Camping with the Sound Police

[TomG2]

This is not intended to be another quiet generator versus noisy generator discussion, but I am curious where people camp who run their generators for much of the day. I am a full timer and travel extensively. I use my generator for overnight parking in Walmarts etc. I either stay at parks with hookups or where none are needed. I do not go camping where I need to hear my generator or yours all day and all night.

[toedtoes]

TomG2 wrote:
I still ask the question, "Do people really park next to each other in campgrounds and run their generators?" Why not park farther apart, or choose campgrounds with hookups instead of being aggravated by your neighbor, whether his generator is Red, Blue, or Yellow? Or is it more fun to complain? We have a few of those here.

Where I camp, there are no hookups - anywhere. There is no option to park "further apart" because the campsites are established and they fill up during the season (and close off-season). So, Jake with his generator could come in, park halfway around the campground from me (without a generator), and within a few hours, the 20 sites between us are filled with folks with and without generators.

Again, as long as the generator owner is following the rules of the campground, then it's my problem and I need to get over it or go elsewhere. If the generator owner is ignoring the rules, then it's his/her problem and he/she needs to get over it or go elsewhere. It really isn't that difficult until people start trying put their own wants above the rules (and that's on both sides of the argument).

[TomG2]

I still ask the question, "Do people really park next to each other in campgrounds and run their generators?" Why not park farther apart, or choose campgrounds with hookups instead of being aggravated by your neighbor, whether his generator is Red, Blue, or Yellow? Or is it more fun to complain? We have a few of those here.

[toedtoes]

The way I see it is as long as you follow the rules, then you're fine.

If the rules say "generators between 6 and 8 a.m. and 4-8 p.m., and you insist on running it at midnight, then YOU are in the wrong; If you are running it at 7 p.m. and someone else complains, then THEY are in the wrong.

If you want to be able to run your generator all day and night and/or at will, then you need to pick campgrounds/camp spots that allow that.

If you want to not hear a generator all day and night, then you need to pick campgrounds/camp spots that don't allow that.

If you are boondocking, then be courteous. Don't park next to someone and start running the generator non-stop. Maybe ask them (they were there first) if they have a problem if you run it all day and night and maybe even explain why you want to run it and why you want to park next to them.

I suspect most people would say "no problem, please do what you need" if you explained that your child has medical devices that run on electrical but this is his favorite place to fish. Be prepared for the neighbors (who were there first) to say they do have a problem with the generator and be prepared to move away to another spot - don't just ignore their wants because you think yours are more important. Heck, maybe a conversation with them will result in finding a new perfect fishing spot.

Maybe if both sides would take a moment to COMMUNICATE instead of ASSUMING, we'd find fewer problems with the use of generators, scare lights, and so on.

It's really a shame that compromise has been lost to our society.

[SoundGuy]

bcbouy wrote:
i firmly believe that if you need to take your house with you to camp in the forest,you should stay home.

jake2250 wrote:
What ever,,,,,I don't see camping as a game of Survivor. We like to bring our house with us!! Well a small portion of our house!

And therein is the crux of the matter with using a generator while camping that will never be resolved no matter how many times it's discussed here on the forums. :R

Geez next people will be complaining how LOUD my outside lights are!

You're late to the party ... that complaint has already be rehashed here on the forums countless times as well. :W

[azrving]

.

[2oldman]

jake2250 wrote:
What ever,,,,,I don't see camping as a game of Survivor.

I don't either, although it seems to be common. Some seem to think water is $100/gallon.

[rbpru]

The are two types of generators noisy and less noisy. How disruptive they are depend on where you are and what you are doing.

In a campground full of kids and traffic, it goes unnoticed; a quiet campground at night while watching starts is another story.

What is why they have quiet times in the campground. You make noise when others are making noise.

Bluegrass festival ..... never quiet. 🙂

[jake2250]

bcbouy wrote:
i'd rather listen to a crying baby all day than a generator.i firmly believe that if you need to take your house with you to camp in the forest,you should stay home.i strictly boondock mostly in forest service sites,and there's nothing worse than someone pulling up next to us and running a genny all day so they can sit inside in their a/c'd unit.isn't the whole point of camping peace and quiet and enjoying nature?? we camp for 3 weeks straight with a 150 watt solar and 2 group 27's and no one has died yet.the poster that said the worst looking rig usually has the loudest genny hit the nail squarely.

What ever,,,,,I don't see camping as a game of Survivor. We like to bring our house with us!! Well a small portion of our house! We bring the generator,Solar,Steaks,Vegetables,a couple of BBQ's, sometimes a smoker, sweets and Ice cream, booze, a fire pit. And we totally ENJOY our selfs!!
If I need to run the microwave I have the genny, if its cloudy and I want to watch tv and run the furnace I run the genny.If the wife decides to bring the Kitchen Aid and make cookies I run the generator.
We camp in comfort Not to see how many acorns we can find on the ground to make a meal!! During Crabbing season we go every other month for a week and take everything wee need to be comfortable come rain or shine!
Your more than welcome to have all the piece and quiet in your camping space, but I plan to enjoy all the things in life that I can afford! I went out of my way to buy a Honda Generator so as to have the quietest one available and will use it as much as I please!!

To each his or her own,, But I bought a trailer to be a portable cabin to the world!! With all the amenities!! Geez next people will be complaining how LOUD my outside lights are!

[bcbouy]

i'd rather listen to a crying baby all day than a generator.i firmly believe that if you need to take your house with you to camp in the forest,you should stay home.i strictly boondock mostly in forest service sites,and there's nothing worse than someone pulling up next to us and running a genny all day so they can sit inside in their a/c'd unit.isn't the whole point of camping peace and quiet and enjoying nature?? we camp for 3 weeks straight with a 150 watt solar and 2 group 27's and no one has died yet.the poster that said the worst looking rig usually has the loudest genny hit the nail squarely.

[IdaD]

~DJ~ wrote:
I guess I don't understand the question!!! :B

Hat tip to the fellow Idahoan. We've got it good. :B

[_DJ_1]

hohenwald48 wrote:
Maybe these will help you understand.

That must be some type of event. Can't believe anyone would call that camping!!! 🙂

[TomG2]

OP here. Thanks to all. I learned quite a bit. Especially that I am fortunate to be retired and can park where I do not need air conditioning/generator. I nave seen all the complaints about loud generators and thought I was missing something. When I need AC, I go north or pick a park with hookups. When I need temporary power at a truck stop or Walmart, I run my generator and it does not bother anyone. I go to car races expecting noise. When I am parked at the lake, I do not like the hum of mosquitoes or your Hondas.

[moresmoke]

I would love the option of being able to go camping whenever I could in a place where it is cool enough to not need a/c or have available spots that have hookups.

In the areas that are close enough for me to visit, the vast majority of weekender sites are at state parks that have about 20 electric sites, and 50-100 non electric ones. If you want an electric site you better reserve it the day reservations open in the winter.

If I want to make use of the couple weekends a year that I can just take off and go camping, I need to run the a/c to get the TT cooled down at night. I ain't gonna sleep in an oven. Besides a/c everything else will work without 110v. Well, except the microwave, but I can easily live without that.

[_1nobby]

I, personally, enjoy peace and quiet while camping.

But if I had to choose between dueling dogs BARKING or the steady hum of a generator....I'll take the generator.

But...again.....I've got enough battery for 4 days.....along with water and waste....so give me PEACE.:)

[SprinklerMan]

I have an old generator , powered by a brigs and stratton , the muffler is rusted out and it burns oil . Loud is an understatement , and it stinks too . When I go camping ............I never bring it . But There is one time I wish I did , We were out at a state park and the guy next to me had his running with the muffler pointing to my site , I asked him to face the muffler away from me , he refused . So I decided to charge my batteries with jumper cables off my truck . Unfortunatly my dual exhausts faced his site , and I put a stick on the gas pedal running 1800 rpm . Funny how he moved his generator .