Leaving outside camper lights on?

Campgrounds at which we've hosted have asked us to remind people that quiet hours also apply to external lighting. If the campers are not actually outside, then during quiet hours bright external lights should be off.

I wondered things like low level rope lights, some Christmas lights over the picnic table, etc - and realized I had a solution. The same timers I used for my Christmas lights at home work great for an RV.

I generally avoid leaving on any white light - because they tend to attract bugs. I've found that the colors which minimize the number of bugs tend to be in the blue range. Just my experience, yours may vary.

IMHO. Turn em off and thanks for asking !

jarata1 wrote:
Thank you but if your outside its ok to leave them on? As long as they aren't bothering anyone

Feel free to use lights outside when your are outside and need them! You will see many people using those very bright propane camping lanterns on the picnic tables. Just keep in mind, when it gets late at night (after 10pm or so depending on the situation), you should turn down the light intensity so you don't bother neighbors. Plus, when you are sitting around the campfire who wants bright artificial light?

Leaving your "porch" light on under your awning... well, one thing that hasn't been brought up is INSECTS! I only use my porch light when I need it, and shut it off as soon as possible. Mine is a yellow / amber color that isn't supposed to attract insects, but depending on the season all sorts of wonderful flying bugs will show up shortly if the light stays on for any length of time.

For some reason, hanging lights off the end of the awning doesn't seem to be as bad regarding attracting insects. We sometimes hang pink flamingo string lights, or spider (Halloween) lights, or just "standard" Christmas lights off the end of the awning for fun. These are much less bright than other lights, but still provide some lighting for the area.

As with everything camping, just use common sense and common courtesy. Imagine if you are in the camper or tent next to your campsite - would you want someone's lights on all night next to you?

Again - if you need lights at night, use them. Just shut them off when you don't need them.

jarata1 wrote:
First time for us this weekend does anyone leave any of the outside camper lights on when they go to sleep

No No No please do not leave the lights on at night! Had a neighbor RV'er leave his flood lights on and their lights just shine right through everyone's blinds, felt nice I was taking a nap during the day instead of sleeping during the night.

We have amber LED over next to the door lights and leave them on only when we head to the bathroom.

All it will take is the first time you are parked next to a 5th wheel and they leave their 'scare lights' on all night to understand the gist of leaving outside RV lights on at night. :W:B:W

Only annoying city folks do that ;)

I use outside lights as needed. I've set up lights outside on table for dinner in campgrounds where this seems to be the norm. But I see no point in running them any longer than needed for the job. I do not sleep with any outside lights on.

Sorry Jarata, you stumbled onto a sore subject that comes up here as a rant at least once a year. That's why you got some less-than-helpful replies.

Unless of course you're trolling, then you got exactly what you asked for :)

DrewE wrote:
If you're outside and need light, go ahead and use the lights without being inconsiderate. That's kind of their purpose, after all--to light things up outside so you can see.

If the light is anything like the porch light on my RV, it might not make much of a difference for doing stuff outside. It's rather on the puny side. I keep a couple of those little round pop-up LED flashlights/lanterns near the door for actual outdoor eating, etc. when its dark.

Sorry, quoted wrong message :)