pick up truck and city centre car parks

[triple-M]

hi all,well basically at the moment i've got a passat for day to day use and i've got a ford transit connect for work,im considering trading the two of them in and getting a pick up truck such as the toyota hilux or mitsubishi L200 crew cab with a canopy,im just wondering how and if at all possible it would be getting around narrow tight fitting city centre car parks such as stephens green or arnotts as i use them quite alot,also would the spaces be wide enough for these cars as at times i've had difficulties getting the passat around these car parks
thanks,

[Buffman]

As you can imagine, those type of vehicles wouldn't be as nimble as your passat or connect. What would be a 3 point turn in a car could be a 7 point turn in a LWB jeep. Not ideal for tight car parking spaces. Generally, it'll take it a bit effort and time to park. That being said, you'll get used to it eventually.

If you're considering a commercially taxed crew cab, might be worth checking out this thread in 4x4 about tax.

[landydef]

you will probably have no trouble parking a transit or a pajero in dublin,most car parks have a maximum height of 2m which is grand for most standard vans or 4x4s
if you do have any trouble there is a secure car park that takes any height behind the londis on the junction of aunger street and great longford street close to the radison sas and its only a 2 min walk to grafton street

[triple-M]

thanks lads i'll keep that in mind,appreciate the advice

[spartan1]

you'll have no problem with a LWB jeep.......like a landcruiser or something, not a lot of difference between that and a passat, however make sure you dont break down in one

[R.O.R]

I've parked a Pajero Sport in the Stephens Green / Royal College of Surgeons Car park. Had to get out and lay the aerial flat before going in, otherwise it would have been pinging off the roof.

Think I managed to negotiate the car park without having to reverse, unlike the Lawrence Centre in Drogheda (lock wasn't enough to take the bends on the ramps).

Height of those is around 1.8metres so shouldn't be an issue in most car parks - generally 1.9metres would be the max for a lot of multi-story car parks.

[c - 13]

I drive a Mazda B-Series Single cab (not as big as what your looking at mind you) and havent really had too much difficulty parking anywhere as long as you account for the wider turning radius' etc.

Had one incident leaving a multistory car park. I leave off the cars coming up the up ramp before I try go down because i have to swing into the left lane a little to clear the corner and some little git comes along and goes flying up instead of having the courtesy to let me turn, I have to pull back in out of his lane quicker than I would have liked and scraped the side of the bed off one of the support pillars.

[Bluefoam]

Originally Posted by c - 13

I drive a Mazda B-Series Single cab (not as big as what your looking at mind you) and havent really had too much difficulty parking anywhere as long as you account for the wider turning radius' etc.

Had one incident leaving a multistory car park. I leave off the cars coming up the up ramp before I try go down because i have to swing into the left lane a little to clear the corner and some little git comes along and goes flying up instead of having the courtesy to let me turn, I have to pull back in out of his lane quicker than I would have liked and scraped the side of the bed off one of the support pillars.

Not necessarily his fault. As far as he was concerned he was just driving around the car park with two driving lanes. In his opinion you should have been in your lane, so he continued on his merry way. Was he supposed to know that your car has an unusually large turning circle and is not capable of staying between the lines? Should he have to observe other drivers to make sure he compensates for their vehicles lack of manoeuvrability? Can you please publish a list of vehiles that are not capable of navigating our roads safely so that I can learn it off and keep out of their way?

SUV rant over

[c - 13]

Originally Posted by Bluefoam

Not necessarily his fault. As far as he was concerned he was just driving around the car park with two driving lanes. In his opinion you should have been in your lane, so he continued on his merry way. Was he supposed to know that your car has an unusually large turning circle and is not capable of staying between the lines? Should he have to observe other drivers to make sure he compensates for their vehicles lack of manoeuvrability? Can you please publish a list of vehiles that are not capable of navigating our roads safely so that I can learn it off and keep out of their way?

SUV rant over

Firstly its not an SUV its a works vehicle. Definately not for comfort driving.

Also nowhere in my post did I say it was his fault, just that I think it is common courtesy if you see any vehicle attempting to turn in at the top of a ramp would be to slow and allow then to complete their turn before proceeding as opposed to speeding up and continuing.

Anyway, I dont want to drag this thread off topic, just relating my experience.

[cabrwab]

In and out of alot of car parks in a primastar, nightmare to park somtimes, but you'll get used to it quick enough, will take a minute or two longer to park as your visability is not as good but driving a little van around you'll be used to the more difficult aspects of poor visability.