Learning to "Direct" the driver

[Luckiest Dreamer]

It's his job to drive and your job to tell him if he is getting into trouble! Chances are he will not see the branches of the tree or the overhang of a roof that is above the scope of his mirrors. He may have a bit of trouble with depth perception so as he nears the spot to stop give him some indication that he has 5ft or 2ft to go and stop him as he reaches the stopping point. There may be a post or a large rock that is below his mirrors as well. Keeping him informed about those rather than trying to tell him when or how to turn should be all you need to do. Backing can be a tedious excercise and doing anything to convey what you want to tell him without screaming at each other can be as simple as having a "hands free" walkie Talkie or a plan of what each hand signal means in advance. I always send my wife back there so I don't have to hear the panic in her voice when things get tight. After all she needs to feel needed as most of us do!
Going backwards should be just as easy as going forward! The biggest problem is the blind spots and making sure you know in advance where they are, and backing no faster than the speed that you want to be at when you hit something!
I spent a working lifetime getting paid to drive. Many years I worked the whole year spotting trailers in the loading docks or connecting two trailers together getting them ready to go on the road. Those years I drove backwards more miles than I did going forward. Yet when backing into a spot at the campground, the spot I am backing into is usually one that I have never backed into before. Having someone back there to warn me if I am getting into trouble is still appreciated. But there is no need to tell me how to do it, I can get into trouble on my own!

[Old Trucker]

Backing; As a retired cross country trucker that is accustomed to hauling over demention loads, and a fellow Rv'r my suggestion is; The driver should scope out everything and have a plan of attack. The spotter should stand where they have a clear view of the mirrors. IF YOU CANNOT SEE THE MIRROR, THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE YOU. HAND SIGNALS;YOUR HAND SIGNALS SHOULD BE TO THE SIDE OF YOUR BODY, NOT INFRONT OF YOUR BODY. A WAIVING ARM IS MUCH EASIER TO SEE THAN SOMEONE CURLING THEIR LITTLE FINGER. Think about standing where you think the left rear corner of the coach should be. This gives the driver a reference point. If you do this, do not argue before driver backs toward you.har har. Stand in front of the vehicle also helps especially if there are obstructions near the rite front. Point left or right if the driver needs to make corrections. If to close to something, get loud and verbal. Be watching for plumbing hookups, tree limbs and things that may cause tire damage, like corners of a concrete patio.