Backing Safety

[14apex]

Originally Posted by EdJunior

Me and my "director" never used the talkies. I couldn't do that and concentrate on backing at the same time. I told my wife to just stay in view of my mirrors and if I get close to the <insert object here>, start jumping up and down and yell at me. If I ever lose sight of her, I stop until I see her again. If I need to, I get out and see what I need to do to avoid the <insert object here>. It has worked well for 15 years.

I think the point of the post though is, whatever method you use, make sure your communication is working!!

Amen! I have always kept the wife in view when backing in. After 51 years, I still "review" with the reminder that "if you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you!". If she's out of view (or appears distracted...ex: greeting next site neighbors ), all stops. Too, I often just hop out to double check for myself. While I do witness the wireless radios working for many, the "what can go wrong" is too risky for us...in any event, this tragic post emphasizes the need to be very careful no matter the methods used.

[Teetime]

Very sorry to hear about any injuries or accidents.

First Choice... Never have to back up! Get a pull thru site, and if you need to adjust, Get out and look.

If you need to back up, DW gets out and calls me on her cell phone, both are on speaker, so we can talk hands free.

Even when I am not towing, I always park where I can pull thru and not back up. It may mean walking a little farther, but I don't get my doors beat in or have a hard time getting in and out.

Backing accidents are preventable.

[tuckerdog1]

Thanks for all the good wishes and even offers of assistance.
The whole point here was to just bring attention to the need for safety when backing. Seems most have a system that works for them & have safety measures in place. As I said in my OP, I just can't envision how SIL managed to get herself between a tree and their 5th wheel. But she did, and I thought it a good idea to pass the possibility along so ya'll could consider that possibility.
Before retirement, I had a job that for 30+ years, had me marshalling aircraft from single engine Cessenas to MD11s. Just could not pass that skill on to DW. Even when we use the walkie talkies, we can't use LEFT or RIGHT. It's move toward driver or passenger side.

Tuckerdog1

[frank4711]

We use cell phones / Bluetooth in truck ..... she keeps talking or I stop moving

[BarabooBob]

I must have the most amazing wife in the world. When we get to a parking spot (either camping or other) we both look the site over and decide where we want the TT to be. We use radios because we frequently are in areas without cell service, including our family camp site on personal property.
The wife is great at giving directions and we rarely have to try again. We are in complete agreement that she must be in view at all times. If she disappears from my mirrors, I stop and get out to locate her.
In Sept we were at Rocky Mtn NP and had to back into a site that required backing around a corner going up hill. The guys across the street were totally blown away by how easy we made it look. Having a good director is great.

[14apex]

One of our favorite high country CGs has "all back-ins" -- they're neatly built adjacent to a beautiful mountain stream. The owner/mgr. always leads each RV to their spot and totally "directs" the backing/parking...really makes it easy. I see a few who are apparently insulted at someone "telling them how to drive", but most (including me!) really appreciate it. A very nice "free" service IMO.

[A2pfunk]

So sorry to hear about your SIL and I pray that she recovers quickly. I appreciate your sharing this reminder to everyone to be safe. I know everybody has their system and it sounds like safety is always a priority. Your story serves as a good reminder that accidents can happen quickly even when you think you have a good system.

Personally, I have a genius wife. She is a million times smarter than I am and I am lucky to be allowed in her company. Unfortunately, I am pretty dumb and my communication skills are horrible. Specifically, I am unable to pick up on her very clear cues and directives when she stands directly behind the camper and out of view of any mirror or backup camera. So we had to come up with a system that works for us. We usually stop outside the site and survey it to see where we want the camper. Once that is decided, she takes the kids for a walk while I park. As a poster above stated, I Get Out And Look of there is a question about what is behind me. Occasionally, do require the intervention of an intellectually superior individual with more estrogen than i (which is shown to be especially helpful in spacial relations) when we get to a site that might have low hanging branches. In these cases, I ask that The Wife stand off to the side and just let me know if the ROOF of the camper is about to hit something. So far it has worked.

[NoviBill]

My DW and I are incompatible for backing up. After years of trying to work together, we have come the the one conclusion - we cannot communicate well enough. So as the driver, I pull up to the site, get out and spot, back up a few feet, spot and repeat until in place. A good backup camera has reduced the "repeat" cycle by half. With this solution I cannot blame her and we are both happy.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by 14apex

One of our favorite high country CGs has "all back-ins" -- they're neatly built adjacent to a beautiful mountain stream. The owner/mgr. always leads each RV to their spot and totally "directs" the backing/parking...really makes it easy. I see a few who are apparently insulted at someone "telling them how to drive", but most (including me!) really appreciate it. A very nice "free" service IMO.

I hate being escorted to our site, by a park employee. Most of them have Motorhomes and are almost clueless about backing trailers. I try not to be rude and say that the DW and I got this. Unfortunately many still try to advise and they end up making things worse.
We also use our cellphones on speakerphone and I always stop if I can see her in the mirrors. We're a very good team.

[LizzyRN]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

What happened is very tragic. I won't get into the coulda, woulda, shoulda, nor the 'how we do it', but what I will do is pray for a speedy and complete recovery for your sister-in-law, and just as importantly, her husband, as his emotional damage and self blame is surely great.

This.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by tuckerdog1

As I said in my OP, I just can't envision how SIL managed to get herself between a tree and their 5th wheel.

My heart goes out to them, but I'm really racking my brain to figure out this part of it.

[tuckerdog1]

Got post surgery pics this morning. They cut around the eye, diddled with the bones, sewed her up, and I don't get this, sewed her eyelid closed. She looks like she went three rounds with an angry Mike Tyson. Except her ears all all still there.

Tuckerdog1

[14apex]

"Thoughts & Prayers" is used so often it seems disingenuous, but I'm confident that there are many, VERY genuine going up/out from this group for her...for both of them. May the holidays bring healing!!

[mjones12]

A few escorts we have encountered have said, "I can help you back in, but if you two have your own system for doing it, I'll leave you alone." We appreciate that option.

Originally Posted by bikendan

I hate being escorted to our site, by a park employee. Most of them have Motorhomes and are almost clueless about backing trailers. I try not to be rude and say that the DW and I got this. Unfortunately many still try to advise and they end up making things worse.
We also use our cellphones on speakerphone and I always stop if I can see her in the mirrors. We're a very good team.

[Chief T]

In the beginning it was the DW trying to be in mirror view and doing hand signals, but now we are copasetic with a couple two-way walkie-talkies. A huge difference for us. At times, phones would not work due to lack of connectivity.

We have a new trailer, so it will be interesting to see how things go.

[Qwkynuf]

Originally Posted by mjones12

A few escorts we have encountered have said, "I can help you back in, but if you two have your own system for doing it, I'll leave you alone." We appreciate that option.

I had a guy at one campground *insist* on guiding us in, wouldn't take no for an answer. He stood right at my driver's side mirror, facing the trailer, calling out directions (LEFT! NOW RIGHT!) and had me more messed up than I had ever been while backing a trailer. I bet it took more than 10 tries to get into a space that I am certain I could have gotten into in 1 or 2 tries - huge gravel lot, straight-in spaces.

Finally figured out that he wasn't yelling out which way he wanted the trailer to go, it was which way he wanted me to turn the steering wheel. But he was facing in the opposite direction from me, so everything was backwards!

[NMWildcat]

We have been to a few parks that had the rule clearly posted that they required a park employee to park you. I always assume it's due to insurance, or they have had too much damage done for hard to get into spots.
Liz and I handled that like we always do, let them do their job, but after they show your spot and give you advice on backing into this particular spot, we ignore them and do our own thing. Liz just uses hand signals and I ignore the park guide.
Only had one fellow get upset and try to block my view of Liz in the mirror. So I just stopped and informed him that I trust Liz's system to guide me, and the sooner he got out of the way, the sooner he could approve the parking job and get back to his TV program in the gate office. He left in a huff.

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by Boris0119

... then he stood in front of the truck and guided me by watching both sides.

I never thought of that. What a great idea.

[jrmartin67]

DW & I have used walkies when they work (if I remember to charge them and if they haven't just died) and, most often when they don't work we use our phones (the SYNC function on my 2012 F-150 lets me do it hands free). I trained her to tell me which way she needs the back of the trailer to go, and to use "driver" and "passenger" sides for orientation. Sometimes we get a little off on "straight" on the pad and how close to the utility stanchion I can be and not clobber the slide. Of course, I had to know how to make the back of the trailer go the way she wanted it, but that's just experience. Patience is a virtue!

[W5CI]

as a retired trucker I never had anyone help me backing into a spot, if in doubt get out and look. GOAL I still back my 5er without any help