Monaco Executive 2001, Owner'S Manual

Page: 28 / 269

The five directional signals are:
1. Co-pilot uses right hand and arm held horizontal,
with forefinger pointing left, to direct rear of
motorhome to the left.
2. Co-pilot uses left hand and arm held horizontal,
with forefinger pointing right, to direct rear of
motorhome to the right.
3. Co-pilot uses both arms and hands parallel with
thumbs pointing up and to rear in a waving vertical
motion. This signals driver to maintain a straight
back direction.
4. Co-pilot holds arms vertically, hands open with
palms facing one another. Start with a wide
separation, gradually closing distance of hands, in a
rate appropriate to vehicle speed, to indicate amount
of distance to stop point.
5. Closed fists indicates STOP.
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Trailers have only one pivot point. Trailers may be backed up. Towed
vehicles using a tow bar or tow dolly have more than one pivoting point. This
makes this type of equipment not suitable for backing. If using this type of
towing equipment, plan ahead. Park safely along the road and walk a distance
if necessary to avoid a possible back up situation. Try to avoid putting the
motorhome and tow vehicle in a backing situation. The only way to back up
this combination is to completely disconnect the tow vehicle from motorhome.
Trying to back up this combination, even as small as a foot, will result in
damage to the motorhome, tow vehicle and towing device.
The same rules for backing a motorhome may be applied when backing a
trailer. When preparing to back a trailer into a space, maneuver the motorhome
sweeping wide, then turn back to the opposite direction. This will set the
motorhome and trailer in a position to maneuver the trailer into space. When
backing a trailer, the driver may become disoriented with the direction of the
steering wheel and the direction of the trailer. A trick here is to move the
bottom of the steering wheel in the desired direction of the trailer. For exam-
ple: If the desired direction of the trailer is left, rotate the bottom of the steer-
ing wheel left. If the trailer moves in an undesired direction, use a short “pull-
up” method, pulling forward just far enough to align the trailer with the space.
The co-pilot should stand safely at the left rear corner of the trailer within view
of the driver in the driver side mirror, using the five hand signals for guiding.
CAUTION: Tow bars or car dollies generally are made to
travel in a forward direction only. Most towing equipment of
this type is not designed for backing. Never attempt short
back up distances with a tow bar or tow dolly. Damage to the
motorhome, vehicle or towing device will result.
Operating & Safety
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E X E C U T I V E 2 • 2 8
Backing Up Trailers
View from Driver’s Mirror.