Is it rude to use a generator when you have no hookups??

[JudyJB]

I am going to try to camp in more places without hookups, especially since I have solved my problem of recharging my electronics with my new 12-volt extension cord.

I know some people, especially tenters, really get upset with people running generators. I can understand that they make a lot of noise. Mine is built into my motorhome, and easy to start just by pushing a button. Several people have told me that I am not using my generator often or long enough and that it will get gummed up. (I have only a couple of hundred hours over almost four years of full-timing.)

So, here I am, camped with no hookups. Generators are allowed all of the time, except from 10 pm to 6 am. I ran my generator for a little over an hour, but there is a guy in a tent right next to me sitting out and reading. It is really cold here, and I would like to run my electric heater and maybe even watch TV. I know those are "luxuries" compared to using the coffee pot, toaster, or microwave or recharging my batteries. However, it is really cold here and I am also a little worried about running out of propane, although I admit I could have stopped on my way in and gotten a refill. I have almost half a tank left, so I am probably just being my usual Type-A self about this.

I guess my question is, how rude should I be????

I have this spot for one more night. Should I talk to the camp host tomorrow about moving to another spot farther away from everyone else?? Sort of an isolation corner way in the back where no one minds if I am noisy??

I also often feel guilty about sitting in my recliner in the warmth of my "luxurious" condo on wheels, while some of the other poor campers are in cold tents. But then again, why in the heck would someone want to camp and even sit outside reading in January when it is 49 degrees out and has been raining all day? (Even if this is Las Vegas.) Isn't this kind of their own fault? I did work two jobs for several years to afford this, and I continue to work half-time at age 72.

OK, I just turned the furnace up and will see how long it takes me to run out of propane. I will have to run it again for an hour or so just before I go to bed and before the 10 pm quiet time curfew, but this whole thing bothers me. Or am I just not cut out for life without electricity??

[monik7]

I wouldn't worry about it Judy. You're running the generator within the timeframe the rules allow. If the tent camper doesn't like it, he could ask to move. Why should you have to move? Then again, if it really bothers you that you may be inconveniencing him and you don't mind moving, you could do that.
Sandi

[Azusateach]

Generators are always a sensitive subject between RVers and tenters. If you have the option to camp away from tenters, I'd take it. You don't know why the guy's in a tent, and I'd be inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Laura

[Bethers]

I like places that have tent sites or non-generator sites separated. When they aren't, I simply pay attn to the hours. And if a tent is already set up, I'd probably elect to not park immediately next to it. Then again, I always try to keep distance between me and other people unless friends.

I don't like that they allow generators as early as 6 there. I don't want to hear them that early either.

All this said, use your generator!

[JudyJB]

I agree that 6 am is a bit early to allow generators. And 10pm is probably a bit too late.

I am going to move tomorrow, I think. This campground is fairly empty. I parked here because there were not too many sites big enough, and I barely noticed the small tent. I think I can find a site big enough farther away if I drive around.

[snowball]

actually those are typical hours for genny's and don't fill that you are being rude. he surely is aware that with no hook ups that there
will be the sound of generator's. and for pete's sake don't feel guilty that you have what you have...he probably has what he wants as well!!!
sheila

[elkriverrats]

Good Morning Ladies!
I also have the guilty feeling using my generator (plus I'm not a fan of the smell and noise) BUT it is perfectly acceptable in a generator loop! My favorite campground has a generator free loop, which is a really nice feature and I stay there for the solitude when I know I won't need to fire mine up. I do try to stay away from tenters but sometimes it just isn't possible. There is no need to be cold if you have the option to stay warm
As far as running it periodically, this is true! My hubby lectures me on this, especially now that we have gotten a newer unit. I was not so good about running the old one and it did not take long for the ethanol in the fuel to gum up the works. Which made tons of work for him and just dumb luck that I didn't ruin the carb for good. When you run it, you should put a load on it - I use an electric heater, the fridge and the tv...he tells me to run it for 45 min minimum.

[chalet05]

Tenters should know there will be generators. I recently learned acceptable hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. so had been doing 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. No need to feel guilty when following the rules.

[Azusateach]

As far as running it periodically, this is true! My hubby lectures me on this, especially now that we have gotten a newer unit. I was not so good about running the old one and it did not take long for the ethanol in the fuel to gum up the works. Which made tons of work for him and just dumb luck that I didn't ruin the carb for good. When you run it, you should put a load on it - I use an electric heater, the fridge and the tv...he tells me to run it for 45 min minimum.

In so many ways this seems counter-intuitive, but I found out the hard way with my portable genny. I let it sit for way too long & ended up having to take it to the shop to have the carb cleaned out. With portable ones, running them until they're out of gas helps. But better still, using a fuel additive helps keep the carb clean.

Because we're not camping much, and especially dry camping, we have to take time to run our motorhome's generator. A couple of weeks ago we took the rig to a shopping center parking lot on a Sunday morning, turned on the genny, plugged in a little space heater, and went out to breakfast at the Corner Bakery. There were a couple of shops we needed to visit so we did that after breakfast. Hopefully that little bit of a load helped.

[BirdbyBird]

And don't feel guilty but do pay attention to the wind and which way the exhaust is blowing.... There may come up a situation where you might feel a little guilty when the individual traveling with you in their own rig and parked next to you on some picturesque beach (who shall remain nameless...but is known for her outstanding cooking and is short in statue, just saying) knocks on your door to report that the exhaust from you rig is blowing directly into her rig...cough, cough, gasp......

[gingerK]

First of all, don't feel guilty because you have an RV and he has a tent. That is not your problem, it's his. You deserve to be warm and comfortable and maybe he just enjoys being in his tent.
Second, if it's within the generator time frames and you need to, I'd run it a while.
Third, if you're still on the fence about whether or not you'd bother the tenter, why don't you ask him if he'd mind if you ran your gennie a little while because you are short on propane and need to run a heater? At least you'd know if he'd be bothered or not and if he would be, then you can always move to another spot away from him. Doesn't hurt to ask, and then he'd know you weren't just going to run it endlessly.

[havingfunnow]

I think it's nice of you to worry about bothering the guy, since he was there first -- but you need heat, and you're well within the campground rules. Like Kathy says, why not just ask him?

Don't worry about him being in a tent -- maybe he likes it that way. Son #2 spent a couple of years between high school and college leading adventure camping groups on winter trips into the mountains. He loved it. You couldn't catch me tent camping in the mountains in mid-winter!

[BarbaraRose]

I agree, I would just ask him.

One of our customers yesterday told us that he and a friend went outside and slept in their sleeping bags in the snow last weekend when it was -15 below zero! Sans tent! We asked him "Why??" He just said "because!" Go figure! Must have been some expensive and thick sleeping bags!! (and some alcohol involved??)

[dpf]

I tend to agree with asking him if the generator is bothering him. Point out that you are using it during the allowed time frame, but if it disturbs him you would consider moving.

[Olive6001]

Judy, I think it's wonderful that you're concerned about the other guy. So few people are. My solution is to look for a site that's a bit away from tenters or even other RVs. Most often I just take what I can get. In the summer, I run my generator at specific times and let my neighbors know when that will be. Usually an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. Anyone I've told has been grateful and even surprised that I'd bother letting them know. In the winter, all bets are off. It's cold and I need heat and anyone who tent camps in the winter in an area that allows generators knows what can happen. I like the soft light of lanterns at night, so that takes care of reading late at night. Of course if a neighbor makes a request, I'll try to accommodate it, but I'm not going to feel bad about using my generator throughout the day during the winter.

Nikki