By Gail Marsh
Let’s face it—backing up an RV can be one of the trickiest parts of RV life. Even seasoned RVers sometimes feel a jolt of anxiety when it’s time to reverse a large vehicle into a narrow campsite or driveway.
Backing an RV is a skill that’s not only about convenience but also essential for RV life. Find out why and then rate yourself: How well do you back up your RV?
Why backing up matters
• Safety first. One of the most significant reasons to practice backing up is safety. Knowing how to maneuver your RV safely in reverse reduces the risk of hitting obstacles, damaging property, or, worst of all, injuring someone. Proper skills make a difference, whether you’re navigating a tight campground or simply backing into your driveway.
• Saving money on repairs. RV repairs can be costly. Even a little fender-bender in reverse can lead to expensive repairs for both your RV and any objects in its path. Practicing good backing techniques helps you avoid these expenses.
• Increasing confidence. When you’re comfortable with your skills, everything from arriving at campgrounds to making stops along your journey feels less stressful. Gaining experience with backing up gives you more confidence, which makes the whole RVing experience more enjoyable.
• Respecting other RVers and campers. RV park sites can be tight, especially in busy areas and during peak camping season. When you’re able to smoothly and efficiently back up, you’re respecting the space and time of others around you.
Tips to improve your skills
• Slow and steady. Remember, there’s no need to rush. Go slow, stay patient, and make adjustments gradually. You’re far less likely to make mistakes when you’re not in a hurry.
• Use a spotter. Having a trusted person outside the RV, guiding you and signaling if you’re getting close to obstacles, is invaluable. Communication is key—try to agree on hand signals beforehand.
• Practice. If you’re not entirely comfortable yet, take some cones or markers to an empty parking lot and practice. This method has helped many RVers get the hang of backing the RV in a low-stress environment.
• Backup camera. Technology is your friend. Many RVers find a backup camera invaluable, especially when trying to back up solo.
• It gets easier. Backing up your RV will feel more natural over time. The more you practice, the easier it will become.
So, now that we’ve covered why backing up is essential and provided some tips for getting better, how would you rate yourself?
Check out this funny advertisement. Can you relate?
Poll
RELATED
- For couples: Are you or your partner a better driver?
- How long does it really take you to back into a campsite?
- How comfortable are you at the wheel driving or towing your RV?
- Have you ever been in an accident while driving your RV?
- Do you enjoy driving or towing your RV?
- What kind of roads do you dislike driving the most?
RVDT2777
I have found it easier to back up our motorhome than our travel trailer. I just take it slow and easy and have my spotter talking to me. One campsite we go to is at a fairgrounds for events. They haven’t painted the lines in several years. So I use cones to see where the edges of our space is to back up into.
Just back up until you hear the sound of metal crushing and you’re GOOD!
Keep backing up until it sounds expensive. LOL!
I notice most people answered “pretty good”. I’ve seen you back up, you aren’t! 😂
Hi Tim! Just wondering how did you answer the poll? Just asking….HA!
I can do it but it might take 2 tries to get it exactly right therefore I answered 2. I agree with your take on the previous post, I wonder what this guy answered
If you can back into a spot at Fort Wilderness @Disney with ease, you my friend are a PRO!
Truth!
The survey is a little misleading. A lot depends on what you mean by an RV.
Motorhome: class A, B or C. Travel trailer or 5th wheel?
With a TT or 5th wheel you not only have to worry about what’s behind you but also what’s in front and on either side of the tow vehicle when turning the wheel.
I have a long narrow driveway with a fence on one side and my house on the other.
I can get my trailer in with little problem, but when trying to straighten it out the front of my truck gets very close to the house and fence.
With or without a good spotter? With, I’ll bump up from 3 to a 4. Without, using just my mirrors and back camera, a 3. And relying on a poor spotter? Let’s not go there. It’s why I added the back camera.
Also, single vs dual axle can make a big difference if the surface is not smooth. Single axle trailers are seemingly diverted from a straight line by a few pebbles.
My husband is a retired truck driver, and he is pretty much a pro. I’ve tried a couple times in a parking lot and don’t get it. So, he does all of the backing of our rig, and he uses me as his spotter. YEAH….
I’ve been taught to always use my mirrors when backing regardless of the type of vehicle. Most vehicles today have a back up camera, which I have a hard time remembering to use it. Therefore, I voted for #4 as I have backed into small objects that were hidden from my mirrors. If I had remembered to look at my monitor, I could prevent this from happening.
I bought a motorhome because I was terrible at backing the trailer. A small part of that problem is that the spotter thought the trailer should be one place while I was aiming for a slightly different place. Even a couple of yards makes a difference.
I drove a box truck for a freight company while in college and had excellent instruction on using the mirrors. There were no back up cameras in the late 60’s.
I let my wife drive / backup the motorhome while give her pre-agreed hand signals. Works for us!
I had to learn to parallel park my motorhome in case they asked for my non-comm class B license. I can and have backed into spots with only inches of clearance.
My backing up skills took a hit yesterday, that is all.
i start parking back then I see what i need to do. Wife takes the dog for a walk while i back it in and level it… I don’t want to hear it from her and she doesn’t want to hear it from me.. I do everything outside and she does everything inside.
I have a lot of experience since I’ve been RVing for over 50 years. The diesel pusher has made it easier. My wife is an excellent spotter and we work well together. The real fun is when I have my car trailer behind and I don’t drop it before backing in.
I gave myself a “1”. I’m terrible at backing my travel trailer. And I even took a class to learn how! I can get it started, but somewhere along the way I over-correct and it messes everything up. I get a pull-thru site when possible. Luckily I only use the trailer a few times a year.
Raised on farm, drove semis, then worked heavy construction my whole life. I can even back up doubles. I love teaching newbies how to back in. I’m gentle just like my grandpa was and after I get them calmed down they do well.
I have a van so nothing really to pack but I do have a few things that go on the floor when traveling. I can be ready to go in about 10 minutes.
DUH! I was reading other people’s posts and I wondered why everyone was mentioning backing up. I thought it said packing up. Time for new reading glasses. And I have to change my vote because I suck at parking in any direction.
The number of “good” backer-uppers seems high. As a CG manager I meet more people every season who have never backed up their RV (note: all of our sites are back in) or admit to not being very good at backing up.
I am the backer upper. My husband has one and only one word to say..STOP! It is only time I ever listen to him! We together check out the space and make a plan. Seems to work.
After every trip, I back my 26′ trailer up our 500 yard lane. Lots of practice growing up on a farm. MUCH easier to back the trailer (1 pivot point) than a hay wagon (2 pivot points).
When backing a trailer put your hands at the bottom of the steering wheel and slowly turn the steering wheel in the direction that you want the trailer to go.
I have to agree with Tom. The number of accomplished backer uppers seems a bit high. As a campground owner I can attest that most people are not comfortable when in reverse. I also get requests for pull through sites for most reservations. I can talk most folks through the process as I walk beside their open window but I also have several customers that pull in the gate, park their truck, and hand me their keys……….LOL.