We often camp on wooded sites with lengthy litter covered access drives. Backing up in this situation is difficult because I can't clearly see the edge of the drive. My wife tries to direct me, but sometimes her wild incomprehensible gesticulations just add to the confusion. I got some small (about 12") orange traffic cones at the dollar store to mark the edge of the drive. Now I can confidently back up knowing exactly where the edge of the drive is located.

By litter I assume you mean things like leaves, pine needles, etc rather than trash. Orange cones are a good idea.

I usually mark the end of my backing with an orange cone and place it on the left edge of the roadMy wife is great at helping me back up. I tell her that I only want 4 signals from her to tell me which way we want the rear of the MH to go. She positions herself at the left rear corner and walks backwards. I don't move unless I can see her.The signals are:Pointing to the leftPointing to the right.Fingers on her hand up, palm in, waving towards her.Hand raised fully, palm out, to tell me to stopShe forgets that I have a microphone at the rear of the MH, and I can hear what she says under her breath.

ADK, don't give up on your spotter. She and you can train each other to work together. It takes a lot of practice. Ron's suggestion about standard gestures is a good one. It is also important that she stand where she can see your mirrors (so that you can see her!).When it is pitch-dark (like when we are preparing to boondock on a moonless night), we use walkie talkies. Headlamps are helpful, but I can't see her hands well enough.After several years of trailering, she eventually got so good at guiding me that I wrote this tribute song, to the familiar tune of "Pinball Wizard:"Ever since I was a camperI've worked with my hitch ballFrom Glacier to the TetonsI've tried to hitch them allBut I ain't seen nothing like herIn any campground at allThat’s my own DWSure plays a mean Hitch BallShe stands like a statueBecomes part of the machineShe can see my bumperAlways hitches cleanShe plays by intuitionThat coupler neatly fallsThat’s my own DWSure plays a mean hitch ballShe's a Hitch Ball WizardThere's got to be a twistA Hitch Ball wizardShe's got such a supple wristHow do you think she does it?(I don't know)What makes her so good?She never gets distractedCan't hear the neighbors yellDoesn't see the taillights flashingBrings me in so wellAlways gets it hooked upNever missed the ballThat’s my own DWSure plays a mean hitch ballI thought I wasThe Hitch Ball StarBut I just handedMy Hitch Ball crown to herEven on my little trailerShe can beat my bestShe simply leads me inAnd she just does the restShe's got crazy waving fingersNever seen her fallThat’s my own DWSure plays a mean hitch ball . . . .

One other thought -- we also have a signal for "pull forward," mostly used when we are trying to straighten out the trailer a little.

I don't use cones (don't want an extra widget to carry), but marking the path to follow is something I do frequently. Often just using a rock or stick of wood. And usually I just put it next to exactly where I want my trailer wheels to end up. Kind of an "aim small-miss small" kind of thing, but having a target helps me a lot.

A simple idea | Good Sam Community

profdant139
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2019
Or here is another example of a fun parking job -- this was near Silverton, Colorado, also at ten thousand feet. Narrow, steep, rocky, un-level, lots of trees. Much laughter and expressive hand-waving. Easily another 45 minutes well spent!

Click For Full-Size Image.
profdant139
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2019
colliehauler, believe it or not, the very trickiest parking jobs are in the boonies -- no driveway, no pad, just lots of rocks and trees. For example, this site was in the Uintas of Utah at ten thousand feet -- and yes, we did back up through those rocks to the campsite, very slowly and carefully. No hardware was harmed, but it took us a good 45 minutes to get situated:

Click For Full-Size Image.
frisbeekev
Explorer
Jul 13, 2019
profdant139 wrote:
Two more suggestions: first, tell her how great she's doing, as often as you can. Pretty soon, you will both start to believe it. ;)

Second, don't undertake a complicated backing-up job when you are hungry or thirsty. We often "snack up" as we are nearing our destination to build up our blood sugar for the upcoming ordeal.

This is key. Plus snacks keep the kids in their seats while backing in also. Sort of like the"FOrgive me for everything I said while parking the camper"
mosseater
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2019
After 11 years of trying everything I know, I have given up. Starting with the simple precept that if she can't see me in the mirror, I can't see her. I pretty much ignore her and get out if I have to. I'm at a loss as to what to try anymore when I've explained it so many times. Just easier if I do it and let her think she's helping. Every trip used to start with tension at the campsite. No more.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jul 12, 2019
profdant139 wrote:
Two more suggestions: first, tell her how great she's doing, as often as you can. Pretty soon, you will both start to believe it. ;)

Second, don't undertake a complicated backing-up job when you are hungry or thirsty. We often "snack up" as we are nearing our destination to build up our blood sugar for the upcoming ordeal.
You camp in the middle of no where. All you have to do is shut the vehicle off.:B
time2roll
Nomad
Jul 12, 2019
For me the spotter is just to signal stop if we're are about to hit something.
profdant139
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2019
Two more suggestions: first, tell her how great she's doing, as often as you can. Pretty soon, you will both start to believe it. ;)

Second, don't undertake a complicated backing-up job when you are hungry or thirsty. We often "snack up" as we are nearing our destination to build up our blood sugar for the upcoming ordeal.
The_ugly_duckli
Explorer
Jul 12, 2019
We found that backing up directions became less stressful when we got Walkie Talkies. No more screening which lowered our stress levels. Also I remind her that I need to see her from one of my rear view mirrors. Instead of left/right directions we use driver/passenger to indicate which directions she wants me to move the camper.
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2019
My wife believes I’m Superman. She keeps expecting me to use my X-ray vision.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jul 12, 2019
CincyGus wrote:
Wife can't be trained,

Usually a problem with the trainer not the trainee.

If she's feeling pressure, you are doing something wrong.