Community Forums

JanBCarter · 12-08-2005, 04:51 AM

We're just completing our first extended trip covering some 7000 miles over 4 weeks to see family and friends. Our most pressing question: How do you find a quiet place to overnight? We've used our Good Sam and Woodall guides in conjunction with Microsoft Streets & Trips and stayed in a wide variety of parks, virtually all of which (regardless of price) seemed to be situated right next to railroad tracks and/or highway off-ramps on which each truck seemed to test their jake brakes all night. Or like tonight at the Sun 'n Fun in Visalia, CA they're parks (right next to train tracks again) filled, not with RV'ers, but with workers at local construction projects who head to work from 4am to 6am and must warm up their diesel pickups for half an hour before departing. I'm not complaining about them, but about the circumstance that has us looking forward to getting off the road and back into our peaceful home bed for a decent night's sleep. What's the answer? We've tried ear plugs, white noise machines and parks some distance from the highway. Appreciate your suggestions to keep us continuing to RV.

JanBCarter · 12-08-2005, 04:51 AM

We're just completing our first extended trip covering some 7000 miles over 4 weeks to see family and friends. Our most pressing question: How do you find a quiet place to overnight? We've used our Good Sam and Woodall guides in conjunction with Microsoft Streets & Trips and stayed in a wide variety of parks, virtually all of which (regardless of price) seemed to be situated right next to railroad tracks and/or highway off-ramps on which each truck seemed to test their jake brakes all night. Or like tonight at the Sun 'n Fun in Visalia, CA they're parks (right next to train tracks again) filled, not with RV'ers, but with workers at local construction projects who head to work from 4am to 6am and must warm up their diesel pickups for half an hour before departing. I'm not complaining about them, but about the circumstance that has us looking forward to getting off the road and back into our peaceful home bed for a decent night's sleep. What's the answer? We've tried ear plugs, white noise machines and parks some distance from the highway. Appreciate your suggestions to keep us continuing to RV.

Doggievet · 12-08-2005, 05:17 AM

Whenever it's possible, I try to stay in county or state parks. They usually are quieter. If that's not possible, and I've stayed in places where trains seem to run thru my bedroom all night, try one of the little 'machines' that make 'white' noise that block much of the extraneous noise.
Annie K. and Sparky the long-haired chihuahua
03 Journey DL 36LD
04 Saturn L300
Brake Buddy

RustyJC · 12-08-2005, 05:33 AM

Another trick is to set the A/C or furnace fan to run continuously at night. This can be pretty effective at masking outside noise as well as eliminating the sleep interruption (to me, at least) as the noise level changes when the fan cycles on and off.

Rusty

Cajun Paul · 12-08-2005, 05:58 AM

I mounted a 12 volt fan (Wal Mart $12) in the ceiling of our bedroom. We use it at night because it helps us stay cool in the summer. It is also a great "white noise" generator. I rarely hear anything going on outside.

pocoloco · 12-08-2005, 06:46 AM

Carter Caravan I choose state-county-corps-forest service-river authority or blm parks. Option #1 keep driving - Option #2 see

Option #1. Normally large sites with room to explore. I have had the same experience at private parks and I run three fans. Never have camped w/Wally but has to be better than past exp. An early morning or late night fisherman may wake ya but have a chat you may be a guest next outting.

Keep The Dust On Ya Boot

dirko · 12-08-2005, 10:18 AM

Hi Ho: We've been RVing for about 35 years now and notice that it is becomming more difficult to find quiet places. One solution is to go places that are inherently quiet and don't bother with campgrounds at all. Until recently we just find a quiet place away from traffic and park the motor home. If you travel on highways and want to park on highways at campgrounds, this automatically means traffic. Try the Farely Canyon near the Hite Marina on Lake Powell--it's quiet. However, what you bring is what you have.

Rich & Zara · 12-08-2005, 09:58 PM

We must be lucky here in the beautiful Northwest as noisy places for camping has never caused us a problem.

When we crossed country 25 years ago, we stayed in state parks or KOA and found most of those to be off the beaten path. Is it still true that KOA's are located in quiet areas?

At any rate, here in the Pacific Northwest, I can point you to many parks that are quieter than quiet. Washington and Oregon has some great parks that one can thoroughly enjoy.

Rich & Zara

Our RV trip to Alaska

JanBCarter · 12-09-2005, 06:45 AM

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. To Rich & Zara I can confidently say NO...KOA's were among the worst, although I must attribute that to their easy accessibility usually near roads. To PocoLoco option #1 doesn't cut it for most of us who need all of our faculties to drive safely and considerately....."keep driving" puts more of us crabby old guys behind the wheel tired... just where you don't want a 40' RV and tow driver.... Thanks again to all.

Sissy7378 · 12-10-2005, 12:58 PM

A lot of the RV parks (private) are closer to the main access roads and also noise. We have been full timing for four years and find state parks, federal parks, Corp. of Engineer parks, city parks and small town parks are quiet. We have stayed in Vegas not far off the strip and it was not bad except for sirens at all hours. In FL we have stayed at many state parks and federal parks and they are very quiet. I agree that KOAs are handy to get to most times but close to busy highways. One town did not have a park but told us to go out by their cemetery and we did, it was very quiet there.

Don & Mary Ellen Cyr · 12-11-2005, 05:37 AM

We full-time and stay mostly in Corps/National/state parks, finding most to be quiet, lovely places to stay. (Also cheaper!)

I use a CPAP machine and an oxygen generator at night, so there is lots of white noise and we sleep pretty well for a couple of old fuddy duddies.

Mary Ellen

96PSD · 12-11-2005, 02:44 PM

I had to laugh at myself when one night I stopped at a Pilot truck stop late at night and parked and already shut down crawled into the trailer when suddenly all I heard was "Shower number 234 is ready" and then another 15 mins later "#235" and so on and so on....hahah laugh is on me. I had parked almost right under the loudspeaker that night. I've stayed at the Flying J in VA exit 104. I'm used to the truck sounds and I just tune it out.

Alarmguy · 12-11-2005, 05:58 PM

I spent 24 years in the Navy and served in 10 different ships, I can sleep in the median of a busy freeway during rush hour, if it is too quite I have trouble getting to sleep.

Terry

Full-Timers · 12-11-2005, 06:12 PM

Motorhomes with dual pane windows are quieter but that would require a greater expense. A less expensive way to go is to join a membership campground such as Thousand Trails or Coast to Coast. These are usually off the beaten path and should be quieter.