RVC Options for Bad Driveway

[Bassik]

Hey guys,

Been a while since I have posted anything on here. I recently moved into a new place and the driveway is so bad I scrape all the time. I have no way or getting around it as of yet so one of my options is to buy a reverse camera so I can actually see where I'm going. The scraping part I have no idea how to resolve it. You can see the pictures attached on how the car actually hits the concrete.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ubq09q6jjjyed6k/photo4.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/njf25pplzy4wr7e/photo2.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/20ztmdqjf1ae0j6/photo1.jpg

I have done a little searching relating to getting an aftermarket reverse camera installed but I either find the genuine versions (to $$$) or the dodge Chinese versions. There is also the version that connects to where the license plate lights are, this is really the only option I have. Just wondering if anyone know where or has had experience with these installations.

I desperately need a problem solved for this as I can't have my car constantly scraping. Any help would be great.

[Dutch77]

Ouch.. the picture obviously doesn't show just how big a bump that is given I am assuming that is an otherwise stock Adidas.

I am guessing you can't obviously change the driveway/footpath area? I could only suggest 'improving' what you already have there to raise the entry height to keep the car up when crossing the bump.. if you know anyone who could fabricate something in steel?

If it's any consolation on my previous car the council decided to redo the driveway at work and didn't bother to fill in the drain part, leaving a hole in the ground in the dark.. it was enough to actually stop my car moving:

[brad]

It appears the footpath has dropped about 40mm at the edges and about 80mm in the middle between the tar (where your front tyre is sitting in photo2 - throw a timber straight edge across the gap & measure the maximum drop. (the alignment of the drive is all wrong too - it should be rounded). You can see where they've tried to bodge it up with tar (unless the utilities have been digging in those spots).

You could try requesting the council to fix the footpath as they do have an obligation & they might be liable for damge to your vehicle if they choose to ignore it. It's like a pothole, they aren't liable for damages until they are aware it's an issue.

You may have to work with them & do something with the drive as well. - maybe a crowned plate dynabolted to the concrete or even a "speed hump" in concrete added to the transition slope.

Sorry, I know nothing about RVC cameras.

[99_FGT]

Two options I can see - once is to get some treated pine and layer them to drive onto, or another option is to get some marking paint that you can plot a safe route on it (using the measurements from the timber straight edge above) and just drive in that all the time. I take it you are renting? If so, report it to the agent - if you're not the owner council will be a PITA anyway. They'll probably tell you to park your car outside, but I'm guessing that the property included "secure" or at least "off-street" parking, and that at no point was it mentioned you needed a 4wd to safely negotiate.
Mate of mine used sandbags for a while to stop his car beaching on a driveway.

Whatever you do - do it inside the property boundary, and make sure it is not a trip hazard or anything like that!

[Bassik]

You are both right it is a real pain in back side.

Also the drop is about 30mm extra and I've thought about putting a wooden piece across the foot path but it would only be a matter of time before the council sent me a request to remove it. This is why I have only put the wood on my drive-way.

I might give the council a call but my guess is they would laugh and tell me to get a normal car. This is a standard Golf ADIDAS nothing has been done to it. Matter of fact my mate owns a normal MK5 Golf and that scrapes as well. Even my dads Tarago does.

The RVC is really only for reverse parking the car because that's another issue.

[Bassik]

Two options I can see - once is to get some treated pine and layer them to drive onto, or another option is to get some marking paint that you can plot a safe route on it (using the measurements from the timber straight edge above) and just drive in that all the time. I take it you are renting? If so, report it to the agent - if you're not the owner council will be a PITA anyway. They'll probably tell you to park your car outside, but I'm guessing that the property included "secure" or at least "off-street" parking, and that at no point was it mentioned you needed a 4wd to safely negotiate.
Mate of mine used sandbags for a while to stop his car beaching on a driveway.

Whatever you do - do it inside the property boundary, and make sure it is not a trip hazard or anything like that!

I've tried to change my entry and exit on different angles but it scrapes no matter what and even with the wooden plankets it sometimes scrapes. I really do need to put a wooden piece on the footpath but I know that isn't an option because its not my property so whatever I do I have been doing within the properties boundaries. Oh and yes I am renting... probably wouldn't have bought the place otherwise...lol

BTW I called the council and they just said it's not their issue its the owners, however if it is the footpath that is the cause they can investigate to see if it has been noted it is a repaired driveway.

[99_FGT]

What about getting someone in (or DIY) to grind the lip on the concrete down - it is a genuine trip hazard anyway so owner may be willing to foot the bill.

[Sunny43.5]

If you have a part of the driveway where you don't scrape , I could suggest a cheap option park the car over the spot and use some white paint to mark the sweet spot you wont need to overdo it just a few spots to guide you .

[Bassik]

If you have a part of the driveway where you don't scrape , I could suggest a cheap option park the car over the spot and use some white paint to mark the sweet spot you wont need to overdo it just a few spots to guide you .

I guess this is why I was wanting a reverse camera, that way I could guide myself with things in the environment.

[Buller_Scott]

bummer man... that's a nasty bit of driveway.

just put 2 x 50cm bits of wood in the wedge - wear dark dark blue or green, go in under cover of night, put them down where your tyres would go (doesnt have to be the whole width of the driveway), and be done with it.