Use of a walkie-talkie (pair) while backing up

[RobertDivine]

Do any married couples (or other arrangements) use a walkie-talkie (pair) while backing up (to avoid shouting) - if so - what worked and what did not?

Just like anchoring or picking up a mooring on a boat, hand signals are best. No electronics, no shouting (and cursing!). Just takes a bit of practice and communication, ahead of time. Like at a campground, those already secured enjoy the entertainment with their cocktails,

 

[jmkay1]

I saw where a couple did use walkie talkies to back in their site but they had a kid in the car that was managing and holding the device while the driver concentrated on his job. Although I don’t see why it can’t work so long as the driver is just listening and not having to fumble with the button or keep the device in their hand while concentrating on the task. to each their own we all have our own way of communicating the important part is you both are on the same page. I can so understand why you would need walkie talkies as hearing above the sound of the engine and a million other noises can be very difficult. I often could not hear my mom (my spotter) at all until I had my little sidekick “translate“ from the back seat. She actually did a better job from her seat that I always included her in what the plan was when I got to the site. Now, I camp alone more times than not I really don’t need a spotter anymore. Although nice to have only if they know what they are doing.

 

[Tonya Harding]

Never had anything big enough to require electrical help, plus I enjoy watching the wife in the rearview & side mirrors gyrate & flail her arms in angst; I stop laughing & lower the window when she rushes forward hissing "WTH is wrong w/ you"

 

[Sjm9911]

I saw where a couple did use walkie talkies to back in their site but they had a kid in the car that was managing and holding the device while the driver concentrated on his job. Although I don’t see why it can’t work so long as the driver is just listening and not having to fumble with the button or keep the device in their hand while concentrating on the task. to each their own we all have our own way of communicating the important part is you both are on the same page. I can so understand why you would need walkie talkies as hearing above the sound of the engine and a million other noises can be very difficult. I often could not hear my mom (my spotter) at all until I had my little sidekick “translate“ from the back seat. She actually did a better job from her seat that I always included her in what the plan was when I got to the site. Now, I camp alone more times than not I really don’t need a spotter anymore. Although nice to have only if they know what they are doing.

I am just speaking from experience, at work we all have radios, and use them frequently. But never when backing up a rig. For backing up the rigs, hand signals. Its foolproof.

 

[firepit]

When we get to the site...My wife takes the dog for a walk to avoid any arguements...Seen many of camping trips start with a arguement.
Sound like walkie talkies would be a good idea when you cant see the person helping guide you in.
Its tough for the person helping you to realize you cant see them or hear them sometimes.

 

[jmkay1]

I am just speaking from experience, at work we all have radios, and use them frequently. But never when backing up a rig. For backing up the rigs, hand signals. Its foolproof.

No doubt about that, so long as the partner is able to. My mom was never good about expressing via hand gestures and that's only IF she stood where I could see her. I will tell her to move to the mirror side till my face turned blue and she will still stand directly behind the camper. It's just the way her brain worked and/or processed her visual cues. Now when my brother directed me once, (he tows himself) night and day difference with accurate hand gestures.

 

[Sjm9911]

Thats the part that comes into play, only in the mirror, if I am driving and cant see you I may have run you over, so thats an automatic stop. You need thw see the other in the mirror, or communicate your moving to the other side. Otherwise assume the worse. And, if your not able to do this, or do it well, then you do it alone. I always made my daughter stay way out of the way when backing up ( she was 5 or so when we started camping). She got to stay on the picnic table, and was not allowed to move. Now I knew where she was. Same at work, if you dont see your backer, you stop. And look under the rear tires. It happens, not a lot but it happens.

 

[Arruba]

I am just speaking from experience, at work we all have radios, and use them frequently. But never when backing up a rig. For backing up the rigs, hand signals. Its foolproof.

Me too, at least when I work, (I’m recently semi retired) and it’s daylight. If we’re moving or spotting long stuff and it’s dark we might use a radio. IMO radio’s are handy for a lot of outdoor stuff.

If you go that route, I suggest getting good ones that the FRS system.

 

[Hilldweller]

I've had a ham license for a long time. DW said she was going to get a ham ticket but never did.
So I got a GMRS license and a pair of handytalkies. The range is pretty good and she likes using them.

 

[BBQdave]

Placing a “marker” post as an aim point for the driver side rear bumper of the PUP is what I use.

It's simple, but extremely handy - an orange cone
I see a lot of folks, walk and look at the campsite, then place the one cone (seen by driver backing up) and proceed to back camper in place.

No hand signs, no radios, no yelling... Keep it Simple

 

[BBQdave]

Almost 3 decades and DW still can’t give useable directions.

I've learned that my wife and I work best in parallel. She does her process and I do mine, and said task gets completed. Once we try to help each other, it's a disaster

 

[jmkay1]

I've learned that my wife and I work best in parallel. She does her process and I do mine, and said task gets completed. Once we try to help each other, it's a disaster

😆 My aunt and uncle were a lot like this when towing. They each had their task but helping created downright chaos. She always told him to get out and shut up when it was her turn to back in. They both could back their trailer with ease but couldn't work together.

 

[Hilldweller]

 

[tfischer]

We use cell phones. If no service, then we go back to hand signals.

 

[Snow]

Hand signals only. Before we back into a site we walk it, and see what it looks like, see if there are any hidden obstacles, decide where we want the rear bumper. Then it's simple hand signals, point the arm right if the rear of the trailer needs to go right , same applies for left, whole arm points the direction.

 

[gcook12]

Do any married couples (or other arrangements) use a walkie-talkie (pair) while backing up (to avoid shouting) - if so - what worked and what did not?

We just put cell phones on speaker

 

[tfischer]

Been backing the camper for nearly a decade, and neither my wife, nor my boys (now 18 and almost 16) have a concept that you can't immediately switch from backing to the left to backing to the right. Their directions tend to go like this:

"OK keep coming left... NO don't straighten out yet keep coming left <meanwhile I'm practically jackknifing...> OK start easing to the right... no the right... YOU NEED TO GET RIGHT!... STOP!!"

or

"Looking good, keep coming back, looking good, come... keep coming, come on OMG STOP! STOP!"

 

[Columbine Grammie]

Do any married couples (or other arrangements) use a walkie-talkie (pair) while backing up (to avoid shouting) - if so - what worked and what did not?

We have a Hunter 24 sailboat and the only way we can get it backed into place is using our cellphones. The trailer we can see over the top. We haven't used the trailer in a while because it needs repairing. In process right now.

 

[Arruba]

It's simple, but extremely handy - an orange cone
I see a lot of folks, walk and look at the campsite, then place the one cone (seen by driver backing up) and proceed to back camper in place.

No hand signs, no radios, no yelling... Keep it Simple

The phone company here, or what used to be the phone company does this with all their stuff as per their policy. I asked their Service Crew Mgr. about it once. According to them they installed the policy decades ago, and it really cut down on backing accidents and injuries.

Back carefully my fellow campers.

 

[bciocco]

Do any married couples (or other arrangements) use a walkie-talkie (pair) while backing up (to avoid shouting) - if so - what worked and what did not?

We use our phones, if there is a signal.