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

[Silveryrado]

Radios can be handy around the campground for a lot of things. Your best odds are always GOAL. Then, only the helper should talk, the only thing they should say is STOP. GOAL again then finalize your position. Spending an hour or so in an empty parking lot to sharpen those backin up skillz is time and $$$ well spent. Or, bring me along, I'll stik er in there 4u 😎 We use a couple of midland GMRS handhelds on our misadventures, great range, and good battery life. 10-4

 

[chiques]

Ham radio operators with GMRS license as well. Have LOTS of radios at all times. Don't want a radio in my hand while backing.

Better half doesn't drive, never has. GOAL is the only way. I allowed them to direct once. They yelled just as the trailer hit the tree, removing the tail light.
I have them take the dog for a walk while I park. We get along better that way.

 

[Hilldweller]

Ham radio operators with GMRS license as well. Have LOTS of radios at all times. Don't want a radio in my hand while backing.

Better half doesn't drive, never has. GOAL is the only way. I allowed them to direct once. They yelled just as the trailer hit the tree, removing the tail light.
I have them take the dog for a walk while I park. We get along better that way.

I admit to the same thing.

The radios are mostly used at home, parking in the garage.
My driveway is short and steep. And I have to get the trailer between a workbench and a toolbox, about 4" wiggle room on each side. I've marked the floor for reference but the light isn't good enough to see the back wall. So she's supposed to tell me, "too close to the toolbox, too close to the bench, one more foot till you hit the wall, ..." That sort of thing. I leave my radio in the cupholder.

73s

 

[jhower]

We use cell phones if the campground has service. Many state parks we camp at do not, so walkie-talkies are perfect for us. When we park it at home there's a large bush that I have to get the trailer around. Due to that, I can't always see my spotter, so some form of electronic communication is necessary. Don't go super cheap on walkie-talkies. The first pair we bought had a lag - I could see her lips moving for a moment before I heard her. A mid-range set of Midland took care of that.

 

[dbbyleo]

Yes! Absolutely we use walkie-talkies. Its great... well worth having... and has other uses while we're camping especailly with kids... and especially in areas that may or may not have cell coverage. I highly recommend this unit from Midland ... great range:

 

[PaThacker]

Been camping 20 years basically changed careers from biopharma to truck driving. Slow speed backing up is easier than driving forward. If sketchy G.O.A.L. No spotter or Walky talkie. Used medium sized horrible mirrors trailblazer, 2500 Suburban, 3500 cc lb Silverado and 1500 ext cab long bed.

 

[PaThacker]

Been camping 20 years basically changed careers from biopharma to truck driving. Slow speed backing up is easier than driving forward. If sketchy G.O.A.L. No spotter or Walky talkie. Used medium sized horrible mirrors trailblazer, 2500 Suburban, 3500 cc lb Silverado and 1500 ext cab long

 

[MileHigh]

"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!!"

Oh how I know this! My ex-wife was a bit confused and thought she should tell me what way to turn the steering wheel instead of hand signals showing me the way she wanted the back of the trailer to turn. I heard "your other right" way too many times to count.

My current significant other is better but gives me hand signals in hieroglyphics. It's generally tough to account for an awning that we'd like to open, being close to electric, etc. What I usually do is get out before backing in and mark a spot that I want the tires to be on and she will guide me in. I sometimes need to remind her to stay on the drivers side of the trailer though...

I will say that my old PUP was more difficult to back up then my current travel trailer. Probably as the PUP was pretty short and small moves with the wheel moved the trailer a lot.

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

Well, this thread of mine sure got a wide range of responses.

 

[Sjm9911]

My luck if I did use walke talkies is some kid would be on the same channel. So , someone would say go when I was supost to stop. Ok, so maybe some campers and not children. Lol.

 

[Glyn O'Keefe]

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 them to spare the rest of the campground what can become colorful language! Don't need to spend a lot as the range is very short.

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?

 

[christyno]

Back up cameras on TV and trailer. Almost 3 decades and DW still can’t give useable directions.

I would argue (as a DW) that she can. . . but you can't understand them! We arrived after dark at a tight camp spot in a state park in MD. Now this was after terrible holiday traffic and a day of work for both of us. DH was totally spent. Our goal was to arrive before dark. It didn't happen. He wasn't happy. I hopped out and was trying to convey the appropriate directions to get the large camper (Coleman Niagara) into the slot albeit backwards (firepit and table on the wrong side being opposite the door). DH was totally frustrated and couldn't understand a word I said. It was like I was speaking a foreign language (Venusian? Maybe.) although I have a good command of the English language. (I had some choice words for him at the time but being a charitable Christian woman, I kept them to myself. God knows though! And I think He agreed, if I may be so bold! I'll ask Him when I see Him.) A guy in a neighboring campsite with a 5th wheeler turned on his lights (think noon day brightness!) and came over to help. He said THE EXACT SAME THING I DID and my DH backed the camper in one time and nailed it. Was it my tone of voice? It wasn't different words because I swear I said the same thing the dude did! He just couldn't hear it. The 5th wheeler guy spoke Dude. I do not. That's my explanation and I'm sticking to it!

 

[Bandit12]

Most of the trips we take, I drive ahead to the campground and my wife joins me later that day or the next. As such, I'm backing in solo most of the time. I have a back up camera on the trailer and on the truck (helps me keep an eye on the hitch if I happen to get into a tight backing turn). That said, I did purchase a pair of walkie talkies, and my wife and I have used them on occasion. They have been helpful when we did use them. My wife tries to give hand signals, but they aren't very effective, no matter how I try to teach her, and her voice doesn't carry well. In those instances, the walkie talkies have been most helpful. In all cases, there is no replacement for GOAL, Get Out And Look. Even if I have anyone helping guide me into a spot, I will still get out of the truck and go look at where I'm backing into. There are times a spotter will be looking at the ground and not looking at anything that might be low clearance. These are the walkie talkies we have, mid priced, decent range, rechargeable, and I keep them in the truck glove box. https://midlandusa.com/collections/x-talker/products/x-talker-t31vp-2

 

[dave123]

only one person in charge THE GROUND GUIDE stop means stop ground guide know your backing up with a trailer directions

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

Well, I ordered a cheap set of walkie talkies with hands free operation. I will report back after our next trip in 2 months

 

[jpcjtrtj]

We use walkie-talkies from time to time when there’s no cell service. Our rule is there are four commands, and four commands only. Passenger side, driver, side, slow, and stop. Anything other than that invites an argument, and entertainment for our fellow campers. Most of the time, I just do it myself with the GOAL process. Lots of practice and go slow. I am up to a two axel airstream now; but it was the same with our pup. In really squirrley spots, I could always disconnect the pup and push it because it had the front wheel.

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

These arrived today


right out of the box, with batteries added, these are the most annoying devices that I have ever bought via Amazon. Beep beep beep Bleep ad nauseum, can't hear a thing hardly.

I'm sure that they can be made to work as needed - but you had better have a good amount of patience, which I am lacking this afternoon.

No volume control knob found (yet).

I have used portable radios before, on a boat and at work, and none were as disagreeable as these things.

And we used to have a pair of much earlier GMRS radios - over 2 decades ago. So I do have some experience with such things.

I will post up if and when I get them "sorted" as the Englishsay.

 

[unclemark]

DW gets to drive the TV only at the campsite. All windows are down. I stand at the driver's side and tell her which way to turn the steering wheel and when to stop so I can go back and investigate. We do it slowly but without screaming. But I like the idea of a backing target visible from the driver's mirror so it can be done solo.

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

Follow up on the walkie talkies

I have de-booped them, which makes life tolerable.

I have ordered earpieces so that we can hear better.

For as little as they cost, I shoudl not complain too much.

 

[Arruba]

Good luck, and I look forward to what you report back after your first time afield with them.