An RV is viewed as the home away from home. It’s often appropriately described as being spacious, fun and… downright obnoxious. Wait. That can’t be right, can it? Many people view RVs as annoying? One way in which RVers can help leave good impressions about diesel pushers, Class A RVs, Class C RVs, and other large sized RVs is to practice good etiquette on the road and at campgrounds. Teach your RV some manners!

RV Manners On The Road and at the Campground

1.    Claim any trash and take care of it prior to exiting any campground no matter how temporary.
2.    Do not attempt to dispose of “metal” trash in the fire. It won’t burn. This refuse must be hauled off or placed in a proper campground provided trash receptacle.
3.    Respect the space of other’s on the road. Don’t crowd smaller vehicles. Everything that can cause a fit of road rage between two smaller vehicles is magnified when the “offense” comes from a diesel pusher or other large RV.
4.    When arriving at a new campground, consider the lateness of the hour and be respectful of the rights of other campers to enjoy a quiet night.
5.    Consider the fact that when an RVer sets up camp, they are setting up their temporary home. Don’t wander through someone else’s campsite. It’s just as rude (or possibly more rude) than wandering through someone’s yard.
6.    Follow the campground rules regarding pets. If pets are allowed, clean up after them.
7.    Respect nature. Leave the campsite just as “natural” as when you arrived.
8.    Do not leave food lying around. No one likes to arrive at their new campsite only to find it is infested with ants.
9.    Drive slowly when traversing campgrounds. You are in transit, but others are already camping. That means there are probably children playing in the area.
10.    Don’t leave your engine idling for more than a minute if arriving or departing early/late. Diesel engines are particularly loud and could, potentially, disrupt the entire campground.

The rules of the road apply to every driver, regardless of the type of vehicle you are driving, but it would be very helpful if the few “rude” diesel pusher owners out there would remember the manners they were taught in elementary school. It only takes one or two bad apples to make someone suspect the entire bunch may be rotten. In situations that don’t seem to present an obvious social rule for good manners, consult fellow RVers. Working together to provide a more courteous experience on the road and in campgrounds could really make a difference.