Community Forums

COCJ · 03-26-2023, 04:09 PM

Just got back from a trip to AZ with our ATVs and our Class C. We usually boondock and we mooch camped at my brother in law's place for five days. On our way back to CO we decided to stay at an RV park in Monument Valley, UT the last night. I figured we could get a full hookup which would allow us to dump our tanks and have electricity to run heater etc. Pulled into our site and it was not level. Leveled up our rig. Hooked up my sewer hose to the site's drain pipe and opened my drain valve. Immediately the drain pipe backed up and there was raw sewage all over. Waited to see if it would drain and it didn't. So had to disconnect my hose full of raw sewage which spilled all over my shoes and my hands. Went up to the campground office to tell them what happened. They gave us a new site - no apologies for what happened. Went to new site and again it was not level. Got everything hooked up and settled in at 7:00 PM (3 hours after we arrived). Invariably we were assigned a site right below one of the campground's light poles. About 10:00PM this guy shows up with his brand new giant Newmar New Aire Motorcoach. As soon as he pulls in, the 1,000,000 candlepower landing lights turn on and stay on all night!(saw a separate discussion on this topic recently on this forum) He was three sites away with no one between us. Even with the shades pulled we could still see the lights. I felt sorry for the people parked next to him. Even the next day they stayed on during the daytime! Monument Valley is a Dark Sky area. People come here to stargaze. Bright lights ruin it. I know that there are a lot of people on this forum that basically live in RV parks. Hopefully, you have better experiences. I just have a low tolerance for poor conditions and inconsiderate jerks that don't care about their neighbors. Maybe they are too stupid to realize that leaving their bright lights on all night might bother their neighbors...?

**Camp CA** · 03-26-2023, 05:33 PM

Very sorry for the inconvenience, with blocked/backed-up dump and annoying neighbor's lights.....sounds like a one-off as we have never seen that in 20+ years camping in private rv parks. One suggestion.......dump one of our gray tanks first and with the partially open valve to make sure our sewer line is secure and the dump is not blocked/backed-up.

BayRunner · 03-26-2023, 05:47 PM

Your experience definitely was not a good one. However, I don’t think it is the norm. Yes, there are non level sites all over the place so it’s good to be prepared for that. However, backed up sewer drains are not the norm. Also, inconsiderate guests also exist but again are the exception. Personally, I do not like to arrive at a CG after dark. Makes it hard to get your bearings and line of site. If I’m running late on a travel day into the night I try to find a parking lot somewhere until morning.

RV Driver · 03-26-2023, 05:48 PM

We’ve been staying in RV parks for ten years, on literally every trip. We’ve never experienced anything even close to this.

burgmark · 03-26-2023, 05:57 PM

I often wonder if people don't realize they are annoying others or if they just don't care? I often wonder if I should say something to them in case they don't realize that they are being annoying, or just stay quiet?

I also try to not arrive after quiet hours, but I can see how it might happen on occasion (and it has happened next to me). Last year we moved sites because the neighbors were loud after quiet hours. They were not speaking loud, but just had a gathering of 10+ people including children and the sum of them was loud right next to our bedroom slide out at 11:00 p.m.

Rexlion · 03-26-2023, 07:42 PM

I seldom stay in RV parks, because I'm too cheap. (I admit it.)

153stars · 03-26-2023, 09:10 PM

I wonder if roof spot light in their bedroom window would be fair play.

Newmar2856 · 03-26-2023, 09:43 PM

Did you stop and talk to him? Maybe he didn’t realize he left his light on.

Sounds like you had a bad day, but why flame the guy anonymously in a forum and call out his choice of motorhome. Is it a jealousy thing?

People are too quick to sit behind their keyboards and flame people instead of talking with them. I had the same thing happen and the gentleman next to me brought it to my attention. I felt bad as I never intended to interfere with his or anyone else’s trip.

Stuff happen.

Reprobate · 03-26-2023, 09:58 PM

Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for you. Well, maybe a little for the backed up sewer drain. That truly sucks.
You were already parked under a park security light pole, so how much brighter can his lights be from 3 spots away? And you were in an RV park where folks come and go at all hours. Not everyone travels with your schedule habits.
I am surprised if any spot in any RV park is level. Most are not, in my experience.
Once we go in and shut our blinds, I could care less about outside light. Our shades work pretty well, but we also have additional black out shades in the bedroom, so lights and early morning sun don't bother us. Something to think about.
I think you were already peeved, and for some reason this guy in a fancy rig set you off enough to rant about it in a forum. Life is too short to sweat the little stuff, and this was definitely little stuff.

Donskiman · 03-26-2023, 10:02 PM

We've had the issue with a big Class A being all lit up all night. It's very annoying. IMO, there's no excuse for a private RV park to have unlevel sites. We've also experienced that, but not often. Never had a sewer issue like you had.

cadillac_al · 03-27-2023, 07:16 AM

It's a fact, city people are scared of the dark and leave lights on all night long. City people and country folks will never coexist.

glwinger · 03-27-2023, 07:32 AM

I have been tempted a few times to shut the pole breaker off on people that insist keeping their site lit up like an amusement park all night.

I can just imagine them trying to figure out in the morning why the breaker tripped.

bigb56 · 03-27-2023, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glwinger

I have been tempted a few times to shut the pole breaker off on people that insist keeping their site lit up like an amusement park all night.

I can just imagine them trying to figure out in the morning why the breaker tripped.

Anyone smart enough can tell the difference between a breaker that has tripped and one that was switched off manually.

Reprobate · 03-27-2023, 07:50 AM

Some folks get grumpier as they age, becoming true curmudgeons. It doesn't matter what the situation is, they will find fault, especially in other folks.
We have met many RVing curmudgeons. We avoid them. Life is too short to be unhappy. We try to follow the adage, "Don't sweat the little stuff, and it is all little stuff". It usually works.
It is great being retired and traveling. We meet many wonderful people and see some truly marvelous sights. Occasionally we find ourselves parked next to a jerk. Chances are, one of us is leaving soon. But I will not let them ruin my day.
Don't be a curmudgeon.