-2018, 01:13 PM

I was worried when I got my Genesis sedan. It's 196" and it's what's considered a midsize today.... I can actually fit it in a lot of small car spots. I basically told myself that it's only 6" longer than my last car. Just get it, you'll get used to it. Cars are just bigger today. Mine is about a foot longer than the original Hummer H1 and I used to think those were huge...

twitchyzero · 08-14-2018, 07:10 PM

not mine but i'm sure if you get a long bed it'll stick out

the good thing about sticking out like a sore thumb is most people will probably be more careful around it

meme405 · 08-15-2018, 11:17 PM

I've been dailying crew cab long bed 1 ton pickups for 3+ years now. I don't fit in some parkades, but my trucks usually have back racks or other accessories that pose issues. A stock tacoma or canyon will go anywhere height wise.

Length wise I need to look for longer stalls when parallel parking, that was more so prevalent when some of my trucks didn't have backup cams, but since they all have cameras and I can easily get within inches of other cars, its pretty easy. When stall parking it's gonna stick out, period. I often still have my trailer hitch on, or even am towing my trailer, so I usually park farther away and take two stalls, or park farther away where if I am sticking out it's not a big issue. Keep in mind I am talking about a truck that is bumper to bumper ~260".

Quote:

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

the good thing about sticking out like a sore thumb is most people will probably be more careful around it

ehhhh. Stupid people are stupid. I watched a girl shin herself on my trailer hitch. Looked painful. The good part about driving something big is people get the fuck out of your way. I get a lot less people doing stupid shit when 8000lbs of steel will end them in a heartbeat. The other great thing was I had someone rear end me a little while back, not a scratch on my truck, but she ate my tow bar pretty badly and her car was probably a write off.

CCA-Dave · 08-22-2018, 12:44 PM

I drive my quad cab, dually 3500 in Vancouver at times...and it's manageable. 246" long, both rear tires will touch the paint if I'm parked square in the spots they paint today. I wouldn't say driving it in the city is 'enjoyable', but its not like it's impossible. It's not lifted, so I can get it into most parking garages. Parking sometimes feels like Austin Powers, but you do what you gotta do. For sure I'm going to be hanging 24" or more out the front of the parking spot. Some are so small the front wheels are not even at the paint if I back in.

Meh, you build your lot so small I can't park? Not my fault. In an outdoor lot, such as a Wal-mart, the spots are painted small enough these days that my truck literally takes 4-spaces. I'll park as far away from the door as possible, in as few spots as possible. But people still look at me like I'm a jerk.

underscore · 08-22-2018, 12:58 PM

If you're parking out of the way that's the best you can do. When someone parks their truck that doesn't fit at the very front of the lot and the overhang takes up half of the lane so nobody can get in/out that way, that's pretty rude.

vitaminG · 08-22-2018, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meme405

ehhhh. Stupid people are stupid. I watched a girl shin herself on my trailer hitch. Looked painful. The good part about driving something big is people get the fuck out of your way. I get a lot less people doing stupid shit when 8000lbs of steel will end them in a heartbeat. The other great thing was I had someone rear end me a little while back, not a scratch on my truck, but she ate my tow bar pretty badly and her car was probably a write off.

i think its the law in AB you have to remove your hitch when youre not towing, not sure about BC. in either case i think its kind of inconsiderate to leave the hitch on all the time for that exact reason. not to mention good way to get it stolen

GabAlmighty · 08-22-2018, 07:18 PM

Used to drive a manual quad cab long box cummins around town, thing was around 250'ish inches. Just gotta be a little more patient when finding parking.

E-40six · 08-22-2018, 07:58 PM

I've been driving around in my 2500hd Silverado Crew cab short box in the city for the last 10 years, never had an issue looking for street parking downtown.

I only ran into height issues when I installed a taller headache rack.