Unwritten Rules Of The RV Park That You Should Know

Unwritten Rules Of The RV Park That You Should Know

When you check into an RV park you’ll almost always receive a list of campground rules. As you dutifully check it out, you’ll typically see there are campground quiet hours, rules about not killing the grass with your camping rug, keeping pets on leashes,  and a host of other rules. These rules help keep campground managers and RVers happy.  However, those aren’t the only rules at the campground you should be aware of.  There are also some unwritten rules for good campground conduct that new RVers )or some seasoned ones) may not be aware of. Knowing these rules will save you from becoming a social outcast in the RV park. 

The Unwritten Rules Of The RV Park

1. Allow other RVers as much space as possible.

Depending on the layout and how busy it is, you might arrive at an RV park and there are lots of empty campsites available. If this is the case, try to give other RVers space and privacy by not taking a site right next door to them if there are other sites available.    

2. Know when to offer help with backing up

Everybody has their own system for backing their RV into a campsite.  Some people may take a little longer at parking their rig than others do, especially if they are new at it.  Like everything else in life, learning to back a trailer into a campsite is a process that requires practice. If you immediately jump in to back them into their spot, they will never get a chance to get the practice they need.

The general rule is that if they are going to hit something, you should by all means go ahead and stop them from hitting it. Then you can ask them if they need a hand. If they aren’t going to hit anything, and they aren’t completely floundering,  leave them alone and let them take their own sweet time backing into their campsite.

3. Let new neighbors get set up before you go over and say “Hi”

RVers are often friendly, fun people. You may be excited to meet your new neighbors when they arrive at their site next to yours.  No matter how excited you are, you should always wait until your new neighbors are set up and settled in before you go over to meet them. Getting set up requires attention and focus. It’s hard to have either of these when you are being interrupted by a well-meaning neighbor. 

The exception to this rule will be when the new neighbors accidentally parked partially in your campsite or over some sort of hazard (like a hornet’s nest). Then you definitely don’t want to watch them get all set up and then tell them about it.  

4.  Avoid knocking on a door

Because RVs are such small spaces, it can be really jarring to have a sudden knock on the door.  If you want to visit with the neighbor, call or text them just before you are headed over to their rig. If this isn’t possible, just stand a civilized distance away from their door and loudly ask something along the lines of “Anybody home?”   

Never stand directly in front of their door while you wait for them to answer. Not only could you get hit by the door when they answer it, but you might accidentally infringe on their privacy. Unless your neighbor knows you well, they probably don’t want you looking inside their rig.   

After you alert the RV neighbor you are potentially visiting with your voice,  stand well back and to the side. This will give them space to open the door while still respecting their privacy.

5.  Keep a quiet campsite

Try not to be a noisy neighbor.  Even outside of the RV park’s quiet hours: 

• Don’t play loud music 
• Don’t yell or talk loudly 
• Have the kids keep it to a dull roar  
• Don’t let your dog bark at everyone passing by your campsite
• If you must use a generator, stick to the posted hours.  

6. Never unplug or plug in someone else’s RV power cable

Most appliances and electronics in any RV depend on a steady supply of power. Electronics are delicate and can be damaged when power to the RV is suddenly cut off. Also, if you see a power cable that is unplugged, chances are it’s unplugged for a good reason. It didn’t get unplugged by accident. Leave it alone. Never mess with anyone else’s power connection. 

7.  Keep your smoking or vaping to yourself

If you smoke or vape, keep your smoke to yourself as much as possible. This can be difficult when RV sites are close together, but it can be done. Possible solutions include:

• Take your smoke inside your rig
• Go out to the park roadway to partake in your habit away from other RVs

8. Never shortcut through RV sites

You wouldn’t want someone walking through your own RV site, so don’t invade the privacy of other RVers by walking through their campsite. When someone pays to stay in a campsite, it’s exclusively for their use, not yours. It’s always rude to cut through someone else’s campsite.  

9. Don’t empty your tanks when your neighbors are sitting down for an outdoor meal

The odor from RV black tanks or gray tanks is gross. Perhaps surprisingly, this gross odor can waft beyond your sewer hookup to neighboring campsites. Instead of dumping the tanks when your neighbors are outside their RV, wait until they’re inside their RV or away from their campsite.

10. Don’t leave trash in the campfire ring

Campers leaving trash in an RV campsite fire ring is way too common. Who are these people who dispose of cans, bags of trash, dirty diapers, or cigarette butts in the campfire ring, anyway?   

If this is you, listen up: You probably don’t like cleaning other people’s trash out of a campfire ring before you can use it. Even RV park workers don’t like cleaning your trash out of the fire ring.  If you are in an RV park, there will be a trash can and/or recycling bin close to your campsite. Take all of your trash and recyclables there.  Never use the campfire ring to dispose of trash.

Conclusion:

All of the unwritten rules of good campground conduct are joined together by a single theme. That is, always treat other RVers in a way that you, yourself would like to be treated.  Let your fellow RVers enjoy as much privacy as possible. Don’t interfere with their ability to relax in their campsite without being unduly disturbed. Follow these simple rules and you’ll be helping to make sure everyone enjoys their stay at the RV park.

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Source: https://rvlife.com/how-to-be-a-good-rv-park-neighbor/