Campground etiquette what would you have done?

[larryandamy]

I have two responses. One is a direct answer and the other is me just sharing something that works for me.

1) Talking to your neighbor the next day about it is the right thing to do. Don't start the conversation with.. "Did you know you left your outside light on last night and it shined into our window."
Start with friendly greetings and normal conversation.. exchange names, where you are from... weather... Then tell them that the light bothered you and ask if they would turn it off before they go to bed. I know that some people are understanding and friendly and some are jerks. But most will be friendly and apologize and turn off the light. There is absolutely nothing you can do about the jerks anyway and they are few and far between within the camping community.
I used to be one of those jerks when i was much younger (18 to 20). Me and my buddies would ride into campgrounds on our motorcycles and never considered the fear and apprehension we caused to other campers. We would stay up late and party and never considered our neighbors.
Even as a young parent of 25, I did some things i am now ashamed of. Once I was camping at a campsite with my wife and 3 young boys and the guy next to us in a big motorhome was running his very loud generator after quiet time of 10PM. I knocked on his door and told him it was past 10PM and asked if he could please turn off his generator... He told me he would run his generator whenever he wanted to and stop bothering him. Mysteriously his generator stopped working at about 11:30PM...? Generators don't work with a broken spark plug. A small tap with a hammer was all it took. But that was the old me and i would never do that now.

2) People laugh when I tell them how I handle situations like this now, but when they are able to do it, they admit it works. Here is my solution.
It is not the noise or the light or whatever it is that is invading your rest that is keeping you up. It is your attitude toward that noise or light or whatever. It is your mental annoyance that someone would be so inconsiderate and the images of all the nasty things you want to say or do. You wring yourself up with anger and frustration to a point where you could never fall asleep. If I hear people partying now, I think of it as waves on the beach or children playing or good friends just having a good time. I do not have any anger or anxiety about it and i just fall asleep. I know it sounds weird, but if you can do it you will be amazed how it works.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Oakman

Oh no, I ain't about to mess with you. When I see a coffin in front of an RV I steer clear. I think that coffin at your place in Goshen last year had everyone intimidated.

It Never Phased the "Witch Doctor"! Youroo!!

[Shawn.O]

#1 would be my suggestion, but as some others have mentioned don't lead off with the light issue, some friendly chit chat would ease the transition and who knows they could end up being some great people to party/camp with for the week...

And also #3... another glass of wine is rarely a bad idea...!

[KAS]

Originally Posted by Major Oz

Never understood why folks load up an RV to venture into the great outdoors....and then have a radio or TV.....OUTSIDE their unit.

Seems to obviate the whole concept.

AMEN TO THAT!!! My sentiments exactly!!!

[Wattsworld]

Originally Posted by Major Oz

Never understood why folks load up an RV to venture into the great outdoors....and then have a radio or TV.....OUTSIDE their unit.

Seems to obviate the whole concept.

Friends use to say that my idea of roughing it while camping was to take a black and white tv. Kids did what they wanted along with wife and I kicked back and relaxed. I worked hard through the week and weekends I wanted to relax.
Now I am older and only have the color TV's in the MH, but never have time to take it out. Hmmmm, something wrong here,, Retired and have less time then when I was working.

[Epat]

Now that I'm retired, I don't know how I ever found time to go to work.

But to the original question... I would talk to the neighbor first.

[doc73]

We never had a TV in the tt until our daughter was 3. I leave my bug light on at night as a "security" light.

If you asked me, I'd probably turn it off. Never let the lights or noise bug me too much. I just run a fan and drown them out!

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7

[Iwannacamp]

I am not a music person and most of the time other people's choices of music(including my kids) is not shared by me. I prefer no music..or very low volume. Most of the time other people's music bothers me, but I would not say anything till late. They are on vacation too. I have to watch our kids to ensure low volumes of all kinds.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[ben31]

1 and 3 are my choices. Be nice. Invite them for a cold beverage. Let them know the light shines in through your bunks and it keeps you awake. Drink some more. Laugh about other things and problem will likely be solved. If they are idiots and get ticked off about it, there are other things you can do.

In fact, here is one of things you can do, which will help keep out the light and help insulate your bunks. Get some reflectix from the hardware store (or online), cut it to size, and put it around the inside of your bunks. It blocks the light and keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We did that on our Pop Up and we loved it! The alternative is PopUp Gizmos. They cover the bunk ends with reflective material which also does the same thing as the reflectix. They are purpose-built for your particular trailer, so will be even easier to use.

[pdqparalegal1]

Having camped for over 30 years, I've had stages of compassion for my fellow travelers. It has ranged from "get over it" to "sorry, I didn't realize". One trip I had too good of a time with the Bourbon and went to bed and left the outside TV on. Sometime 3:00 am the programing changed to a horror film with much screaming and noise. Neighbor came over next day and politely ask for more quiet. I agreed and problem solved. New TT, didn't realize the outside speakers were on. I sleep with TV on inside, neighbors enjoyed my programing all night. Brought to my attention, another problem solved. Asking may not always work but it's a place to start. I do hve empathy for light sensitive people. If it were me, I'd equip my TT so no outside light could enter. Easier than trying to get everyone else conform to my needs.

[Simplewon]

Doesn't bother me what the next door campers do as i'm just happy it's not a barber shop quartet loud and out of tune. Or worse. Ez enough to cover a window or block a light source with a towel, quilt, tarp, sleeping bag or relocating a sleeping location. Sure beats bringing someone else on the potential blood boil ruining more than one persons vacation or mini vacation. You never know how one will react to Your camper bothers me statement when they feel like they paid their rent. How many times do you see people pack up and pull out right at check out time making sure they get their moneys worth.
Granted most people are not the type that sit at a red light after it turns green watching their rear view mirror or make a turn off the main road and slow down with their rear end hanging out in the road for extended time just searching for conflict.
Most people are Wonderful Creations and would be more than happy to help. But to know the difference is not possible ahead of time. Hence the old saying, you can't just a book by it's cover.

[bikendan]

I love my classic Rock music.
But I choose to be a good neighbor by using wireless headphones.
That way I can crank it up til my ears bleed and not disturb anyone else.

Agree that there are different ways and styles of camping.
But what I don't get, is why someone goes to a state or national park campground, full of Nature's wonders and beauty, and proceeds to setup a tv theater room under the awning.
Or turns on the outside speakers and force neighbors to listen to his music or NASCAR race.

[dado39]

Eco foil / reflectix in the windows pugs on top. barely any light penetration keeps it very dark in the camper

[syogerst]

Oh my, what a crowded campground. Talking to the camper next to you should not cause a problem. Especially when you are parked so close to each other.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

[Denny B]

When we had our hybrid, with tents/bedrooms on either end, I have on 2 occasions, brought the problem, in a friendly manner, to adjacent campers attention. Both times they were very gracious and understanding.
I have also had this brought to my attention when I was using a very bright Colman lantern outside. I was grateful that they had brought it to my attention, as I would never want to be responsible for making a fellow campers vacation less than pleasant. God knows the mosquitos and weather can take care of that for all of us. Oh, and the black flies OMG.

[SilverArrowPro]

I've done that before with my old trailer. Just never thought of it until someone kindly asked me to turn it off because it was lighting up the inside of their trailer.

[Blackhat6mike]

Last year at Mistletoe State Park in GA, our next door neighbor [60-70 ft away] asked me to turn out my scare light on the far side of the TT. It seems the sensitivity had become too sensitive and was coming on and going off too often. I turned that light off for the night and readjusted the sensitivity the next morning. The neighbor came over to thank me and over the course of the next 4 days became friends. I'm glad to comply to any sensible request if only asked and not demanded. I don't do "demand" well.

[Blackhat6mike]

Automatic "Scare Lights" are well worth what you pay for them IMHO as we have three. They can be set to motion detection or full on. If nothing is moving outside, why would you need a light? If something IS moving, then they come on to let you know and you can take a look outside. In effect, they stand guard 24/7.
The sensitivity can be adjusted up or down and the on duration set also. Or you can just turn them off, all from the same switch. Great security investment IMHO.

[rrapidron]

I leave my yellow light on all night so I can watch my truck,I am on my second trailer and no ones lights have ever bothered me. No one has ever said anything about it either.

[mtnlvr]

X2- get some Reflextic or cut sone foam core boards for the bunk bed windows. I did that to the windows around my bed. I like a dark sleeping area and got tired of RV parks bright lights coming thru my windows.