As my wife and I RV about the country, there is one thing we constantly see other RVers struggle with. That one item is backing up the RV. Therefore, I thought I would share the following truckers tip regarding backing up.
Safety experts in the trucking industry teach the acronym of GOAL to keep things simple and safe. Many RVers have adopted this acronym as well. Following is one of many GOAL descriptions you will find online:
“What’s your goal? To get the rig SAFELY backed into the campsite with as little fuss as possible. Notice we put safety first. There’s much to be said about that. Fuss is at the other end of the spectrum. Yes, if you’re in a crowded campground, we know there’ll be plenty of rubber-neckers who will have nothing better to do than watch you struggle to get into the site. For most, though, it gets better with practice.
So what’s the GOAL method? You may have guessed. It’s an acronym. Get Out And Look. There’s really no substitute for physically removing yourself from the behind the wheel and walking back and eyeballing your parking situation. Backup cameras are great, a spotting helper can do much, but just eyeing it with your own peepers will do more to help you get a feel for what you’re doing than any other method.
One RVer put it well when he said he backs part-way into the site, hops out, eyeballs, then backs more, and repeats the process. He admitted that it wasn’t as impressive as being able to simply back in the rig in one sweep, but you’re far safer with the multiple visualization method. Don’t just look at what you might hit with your bumper either. Look UP to catch low hanging branches that might hit the roof or roof-mounted units. Ensure you have room to extend your slide outs, too.
And when using the GOAL system, DON’T succumb to the “Are we there yet?” crowd. Keep the kids strapped in the tow unit, even if you have a spotter working with you. The spotter will be more concerned about keeping an eye on the kids and your chances of hitting something greatly increased.”
Employ the GOAL method during your next RV outing avoiding stress on yourself and potential damage to your RV, because backing into a tree is one adventure in RVing you and I can both do without!
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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