Best way to communicate while parking/maneuvering

LDRider · 06-10-2018, 09:30 PM

Hey all

So, we have a 45ft Tuscany AT and when arriving at camp sites, I normally jump out and my wife takes over the while. I help line us up, watch for issues...oh, and pay the camp fee.

My question is on advice on communication from outside (me) to inside (wife). Of all the great moments we have had in our RV we both seem to get hot when parking. We have tried calling each other on our phones but not much success there. Hand signals are 'two small...I can't see you'.

I would like to get over this issue...any advice or technology the group have used/

Thanks in advance.

DenverTransplant · 06-10-2018, 10:06 PM

Get a set of walkie talkies. We use phones when cell service is good, but usually have to use the walkie talkies. Also important to not use terms like left and right, but use positive directions such as driver or passenger. You also need to agree which end these directions apply. I keep telling DW that I want her to tell me which direct the back end needs to go.

The Long Long Honeymoon folks posted a video a few years ago about this. Its directed towards backing up a trailer, but the concepts are still the same

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzlOfBGr1i4

SuperD · 06-10-2018, 10:06 PM

My wife and I use our phones, I put mine on speaker to leave my hands free plus I have a dash mount to hold the phone. Using a combination of phone and hand signals allows us to park in the tightest spots and maneuver safely. I discuss with my wife ahead of time where I want to end up and she guides me to that spot. I trust her signals and we both know not to get mad! Just takes practice and trust!!!

DenverTransplant · 06-10-2018, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperD

My wife and I use our phones, I put mine on speaker to leave my hands free plus I have a dash mount to hold the phone. Using a combination of phone and hand signals allows us to park in the tightest spots and maneuver safely. I discuss with my wife ahead of time where I want to end up and she guides me to that spot. I trust her signals and we both know not to get mad! Just takes practice and trust!!!

I often do the same thing. I'll get out and draw a line on the ground (when we have dirt) showing where the back wheels should be going. On pavement I might grab a couple of rocks to show the arc.

Bob Denman · 06-10-2018, 10:50 PM

We just scream at one another at full-volume: but it doesn't help all that much!

I'm seriously looking at a pair of those intercom headsets... For about 300 bucks: we can at least look as if we know what we're doing...

JamieGeek · 06-10-2018, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

We just scream at one another at full-volume: but it doesn't help all that much!

I'm seriously looking at a pair of those intercom headsets... For about 300 bucks: we can at least look as if we know what we're doing...

I just start backing and as long as the wife doesn't look panicked then I'm good.

Laco · 06-11-2018, 01:11 AM

When we had the bus, my wife and I used walkie-talkie's, until she got so good at hand signals, that we just didn't need them. With the Gemini, I just back it in, as its more like parking a big van.

Bob Denman · 06-11-2018, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

I just start backing and as long as the wife doesn't look panicked then I'm good.

We must have gone to different High Schools together!

lazinskm · 06-11-2018, 01:25 AM

The best advice we got was to have her stand where I need to be in back and scream if I am going to hit anything. I just aim for her- Seems to help w the motivation[emoji1][emoji106]

mountainsam · 06-11-2018, 01:43 AM

When we had TT's and a 5th wheel we used walkie talkies. Now, like Laco I eyeball the spot and back it in. No issues. We do still carry the walks but haven't used them.

99dart · 06-11-2018, 01:51 AM

We mostly wave wildly at each other! LOL

Not really... hand signals seem to work fine for us. We are still getting accustomed to leaving a little more room down the driver side for the slide. Never had a slide before.

axis earl · 06-11-2018, 03:52 AM

Walkie Talkies for sure. Sometimes have to remind that you need to wait a second after pushing the talk button so don't get cut off.

Elite Washington · 06-11-2018, 04:52 AM

When we had our TT we used walkie talkies or our phones. I have found it’s easier with the class C as it’s just 32 foot and not 50 foot of truck and a trailer with a mind of its own. Personally I would rather not have the help as I can concentrate on how I want to do it

JamieGeek · 06-11-2018, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elite Washington

When we had our TT we used walkie talkies or our phones. I have found it’s easier with the class C as it’s just 32 foot and not 50 foot of truck and a trailer with a mind of its own. Personally I would rather not have the help as I can concentrate on how I want to do it

Yeah that is the thing: When we had the 5th wheel it was a lot more difficult. With the Axis only 25ft or so usually the Wife and son just sit on a picnic table and wait until I have it in position.

The one thing I find really valuable: get out and look. I will pull up next to the site and park it. All of us get out and walk around the site discussing where we want the RV. When we (ok usually just the wife and I--the son parks his rear somewhere and tries to play with his phone) all understand where the RV will be parked then I get back in and back up the RV. At that point then the wife simply has to point out obstacles and let me know if I'm turning enough.

RV Pirate · 06-11-2018, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

I just start backing and as long as the wife doesn't look panicked then I'm good.

.. Wife seems to make up new hand signals every time we go camping. Her favorite new one is to stand sideways motioning straight back (which looks like she wants me to move either left or right depending on which way she's standing) I just open the drivers window at that point and tell her holler if I about to hit something and back in on my own..

RV Pirate · 06-11-2018, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazinskm

The best advice we got was to have her stand where I need to be in back and scream if I am going to hit anything. I just aim for her- Seems to help w the motivation[emoji1][emoji106]

Bingo...LMAO same here

Bob Denman · 06-11-2018, 12:07 PM

And they think that communication is the key to a successful marriage!

These folks never tried backing into a parking space with help!

mcr1010 · 06-11-2018, 12:13 PM

I was told early on in camping that married couple backing RV is entertainment for other campers nearby.

Yeah, we use a pair of FRS with the volume low.

**fhenn** · 06-11-2018, 12:35 PM

This is a non win for us. Got the walkie takies first, than she dropped it and some how it got run over. Than Purchased the headset walkies they were not to clear. Her hand signals look like she is swating flies. Than I purchased a new tow truck with blue tooth this works well to an extent. How ever she stands where I can not see her and says turn that way have to get out at times and move her. The other problem is that she thinks a fifth wheel can be turned right now oh, I wish I still drank, than I would have a fifth sitting there to help

**revjeffrey** · 06-11-2018, 12:38 PM

At night Wife or Kids point a bright LED flashlight dot to the ground where my drivers rear corner should be. Works every time ! Only hand signal we use is outstretched hands palm facing palm , closing in showing how close I am till palms touch.

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