The acronym G.O.A.L. stands for Get Out And Look, terminology which is widely used in the trucking industry. Next time you pass a semi-tractor, look closely at the mirrors, especially the driver’s side, and you are likely to see a GOAL decal reminding the driver to Get Out And Look before backing up.
Backing accidents are the most common type of accident in the trucking industry. They happen at truck stops, at the shipping or receiving center, or just about anywhere a truck needs to back up.
While I don’t have the statistics, I suspect the majority of damage to RVs occurs during the backing process as well. The fact that many RVers won’t even consider an RV park without pull-through spaces supports my suspicion that many RVers are not comfortable backing up their RV or have had a bad experience in the past.
So let’s take a page out of the trucking industries playbook and apply it to the RV lifestyle.
- Always “Get Out And Look”, even if you’re a veteran RVer and have never had a backing mishap.
- Use a spotter whenever possible. Most of us aren’t solo RVers and have a traveling companion to serve as a spotter.
- Make sure your mirrors are clean and properly adjusted to see where you are backing and to keep an eye on your spotter.
- Take it slow and easy.
It sure is nice to have a spotter hop out and look for you.
One final tip for solo backers: When you Get Out And Look, estimate (or measure if you are a poor judge of space) the distance to the nearest obstruction behind your RV that’s likely to cause damage.
When you get back behind the wheel, note (or draw) a reference mark on the ground immediately adjacent to the driver’s side that is conservatively shorter (a couple of feet or so) than the distance you just estimated/measured.
Back up until you are even with that mark and then Get Out And Look again! This should get you close enough to the obstruction that no further backing is needed.
However, if you still need to back up a little more, again estimate (or measure) the distance to the obstruction, but this time take a block of wood and place it where the rear tire of your RV will bump against it sooner than the obstruction. When you feel or see the RV engage the block, your backing is complete.
If your goal is to back up your RV without damage, then rest easy and employ the GOAL acronym on your next RV outing. Because backing into a tree is an adventure in RVing nobody wants to experience!
You may also want to consider investing in a Back-Up Camera
See also: The Smartest Way to Avoid RV Wrecks and Disasters
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.
I don’t understand the part of the instructions that says “When you get back behind the wheel, note (or draw) a reference mark on the ground.” Does this comment mean to make a mark on the mirror? I don’t have an RV (yet) and don’t know how to use backup mirrors so can’t picture the scenario. Thanks!
Let’s say you get out and look behind your RV and you can safely backup another two to three feet. Before you get back in the drivers seat make note of a reference point (or draw a line the the gravel / dirt or lay a twig on the asphalt) on the ground below the drivers door / window, then back up until the reference point changes approximately two feet in reference to the RV.
No, you mark a spot on the ground.
We have small orange cones to use for backing up, plus I’m fortunate to have a spotter traveling with me. Parking our RV in the storage garage which has tight tolerances requires patience and the willingness to make small adjustments provided by your spotter. Unfortunately this was a lesson that I learned the hard way after doing some damage to a brand new coach. I like your idea of GOAL too for any parking. Take your time and don’t be in a rush.
The DW and I use hand held 2way radios. Only problem is she needs to push the button before she talks!
We both use our cell phones if we have cell coverage. I put my cell phone in speaker mode and she lets me know how I’m doing.
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I always do the GOAL step, I drove heavy trucks in the Army and they will never let you back up without a ground guide (spotter). In addition to my mirrors, spotter, and back up camera I also installed an ultrasonic backing alarm, it starts beeping at about 10′ and beeps faster as you get closer, goes to continuous tone at 2′. I parallel park my RV in a side yard thru a gate, no problem as I have had lots of practice, but never alone, spotter with a radio….always safety first.
I drove commercial charter buses for many years, and GOAL is the only way to avoid real problems. Blessed to say that I retired accident free. As I always tell the young drivers: If you want to stay safe, it’s all about DEFENSE.
I have always done well backing up with my RV. My first RV was 21 foot. The new RV is 31 foot. My problem hitting a tree was swinging the back turning going forward. I was jammed up against the tree. A kind gentlemen walked up and said he did the same thing once and guided me off of that tree. You learn from those o sh_t moments.
I am a solo camper and I always felt like I didn’t know what I was doing when I was backing up. I constantly have to get out and look and make adjustments because I don’t have a spotter. Now I feel like I am doing all of the right things. I will no longer care if I think that my camping neighbors may be staring at me, LOL
I usually have a spotter for my 31 ft TT but I also get out anyway just to familiarize myself where the spotter is guiding me to. Check, check and double check then look again!
Many backup cameras have a one-way microphone so the observer behind the motorhome can communicate with the driver. Also a cheap set of 2-way radios can be used. If backing a motorhome a video on youtube “RVSEF-Motorhome Baking Tips” is very helpful and will make you look like a professional. I was taught this method many years ago and have passed it on over the years and all wish they know about this method earlier. One change I suggest is when the back shoulder of the person outside the coach disappears in my mirror I stop and then turn the steering wheel fully in the opposite direction. and then back-up. Secondly the person outside the coach should be one arm’s length. from the coach and their position establishes the approximate inside turning radius of the coach. (See Video)
Great suggestions. I have a GoPro camera ($300). for this purpose. I can view it on my iPhone. Then I can use my GoPro camera for other adventures. Why spend good money for a camera that is used, so, rarely?
I work as a campground host and nearly have to INSIST that a driver G.O.A.L at times! If I could only describe the looks I get sometimes. Funny though, once they G.O.A.L., and they finish parking they are all smiles, shaking my hand and thanking ME for a job well done..lol! Of course, being a women has nothing to do with it I’m sure.
Always look up above as part of the practice also. Overhang problems can also occur.
For those that are learning to back a trailer using mirrors, one first things to consider is the directional relationship of the movement of the tow vehicle’s steering wheel has on the rear of the trailer. By placing the right hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, then steer the rear of the trailer by moving the steering wheel in the direction you want to move the rear of the trailer. This might be clear as mud, but with a little practice, a person can master the trailer backing up process. Also I have a 3/4″ wide tape measure in the driver’s side door pocket that I use to measure the distance I want to move the rear of the trailer, Lay the ruler on the ground beside the truck with the end of the tape at a predetermined location beside the truck door and then backup to where the same door location is adjacent to the measuring tape. This method get me within a foot of where I need to go in reverse.