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Author :Russel Micnhimer  in RVing Ruminations by Russel

I know this isn't going to apply to any of us personally, but we have all seen it happen with neighbors at the park. It's a nice afternoon and a big rig arrives to use the back in space next to us. It pulls into a position that should be about correct for backing up. One of the couple, usually the female, but sometimes not, exits and walks around toward the back of the vehicle, makes some gestures and the rig starts backing up, a few yards later she is waving her hands frantically, yelling, “Stop! Stop!” He does and pulls forward to his original position. They begin again, moving with a bit less certainty this time. At the critical point she begins making circles in the air and the rig begins to turn. About half a turn later she is frantically waving her arms for him to stop. When he has, this time she goes up to the driver's window and with many hand motions speaks rapidly and then shaking her head returns to behind the rig and they begin again. After two or three more aborted tries, the driver disembarks and goes to where she is, heated words are tersely exchanged with much gesticulation by both. You get the picture. Fifteen minutes later he is finally able to turn the engine off. It is said this situation is the leading cause of divorce among RVers. I have to wonder if that is really a joke. http://www.rvjokes.com/

These days a good many rigs have cameras to help with this often necessary task. More about them here http://rear-view-cameras-review.toptenreviews.com/ And of course mirrors on both sides are essential equipment. But even with those tools, a good spotter can be invaluable. As long as the driver and spotter are on the same page with their signals. But if you wait until you are actually in a situation like the one above to work them out, chances are your situation will resemble theirs. This is probably the most important piece of advice—make sure both you and your spotter understand the signals you are going to use in advance.

The Family Motor Coach Association has a good explanation and photo demonstration of these on its website
https://www.fmca.com/motorhome/basics/3634-basic-hand-signals-for-motorhome-parking.html . These are great guidelines, although one sees many variations being used. I see a open hand closing into a fist used to signal stop far more than crossed arms. Again, it is important that BOTH driver and spotter are on the same page.

There is one thing, without which, these signals, whatever they may be, are absolutely worthless. And while this may be a no brainer, you would be surprised how often it is ignored (but not for long.) If the spotter cannot see the rear-view mirrors of the rig, then the driver cannot see the spotter. The spotter must maintain awareness of that throughout the process. The preferred location of the spotter is to the rear of the coach on the driver side. If the spotter needs to go behind the coach to check clearance on the passenger side, it is best for the coach to be stopped while this is taking place. This gets even trickier if it is dark. I usually found it helpful before backing up to actually get out of the truck and look over the site I am getting into. It is much easier to move a picnic table a couple of feet in a tight spot before hand rather than during the process for instance. Some more vintage parks especially have utility posts and such in quite (putting it mildly) unusual places. I made it a habit in older parks and fairgrounds to check to make sure the electricity actually worked before unhitching the trailer.

Again, this is not something that is very often a problem, but in places where trees are part of the landscape especially, check for clearance above and on both sides, before maneuvering into a site. If you have a satellite dish for TV or internet on top of your rig, make sure the space is compatible with that. Tip-outs, too, often require special advance attention. Know your rig.

The same signals used for backing into a space can be used when hitching up a travel trailer if we don't have a camera or other device to aid us with that task. If you are by yourself, frequently there is a helpful neighbor who will volunteer to help. I have found that frequently, although well intentioned it is sometimes of little help. The perception of what is close enough for a hitch to slip down over a ball, apparently varies considerably!

While on the subject of signals, I might mention that I consider road flares and a large portable flashlight with a blinking yellow function standard equipment. There is nearly an infinite number of them out there; you might start looking here https://www.google.com/search?q=emergency+flashlights&sa=X&espv=2&biw=1440&bih=766&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ved=0CHIQsARqFQoTCN2x44yFm8kCFdFbiAodi2IJkw or at your nearest hardware store. Chances are you will never need them, but for the added safety they can provide in emergency situations, their price is small. Bonus Tip One! Road flares can be a real help lighting wet firewood.

May all your backings up be as pleasant as your goings forward. Planning ahead will help insure this is the case. If you have any hair raising stories of backing up; or experiences with amusing out comes, please share them in the comments section below. I would love to know what I have left out about signals here. Even if your comment is just an attaboy or a scream about my writing style, it is a big help to have some feed back and would make this blogger's day. Thanks, your comments are read and appreciated.

Until next time, walk in beauty and keep it between the ditches,

Russel

Though from my travels I have come to roost
I hope my experiences will give yours a boost

About the Blog Author
Russel Micnhimer is retired after twenty-five years of full time RVing. During that time he was a sales representative for Southeast Publications selling advertising on Site Maps (aka Guest Guides) for RV Parks and Resorts and Fairgrounds. He traveled in a pickup truck and travel trailer primarily in the Western United States logging nearly 500,000 miles. In his blog he shares many experiences and insights in hopes they will be helpful to others who pursue the RVing lifestyle.