General caravan park etiquette

[Macca_75]

Hey guys,

We had our first stay at a Caravan park last weekend and it was warmish overnight.

We turned the aircon off around 8:30-9 however it got us wondering - was it the generally accepted etiquette around running the aircon overnight if needed? It was hot enough we could have probably run it over night at a slightly higher temp but didn't.

Should it be shut off when the park curfew kicks in or is it OK to run it overnight? We like to be considerate of our neighbours (if they have young kids in a camper vs. a middle age couple chatting in a full van - probably very different tolerance levels for noise).

Also, the fans supplied by Jayco in our opinion were actually more noisy that the aircon unit (well at least inside the van - I must check the noise level outside the van).

Aside from (not) running generators after a curfew, keeping chatting to an acceptably low level, stopping kids running through other sites, etc what other "general rules" of being a good caravaner should we think about?

Cheers

 

[Bellbirdweb]

We were originally concerned about the noise from the aircon as well, however taking a wander around the park at night and listening, its not too bad outside, and many other had theirs running.

We run it whenever it needed now, and have never had any complaints.

 

[Dobbie]

We tried that as well....keeping air con off late at night...but found we were the only ones!

I think the noise level is worse from old air cons but reckon it's the cycling on and off that disturbs the most.

As to etiquette.....far more important IMHO....to keep the noise from music and tvs down at all times, not only late at night. There are a lot of deaf old people who have no idea how loud their TVs is....and argue the toss if someone suggests it might be turned down. The problem is not the music or the tv but the need to turn it up while sitting outside and wanting to share with others!

and happy hour noise can increase exponentially according to the level of alcohol intake. Does anyone actually listen to the convoluted experiences shared as the same themes reoccur and are retold.

and I've noticed it used to be etiquette to empty toilet cassettes in the early morning or late evening. Now you see them emptied any time ...we do...but it used to be a slink to the dump point. Now it's normal.

I can go on for ages...so I'll stop....but what time do people think it's ok to march to the bathroom in pyjamas, robes, or other sleeping gear? Only reason I ask is that I was asked myself a while ago and hadn't really thought about it.
Not @Crusty181 ....he lacks clothes at times.

Since then I find myself counting them....get a life! My pjs aren't fit to be seen.

 

[Brad77]

Run it all night. The noise is minimal. As for only emptying the toilet in the morning or arvo......thats a new one. How does it affect anyone what time someone dumps their crap???

 

[Bluey]

Yes if its hot enough run it all night everyone else will if it was freezing everyone would have it going for the heater empty your crapper when you like

 

[warren cook]

We set our A/C to a higher temp so it only kicks in then, you will find the right temp for your van. We also close of the two side louvre as this pushes the A/C out the remaining two sides harder towards the front and rear of the van, no good having the a/c aiming straight at the kitchen window and the fridge.

We also started to use the fan instead of the a/c but then went back to just the a/c, I don't believe it is a nuisance noise as opposed to laughing etc late at night.

 

[Dobbie]

The point I was making...or trying to make...was not whether air cons should be used, or how to use them...but that older vans often have dodgy and old air cons. They're the ones that cycle on and off ....very loudly...and can cause noise problems. I know, I've suffered.....often .....and ours was relatively quiet.

As to emptying cassettes, I was responding to a question about etiquette. That used to be the case ....often observed...but it obviously makes no difference at all, at all when stinky gets dumped. Tongue in cheek comment, not finger up anything hollow. In days gone by when bodily functions were not discussed!

And I agree with the loud laughing intrusion...it's always difficult to live in close proximity to anyone else ...and some social gatherings just seem to go on and on

 

[gspy4u]

If it's not too load (old units) then generally everyone else will have theirs running anyway. Also, the parks now charge a fortune for sites so you might as well use the power as they're certainly making you pay for it these days.

 

[davemc]

Normally I have no problems with people chatting to late as I am guilty of it @mfexpanda @Bluey know and I don't drink
Air cond no problems really although I am legally deaf now
It depends on what your neighbours have if a full van there most likely not to hear you.

Yes TV noise or when we did Tocmwal last I heard that those across from us where up having a fry up and beer at 3am.
I slept through it so did Sarah in our full van, although BIL has a camper trailer so he hears bees fart

The only things I normally have a gripe with in a caravan park.
Are speeding cars and kids playing ball games next to your van/car when there normally a free spot just down the road..

 

[bigcol]

probably the best bit of advice for Caravan Park Etiquette I was ever given


dont be a d1ck
use your head
remember, would you like it if others did that to you...............

 

[Bellbirdweb]

remember, would you like it if others did that to you...............

Always try to live by that

 

[rags]

Caravan park etiquette!
Make sure if swerve is staying in the same park that you turn off his water, he'll appreciate that:dance:

 

[Crusty181]

On the topic of Caravan Park Etiquette ... cause I love sticking to the topic ... we had a violent drunken 3am rolling Maori gang turf war in the Taruah Big4 a couple of weeks back. Is that Ok ... or not Ok ??? ... Bro. The caravan park deemed it Ok, because they didn't intervene nor kick them out

 

[davemc]

not sure I would get involved with a Maori gang bro so I say that ok bro

 

[Dobbie]

They be bigger, stronger and everything else ...than me!

So, I'd turn on my aircon, curl up with a good glass of red, put out a sign supporting the All Blacks and try to ignore them..
then,......next morning, I'd get up and deliver the contents of my cassette (or at least a spill) together with the prawn shells I'd been keeping ...right next to them.

Then I'd talk seriously to the caravan park operator (keeping well out of the sight line of the sleeping Giants) and tell him he has to deal with it.

then I'd post on Wikicamps and any other place I could think of...but I'd be a total coward and keep away from them.

I've been abused too many times when I've gently suggested that noise travels and affects others. I've now learned to be a wimp.

 

[bigcol]

I've been abused too many times when I've gently suggested that noise travels and affects others. I've now learned to be a wimp.

and thats the thing

when people dont recognize that what they are doing is annoying / harming others

the attitude is what gets my goat - I'm alright - sod you

its not being a wimp @Dobbie its picking your battle grounds

 

[bigcol]

On the topic of Caravan Park Etiquette ... cause I love sticking to the topic ... we had a violent drunken 3am rolling Maori gang turf war in the Taruah Big4 a couple of weeks back. Is that Ok ... or not Ok ??? ... Bro. The caravan park deemed it Ok, because they didn't intervene nor kick them out

the Cuzzy Bro's were letting off a little steam mate
chillax

 

[Drover]

Thats about covered the lot I reckon..............loud music/TV, Doof, Doof really gets me agro though, screaming women and kids and noisy big mouth blokes and yippy yappy dogs usually by people who talking to does no good as they are just stupid anyway so why waste your breath........................................evilness comes to the front at a later time with a prawn head deposit.......
Overall I like to be a nice bloke and not disturb others, prefer parks where your not camped on each others doorstep..................

Use to prefer taking Ole Stinky for walkies early but now gets taken for walkies when I damn well please, though occasionally when it gets it's way.

No fish heads in the rubbish bins please.............I always try to drop the empty wine bottles gently into the bin also...

Don't smoke next to someone else's van, especially mine...............there are subtle ways to get the message across, like with a hose.

 

[Dobbie]

With @Drover's list to remind me......I forgot about the major domestic we heard last year at Coffin Bay.

She wanted to go shopping, he got out his fishing rods and gear and just sat in the car....she started arguing, he ignored her, she got louder...he got out of the car and got a beer,.....then it started!

It went on for a good hour....it was more amusing than intrusive....some funny descriptions of each other...and we've all been there but all the neighbours were quietly taking bets on the outcome....

She won. They went shopping and came back with extra beer so I guess it was a stalemate.

One thing it did do was get others communicating and smiling....there but for the grace of God, go I!

 

[Drover]

What about when there getting ready to leave, starts the vehicle and leave it running as they pull down, annex, pack everything away then hook up, all in all about 30 mins, engine rumbling at 0630...................................................some people are oblivious to there surroundings, can only see themselves.
I won't even use the rattle gun to wind the legs unless it's the middle of the day, unless my neighbours have been a pain then I don't care.