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After three and a half years of full-time RV living across countless campgrounds and boondocking spots, we’ve seen it all. And let’s be honest – some RV behaviors create serious tension between neighbors. Today, we’re diving into the three most controversial topics in the RV community: leaving lights on at night, off-leash dogs, and generator usage. We’re sharing our unfiltered opinions, personal experiences (including one that still gives me PTSD), and asking you to weigh in.
The Unwritten Rules That Divide the RV Community
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-time nomad like us, you’ve probably encountered situations that made you wonder, “Is this okay?” The challenge is that what seems perfectly reasonable to one RVer can be incredibly frustrating to their neighbor.
We’ve experienced these issues from both sides – sometimes we’re the ones making the mistake, and sometimes we’re the ones dealing with an inconsiderate neighbor. The key? Understanding different perspectives and, most importantly, being willing to have respectful conversations.
Why These Topics Get So Heated
RV living brings people from all walks of life into very close quarters. Unlike traditional neighborhoods where you might have significant distance between homes, RV parks can have you parked mere feet from your neighbor. Add in the fact that people are trying to relax and enjoy their vacation or lifestyle, and tensions can run high when someone’s behavior impacts your experience.
Topic #1: Leaving Your Porch Lights On All Night
This might seem like a minor issue, but it’s one that comes up constantly in RV forums and Facebook groups. Should you leave your awning lights, side lights, or underbelly lights on all night?
The Arguments For:
- Safety and security concerns – deterring potential thieves
- Need to take pets out during the night
- Preventing trips and falls when stepping outside
- “If my lights bother you, get better blackout shades”
The Arguments Against:
- Light pollution directly into neighbors’ windows
- Disrupts sleep even with blackout shades
- Creates unnecessary disturbance in dark sky areas
- Common courtesy in close quarters
Our Take: We separate this into campground versus boondocking situations. At campgrounds where you’re packed in tight, we believe in being considerate of your neighbors. Turn lights on when you need them, then turn them off. The exception? Motion-sensor lights or underbelly lights (which are far less intrusive).
When boondocking in dark sky areas, leaving bright lights on all night defeats the purpose of being out in nature. We want to see the stars, enjoy the campfire, and experience the darkness. If you need light for safety while moving around, absolutely use it – just turn it off when you go to bed.
Topic #2: Off-Leash Dogs and Barking
This is the topic that really gets Barry fired up – and for good reason. I’ve been attacked by off-leash dogs THREE times in our three and a half years on the road. The most recent incident involved a large German Shepherd that pulled out of its collar and viciously attacked Hugo while we were walking on a leash in a campground. I still have PTSD from this experience.
The Barking Problem: We’ve all heard it – the dog (or dogs) that bark incessantly when their owners leave. Or the small dogs in their outdoor pen that start barking at 5:30 AM at every passerby. It’s frustrating for everyone around, especially when you’re trying to enjoy your vacation or get some sleep.
The Off-Leash Debate: Every campground we’ve ever stayed at has clear rules: dogs must be on leash. Yet we constantly see people ignoring this rule because “my dog is friendly” or “he’s old and docile.”
Here’s the problem: My dog doesn’t know your dog is friendly. When an off-leash dog comes running up to Hugo (who is always leashed), he perceives it as an attack and reacts accordingly. There’s also a psychology to this – a leashed dog feels at a disadvantage and becomes more defensive.
Our Strong Opinion: All dogs should be on leash in campgrounds, period. It’s not just the rules – it’s about safety for your dog, our dog, and everyone involved. If your “friendly” dog runs up to my leashed dog and gets hurt in the ensuing scuffle, guess whose dog gets blamed? Mine – even though I’m the one following the rules.
For Boondocking: We’re slightly more lenient when there’s significant distance between campers. But even then, your dog should stay in your camp area and not wander over to other sites.
And Please, Pick Up Your Dog’s Poop: This shouldn’t even need to be said, but here we are. Pick it up everywhere – campgrounds, boondocking spots, everywhere. It’s basic respect for the next person who camps there.
Topic #3: The Generator Wars
This debate primarily affects boondockers, though it can happen in campgrounds too. The question: Is it okay to run your generator for 12-16 hours a day when camping off-grid?
The Arguments For:
- No solar system or battery bank – generator is their only power source
- Medical needs (CPAP, oxygen, insulin refrigeration)
- Can’t afford expensive solar setups
- “It’s public land – I can do what I want”
The Arguments Against:
- Ruins the peaceful boondocking experience for everyone nearby
- Excessive noise pollution
- Shows lack of consideration for neighbors
- There are quieter alternatives available
Our Take: We’re understanding if someone runs their generator for a few hours to charge batteries or handle essentials. That’s reasonable. But running it constantly from dawn to dusk (or longer) because you refuse to invest in any battery capacity or power alternatives? That’s being “that guy.”
The reality is there are now affordable alternatives – portable power stations from companies like Bluetti and Anker, quieter inverter generators, and increasingly affordable solar options. If you’re planning to boondock regularly in hot weather and need AC 12+ hours a day, maybe reconsider your camping locations or timing.
We also understand the solar cost barrier is real – quality RV solar systems can run $10,000-$20,000. But there are middle-ground solutions that don’t require running a loud generator all day and night.
The Practical Approach: If you must run a generator frequently:
- Invest in a quality, quiet inverter generator
- Be mindful of “quiet hours” (typically 10 PM – 8 AM)
- Position it away from neighbors when possible
- Consider how long you’re staying – if it’s 14 days, that’s a lot of generator noise for your neighbors
The Real Solution: Communication Over Confrontation
Here’s what we’ve learned after years on the road: most people aren’t trying to be rude or inconsiderate. They simply don’t realize their actions are affecting others.
In our conversation-averse society, people would rather complain on social media than have a simple, respectful conversation with their neighbor. We’ve seen countless Facebook posts ranting about “rude RVers” when a simple, friendly conversation might have solved the problem.
How to Approach These Situations:
- Start with kindness: “Hey neighbor, can I ask you a favor?” is much better than accusations
- Explain the impact: “Your lights shine right into our bedroom and make it hard to sleep”
- Ask, don’t demand: “Would you mind turning them off at night?”
- Be understanding: They may have a legitimate reason you didn’t know about
- Offer solutions: Sometimes people just don’t know there’s a better way
When Someone Approaches You: If a neighbor comes to you with a concern, resist the urge to get defensive. Most likely, you had no idea you were causing a problem. A simple “Oh my gosh, I didn’t realize! Sure, no problem” goes a long way.
We’ve accidentally left our lights on overnight before. If someone had knocked on our door to let us know, we would have been grateful and apologetic, not offended.
What’s Your Take?
These aren’t black-and-white issues. There are valid arguments on multiple sides of each debate. We want to hear from you:
- Have you experienced these situations?
- How did you handle them?
- Do you agree or disagree with our perspectives?
- What other controversial RV topics would you add to this list?
Leave your comments on the video or join the conversation in our private Facebook community (available with our Full-Time RV Course).
Planning Your Full-Time RV Journey?
If you’re preparing to hit the road full-time, understanding RV etiquette is just one small piece of the puzzle. Our comprehensive course covers everything from choosing the right RV to handling mail on the road, budgeting realistically, and yes – navigating the social aspects of RV life.
Learn more about our Full-Time RV Course here
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, we’re all out here trying to enjoy this incredible lifestyle. A little awareness, consideration, and willingness to communicate can go a long way toward making the RV community a better place for everyone.
As Bill and Ted said: “Be excellent to one another.”
What controversial RV topics would you add to this list? Share your thoughts below!
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