Do you equip your "backup spotter" with a walkie-talkie?
I often see posts about folks who damage the trailer when backing up, and I often see responses about using a spotter. I do that -- DW is an amazingly good spotter, with very clear hand signals. So far, in nine very full seasons of camping, we have never had any damage to the trailer.
But sometimes, like at night, or when the trailer is at an odd angle to the truck, I can't see her. And I often can't hear her because of the wind or traffic noise or whatever. So I just stop till she realizes there is a problem and she walks over to my window and we discuss what's going on. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.
I have suggested to her that we should use walkie-talkies, but her response is that this would be more trouble than it's worth, just another clutter-ish gadget to lose or to have the batteries die, we don't need them, etc. Very sensible responses, but I am still not sure.
So that is my question -- how many other trailer folk use walkie-talkies to communicate with the spotter? Is it a hassle to deal with the devices? We don't have any other need for these gadgets, as far as I can tell -- so are they really that helpful?
I know we could get a backup camera, too, but DW has the ability to look around at the whole area and get a good reading on what needs to happen. A camera would not be able to do that job as well as she does.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
But sometimes, like at night, or when the trailer is at an odd angle to the truck, I can't see her. And I often can't hear her because of the wind or traffic noise or whatever. So I just stop till she realizes there is a problem and she walks over to my window and we discuss what's going on. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.
I have suggested to her that we should use walkie-talkies, but her response is that this would be more trouble than it's worth, just another clutter-ish gadget to lose or to have the batteries die, we don't need them, etc. Very sensible responses, but I am still not sure.
So that is my question -- how many other trailer folk use walkie-talkies to communicate with the spotter? Is it a hassle to deal with the devices? We don't have any other need for these gadgets, as far as I can tell -- so are they really that helpful?
I know we could get a backup camera, too, but DW has the ability to look around at the whole area and get a good reading on what needs to happen. A camera would not be able to do that job as well as she does.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
