Admiration for the Ancients

I must begin by stating that this idea was set up by the previous owner. However this may be new to some and old hat to others on this forum. I have great admiration for the Greeks and Romans and all the other ancient civilizations that did the bulk of the hard work in coming to grips with their environment and developed their societies.

Of course then they used the only computer they had which makes their results even more tremendous. No calculator of iPad then. Today you could go out and buy a reversing camera or adopt a bit of the old fashioned angle of the dangle. Using basic geometry and the mark one eyeball one can set up a crude reversing aid that can be used if you are alone on your travels and do not have a spotter.

Taking a line from the base of the side mirror to an object behind the vehicle you can then place a mark on the wing over the back wheel as seen in the photo. People will have different head height, but basically the side mark is set so that when sat at the wheel the base of the reflection in the mirror lines up to a spot on the ground at the rear of the vehicle. This may not work on vehicles without a pronounced wing over the wheel.

Naturally when manoeuvring in a tight spot you would need to use an object as a focal point be it natural or one that you have placed to assist you.

Now I wouldn't be game to try this at Beachy Head but it is something that may come in handy one day and a small sticker on the side is no big deal.


Keith

Me, I lean out of the window and go "beep beep beep".

Not so silly though, method in my madness. Always gets a laugh, plus when you literally can't see out of the back when you're reversing, if there is somebody there they soon shift as 2+ tons heads their way ... and I'm ancient!

[quote=" and I'm ancient! [/quote]



YOU SAID IT

Oi!!! Re-arrange into a well know saying ... kettle, the, black, pot, calling.

Well you did, but if you recone your ancient!

my kids must be right they call me a Dinosaur.

that looks like a very heavy kite [90],,,,, :shock: is the rock stopping you from blowing away.... .

Simple but effective. A lot of the HGV training places use a similar idea for the reversing excercise too

Hello Tuggy,

Actually you make an interesting point about the 90 being a kite. I should keep the coil of string attached. The day after the post I roared ( more like rapidly left at the best speed I could muster from the LR ) out of a car park without first firmly shutting the drivers door. Sharp left; door makes rapid arc with me luckily secured by a seat belt trying to grab hold it to prevent it hitting anything.

Wasn't till I got home I realised the door preventer had become slightly bent and dislocated.

Such is life. Looking on the bright side I am soon to take delivery of a Series 2 LWB diesel flatbed that has been a farm vehicle all its life. Whilst it shows it's age the metal is good as it has always been kept in a shed when not in use. This will give me a chance to practice some mechanical wat - zits on, knowing that if I have any problems it is not my daily drive.

Panel damage may occur due to the fact the wife doesn't know about it yet. Problem is this could cost me another horse

Vicar

Vicar wrote:

Problem is this could cost me another horse

Hi,
I can't say any thing just the picture. whole story can be know through picture.