Don’t Be This Guy VII

Camping or Looking?

First, I should mention that we tow a 40 foot fifth wheel ourselves, and there are times when you simply have to take whatever parking spaces are available. But situations like the one in the picture give many RVers a bad reputation.

Along the Oregon Coast, beautiful overlooks and scenic pullouts line Highway 101. You never have to travel very far before finding another one. Each offers something different, whether it’s the view, parking availability, or amenities. Most are clearly posted with restrictions such as no overnight parking or time limits.

Recently, we spent the day exploring Highway 101 without our RV. Around lunchtime, we pulled into one of these scenic overlooks, thinking it would be the perfect place to enjoy the sandwiches we had packed.

The Oregon Coast is an extremely popular destination, and parking was difficult everywhere we stopped. This overlook was no exception.

As we entered the parking lot, we noticed a fifth wheel, at least 40 feet long with the tow vehicle still attached, occupying seven parking spaces. I understand the challenge because we tow a similar sized rig ourselves. There have been times when we’ve needed extra room. When that happens, we do our best to minimize our impact while still leaving enough room to safely pull out when it’s time to leave.

What caught everyone’s attention wasn’t the number of parking spaces.

All four slides were extended, and the stabilizer jacks were down.

If you’re stopping to enjoy the view or eat lunch, there is rarely a reason to extend all of your slides. Perhaps one slide if you need access to the kitchen, but opening the entire trailer and lowering the stabilizers crosses the line from taking a short break to setting up camp.

We eventually found a place to park and enjoyed our lunch. During that time, it was hard not to notice people walking and driving past the rig, shaking their heads in frustration.

One of the realities of traveling with a large RV is accepting that size comes with limitations. Sometimes that means certain roads, viewpoints, or parking areas simply aren’t practical for your rig.

When using parking areas that were designed for short visits and don’t include designated RV spaces, we have a responsibility to minimize our impact and respect the purpose of the area. Taking a short break is one thing. Setting up camp is something entirely different.

Good RV etiquette helps preserve access and goodwill for everyone who travels behind us.