Have you heard about this unwritten RV rule? It doesn’t come up very often. However, you should know and follow this unwritten rule: (Almost) never knock on an RV door.
Folks new to RVing may not realize that knocking on another person’s RV door is almost always considered taboo. Let’s take a closer look at this unwritten rule and the reasoning behind it.
Knock it off!
Many RVers see an unexpected knock as a privacy issue. They do not appreciate or want surprise visits, especially from people they don’t know.
This concern is amplified in an RV (as opposed to a stix-n-brix house). Just think about it for a minute. An RV is a very compact space. You’ve got your kitchen, eating, living, and sometimes bedroom all sharing the same tiny square footage. When your RV entry door is opened, other campers can see most of your interior space—in some RV floorplans the bathroom is even visible!
No one wants their entire life “exposed” to passers-by. Privacy and anonymity are highly prized by many RVers. After all, many of us go camping for the serenity and peacefulness it offers. Privacy is a big part of that serenity. It’s not that RVers are unfriendly folks. Not at all! We just like the opportunity to choose when we are sociable.
Knock yourself out
The unwritten rule “Never knock on an RVer’s door” does come with a few exclusions. Here they are:
Emergency situations supersede this rule. If you notice water flowing from the bottom of an RVer’s rig, for example, you should make the owners aware of it. Same goes for other potential emergency situations that may cause physical harm, danger to pets/children, or harm to the RV itself. (You’d want someone to notify you in emergency cases like this, right?)
If you’re camping with others you know well, and they’re expecting you, it’s OK to knock on their RV door. However, if shades are drawn and the solid door is closed, it may be best to call ahead rather than knock.
Knock like this
If you must knock on an RVer’s entry door, most RVers I’ve talked with agree that you should do it like this: Knock on the door and then step back off the steps to the ground and far enough away so you cannot see into their rig. Doing this preserves the RVer’s privacy. (And you won’t fall back off the steps when the door opens.)
A better way
Perhaps a better way to meet an RV neighbor is to catch them outside. RVers I’ve spoken with say they would rather be approached while sitting in a lawn chair, coming and going, or otherwise out in the open. Daylight hours are the better time for a conversation than an unexpected door knock.
RV life is still one of the friendliest kinds of travel out there. A wave, a smile, or a quick chat when both of you are already outside keeps a campground neighborly. Knocking on an RVer’s door? Not so much.
Did you know about this unwritten RV rule? Would you mind if someone knocked on your door unexpectedly? Would you ever knock on your neighbor’s door, or would you wait until you saw them outside to talk?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
RELATED
- RVtravel.com poll results are in, and the biggest campground etiquette complaint is…
- RV etiquette—10 unspoken rules every RVer should follow
- Basic RV etiquette that isn’t always talked about, but makes all the difference
- Campground shower house tips and etiquette for the best experience
- Yes, RVers need to follow proper campground laundromat etiquette
RVT1264
Knock on my RV door anytime…what an unfriendly rule “no knocking”.
The wrighter fogot to include that it’s OK to knock after one ignites the bag of poo deposited by your neighbors dog in your campsite. I would say it’s manditory.
That happened once to my neighbor after he flat out denied it was his dog dumping all over our neighborhood. His little brat would walk the dog and make no effort to clean it up even after people told him to.
It was caught on someones doorbell camera.
BTW, it didn’t stop until the local police saw the videos
First I’ve heard of this so it’s no surprise to me that is unwritten.
Unwritten, unenforced and unknown!
This is utter nonsense and about as original as using AI to write articles. Seriously been rving for over 40 yrs and NO ONE I know has EVER said this was a problem or concern. Lol.
I have knocked on an RV door when I am trying to back into a site and kindly ask if the owner could move their tow vehicle pickup truck so that I could more easily back into my site. I’ve never experienced any animosity and was always a welcoming, sure I can do that. This rule sounds like people just want to be a hermit and solitude. If an RV’er wants the solitude then they should be boon docking.
I think if someone doesn’t want to be disturbed to the extent that they condemn knocking, boondocking alone might be a better choice for them. Or buy a doorbell….
RVers are people who have a spectrum of types and preferences, and, no, just because one prefers to not be disturbed in one’s space does not mean they don’t belong in campgrounds. The number of people who say introverts should boondock when the topic comes up, really, bless their hearts. I generally see those remarks from men who believe everyone should “camp” like they do. As a solo female traveler, stay away from my rig unless there is, as the author writes, a true emergency. For those who don’t want to be bothered there are some fun garden flags and signs on Amazon to ward off would-be knockers.
Single male 62 who wouldn’t want someone knocking on my RV unless it was an emergency or necessary to assist in someone parking.
Sorry but I find this “No knock” concept totally crazy. RV’ing and camping is a social activity. To me knocking on a camper is no different than knocking on your apartment door.
Our door is available anytime!
Unless it’s a solicitor.
In 50 + years of RVing I have never heard of such a “rule”, don’t agree with it and don’t subscribe to it. I think knocking is much more polite than throwing rocks at someone’s windows to get their attention. If my door is closed it’s because I’m trying to keep the cold out or the cool in.
Is today April 1st?! This is crazy!
Never heard of it.
I don’t knock very often, and I don’t plan to follow the “rule” now.
Also hope my camping neighbors don’t follow it!
We are really stretching it to make headlines. Been camping for 50+ years never heard such a thing. Put this in the online survey and see how many have actually heard of this.
No way is this true. We’ve been RVing for 30 years, never heard of this and feel it’s totally inaccurate bordering on stupid. We always welcome a knock. Our current RV even has a doorbell, factory installed. We’ve made new friends who just wanted to ask about our RV and our experience with the brand, talk about a particular setup we have in our equipment or unit or just to say hi because we weren’t home when they parked. Close friends who know our dogs will often just open the door and come in. Less barking that way. Meeting outside is fine and certainly welcome but we have allergies so not always interested in spending more time outside than necessary. Feel free to knock.
In 2008, we ferried across to Victoria, Canada on Vancouver island. Very hectic route and day. Traveled north out of the metropolis to stop for the night in a parking lot. Less than 10 minutes after our arrival, a knock on the door. Who the heck can that be?!…. Jehova’s Witness….
This is utterly complete BS! Don’t believe everything that you read. This has got to be someone’s “woke” idea.
How in heaven’s name could it be “woke”? Being “woke” is all about being welcoming and kind to others, even if they differ from you. People who identify as “woke” would enjoy meeting others in campgrounds and be willing to welcome them at their door.
If someone knocks during daylight hours and it’s not early morning, I’m fine with it. After dark, I’m suspicious of anyone knocking at the door. I’ll usually talk through a window in that scenario.
35-seasons traveling this great country and I’ve never heard of this so-called ‘rule’. We’ve had people knock on the door and have never looked at that as an intrusion.
Well Gail, pretty much no one agrees with you.
Looks like you’re right! Funny, but the “no knocking” idea was one of the first unwritten rules I was told on a work camping job years ago. Maybe it’s a regional thing?
I agree that at night, knocking must be for an emergency. However, I will knock at night if my neighbor still has his outside lights on for any reason.
Heading back to Wisconsin we stpopped in a large-store parking lot for an overnight rest. No campgrounds around. Per the manager I parked on the outside perimeter. About 6 AM I heard a knocking on the side of the rig. Looked out the slide-out window and asked what he wanted. Said he had a flat tire and needed help changing it. He pointed out to the road but no car was parked there. “Oh. It’s just out of view.” I’m thinking, “Sure, it is.” Told him I called 911 to help him, Saw him head to the fromt towards my truck and then his tires squealed. A few minutes later the police arrived. Never saw his car or got a good look at him. Only time in 40+ years this happened.
Never heard of this unwritten rule. My mother use the rule don’t visit unless the door was open to the screen door. I try to knock on the front of the camper and stand back from the door.
Disagree with this. I was taught very a full time RVer to always be friendly and greet a a knock with a smile and a positive attitude. Always appreciate a knock on the door. Anytime any where. Teaching people to be rude is not cool.
Knocked on a door last winter when we arrived back at our camper and the neighbor was running his genset at 10:15, when the hours are 8-10 am and 6-8 pm. He wasn’t happy, but the genset was turned off and two campers yelled “Thanks” to me for getting the owner to turn the genset off.
I sometimes am concerned if I don’t see anyone at a campsite for days. Someone inside may be sick, hurt or worse. Rather than knocking I first alert the campground hosts. Just the other day after not seeing anyone or a vehicle at a motorhome for four days I noticed the door was wide open. The next morning it was still open and the keys were in the lock. I knocked but no answer so called the host.
Yes, I know people who do not like anyone to knock on their RV door. I talked to the manager of an RV park today and the employees are very careful about knocking. She said that many folks get upset when they receive a knock. I worry about interrupting someone’s “Nooner.”
Sure, but that’s true of people in houses as well. RV culture doesn’t really differ from normal sticks-n-bricks culture in that way.
This is the “back side” of the topic from a former LEO. I would NEVER open the RV door to an unexpected knock without viewing outside (which is easy to do in our RV). Especially after dark. Then all outside LED lighting is turned on and I view through the dinette window by “slicing the pie” (ask any LEO what that means). If it’s a stranger, I answer verbally asking for ID and purpose while armed (whatever your method is for self-defense: firearm, baton, blackjack, pepper spray, CS gas, Taser, Byrna, edged weapon, Belgian Malinois, etc.). Never ignore a knock – it may be the County Sheriff warning of a fire, flood, or hazardous chemical/gas leak or spill requiring evacuation.
Excellent advice, Dick! Thank you very much! Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Often I will tap on the side of the RV closest to the road.
Right. Don’t knock. Just open the door and walk right in uninvited. Or maybe stand about 20 feet away and shout ‘Hey you’ until somebody opens the door.
Thank you for the discussion, Gail. All seem reasonable suggestions. Have a great week and safe travels!
Sounds to me like a personal foible, not an “unwritten rule” and I’ve been RVing for 30+ years.
I have a 2016 molded fiberglass trailer (LilSnoozy) That kind of RV is a niche market. Lots of times even at gas stations people will ask if they can take a look inside our rig. I don’t mind it. I feel that it’s a good idea to make people aware of MFGTrailers since so many have never heard about them. Most are made in the USA and a couple are made in Canada.
My wife and I fulltimed for 21 years. We never heard of such a rule
knocking then stepping back 4 or 5 feet works for me