If you have any doubts pull out, turning or backing, consider a GMRS two way radio. I don't back into any strange spot without someone behind with the radio. They get weather radio also. Cheap and available at Big 5, eBay, etc. See example at: Cobra CXT235 Two Way Radios Walkie Talkies 20 Mile Range FRS GMRS Vox Pair New | (http://www.ebay.com/itm/COBRA-CXT235-TWO-WAY-RADIOS-WALKIE-TALKIES-20-MILE-RANGE-FRS-GMRS-VOX-PAIR-NEW-/390541680022?pt=2_Way_Radios_FRS&hash=item5aee191d96)
Pierce
Pierce,
Thanks for the eBay link for the walkie talkies. I have used a pair of these for years and they work great. The range on these is much better than the old set I have and the price is great. Karma
David,
Good advice from Pierce again! Get a pair if you don't have a set already. Very useful when used in combination with the side view mirrors and the backup camera. They work well when you're separated (like taking a hike by yourself around the lake and your partner is at the campsite). Your neighbors will appreciate it because they also help to cut down on all the yelling and wild arm waving that sometimes happens when backing into a tight spot! A lot more professional. b^.^d
Jerry
Just be careful while using the radio, no snorthing nor blowing smoke, I know it can become very stressful for both involved, so just be calm and careful :o
Dave M
I found the radios do not work as well as seeing your spotter and watching their hand signals for your blind spot. By the time you get the radio up and say something and hear it and the act it is easier to watch their hands. Also it can be too loud to hear at times. Try to go to the grandvention and have thrr or four coaches pulling in at the same time and all the engine noise makes hand signals much easier.
I agree with John. Hand signals are the way to go. The aviation industry uses them because they have proven to be the best method. Dori and I learned them in the Ladies Driving school at FOT. That alone was worth the price of the class! Dori does most of the backing. I know where I want the coach and using the hand signals we can pretty much put it on a dime.
Here I'll save you a little money... :)
BackUpHandSignals-pt1.mp4 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_68jWvHw15w)
BackUpHandSignals-pt2.mp4 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BrzJTHtB1k)
see ya
ken
We have a set of these Cobra walkie talkies and the talk switch is difficult to hold in. My wife's comments are usually very broken up, independent of which radio she uses. Also agree the the noise behind the bus makes it difficult to hear or speak. We went back to hand signals as well.
My wife and I used the radios all the time with me doing the backing and her telling me where to go!!! The thing we did was that I all but never said anything and she would talk non stop so I knew we where in contact with each other.About the only thing I said was parking break is set. Gam
We use hand signals as well as radios depending on if it's dark out or not. Can be hard to see in the dark. I am going to get a pair of these:
Dorcy 2D Deluxe Safety Cone Flashlight 41-1482 at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/buy/dorcy-2d-deluxe-safety-cone-flashlight-41-1482.html#.USmciPKbXSg)
It will look like O'Hare airport at night.
Keith
We use hand signals. Tried radios did not work for us. If I can't see myDW in my mirrors I don't move. We discussed what signals to use when we first started this traveling oddessy and have not changed them. There is no talking or hollering, simple hand signals work for us.
Roland
We're old fashioned - we use our cell phones and hand signals. :)
We tried the cell phones since we already had them. Didn't work because there was too much delay. I had the window open so I could hear that Jo Ann spoke, but didn't hear anything from the cell phone for several seconds. Last summer we bought a pair or radios. They worked great - for two days. Then one of them died, so we took them both back. I'm thinking that Jo Ann just needs to go ahead and get her ham ticket. Then we can use the 2 meter radios that we already own.
We have the voice operated headsets. We use them in conjunction with hand signals. I have yelled at the DW enough that she ALWAYS stays where I can see her. She knows that I refuse to move unless I can see her.
The headsets work great, are handsfree and the ear piece blocks outside noise, enabling normal conversation.
We used them for years deer hunting, but never thought we would find another use for them.
I'm 'older school'. Starr stays in the coach and I get out and walk it. This way its always my fault. Of course it would be anyway...
after 20 years of rving, I have given up. she cannot be trained.
I have her stand where I want the drivers side rear end to be,
and hope for the best.
You might reference a thread that I had started a while ago:
Communicating with your spotter (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10721.msg50959#msg50959)
Wayne, X2 except that 50 years ..... I better shut up, I hear trouble coming. :)
Gary B
We still use radios but with hand signals. I am more careful about paying attention to silence after backing our Airstream into the house in a rain storm a few years ago when the batteries died. I recommend fresh batteries or a fresh charge! Backing trailers requires radios more than the coach but hand signals don't help with conversation about conditions or preferences about details at the site.
We use hand signals too except at night - we try to avoid pulling into a campground at night - but when we break our rule, the walkie talkies come out. BTW, the walkie talkies are the ONLY way to go when backing in a trailer. We used to pull a large 5th wheel before switching to a motorhome and they are much better than hand signals as it's impossible to keep the spotter in the mirrors making a sharp turn backing in with a trailer.
^.^d Roland, Hit The Nail on the HEAD !!!! " If I can't see my DW in my mirrors I don't move. " or any other person that may be assisting you at the rear of your coach. Too many times someone has gotten injured or killed by being backed over. :'(
I told my DW that if she cannot see me in the mirrors then I cannot see her. I have gotten out of the rig a couple times, stood near her and when she asked what I was doing told her I was looking for her cause I thought she got lost. She pretty much stays in sight now
Roland
Apologies to all for not including in the post that the Cobra radio linked was only an example. We actually use Midland radios. In purchasing a two way radio, it pays to try different models as some are MUCH more user friendly. With some models, you have to read the user manual each time you use it.
When backing, the spotter should always be visible in one of the mirrors or the rear camera. A spotter in an Alaska fire station fell on an icy floor while directing the driver back. Must have hit his head as he didn't get up in time.
I have found the radios invaluable for information on overhead clearance, the front blind spot on GVs when either backing for moving forward and for scouting for the best/flattest campsite in a loop with the coach remaining at the campground entrance.
With two RVs, the radios make for excellent communication between rigs. Cell phones are a lot less convenient and there is no cell service over half the time here in the west, especially on back roads. In Indian Country, we went 3 days without cell service.
We have never had a problem with engine noise even with the 2 cycle while the spotter is behind. The diesel clatter can be heard but the voice comes through OK.
I bought the longest range possible. Was only about $10 more online. My daughter took one backpacking in Yellowstone and called us at a prearranged time for her ETA back to the trailhead. The 20 or 25 mile radios won't go that far through the woods but do work well for shorter distances in rough terrain.
Like the idea for the safety cone flashlight for night use.
A flat tire without cell service is not the end of the world with the installed CB radio or a hand held GMRS radio.
Pierce
All this reminded me of the grand entertainment we used to have as camphosts. And the backing in was only the beginning.... Setting up sat antenna's was another favorite, sure to give lots of drama as commands were yelled back and forth. And leveling. This was mainly involved with articulated units. I imagine that FT "conveniences" helped us enjoy our traveling years. And I would just get out and see how I was doing for my backing chores.
As to the quality of the speaker of the walkie talkies, I have found the Motorola Talkabouts (even the cheap ones) to be the best of the best. That is how I gauge a walkie talkie. My old ears have trouble understanding muffled, poor quality, speakers. I've compared serveral brands of walkietalkies, and the Motorola's have the best sounding speakers!!! And yes, we use the Talkabouts all the time when backing in and even while traveling. Have even used them between cars while traveling.
As both Wayne and Gary were brave (foolhardy?) enough to say it I too totally ignore all the hand signals from DW except STOP!!!!
Keith
We use Motorola walkie-talkie's fairly successfully, with one recurring snag: the DW keeps forgetting to release the "talk" switch so I can reply or pose a question. Does anyone have a "diplomatic" solution that won't get me in trouble with the DW? :)
Since Mr Wonderful is hearing impaired, the walkie talkies do not work for us at all. The Universal hand signals have really been the answer for us. If there is any doubt at all in what we want, all comes to a stop and we confer. Night time is a bit tough, one more reason why we always try and stop before dark!
Don,
Start with "Honey you know I love you..." Then, "I tell you that all the time when I'm backing up the motorhome, but you can never hear me because you don't release the talk button on the walkie-talkie." LOL ;-)
We also use the Motorolas on occasion (had them for docking the sailboat, in order to minimize entertaining the marina with our colorful language!). We have the reverse problem, Don.... not infrequently, DH will press the "talk" switch and start talking immediately... there's a delay whenever the "talk" switch is depressed, so I miss the first few words.
So, we rely on hand signals and, like Ken and Dori, I do the backing while George is outside directing me precisely where he wants the coach backed/parked. Much, much easier and far less stressful!
Best advice, Don, in addition to Peter's "sweet talk" :)) is (a) no radios; and (b) no moving the coach unless the spotter is visible in the mirror and providing directions with hand signals.
In reality Beth and I have agreed to a system. We discarded our walkie-talkies. Now she is outside giving me directions. Our agreement is, if I don't move the coach it's because I don't understand her signals or I cannot see her. It's worked out very well.
Hey Don,
I just found a pair of hands free headsets for rvers (no push-to-talk). RV Headsets - RV Headsets for Mobile Vehicle Safety (http://www.rvheadsets.com/). These might help your situation (and mine too :facepalm: ). A solution for all us walkie talkie impaired folks! :thumbsup:
Jerry
We use Motorola walkie-talkies -- but with one important difference. Jim is outside giving me the directions. This works so much better than when I was giving him directions. He only has 4 basic commands -- STOP, butt to the driver, butt to the passenger, straight. Jim has a much better grasp of spacial relations than I have so he can usually get me into even a tight spot in one try. When we get parked, people usually give me a standing ovation for my parking skills -- but in reality, I could park it blind folded as long as I listen to Jim (and only Jim).
And for those woman who do little or no driving -- that's me -- I do very little driving but I do the parking, so give it a try.
I had a set of these and they in my opinion are worthless. In fact I gave them to George Stoltz. You might ask his opinion.
Nothing beats clear signals from a helper AND stopping, getting out and looking before you move again. In my days doing trucking safety training this is what we taught. Woe be unto the driver that BACKED into anything.
Gary B
We do the same thing. Carol S gave Dee a crash course on hand signals while we were at FOT. It works well for us except I like having her in the drivers mirror and she doesn't like the exhaust heat burning her legs when it gets close.
Dean
They are AM, not FM, therefore more prone to electrical interference and engine interference. If they were FM and voice activate(duplex), I would jump on them in a heartbeat!
And as Dean said, "I like having her in the drivers mirror!" It is a must that both persons can maintain eye contact in that drivers mirror! If the driver looses the guide from the mirror, driver must stop immediately until the guide is visible again. If the guide looses sight of the driver in the mirror, guide must immediately tell driver to STOP and get away from the rear of the motorhome until it is stopped. Loosing that guide in the mirror and not stopping can result in injury or death to the guide!!! Have seen that happen first hand, and it was not a pretty sight
We use hand signals ( a flashlight at night). We tried walkie talkies, but we found that a few simple hand signals worked better. Also after my DW understood that she had to continually move so that I could always see her in my mirrors, they worked well.