Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in

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Mon 28 Nov 2011 19:56
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - John Boy

I like to reverse into my drive, which is downhill (in) and slightly curved at the end. It’s shared, so I like to park close to the edge, which is adjacent to a lawn. The drive and lawn are separated by a concrete edging, about 2 inches wide, and at virtually the same level.

The problem is that the reversing lights on my current car are quite high and I find it difficult to see the edge. How can I mark the edging to make it easy to see, given that I sometimes need to drive over it to park on the lawn.

Any neat and simple ideas, please?

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Mon 28 Nov 2011 20:06
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - Avant

Fluorescent paint or perhaps fluorescent sticky strips?

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Mon 28 Nov 2011 20:30
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - Icey

Any neat and simple ideas, please?

As you reverse, turn on your indicators.

Even though they're only on for half the time, they'll give a surprising amount of light. (Learnt from my Dad back when my first car didn't have reversing lights)

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Mon 28 Nov 2011 23:07
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - bathtub tom

Can you not adjust your door mirror to show the relative rear wheel?

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Mon 28 Nov 2011 23:24
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - jamie745

Put your hazards on, rear fogs too if neccessary but for goodness sake remember to turn the fogs off before you drive again!

Unless its foggy, then its ok.

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Mon 28 Nov 2011 23:40
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - Bromptonaut

Is the edging drivers or passenger side as you reverse?

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Mon 28 Nov 2011 23:44
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - jamie745

What about something like a bicycle reflector placed in a convenient place?

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Tue 29 Nov 2011 07:44
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - Andy P

Had exactly the same prolem - not enough light to see where the drive ended and the flowerbed started.

Solution - some short lengths of white plastic pipe with white reflective tape stuck on them stuck in the ground at the edge of the drive. Simples.

Edited by Andy P on 29/11/2011 at 07:45

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Tue 29 Nov 2011 10:31
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - colinh

Solar-powered garden lights?

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Tue 29 Nov 2011 10:48
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - John Boy

Thanks so much for all the replies! I’ll respond more fully later, but here are some quick answers:

Bromptonaut – the edging is on the passenger side.

Andy P – not really suitable, as I need to drive over the edge once in a while.

ColinH – Solar-powered lights would probably disappear.

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Tue 29 Nov 2011 11:06
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - Ethan Edwards

Pop down a model shop and buy some lumionous paint or see below.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Glow-Dark-Luminous-hobby-paint-Bright-Green-/280603655976?pt=UK_Crafts_DrawingSupplies_EH&hash=item415547ff28

Paint the edge and you can drive over it with no damage.

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Tue 29 Nov 2011 12:41
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - Chris M

The problem would appear to be a lack of light. From what you have said, solar powered will grow legs and presumably mains powered aren't feasible. My conclusion is therefore, to have the extra light fitted to the car. How about an extra reversing light fitted under the rear bumper, possibly out of sight, that would act in a similar fashion to puddle lights?

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Tue 29 Nov 2011 13:23
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - Red&Bold

why not have a stick or reflector parellel with your wing mirror positioned so that when you are level with it your car has reached the end of your drive.

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Tue 29 Nov 2011 20:32
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - dadbif

why not fit a security light with an infra red sensor to the house to illuminate your entry, you can adjust the timer on them so it only stays of for a few seconds

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Tue 29 Nov 2011 21:02
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - ndr116

Park the car in the desired position in daylight. Mark a line on the driver's side. When reversing in the dark just open the drivers door and look for your line. You might even find the interior light will help show it up.

Edited by ndr116 on 29/11/2011 at 21:03

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Mon 26 Dec 2011 13:10
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - John Boy

I think I’ve cracked this. The problem arises because the reversing lights, in common with many current small cars, are quite high and simply don’t put enough light on the ground.

I experimented with some of the suggestions. Having an indicator on, as I reversed, gave more light, but not enough. Using the hazards was too dazzling, because of the repeater on the dashboard. I also tried adjusting the infra-red light on the house front, but it wasn’t much help.

I liked the reflective tape idea best and bought a small roll. I intended to put it on the concrete edging to the drive and may try that later. For the time being, I put some on three small posts, about 6 inches high. One is at the entrance to the drive, one is at the other end and one is where the drive would end if it didn’t have a curve towards the end. The two positioned at the end enable me to use the door mirror to aim the car and end up with it positioned so the there’s just enough room for the passenger to step out on the drive, rather than on the lawn. If I’ve driven in, the other one enables me to reverse out

Thanks for all of the suggestions. They were much appreciated.

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Mon 26 Dec 2011 13:49
Marking the edge of a drive to reverse in - gordonbennet

I missed this thread, as ChrisM above try an extra light or two and you'll be amazed.

My pick up came with one measly reversing light on the NS only and about as much use as a chocolate teapot....its twin that should have been the other side was the rear fog lamp on euro spec vehicles.

Ring at the time, and possibly still do, sold really tiny auxialliary 'driving' lights for the boy racer brigade, only about 2" wide by 1" or so high, my sparky fitted them under and behind the back bumper for me angled down so as not to cause too much problem behind, 2x55w halogen floodlights gave me light as good as low dipped headlamps for close work, not saying you need this much light mind, a simple clear 21w lamp of some description would suffice, could be out of sight unless you get on all fours to look for it.

A simple switch inside the car to enable it to come on only when you choose and only in conjuction with the useless normal reverse lights would be an option.

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