Camping with Extended Family

We take a tent when people want to go with us. They stay in the tent and use the parks bathrooms. The next year we tell them that we are going on whatever date and the number they can call to make an reservation is.....
Our TT sleeps ten but the only invitations we give are to young grandchildren.
Some people love to go with family groups, we do not.

When we first went "family camping" with other families, we used a big cabin tent that we bought from an online discount place (Sportsman's Guide). It worked for us for 3 years, which helped in our decision to buy our own camper.

One of the other families we camped with those first years had a nice 24 foot TT. I asked him the first time we went out about using the toilet and shower in his TT, and his immediate response was "No". He added that he has to drain the black and grey tanks and keep everything clean... but he was adamant that basically only his own family go inside the camper. I was a little put off by this, but let it slide.

I did realize that one of the best things about a camper? The awning! Great to have the area for shade and sitting under in rainstorms.

A few years later when we bought our own TT, I understood his attitude.

So, you have to put your foot down, and say "No". I was in a similar situation with my brother-in-law, and we were adamant about our camper being off limits - I am sure he probably thought we were being stuck up snobs. You could welcome your brother and family to get their own campsite for a tent, but your camper is off limits. The conversation with your brother is going to not be great, try to be polite, but it will have to be taken care of. Good luck!

EldIr wrote:
Ann Landers always said, "No one can take advantage of you without your permission."

This about sums it up. There might be some hurt feelings at first, but he will get over it. No way would I allow that to happen to me. Good luck with it.

We can entertain 6 feed 4 and sleep 2.

You should make a sign with this quote modidifed for your family, and hang it on your TT where your brother can see it.

I read this quote on here and I repeat often. We can entertain 6 feed 4 and sleep 2.

We take our two oldest grandchildren (both 13 yrs old now)traveling with us during their summer vacations. They've done this for four years now. Yes, much more work for both of us...it's hard to believe how much a 13 yr old eats, let alone grey tanks, black tanks, fresh water tanks, ice, etc. etc. That said, it's fun to have them experience travel to (them) exotic places and different States.

There are alternatives. Many campgrounds have cabins for rent that aren't as expensive as hotels/motels. If they can't afford a large family tent, perhaps you could find one on Craigslist, Goodwill, EBay etc and present it to them as a Christmas "gift". We used to tow a tent trailer behind the coach for the kids to sleep in. Cooking was done in the rig, but the kids slept in the trailer.

It's been my experience that visitors don't understand the RVing lifestyle, especially if you're on a fixed income. One of my rules is if I supply the RV, you supply the food and beverages. My rig only sleeps TWO, but I've slept as many as six before and wow! short stays only! Surprising how small the RV becomes as the days pass.....Dennis

Just curious, but why did you get a B/H that sleeps so many if you don't like company?

I can sympathize with you but not empathize with you. Our "extended family" on both sides thinks we are absolutely nuts to want to go out in the woods to sleep in a camper when there are perfectly good hotels and motels available nearby. Little to they know..

Spent a week this summer at Campland on the Bay in San Diego with 3 of our children, their spouses, their kids, a few friends...the RV was the basecamp and each group had their own tents. Sure, the kids teamed up but that was their choice. Everyone was expected to help and everyone did. It was exhausting! But after doing this for a few years I have learned not to try to "herd cats." And this type of camping is limited to once or twice a year.
But again, everyone brings their own sleeping place, and everyone pitches in.
Best to you and Happy Trails.

Sometimes extended family in their own trailer a space or 2 away is still to close.

Tell Cousin Eddie he needs to get a tent. If the theme park doesn't allow tents, he'll need to save up for a hotel room or stay home.

If you feed the stray dog when he shows up at the back door, eventually, you'll have a new dog.