Community Forums

1bigmess · 05-29-2019, 09:12 PM

I have a pari of FRS radios. I turn them both on, I have one in the TV, and I give one to the tree or picnic table at the end of my site. They never tell me when to stop backing up though. They are the *most* unhelpful, even when you give them the means to easily communicate with you from that distance. So disappointing.

ThePowells · 05-29-2019, 09:44 PM

I get out and walk the site, put the dolly where I want it, then I put a cone where I want the left rear bumper corner to be. SWMBO watches out for anything that I have over looked.

Old-Biscuit · 05-29-2019, 10:12 PM

We eyeball site as we get ready to back in...........much prefer a back in site to pull thurs

She gets out and positions herself passenger side visible in mirror
I back in using my line of sight via drivers side mirror watching her for 'directional' HAND signal (one hand only........2 HANDS STOP NOW)
She has guided me into some pretty tough/tight sites w/o ANY oops/gosh darns

No frantic waving, shouting, yelling or tantrums and she hasn't had any either

Arch Hoagland · 05-29-2019, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I have never relied on someone else to help me back in in my 50+ years of owning my own RV. So no drama, no yelling just one back in needed.

Same here.

My thought is if you are going to drive a big vehicle you better know how to do it by yourself.

ScoobyDoo · 05-30-2019, 04:26 AM

We decide where we want it, DW takes dog for a walk. If kids around, I ask her to help watch them...

pduggs · 05-30-2019, 04:50 AM

Apparently some of us have difficulty backing up an RV. I fortunately am not one.

Last summer I watched a guy try to back his 25’ TT into his open storage spot. I marveled at how bad he was and nearly went over to see if he would allow me to do it. The storage parking area is a huge open gravel lot. He consistently jack knifed it. He had no restrictions or obstructions but after numerous tries and what seemed like an hour, he finally got it.

BTW...his woman never left the passenger seat.

veraken · 05-30-2019, 05:27 AM

Look at this video. Follow this plus 2 handheld two-way radios

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Rqyf-4-0E

Bigd9 · 05-30-2019, 05:31 AM

After 46 years of learning each others ways, we have developed a system that works for us. We love visiting state parks, and national/state forest areas, and lots of times the spots are tight and tree branches seem to be perfectly placed to hit something or another.

After we arrive at the campsite we both get out of the coach and look things over and develop a plan. I back the coach in with her guiding me using the two way radios and the conversation goes something like this:
Sharon: "..way"
Me: "Remember dear to push the button first, then talk"
Sharon: "...am"
Me: "Push the button and hold it in for 2 seconds before you say anything"
Sharon: " IS THIS BETTER?"
Me: "Yes. Keep an eye on that overhead branch for me"
Sharon: "what the heck, doesn't he think I know what I am doing? He is always telling me what to do and not do.Maybe I should just let him do it all by his self and see how he likes it"
Me: "remember NOT to push the button when you are taking to yourself and cussing me out dear"
Sharon: "The heck with this stupid radio! I'm going to point"
Me: "that's a great idea honey. I'll be watching"

She also carries a pole that is the length of the slide outs and makes sure we are far enough away from trees, electric box, water hydrants so the rooms can come out without hitting anything. She will generally stand right where she wants the drivers side rear corner to be and I literally aim for her.

timjet · 05-30-2019, 05:42 AM

We use walkie talkies. Doesn't eliminate the shouting though.

Waiter21 · 05-30-2019, 05:42 AM

I pull up to the site, do a walk around to check for obstacles, vertical clearances, how far I can back up, how much room I need for pedestal.

DW stays at the back of the spot to identify how far back I need to go. and she knows to stay in view of mirrors. If I can't see her, I stop. We usually nail it first time.

Soppy · 05-30-2019, 07:03 AM

We just eyeball the site as we are approaching it . I then back in and stop when I think I'm in the right position. We then get out and take a look . If I'm not in the right spot , I will just reposition the rig. Most times it is just a matter of moving ahead or back a few feet.

momdoc · 05-30-2019, 10:19 AM

OK after watching multiple U-Tube videos we were an ultimate failure the first time we tried to back in a 2.5 years ago. So we threw that method out the window along with radios, and phones.

Our method is:
1. We both walk the site before and decide on where the rear wheels go an distance from hookups and back edge. Also take time to look over head for any potential problems.
2. DW is the guide and I drive
3. Use hand signals only. No talking no yelling. She points in the direction she wants my ass end to go and when to stop. If I can't see her in the mirror then I stop till she reappears.
4. In now over 2 and a half years and probably 50 campsites we hit it the first time. On rare occasion we will need to adjust the placement a foot or two but we are in and in safely.
5. Sit back and enjoy the "show" as others scream , yell swear and such" . If others really having a problem we will offer to help.

757driver · 05-30-2019, 11:51 AM

From when we had to park a previous motorhome 2” from a wood deck to get a screen room to attach properly we have used radios with the wife driving and me giving directions such as 1/2 left, 1/4 right, full left, 1/2 left to go straight etc. for years and has worked very well. If she quits hearing me on the radio or doesn’t understand then she stops. If she doesn’t respond to my commands I bang on the side and she immediately stops.

RI Expat · 05-30-2019, 01:58 PM

I'm solo, so nobody to yell at or get yelled at by. Before she died, the wife used the "Braille Parking Method" frequently with her car, so I never let her even try on any of the MHs.