Habitation door etiquette?

[phase3begins]

Always raises a wry smile. Voluntarily go to a large open field known to have loads of similar vehicles everywhere and worry about privacy.

 

[ChrisL]

Or maybe you want to think about which direction the weather is coming from and park with the habitation door on the down weather side of the van . . .

A good point, however in the UK the weather can change direction quite quickly and quite often, if you're going to be on a pitch for more than a day, you can rely on the sun being somewhere to the south of you if you're in the Northern hemisphere

 

[Emmit]

When I run a fun rally I try to give everybody a bit of privacy so park doors away from each other, If somebody wants to face their neighbours then I think it is polite to clear it with them first, I have done this in the past as having a 20 foot brick wall 3 foot from the windscreen is not a good view

Although I do try to have everybody's hab side facing the sun.

To add to funflair 's post, Prior to Covid, rallies were an 'Easy come, Easy Go' affair.
If a two units wished to have a 'Door to Door' situation then OK, it happened.

After we were allowed our freedom to run events when the lockdown was slackened,
us Rally Marshalls were instructed by Jim that we should not have 'Door to Door'

That has been rescinded, however, it may be that, under certain circs, peeps wishing to be
opposite their friends/family may not be accommodated in the ideal plot because in order
to have door to door, a larger amount of space has to be allowed between units.
I'm thinking Avon Bank Meadows where it will not be the case that, on the front row with
unrestricted views of the river, an increase in spacing is just not possible.

However, in a place such as Shrewsbury Showground that has oodles of space, such a
situation could occur if wished.

 

[A S R]

I normally park reversed into the pitch. I have a 9m van with a 2m overhang at the rear so it can fit on smaller pitches. My bed is at the rear too so away from the road. I’m pretty antisocial being happily single but always polite and do say hello to any temporary neighbours. That’s about all the conversation I want / need with strangers.
As far as levelling up solo is concerned then it’s just a case of trial and error. I do have a small spirit level ( called bubbles ) and put that on my worktop by the sink. It’s then a case of shifting ramps about until it’s as level as possible. I don’t worry too much about it though normally. Just try not to go over the top of the ramp as previously mentioned! It’s an instant loss of street cred if you do that!

 

[SalcombeRegis]

From a camp site operators perspective it is all about keeping the status quo.

I have a motorhome and for me I don’t really care which way I face but you will be surprised how many do.

Firstly a lot of customers are territorial and they have paid for their pitch for their sole use. If you are facing them you will exit your van onto their pitch and it can cause problems - some people can be really petty. Also if your neighbour has an awning it brings everything closer and potentially increases the problem.

Based on the above we ask that customers vans exit onto their own pitch - unless they are travelling with their neighbour in which case it is fine. Continental vans can end up facing a hedge which again is acceptable for some but the end of the world for others! We always have alternative pitches we can move people to if it is a problem.

You are never going to please everyone but you have to run with the majority. The joys of being a campsite owner!

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[bexleyjohn]

Who cares about which way the door opens? More important things for me are where the sun rises and falls, wind (weather that is!), views, available satellite signal, access to water if needed, slope of pitch……… door opening? Who cares?

 

[scotzsue]

We try to park with the habitation door at the sunny side, not always possible. When on my own i put ramps next to wheels and hope for the best no not really I can tell when I go to next ramp section have only ever gone over once and that was when someone, who shall remain nameless, was 'guiding' me. I prefer reversing on but the new ramps advises against that.

 

[Ian Bosman]

It’s considered polite to park up with your door opening onto the blank side of your neighbours MH or Caravan. It just gives a bit of privacy.
Have a gander at your neighbours when you arrive and park accordingly.
As for levelling, it depends on your skill and nerve, I find it easier on my own but have been doing it for several years.

When having a gander also look for those with doors on the drivers side and see which way round they are. I would argue that reversing out of your pitch is fraught with risks especially if you have no guide to help you.

 

[x17ken]

When arriving on pitch I always assume that the person next to me would want privacy - so I would always park with my hab door on the opposite side to theirs out of respect. I would never assume that social interaction was wanted. Lots to consider here including dogs (their's and our's), respect for privacy, their private reasons for their stay, their attitudes to other travellers etc. etc. If I am not happy with my pitch position that would be a matter for me and the site management to sort out. I would never want to put upon someone who has already chosen their orientation and settled on their pitch.

 

[Gazuk]

From my 'vast' experience (one outing two weeks ago on a CAMC site, so I did what I was told), I had a standard pitch with awing and the hardstanding pitches were wide enough to accommodate MH and awning. I was told to park to the right of the white marker (which was either in the left hand corner or middle) and in order to keep to their 6 metre distance regulations, the hab door should open onto the remaining hardstanding. So on my pitch with the white marker on in the left corner and my hab door on drivers side, I had to go in nose first. If my pitch had the white marker in the middle, then I would have had to reverse in.

Like I said, was my first time out, so didn't question, just did as I was told.

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[adonisito]

We always try to park without our hab door facing our neighbours. We like it that way , especially if you both have dogs and are eating or sitting outside.

 

[Gillygrim]

The campsite we use in the South of France has all hedged pitches for Motorhomes and caravans. When we first visited we used to reverse in so the hab door opened onto the blank space side. All the other vans did likewise. After a couple of years we decided to try parking across the pitch with the off side against the back hedge. This meant we not only had more room for chairs and tables etc but we then faced south when sitting under the awning. This was about 12 years ago and gradually everyone who came (regulars like us and newcomers) chose to do likewise. The result is a much more friendly atmosphere as due to the lines of pitches being separated by narrow roads people tend to smile, nod, say bonjour and even stop to chat as they walk past. Anyone who wants to be left alone can easily arrange their equipment accordingly.

 

[Bucket]

You may want to consider parking up with your hab door facing southish so you get the sun on that side if you intend to sit outs

However, it might also depend on where your fridge is. When somewhere hot we park to minimise the sun shining directly on tthe fridge vents at the hottest part of the day.

 

[LesW]

We like it that way , especially if you both have dogs and are eating or sitting outside.

...but what if your 'neighbours' don't have a dog, or don't want to watch or hear you eating?

We travel with a cat, that likes to sit outside with us (on a lead), I'd be rather annoyed if your dog interfered with this.

 

[orridge]

THS last year, all doors face south.


View attachment 591690

Last year and year before due to covid all the rallies were advised to not have hab doors facing each other.

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[Caztur]

If weather is very warm and sunny I prefer to park with the sun on the off side. The fridge is on the nearside and has to work very hard if the sun is on it all day. I don't like being too hot either so prefer to sit in the shade.

 

[Ian Bosman]

From a camp site operators perspective it is all about keeping the status quo.

I have a motorhome and for me I don’t really care which way I face but you will be surprised how many do.

Firstly a lot of customers are territorial and they have paid for their pitch for their sole use. If you are facing them you will exit your van onto their pitch and it can cause problems - some people can be really petty. Also if your neighbour has an awning it brings everything closer and potentially increases the problem.

Based on the above we ask that customers vans exit onto their own pitch - unless they are travelling with their neighbour in which case it is fine. Continental vans can end up facing a hedge which again is acceptable for some but the end of the world for others! We always have alternative pitches we can move people to if it is a problem.

You are never going to please everyone but you have to run with the majority. The joys of being a campsite owner!

The sole use thing is a bit “British”. I thought camping was about community not worrying about what the neighbours see. Do you worry at home about opening your front door facing across the street letting the neighbours see briefly into your house?

 

[x17ken]

Do you worry at home about opening your front door facing across the street letting the neighbours see briefly into your house?

I do. I don't want strangers looking into my place. God knows what they will be doing when I'm not there!

 

[pelican]

Oh no it’s not just a British thing you will find in some German and Austrian sites you are placed in the direction your door opens so you have a little privacy.

And don't forget you leather shortz

 

[pelican]

THS last year, all doors face south.


View attachment 591690

That looks like hell,Butlins ?
Dreadful place were all other sites fully booked.
Looks pretty dark on the right side.

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[pelican]

Last year and year before due to covid all the rallies were advised to not have hab doors facing each other.

Daft time to go on rallies really

 

[Bigjohneaton]

We are only bothered which way round to park when it's really hot and sunny then try to park with the fridge side out of the sun otherwise not that bothered but mostly ues Aires in Spain and Portugal

 

[JaG]

If the site has no rules I park with the hab door where the Sun is in the aftenoon. If the neighbours are friendly they will be happy to say Hello and chat maybe when we are out, if not they are the ones with the problem, not me.

 

[82125]

The sole use thing is a bit “British”. I thought camping was about community not worrying about what the neighbours see. Do you worry at home about opening your front door facing across the street letting the neighbours see briefly into your house?

precisely, I assume i paid the same money for my pitch as my 'neighbour'.. in which case im equally entitled to be able to sit outside on the sunny side?
who actually thinks going to a campsite with 6m spacing (or what ever it is) is ever going to be "private"?

As I say, I'll always try to find a pitch where the next one isnt occupied, but where thats not possible Im afraid the view and sunny side take priority. I paid for my pitch too.

 

[Pausim]

but where thats not possible Im afraid the view and sunny side take priority

The Caravan and Motorhome Club probably operates more sites than anyone else. They say in their rules you can park nose in or tail in, as you wish. Clearly they don’t think there is any door etiquette to be followed so neither do I.

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[dulvil]

I park which way suits me, sun/view/e.t.c. If my neighbour wants to be pleasant fine I’ll have a chat but I’m not going to be told which way to park unless it’s by the owner with their good reason

 

[Coolcats]

if not they are the ones with the problem, not me.

Probably not, saying hello is fine but don't assume people wish to chat, some people have to Interact and be social most of their working day, mixing with and pleasing people and are truly away for a break......They are not being unsocial or have a problem just don't assume everyone wants small talk or interact when away.............they do not, the problem is in equal measure for those who have a need to chat to strangers.

The trick is to gauge when people wish to interact and chat if they want, its tricky and not always easy to do but is appreciated by both those who do not wish to engage and those who do.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Hmm we wouldn't like it if someone parked next to us with their door facing ours.

Then turn yours around...
To the OP, park up whichever way suits you for what reasons you might have

 

[Neodave]

Not worried which way round really. Time to worry is on some French Aires where it is not which way your door is but if you can get out or not. Ha ha.

 

[GeeCee]

It depends. Considerations are: where will we get the best sun or shade when we put our chairs out? Are there yappy dogs or noisy kids/adults close by? if so pitch away from them. Which side of the pitch is most level or dry? you don't want your cab door opening onto a puddle or muddy patch and you want to minimise the levelling operation. And quite often it's a case of which is the easiest way to get on to the pitch and off it again without doing multi-point turns. So you might want the cab door facing the sunny side but that means a reversing operation that is just too much trouble.

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