I know some of you are really great at backing fifth wheels. I am not. I am about average. Sometimes I look great, sometimes I look not so great. But, what my wife and I have started doing which is really helpful is using our cell phones. The radio in my truck has blue tooth and can receive calls and it has a mike so I can talk back.

So after I take a look at the spot and am ready to back in, she calls me. Then as I am backing, she can talk to me and I can talk back without the continual worry about seeing her in my mirrors.

I know it is a simple thing, but give it a try. I works pretty well.

Steve

 

I carry a couple of walkie talkies, but that's a great idea. Hands free too.

 

What ever it is, you gotta have a system that works for you and your wife. I prefer my wife stay in my mirrors and use a few simple hand signals...left, right, keep coming, and when I'm getting close she shows me how much farther by holding her hands apart. I'm a low tech guy, so if my wife disappears from my sight, I stop and go find her. I'm just too afraid of hitting anybody or anthing. I make the kids stay way out in front and to the side so I can see them at all times too. My wife stays to the back and in my sight so she can look out for anyone else's kids.

 

Great idea!!! Certainly beats YELLING out the window "If you cant see my mirrors I can't see you" !!!!

 

my wife.. is in the right seat... head back... and stay STILL,,


I do the backing by myself... and have for years.


but aligning the Satellite dish.. we use the cell phones..

 

Drivers side, passenger side, straight back and forward via 2 way radios is how we start a good camping trip.

Left, right, keep going and no radios are a sure sign of a bad start.

 

LOL...you haven't met my wife. You put a communication device in her hand and she'll be planning activities, chatting with our camper neighbors, and yelling at the kids...all at the same time...over the radio while I'm backing up. Most camp grounds are so easy to maneuver that her real purpose is to watch out for pets and pedestrians. She also lets me know when to stop so the slides can open and not hit the utility post. At home I painted a black line on the concrete under my camper shed. I line the camper tires up with the line and call it good...wife is replaced with some marking paint

 

I am fortunate because I always camp with my son and father in law. They move manufactured homes for a living. If they can direct each other backing up 70 footers, I can trust them to help me back up my 32 footer. I just have to watch them instead of the mirrors.

 

My wife and I both had over 20 years with the Fire Dept where we were both apparatus drivers, our Dept did not reverse a rig without a spotter. We had a good system there using very simple hand signals and everyone understood the concept of staying in the mirror's view. We have carried this over to our campground routine and it has served us very well.

 

We use the sync in the truck and phones also. I always get out, walk the site and tell her where I intend to put the trailer. Then she calls me and I get it in place. She doesn't understand proper hand signals or that I can't see her behind the trailer, so the phone is great. We also have 2 ways in the trailer in case cell service isn't good. If we go with friends, we let the girls go for a walk and it makes life much easier.


65ford, if you've got room to maneuver you're certainly not from PA! We've been in some super tight private and state parks campgrounds here. Every other state we've visited has been much easier maneuvering.

 

When we first started camping with this rig, we bought some cheap walkie talkies. They worked ok, but not that great. Clicking to talk and one way communication sucked. And they always seemed to have dead batteries. lol

Then we started using cell phones. The hands free instant two way communication worked much better. The only drawback is if you're in an area with poor (or no) cell coverage. Then you'd be outta luck using cell phones.

 

Your wife and mine must be related....

 

I want to thank you guys for the info above. My wife and I shouted and screamed at each other when trying to back into a spot. After that I bought Two way radios, and that didn't work. We were shouting into the sets. And finally she refused to have anything to do with us parking the camper.


After reading how some of you guys handle it. I approached her with a suggestion and she said that she thinks this will work.


1) Her on I-phone and me on Sync.


2) Her behind trailer, but able to see the rear view mirrors at all times. When not in view stopped.


3) Verbal communications
a) Toward driver side
b) Toward passenger side
c) Back
d) Forward
e) Stop
f) Done


4) No interruptions; Talking to people/ look at the flowers/ isn't that a pretty camper/ etc..


5) No shouting on either end.

 

LOL....You ain't alone....


Before we got married we went rafting on a "shredder". Google images for "shredder raft" and you'll see what I mean. It takes two people working/communicating together. That taught us we have different communication styles and we're still a work in progress. It's worth it though...she's a peach :-)


My dad, on the other hand, can guide me in and out of anything (steep hills, 90 degree blind turns, etc) using hand signals only. I mostly just watch him. We could be setting poles with a tractor loader, backing a 32 ft camper in a narrow driveway...you name it...men vs women communication styles I guess.

 

My wife has 2 Phd's but can't do left and right. So I mark the spot where I want the back of the trailer and she puts her hand up when I get there. All she has to do is keep me in view in one of the side mirrors, works great.