Rope light fetish?

[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by Caffeinated

Until I find that set, I'll turn on my running lights so I can easily find my way home in the dark.

Mike

Kind of what flashlights used to be for




George

[mojo]

Just arrived at Usery Mt Park in Mesa AZ. Took a walk...and the trailers with the brightest rope lights and outside scare lights were all Airstreams. Perhaps they think the lights will keep the rattlesnakes away.

Anyway, there is enough ambient city-light reflection to light up the entire desert. Do you really need to leave lights on while you sit inside your trailer and watch TV?

[Caffeinated]

Originally Posted by gandttimes

Kind of what flashlights used to be for




George

Oh I've got a flashlight. But it's really bright. And I wouldn't want to annoy anyone.

Mike

[Bborzell]

Fashion or function? If it's fashion, then there is no answer. Some like rope lights and others don't; case closed.

Function is another issue. I put rope lights on the pad under my MH after 5 years of field mice intrusion. One incident resulted in mice chewing the vacuum hose that hooked to the heater and A/C flow control. The cost to dismantle much of the engine to reach and replace the hose was $1,500.

Two years of rope lights and no mice intrusion. Did they move next door? No, they still entered the shed where I keep a tractor (no lights of any kind).

It's not baseless anecdote to understand that field mice are light sensitive. That's the primary reason why we rarely see them outside during the day. When night falls, they move about looking for food, water and shelter; and some look for rubber to chew on.

Light sources = ocular pain in field mice. Rope (or any other) lights cause them to find a less uncomfortable place to hang out in. It ain't rocket science.

But, if you don't like parking near a trailer with rope lights, no amount of knowing that the occupants are field mouse free is likely to make you feel better.

[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by Caffeinated

Oh I've got a flashlight. But it's really bright. And I wouldn't want to annoy anyone.

Mike

Just don''t shine it in anyone's windows and you won't.
Just common sense and courtesy.

[Boxite]

If boondocking out for stargazing, I can understand why someone pulling up next door and stringing out the lights might be bothersome.

But in an urban or next-to-the insterstate campground environment....??....complainers need to "lighten-up."

[Florida 55]

Originally Posted by Zybane

Those are some pretty poor comparisons. It also has nothing to do with "offending". Offending and annoying are two different things.

An air conditioner is something that is installed on like 99.99% of RV's as you simply cannot live in some areas without one. They also make a constant low hum, not like music and bass that catches your attention. HUGE difference between a low steady hum and thumping beats.

A dog barking once and a while when you walk past is called nature and part of everyday life. Dogs and humans pair like no other and an occasional bark isn't egregious. This is a social norm.

Bright rope lights and other extraneous lights left on and lighting the campground up like a circus is COMPLETELY optional. You go out of your way to announce yourselves with "look at me".

Comparing an air conditioner or an occasional dark bark when you walk by to lighting up the side of your neighbors trailer with circus light refraction is completely ridiculous.

I've been reading this thread with great amusement and thought I'd add my two cents. For what it is worth I find the following much more annoying than rope lights under a trailer and tow vehicle:

1) Large and loud construction type generators running for hours, sometimes all night. Some motorhome generators can also be annoying, particularly when camp sites are close together.
2) Campers leaving multiple barking dogs inside their rigs or tied up outside for hours while they leave the camping area in blissful ignorance of the loud noise their pets are making.
3) Large screen televisions on the side of 5th wheels and motorhomes with supplemental speakers projecting the sound of the program across the campground.
4) People starting their older model loud clanky diesel trucks early in the morning and letting them idle for 30-40 minutes while they break down the campsite and hook up their trailer or 5th wheel.
5) Parents yelling across the campground at their children instead of walking over and speaking to the little ones in a normal voice.
6) Drones flying overhead sounding like swarms of angry bees.

Dismissing campground noise another Airstreamer finds annoying as "ridiculous", while professing one's own dislike of rope lighting as the only acceptable point of view seems somewhat one-sided if not demonstrating a lack of respect for differing opinions.

Some don't like lights, others don't like loud noises. Some people don't like campfire smoke. As long as the behavior isn't against the campground rules the only choices are to ignore, be miserable, ask the camper to adjust her/his behavior, or leave.

With respect to interpreting the use of rope lighting to be some kind of narcissistic display, to quote: "You go out of your way to announce yourselves with 'look at me'", consider there may be some who consider the ownership of a recent model 30' Classic, the most lavish and expensive Airstream currently sold, to be a statement as well.

As for me, I feel blessed to live in a world where we all have different opinions and lifestyles. Better to let the petty annoyances slide, respect diversity of opinions, and focus on the enjoyment we derive from traveling this great country of ours. Somehow when telling friends and relatives about our latest adventure the conversation never centers around barking dogs, loud generators, bright rope lighting, or noisy drones. Invariably we talk about the wonderful people we met and the incredible scenery we experienced. Life is good!

[thiel]

I've got a FEVER ... and the only prescription is MORE ROPE LIGHTS baby!

[DMP54]

Somehow when telling friends and relatives about our latest adventure the conversation never centers around barking dogs, loud generators, bright rope lighting, or noisy drones. Invariably we talk about the wonderful people we met and the incredible scenery we experienced. Life is good!

Amen!!!

[DMP54]

Quote courtesy of Florida 55 :-)

[Boxite]

Yes!, Florida 55/Chuck, is the kind of people I like to meet on the road.
Thank you for putting it so clearly, Chuck!

[danic]

Well said! Thank you, Florida 55!

[markdoane]

I'm getting one of those things that project moving red and green laser dots.
I think it would look great all over my shiny silver trailer.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by markdoane

I'm getting one of those things that project moving red and green laser dots.
I think it would look great all over my shiny silver trailer.

And a pair of disco mirror balls suspended from the awning ends!!!!!

[CRH]

Originally Posted by sunnygirl

Gee whiz. What's next? The noise made by my air conditioner offends you?

I have already had that....I had a camping neighbor come over one morning and comment on how great the weather was at night. She said "Maybe you turn that air conditioner off tonight."

[Rich Jenkins]

Originally Posted by slowmover

And a pair of disco mirror balls suspended from the awning ends!!!!!

Dang! Wished I had thought of that!!!

[1973Argosy]

Saw a new Prevost with 2 disco balls last year in Florida. They had the huge globe lights strung across their awning with the disco balls on both ends.

[1973Argosy]

I have already had that....I had a camping neighbor come over one morning and comment on how great the weather was at night. She said "Maybe you turn that air conditioner off tonight."

Hope you politely told them NO

[Rich Jenkins]

Originally Posted by markdoane

I'm getting one of those things that project moving red and green laser dots.
I think it would look great all over my shiny silver trailer.

Can you post a link?

I think that's my next step after the HF rope lights. I think either that, or a set of those Fox Pictures searchlights.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Llando88

Can you post a link?

I think that's my next step after the HF rope lights. I think either that, or a set of those Fox Pictures searchlights.

With argon lasers hitting the mirrored disco balls, everyone in line of sight as well as surrounding air traffic control space will feel part of the party.

You won't need the 17.5KW generator for the searchlights.