[Guest]

Got to at least sit in an SSR today at the car show.
Man, I love this vehicle, but I do have a question.

It seems difficult to see the front corners or side edges of the vehicle. Did this take some getting used to when driving? I would park way away from other people, but wonder how it is if you're driving in a tight spot.

Just an observation. Still want to test drive one of these.

 

[SA13355]

It took about 37 minutes to get used to driving mine.

Then I took it back to the dealer and bought it. :flag

 

[JimGnitecki]

Z-man: It IS something to be aware of, but I have put 7500 miles on my SSR now without hitting anything yet.

Just allow more space than your eye tells you you need, as your eye is fooled by the close presence of the door sill and mirror, which are NOT the widest parts of the vehicle, and you cannot see the front of the fender either.

Like I say, not a problem in practice.

Jim G

 

[Purple Penelope]

Z-Man...Don't worry about the details. My test drive was from the dealer in Erie, Pa to Florida...1130 miles. First time I ever sat in the seat.

P/P

Peace :flag

 

[mikepowell]

It's all about perspective

the only problem I've had is the curved lines of the bed (sorta boattailish) messing with my perception as I back into my garage, I judge it fom the curve of the bedside and start creeping toward the wall.
now I use my passeger side mirror for this manouver :flag

 

[chuckbutcher]

I can't see the fenders, I know where they are and allow for them. It is a little disconcerting at first. I have some experience with the situation from driving a 50 Chev COE, you get used to it.

 

[SSR71Blackbird]

It's called a "Look Alike Antenna"

I've had my 05 for 3 months and have 7,000 miles on it. A lot of the roads that I drive are also popular with the bicyclists. It's always been a concern about viewing that small margin between our right fender and them.

I finally decided to do something about it. I went to Pep Boys and looked around until I found a "LookAlike Cellular Antenna". This antenna is only about 12 inches long and is self adhesive. No wires obviously since it is only a look alike.

Most people don't even notice the antenna since it matches my black paint.

I've got it positioned as far forward of the right fender as possible, but still as far to the right of the fender as possible too. When in my driver seat, I can see just the top 2 inches of the antenna but that is enough to give me an immediate judgement of distance.

I used to use the right side view mirror as a reference, but sometimes that may be too late when you encounter an object to be judged.

Good luck

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm glad that people are able to understand what I'm talking about on this one.

Love the truck, but don't like the line of vision.

 

[houtex]

Well, I'll admit I did nick the wheels a few times till I got used to the fenders sticking out.

 

[Ghostrider]

I've had my 05 for 3 months and have 7,000 miles on it. A lot of the roads that I drive are also popular with the bicyclists. It's always been a concern about viewing that small margin between our right fender and them.

I finally decided to do something about it. I went to Pep Boys and looked around until I found a "LookAlike Cellular Antenna". This antenna is only about 12 inches long and is self adhesive. No wires obviously since it is only a look alike.

Most people don't even notice the antenna since it matches my black paint.

I've got it positioned as far forward of the right fender as possible, but still as far to the right of the fender as possible too. When in my driver seat, I can see just the top 2 inches of the antenna but that is enough to give me an immediate judgement of distance.

I used to use the right side view mirror as a reference, but sometimes that may be too late when you encounter an object to be judged.

Good luck

I think they call those "Curb Feelers" :lol

GR

 

[SA13355]

Man! some of you must have your seat all the way down.

Run it up, or set on a phone book.

I'm sure you'll be able to see the road then :jester

 

[JimGnitecki]

SA13355: You have a point. The roofline of the SSR tends to make people set their seats too low to try to improve UPWARD visibility (of traffic lights for example), at the expense of LOWER visibility (fenders).

A good test is whether or not uo can see the odoemeter / DIC display clearly or not. If it is obscured, you are sitting too low.

Jim G

 

[kwhopper89]

I've had my 05 for 3 months and have 7,000 miles on it. A lot of the roads that I drive are also popular with the bicyclists. It's always been a concern about viewing that small margin between our right fender and them.

I finally decided to do something about it. I went to Pep Boys and looked around until I found a "LookAlike Cellular Antenna". This antenna is only about 12 inches long and is self adhesive. No wires obviously since it is only a look alike.

Most people don't even notice the antenna since it matches my black paint.

I've got it positioned as far forward of the right fender as possible, but still as far to the right of the fender as possible too. When in my driver seat, I can see just the top 2 inches of the antenna but that is enough to give me an immediate judgement of distance.

I used to use the right side view mirror as a reference, but sometimes that may be too late when you encounter an object to be judged.

Good luck

I saw this over the weekend - I thought it was a great idea - plus the cool factor of wondering what kind of covert radio this pilot must have onboard! :cool
Then I was informed of the practical nature of the antenna - very cool...

 

[SSR71Blackbird]

In reference to your viewing of the speedometer and dash board . . . Don't forget that the steering column is adjustable and the viewing spectrum is changed by a simple adjustment of the latch.

 

[JimGnitecki]

SSR71 Blackbird: Not so. Try it. It was actually HARD for me to get a position high enough to flly see the DIC display portion of the panel.

Jim G