Forum Discussion

profdant139's avatar
profdant139
Explorer II
Feb 11, 2014

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!
  • We have used the radios, but have found a much better solution for us is to use our cell phones. We are on a family plan, so there is no charge between our two phones. We like being able to talk two-way without having to press a button. The driver usually just puts their phone on the dash with the speaker turned on. Hands-free!
  • Half of the fun of camping is watching the spotter , waving , screaming and the yelling as they set the camper . I simply drop the wife and kids at the playground and tell them to come back in 20 minutes .
  • I've got Bluetooth in the truck, wife on her cell phone and stays in my blind spot mirror behind the trailer. Works for us and I don't have to hold a walkie talkie or push the button to talk.
  • If she's with me, I send her off to take the dogs for a walk and I back in myself with frequent walks back to scope things out....I thought though, that rather than a walkie talkie, if she were to assist in some way (not holding my breath here) she could use her cell phone and as I've got bluetooth in my TV, I could just converse while backing...
  • We have used them for the past twelve years

    You'll never hear us shouting at each other like we see some people do.

    Jack L
  • No. She just uses hand signals. There's one hand signal I don't like. Lol.
  • To prolong our marriage I learned to back up the RV solo many years ago. It's really not that hard....