We having on the road a lot lately. We have been woke up three time by DP's running very early in the morning, during quiet hours. I know some people like to get an early start. However, I think it would be polite to the other campers to wait until quiet hours are over. As I said this happened 3 times. So I have been asking about quiet hours rules at campgrounds. Many more than half said the rules include not running a DP during quiet hours. To those of you who own a DP,I am sure your thoughtfulness would be appreciated in this matter.

Are you talking about idling or getting on the road?

You won't win this battle, it's been around since the first DP and diesel pickups. Many diesel pickups are much louder than most DP motorhomes. Those folks many times leave early for work and there's not much they can do about the noise.It's hard to police when someone needs to leave a campground, and if it's a DP they need to air up the suspension or they can't move. Believe me, when I need to leave early I go get out as fast as I can, but unfortunately I still need to air up.

I am talking about idling for a long time before going on the road.

Corkey05 wrote:You won't win this battle, it's been around since the first DP and diesel pickups. Many diesel pickups are much louder than most DP motorhomes. Those folks many times leave early for work and there's not much they can do about the noise.It's hard to police when someone needs to leave a campground, and if it's a DP they need to air up the suspension or they can't move. Believe me, when I need to leave early I go get out as fast as I can, but unfortunately I still need to air up.I don't own a diesel pusher or diesel pickup and never will. But at the same time I never saw (heard) a problem with them running and leaving the campground in the wee hours of the morning for work or to get an early start on the road. Diesels are loud. That's the nature of the beast.When going out to view wildlife such as elk or if leaving for another destination, I like getting up and leaving at the crack of dawn. Nicest time of day and a lot less traffic on the road. :)

My routine is to get ready to leave, start the coach and air up the suspension. Takes about 4-5 minutes depending on how low the air is. I then turn the coach off to pull in the slides. I then complete my checklist, start up and leave. So, you're going to hear my diesel for about 10 minutes until I'm gone. Not much different, IMO, than listening to someone trying to hook up their pull behind with two way radios squawking, yelling back and forth at each other or all the other noises you hear when packing up. Quiet time is for radios, tvs generators etc. not diesel engines. If you want total quiet, you might check the link below...DennisThat is, unless you were sitting up until 2-3am next to your smelly campfire talking. In that case, I will leave the coach on high idle until I'm ready to go.:W.....DennisQuiet campgrounds in AZ

running DP's durining quiet hours | Good Sam Community

creeper
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
2gypsies wrote:

We've volunteered in campgrounds for 16 years. We've never been in a campground where 'quiet hours' applies to coming or going of vehicles.

However, diesels do not have to idle to 'warm up'. By the time you drive out of the campground it's warmed up.

During our volunteering we listened to more trucks idling than motorhomes.

There is a difference between coming/going and excessive idling.
J-Rooster
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
I agree, your preaching to the choir with me!
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 12, 2015
FIRE UP wrote:
On the other side of the coin, there's the Diesel units. About 99.999% of them DO HAVE AIR BAG SUSPENSION. And, at least about 99.99% of them empty the bags for camping. So, what that means is, when it comes time for leaving, they must AIR UP THE AIR BAGS, in order to have suspension. And, the engines air compressor is the component that does that.

If they know they are leaving early would it be so hard to air up at 7p the evening before?

I have a gasser but still I still make an effort to roll out quite when we go early.
DSDP_Don
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
"the silverback"......I understand your complaint and I'm sure you asked several campgrounds about their quiet time rules, but I'm guessing you asked in such a way that you got the answer you were hoping to get (a violation of their rules). I'm also guessing that several had to hold back laughter.

Quiet time refers to no loud music, talking or other activities, other than pulling into or out of a campsite. I'll admit that on occasion, I've seen some campgrounds that don't allow arrivals after a certain time, but it's a little arrogant to think that someone's departure time should revolve around you.

What happens if you have a family emergency and need to head home immediately, or you see there is some imposing weather moving into your next days drive....do you wait until quiet time hours are over or get an early start?
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Nov 12, 2015
the silverback wrote:
As I said in my post after being awakened 3 times I asked what the policy regarding running a DP before quiet hours were over a lot of campgrounds. Again over half of them said it violated the quiet hour rules.

We've volunteered in campgrounds for 16 years. We've never been in a campground where 'quiet hours' applies to coming or going of vehicles.

However, diesels do not have to idle to 'warm up'. By the time you drive out of the campground it's warmed up.

During our volunteering we listened to more trucks idling than motorhomes.
creeper
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
I feel your pain. I've run into those DP owners who think they have to run their DP for 40 minutes plus at 5am. Same goes for those with 5th wheels who think their trucks need to run for 40 minute plus while they pack up at 5am.

Rudeness comes in all forms not just DP owners, but they seem to be the worst offenders and the type I run across most often. On more then one occasion I had to yell out the window to shut the dang thing off at 5:30 in the AM.

Had a guy crank up his generator at 5:30am, and when I walked out the door at 6am to have a chat with him he's all smiles and says "good morning" with a big smile. As I lit into him his smile quickly evaporated, his excuse was that his wife needed her hair dryer and they already unhooked and packed up and he didn't want to drag his cord out again.

Morning people think everyone is up at that hour or should be up at that hour.
lj2654
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
When I travel I try to wait until quiet time is over in the am, but sometimes depending on where you are and where you are headed dictates what makes the most sense.

Sometimes you have to leave a site earlier than after quiet time is over, so you can dump at a non sewer site, or because of knowing what the am traffic outside the campground is in early morning rush hour. That's the reality of it.
We have to air up our suspension with the coach running and put the slides in, some running and some not. I don't think anyone intentionally intends to be rude(maybe a few %)I hate to have to leave earlier than quiet times but I have to do it so I do it as quick as possible.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2015
It is the issue with lot of other things.
My friend lives in quiet neighborhood.
His neighbor drive Prius to work, but on nice days he fires up his Harley in the morning.
Nobody sleeps then.
the_silverback
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
As I said in my post after being awakened 3 times I asked what the policy regarding running a DP before quiet hours were over a lot of campgrounds. Again over half of them said it violated the quiet hour rules. If this has got to be such an issue that it is effecting campground rules, I got to believe it is effecting more campers than just me. I do understand that a certain procedure must be followed starting a DP, having driven them. I just believe it could be done at 8 in the morning rather than 5 or 6 in most cases.
azrving
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
WILDEBILL308 wrote:
Here is my thoughtfulness on this subject.
Why is it always about Diesel Pushers? What you were disturbed 3 times!!! How can that be!!! Everyone should know YOU are the only ones that matter.
I think this is about DP envy.
I was in over 40 campgrounds this summer and didn't have a problem with DP's coming in late or leaving early. :B :S
Bill

My best DP find this season was the guy doing 45 or 50 on the Mackinaw bridge with the illuminated flashing yellow wind advisory sign stating 25 MPH HIGH WINDS. I just laughed and watched the show but he made it across. No Nancy Pluhar entertainment. :)