cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Running lights

Veebyes
Explorer II
Explorer II
Can anyone think of a good reason to have trailer running lights on from dusk to dawn? Sitting in a state park. No CG lights at all. CG is virtually empty & in the trees so it is very dark. Somebody must be affraid of the dark.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter

2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
2006 Chevy 3500 LT, CC,LB 6.6L Diesel

Ham Radio: VP9KL, IRLP node 7995
40 REPLIES 40

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Explorer
SoundGuy wrote:
DutchmenSport wrote:
Probably just recently discovered the way to light the running lights and the novelty of it has not worn off yet (newbie!). I don't understand why folks leave any lights on outside after dark and they are not even at the campsite.


I already gave one good reason and it has nothing to do with "the novelty", being a newbie, or attracting attention as some suggest but simply so we can find our campsite on a really dark night. You don't like it? ... too bad, so sad, I could care less. It works for me. :B


Nothing wrong with that, but once you are at the camp site, do you still leave "running lights" on at your camper. The OP was asking about running light, not some other type of light. How about once you are inside the camper? Still leave them on? (running lights?). Once every one in your group has arrived, still on (running lights?).

I can understand outside lights if you are away after dark to help find your campsite. But all night? and (running lights). Nah, that's a newbie novelty item.

There again though, to each his own.

Here is a question? If you're going to be away from your camper and you need a directional light to help you find your way back... say a restroom run in the middle of the night ... why don't you turn a light on INSIDE the camper and let it shine outside the window? I suppose because you don't want to wake anyone up inside the camper and disturb them. But, it's OK to light up the campground and disturb others? It's just a though for argument sake? I know this idea will thoroughly irritate some folks.

Still, the novelty of using running lights on your camper is still pretty much a "newbie" thing, and something that RV shows do to razzle and dazzle a perspective buyer.

K3WE
Explorer
Explorer
Context is everything.

This kind of a bad practice if you are in a back-to-nature environment where maybe folks want to see the stars, or something...

RV parks, however, decorative lighting is popular.

ktmrfs
Explorer II
Explorer II
personally, I wouldn't set my trailer up with the running lights on, but also personally if someone next to me did that wouldn't bother me a bit.

Now the outside awning lights all night, might be another story.

But then we use LEDS mason jar lights and some of the LED butterfly etc. lights on the awnings at night, DW and I like them, don't suspect they bother anyone.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2015.5 Denali 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Explorer III
I guess they feel that they paid for them there fancy lights, and dad gum it they're going to use the goldarned things. Consideration of their neighbors be hanged.
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

newman_fulltime
Explorer II
Explorer II
take them a flasher and enjoy the rv christmas lights

bikendan
Explorer
Explorer
hasn't anyone ever heard of a flashlight?:R

been camping for 30+ years and we always carry a flashlight at nite, when we leave the campsite.
often we like to walk around the campground at night or returning from another campsite or to use the campground facilities.

so it seems pretty simple to just carry a flashlight, instead of having to leave your RV lit up like Las Vegas, in order to find it.

am i missing something here?:h
Dan- Firefighter, Retired:C, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur:W, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever(RIP:(), 2014 Ford F150 3.5 EcoboostMax Tow pkg, 2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255 w/4pt Equalizer and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes

azdryheat
Explorer
Explorer
We sometimes turn the lights on to add to a festive atmosphere. It's in line with the LED lights in awnings and under RV's.
2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
2014 Voltage 3600 toy hauler
2019 RZR 1000XP TRE

wing_zealot
Explorer
Explorer
Allworth wrote:
To annoy the rest of us??
That's why I do it, and by reading this I surmise it's working.

SoundGuy
Explorer
Explorer
DutchmenSport wrote:
Probably just recently discovered the way to light the running lights and the novelty of it has not worn off yet (newbie!). I don't understand why folks leave any lights on outside after dark and they are not even at the campsite.


I already gave one good reason and it has nothing to do with "the novelty", being a newbie, or attracting attention as some suggest but simply so we can find our campsite on a really dark night. You don't like it? ... too bad, so sad, I could care less. It works for me. :B
2012 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
2014 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS
2003 Fleetwood Yuma * 2008 K-Z Spree 240BH-LX
2007 TrailCruiser C21RBH * 2000 Fleetwood Santa Fe
1998 Jayco 10UD * 1969 Coleman CT380

spoon059
Explorer II
Explorer II
Veebyes wrote:
Can anyone think of a good reason to have trailer running lights on from dusk to dawn?

Yes... cause they want to have them on.

Things like this don't bother me. Keeping your awning lights or floodlights on all night is annoying, because it creates light pollution and I can't see the stars. A couple of dim red lights are quite easy to ignore and are very unlikely to ruin night vision.
2015 Ram CTD
2015 Jayco 29QBS

ktmrfs
Explorer II
Explorer II
SoundGuy wrote:
Veebyes wrote:
CG is virtually empty & in the trees so it is very dark.


I often run mine from dark to bedtime but turn them off when we turn in for the night. On a dark, moonless night it sure makes it a lot easier to find our camper when returning from visiting friends on another site. I even built a Trailer Light Dongle (4 pics) which also allows me to flash the running lights when backing on to our driveway from the street - much more obvious than flashing just the 4-ways. :B


likewise, more than once I've left the trailer before dark no flashlight, no cell phone with flashlight and ended up way after dark with no moon trying to find my way back to the trailer. I've now learned to put on the yellow door light at night till we are ready to go inside.

when your away from the city in the trees in the west or midwest and no moon, it is DARK. But no reason to have more than a few lights on till bedtime if your not at your trailer.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2015.5 Denali 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Explorer
Probably just recently discovered the way to light the running lights and the novelty of it has not worn off yet (newbie!). I don't understand why folks leave any lights on outside after dark and they are not even at the campsite. Saw a host camper, campsite, a few weeks ago. We were there Thursday night through the rest of the week-end. They had really bright patio lights strung through their space (not even hanging on the awning ... strung out on posts). No one ever showed up. Lights were on either a timer or a dusk-to-dawn sensor. Came on late evening, and didn't shut off till morning. I call that "night pollution". Too bad the light were not on during the day and off at night!

I dun-no?? People just want to be different and think they are re-inventing the wheel. When you get older ... been there ... done that ... it seems really stupid, some of the things folks do. But ... each one has to learn for themselves. Meanwhile us old farts just shake our heads at stupidity. You can't explain anything to them, they look at you like you loosing your mind, so what's the point of even trying!

And the other reason is so some folks will get attention, thinking they are razzling and dazzling everyone around them. Yea, they razzle and dazzle me all right! I won't say how though. I'm too stinking old now ... who cares any more. To each his own.

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
Veebyes wrote:
Can anyone think of a good reason to have trailer running lights on from dusk to dawn? Sitting in a state park. No CG lights at all. CG is virtually empty & in the trees so it is very dark. Somebody must be affraid of the dark.


Maybe a sailor and figures need to run an anchor light at night so other RV's know where they are at. :B
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
lawnspecialties wrote:
Honestly. I think some people just think its cool.

I agree. I enjoy the dark. I guess some are just terrified of the dark or, they watch too many horror movies.

I've never understood why some need to light up a campsite so it can be seen from the ISS.

korbe
Explorer
Explorer
Bumpyroad wrote:
korbe wrote:
Yep. And maybe feel a bit more safe. You could help them out and explain that they could increase their security by also turning on their scare lights. :B and they could add some dingle-dongle awning lights, and maybe a few pink lighted flamingos out-and-about. and of course the new fad bucket lights.


you got a problem with pink flamingos?
bumpy

:B Uh, well, gosh, come to think of it, no, no I don't. You kind of fond of the little fellows too?
.

Type a product name