Walkie Talkies for communication when backing in the trailer

Mechanic Bob

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Location
Wilmington, NC
I just bought a pair of Walkie Talkies for commutation when backing in the trailer.
We have tried using the cell phone, but it just doesn't seem to be clear.
So for about $30, I bought the cheap Midland units. Also these units have a "Hands Free" setting.
Now I won't need to have the wife in view when backing up. (Her hand signals are like having Josh Blue give you directions!)
 
I just bought a pair of Walkie Talkies for commutation when backing in the trailer.
We have tried using the cell phone, but it just doesn't seem to be clear.
So for about $30, I bought the cheap Midland units. Also these units have a "Hands Free" setting.
Now I won't need to have the wife in view when backing up. (Her hand signals are like having Josh Blue give you directions!)

We've been doing that same thing for years, and it's worked out well. One bit of advice though, that helps us, is to use concise words and directions to help eliminate any confusion. For example, the trailer needs to go left. Are you talking about the rear of the trailer or the whole trailer? And instead of the word left.....use the word streetside.....which obviously means that is the opposite of curbside. Another example....C'mon back.....could be changed to C'mon back slowly till I tell you to stop.....or if you good at judging distances.....at least 10 feet then I'll check again. After a while of doing that, it definitely becomes easier and easier. My wife also know to watch out for low hanging branches on trees and stop me before contact.....the we decide how to handle that. I've had campground personnel have to either move me to a different number site, or come over and trim some branches out of the way before I'll back it. When you tell them you are not willing to risk a $10,000 roof because of them, they will normally accommodate you pretty quickly.
 
If you're looking for a good option (that runs at a bit of a premium) we use our Shokz bone conducting headphones.
Bit of background - they are intended to be headphones for biking, hiking, walking, etc. Which is why we bought them.
They use vibrations instead of speakers, so your ears aren't plugged (allowing you to hear music/voice while still hearing everything around you).
We found using these (via bluetooth cell phone call) we have a great hands-free option for backing - amongst all their other fantastic uses.
 
My wife and I do the same thing. However, my wife is not the greatest communicator under stress, such as about to hit a tree or need to turn sharp or something. Words such as "left" and "right" and "ok" might have a different definition from time to time. She is, however, a farm girl and is very good at backing up a trailer. So I'm the guy outside on the walkie talkie and she's in the drivers seat! I'm also better at judging the arc the trailer will take from outside so it just works better all around.
 
My wife and I do the same thing. However, my wife is not the greatest communicator under stress, such as about to hit a tree or need to turn sharp or something. Words such as "left" and "right" and "ok" might have a different definition from time to time......

LOL.... Funny. My wife is the same way. Must be a female/male thing...:D. When we first got married, we went to the Denver Mint. I made the mistake of letting her read the map to get back on the highway. When she looked at the map and saw we needed to make a turn she always went by her right or left instead of the maps right or left with North orientation. Needless to say we made another trip to the Mint! LOL!

THE FIX: Pulled over and had her orient the map in the same direction as we were driving as "driving North" orientation. Then, she was able to get us right!

However, now, with google maps using GPS directions on her phone, she never looks ahead to see if maybe the turns make sense when listening to the directions on close multiple exits...... almost wish she would use the old map again with "driving North" orientation (LOL! ;)

On Topic: Yea, I think the walkies make good sense... gonna get a pair and try the Kings english - but you know, men are from Mars and women are from Venus and even after 40yrs of marriage things still get lost in translation. :cool:
 
We bought two Baofeng UV-5Rs (two-way radios) and wired earpieces for when we bike. Much better reception and less lag than cellphones. We both know some radio jargon (and I watch too many military shows) and know they'll be better since we can't always see each other. We do trade off backing up the trailer so we shall see if these improve things
 
If you're looking for a good option (that runs at a bit of a premium) we use our Shokz bone conducting headphones.
Bit of background - they are intended to be headphones for biking, hiking, walking, etc. Which is why we bought them.
They use vibrations instead of speakers, so your ears aren't plugged (allowing you to hear music/voice while still hearing everything around you).
We found using these (via bluetooth cell phone call) we have a great hands-free option for backing - amongst all their other fantastic uses.

This is a great idea I hadn't thought of them. I hate in-ear headphones and over-ear aren't too safe outside IMHO. Thanks
 
We're on our third set of those little gems. We use them all the time, not just for getting into or out of a campsite. When I go out to dump and fill, Jo Ann knows the pump is to stay off until she hears from me. As soon as I've disconnected the hose and turned the handles I all her on the radio. When I finish dumping I call her and she puts the pink stuff down all of the drains. If we need to get fuel at a truck stop while hooked up she goes in to prepay. She radios me when I can start pumping and I radio her when I'm done and tell her the numbers. About every third time someone complements her on how smart it is to use the radio.

She's still getting used to backing a trailer (we used to have a motor home), so she waits until the trailer is straight, then tells me to come straight back. Doesn't work.
 
My wife and I use walkies... they work great, the communication/words... not so much

* straighten out - WTH
* come back 3 inches, another 3 inches, come back 6 inches... WTH
* ...trees (starts speaking before pressing the mic) - WTH
* says left while pointing to her right - WTH

and the list goes on
 
We got walkies for our early RV adventures, but in addition to all the other issues, she never got the whole "push to talk" thing. Sigh.
"Left" and "Right" to her have always been synonyms.
Whenever possible, we use the cell phones - mine, as the driver, coming through the car hands-free system.
The big game changer - having her ONLY pay attention to the rear of the trailer, and only say "move it to my side (passenger/curb) or your side (driver/street)"
While I do have to ask sometimes for her to look up - branches, roof overhang, etc. that is no stress - I'm stopped and she can tell me "It's OK" or not.
I do have to do a reconnoiter to get an idea of obstacles - picnic tables, close trees, etc. But again, stopping and clam asking " am I going to hit xyz?" usually works.
We'll dig out the walkies in a cell free area, but there is still too much shouting "What did you say?"
 
My wife had "issues" with pushing the button first on the walkie talkie unit, Then talking. Even after several instruction reviews, the lack of TX button pushed continued.

We use the cell phones now. I can blue tooth my cell phone to my hearing aids , so the phone can sit on the truck seat .

Most important word I have my wife programmed with is "Stop" if a crunch may happen... She does well .
 
We use cell phones as well. Bluetooth through truck so I have both hands free.
Still working on the communication vernacular.
I like the idea of her watching the rear of the trailer only and using “my side and your side” instead of left and right. Good tips.
Rich
 
My wife had "issues" with pushing the button first on the walkie talkie unit, Then talking. Even after several instruction reviews, the lack of TX button pushed continued.

We use the cell phones now. I can blue tooth my cell phone to my hearing aids , so the phone can sit on the truck seat .

Most important word I have my wife programmed with is "Stop" if a crunch may happen... She does well .

Yup, we do the same. Seems to work well.
 
I just bought a pair of Walkie Talkies for commutation when backing in the trailer.
We have tried using the cell phone, but it just doesn't seem to be clear.
So for about $30, I bought the cheap Midland units. Also these units have a "Hands Free" setting.
Now I won't need to have the wife in view when backing up. (Her hand signals are like having Josh Blue give you directions!)

We do the same [MENTION=55718]Mechanic Bob[/MENTION] -- wife saying left is rear trailer left for me
 
We only use walkie talkies if there’s no cell reception.
We say driver side and passenger side instead of left and right.
 
Now I won't need to have the wife in view when backing up. (Her hand signals are like having Josh Blue give you directions!)

If I can't see the person directing me backing up I stop immediately.
How would I know they are is a safe place if I can't see them.
Maybe they tripped and fell or are not paying attention and are too close to the trailer.
I do not want to run over my wife and it is safer to just stop.
When my wife gets out of my mirrors I stop and yell I can't see you.
She then move to where I can see her.
 
[MENTION=36998]kb0zke[/MENTION]

"When I finish dumping I call her and she puts the pink stuff down all of the drains."[/QUOTE]

Not sure why you're putting pink stuff down all of the drains after you dump your tanks?
 
Last edited:
We don't put the pink antifreeze down, but the mixture of Calgon and PineSol we learned about at the Midwest Rally.
 
If I can't see the person directing me backing up I stop immediately.
How would I know they are is a safe place if I can't see them.
Maybe they tripped and fell or are not paying attention and are too close to the trailer.
I do not want to run over my wife and it is safer to just stop.
When my wife gets out of my mirrors I stop and yell I can't see you.
She then move to where I can see her.

I am with you on having my wife in the mirror. If I can't see her everything stops. We also use the walkie talkies and it works well for us. But the words "left" and "right" only apply to politics!! lol. When driving, backing, parking, or training the words driver side and passenger side never get people confused. And a good shout out for Josh Blue. What a great guy.
 
My wife and I use walkies... they work great, the communication/words... not so much

* straighten out - WTH
* come back 3 inches, another 3 inches, come back 6 inches... WTH
* ...trees (starts speaking before pressing the mic) - WTH
* says left while pointing to her right - WTH

and the list goes on

Seems very familiar.....
Along with.... ok, right there, now three feet to the left...sigh... as I put the truck back in 'D'.
 

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