Motorhomers running engines whilst dumping water

Swifty 123
Swifty 123 Forum Participant Posts: 100
edited September 2017 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

We have just had a fantastic week up at the Bunree site in the Highlands, loved the site, the wardens were fab, even the weather was spot on for September. My only gripe was that we were pitched up quite near the motorhomers grey water dumping spot, can someone enlighten me as to why it is necessary for them to run their engines whilst performing this act? Not only does it detract from the beautiful surroundings, it pollutes the air and causes great annoyance to other members, some of the older vehicles were pretty noisy too and they were often at quite early times. I don't leave my engine running when packing up and hitching up so why do you feel the need to let everyone know you are busy. If there is a valid point why you feel the need to do this then please convince me and I will apologise forthwith.

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Comments

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #2

    Did you wonder across to the offenders and ask them ?

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #3

    What, and get a mouthful of abuse? 

  • statusMoty1
    statusMoty1 Forum Participant Posts: 225
    edited September 2017 #4

    Not something we have EVER done, all our keys for the various emptying points are on the same fob as the ignition key so impossible to do. Maybe the offenders need to do the same thing and that would end the problem.smile

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #5

    Perhaps their batteries were near flat or perhaps they were simply thoughtless. You'd need to ask them, Swifty.

    It's much like caravanners leaving their car engines running while they couple up, check the lights, say bye-bye to the neighbours and so on.

  • Swifty 123
    Swifty 123 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited September 2017 #6

    I did consider it Huskydog but as Nelliethehooker says, you are just risking a mouthful of abuse and I'm supposed to be having a Highland chill out, not a lot to ask surely???  We all just need to be a little more considerate and diesel certainly ain't cheap so for even just that reason why do it..... Beyond me 😳

  • Swifty 123
    Swifty 123 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited September 2017 #7

    Don't do that tinwheeler, engine running when needed... Full stop!

  • Wanderbirds
    Wanderbirds Forum Participant Posts: 71
    edited September 2017 #8

    Just checked my van's paperwork and can't find the chapter on poisoning fellow campers.  It seems a common fault with handbooks as it was missing in that of my last van too.  However, it seems a common chapter in many car handbooks too as is evident by the number of motorists who sit in their cars with the engine running.

    I do have an alternative theory, that there are a number of people who just shouldn't be allowed out unless accompanied by a responsible adult.  Just a thoughtyell.

     

  • Swifty 123
    Swifty 123 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited September 2017 #9

    Point taken Wanderbird, didn't think the post would be well received , my car switches off when handbrake is on and in neutral as many do these days, isn't technology wonderful.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #10

    I didn't say you did, Swifty, but you must have seen it happen. I don't leave the engine running at the MHSP either but it goes to show that numpties exist in all types of unit.

  • Swifty 123
    Swifty 123 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited September 2017 #11

    Very true Tinwheeler👍 Just wondered if there was a reason why some members do it, maybe I shouldn't be allowed out without a responsible adult, could be me perhaps?

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2017 #12

    I think that some are just more easily upset than others. Do i get to sit on the naughty step for leaving my dirty diseasal engine running when I went to the office to hand my barrier fob in the other day?

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #13

    Probably.🤔

    Some  sites have a sign telling you to switch off, especially if it is close to the wardens accommodation.😬😷

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2017 #14

    Do they? Not having a motorhome I've not noticed 😉

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #15

    Neither have I noticed and I do have a MH.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited September 2017 #17

    Being new to MH's, could it be that the engine is running to power a discharge pump or do they, without exception, run on gravity?

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2017 #18

    Don't know but all that I have noticed seem to rely on gravity? If it were pumped they would have sufficient battery power without running engines. Probably just thoughtless I suspect.

  • KENNYG
    KENNYG Forum Participant Posts: 215
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    edited September 2017 #19

    Since it became the caravan and motorhome club it sounds like it is a tit for tat between both motorhomers and caravaners. We all do the same travel to where we want to and try to do what we want without other members telling you how to run your life just get on with what you want to do and enjoy. 

  • Justus2
    Justus2 Forum Participant Posts: 897
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    edited September 2017 #20

    The only reason I can think for running the engine is that sometimes, if there is an unexpectedly chilly morning, the windscreen may have a lot of condensation. Running the engine with the screen demister and van's aircon on for a while is one way of clearing the windscreen before leaving a site.

  • Hallsontour
    Hallsontour Forum Participant Posts: 199
    edited September 2017 #21

    I agree Justus2, on the odd occasion I've left my engine running whilst dumping it's for that very reason, to clear my windscreen for safe driving when leaving the site, normally though I do switch off. As we sleep in the van the inside of the windscreen can get very wet and misty after a cold night, even though I try and wipe it clean the best I can.

    My tank takes so long to empty I normally do other jobs at the same time like empty the loo cassette and pop to the toilet block for a travel wee before the journey ahead, I wouldn't want to leave the engine running for that length of time under normal circumstances.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2017 #22

    You  mean rather than actually clearing the screen with a cloth as most wouldundecided

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #23

    Next time i am on a CMC site I will check with the Site Police that I am not doing anything wrongundecided, although the next site next month is a CCC site so its no problem wink

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2017 #24

    Several sites have that type of sign to cover the as found in all walks of life the inconsiderate ones,in the summer to keep the aircon running and in the winter to keep warm while other person books in

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2017 #25

    Want to bet on that wink

  • rjb
    rjb Forum Participant Posts: 118
    edited September 2017 #26

    I had this at Brighton at 7 am very annoying I told him in the end

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #27

    Ye ,been there many times ,and its all laid backcool

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2017 #28

    so there is one thenwink

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited September 2017 #29

    Not something I would but I believe it is not a good idea to stop and start a Diesel engine when cold. Better to switch on and run it up to temperature. Unfortunately, motorhome diesels are very noisy unlike my diesel BMW car which you wouldn't hear. 

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #30

    Surely all but the most elderly of motor caravans have some form of heating the interior from EHU or gas that the occupants would have used during their morning activities before departure, and this would have provided warmth the clear the steamy windows?

  • Justus2
    Justus2 Forum Participant Posts: 897
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    edited September 2017 #31

    Yes I do JVB.....But as well as rather than instead of..... Our van has no heating to the cab end whatsoever, it remains quite cold though the living end is as warm as toast. I've sometimes wiped the windscreen with kitchen roll, and straightaway, it mists up again as the warm air from the rear hits the cold glass at the front. If its not raining you can open both cab windows to get a through draught which helps, but ultimately the vans screen demister can be needed to finish the job off. wink  

     

    Just had another thought... When we had a caravan, we used to crack open some side windows at night to reduce condensation... Our van has NO opening side windows so that I imagine makes the condensation worse....