Community Forums

brandss · 05-29-2019, 08:19 PM

We've been at a campsite for a while and one thing I've noticed is that the highest majority of owners don't seem to use walkie talkies or phones, or anything when getting into their spot. It appears that typically the wife stands outside and watches as the husband tries, and tries again, to get the rig into their spot. Often times a lot of hand waving that ultimately changes to shouting. Many times a total redo with a pull around the campsite and give it another go.

Seems to me that the answer is to communicate between the spotter and driver, and to figure out who is the better spotter and who is the better driver. My wife and I figured out after our first trip that she is the best at driving into our spot and I am better at giving directions, than taking them. We use walkie talkies and I give direction. We also share the drive time between the tow of us but when we get to our campground, she pulls us in.

It may be that I was brought up as a child from my parents owning a houseboat on the Ohio river and they had a rule, no shouting, give and understand direction, alls good. What says you, do you see the same thing?

chuckftboy · 05-29-2019, 08:26 PM

I try to find pull through sites. Not fun backing in 43 feet

grindstone01 · 05-29-2019, 08:31 PM

Eventually most couples find a system that works for them. I will usually get out and walk through the site before attempting to back in and will lay a rock or stick down where I want the trailer tires to sit. The wife will stand behind and watch and only if she "yells", I will stop and walk around again to see what is wrong and reassess. My truck, fifth wheel, and swivel trailer is 61' long.
My wife used to jump around, wave, dance, and we decided that was not doing any good. So now she just acts as the panic button and her "yell" means STOP NOW.

dirwin · 05-29-2019, 08:35 PM

Between my wife and I we use radios and cell phones.

It's a skill set that is a work in progress. My wife will say things like 'move over THIS way' or 'keep coming... Stop!'.

We are still working at being more clear in our communications. I guess RV'ing is like marriage and after 37 years you would think we would have it figured out by now.

Would not want the journey with anyone else though.

Mr_D · 05-29-2019, 08:40 PM

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.

Skip426 · 05-29-2019, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckftboy

I try to find pull through sites. Not fun backing in 43 feet

Lot easier than backing up a truck and fiver that measure the same .

I tell people who ask about parking my 38' , it's a BIG station wagon , and compared to my 4, 5ers easy.

Back to the OP's topic , because of noise from the diesel and back up alarm , walkie talkies; in my case; are useless .
Rule is if I can't see DW in mirrors or B/U camera I stop; and she only uses ONE arm to indicate the direction she wants the coach to go . If both her arms are moving STOP FAST!

Cougarkid · 05-29-2019, 08:42 PM

We take turns parking. Walk the spot, make a plan, back in. Hand signals and an occasional trip to the drivers window gets us in. 42 footer, after the Toad is unhooked.

**TonyDi** · 05-29-2019, 08:51 PM

Having been an Air Force pilot, I was always used to hand signals. The DW has learned the ones that are applicable to RV parking and that's how we communicate. We occasionally use cell phones but hand signals work for us.

96 Wideglide · 05-29-2019, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

Rule is if I can't see DW in mirrors or B/U camera I stop; and she only uses ONE arm to indicate the direction she wants the coach to go . If both her arms are moving STOP FAST!

HA! Must be a PR thing! I use the same rules. Start of every season, takes a while for the wife to remember, 'Can't see her in the mirror, I don't move'!

brandss · 05-29-2019, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDi

Having been an Air Force pilot, I was always used to hand signals. The DW has learned the ones that are applicable to RV parking and that's how we communicate. We occasionally use cell phones but hand signals work for us.

I guess that's what I'm talking about. A system that works without hollering, screaming, and a bunch of jumping around. I guess I am just amazed at the trouble people have pulling into their spot. It's not likely but maybe I've only seen newbies on their first run.

vsheetz · 05-29-2019, 09:01 PM

Walkie Talkies.
Wife drives. I guide.

"Turn driver"
"turn passenger"
"Hard driver"
Etc.

But we don't blindly rely on the walkie talkies. If she cant see me or hear me - stop.

alank · 05-29-2019, 09:04 PM

We get the car unhooked, get the DW and the dogs in the car and out of the way, look the sight over and park. I have camera’s and mirrors for the major positioning, then I check the Gem Red digital level for side to side and front to back angle to see if I want to try a minor adjustment. Last step is outside to check all around and the wet bay door to the sewer hookup, possibly adjust. Then slides out, dump air and possibly jacks down, or dump air, jacks down, then slides out, depends on the site. May also use some blocks under tires and/or jacks.

Busskipper · 05-29-2019, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandss

We've been at a campsite for a while and one thing I've noticed is that the highest majority of owners don't seem to use walkie talkies or phones, or anything when getting into their spot. It appears that typically the wife stands outside and watches as the husband tries, and tries again, to get the rig into their spot. Often times a lot of hand waving that ultimately changes to shouting. Many times a total redo with a pull around the campsite and give it another go.

Seems to me that the answer is to communicate between the spotter and driver, and to figure out who is the better spotter and who is the better driver. My wife and I figured out after our first trip that she is the best at driving into our spot and I am better at giving directions, than taking them. We use walkie talkies and I give direction. We also share the drive time between the tow of us but when we get to our campground, she pulls us in.

It may be that I was brought up as a child from my parents owning a houseboat on the Ohio river and they had a rule, no shouting, give and understand direction, alls good. What says you, do you see the same thing?

We have a system that works for Us - I park the Coach while she Mixes a Drink - has worked well for a good while.

She does not drive and if she were to try to give directions pretty sure she would find the only spot that I could not see here

So I just use the mirrors and Back it in.

powerboatr · 05-29-2019, 09:06 PM

we look over the site,
i drive and my wife stays in eyesight and warns me of issues or to turn etc.

we have done this since 1996.
she knows how much room is needed and we always double check clearance before any slides are open.

if she cant see me in the mirrors she moves and i stop if i loose sight of her, until she is back in eyesight.
I also use the mirrors and cameras to supplement guidance.