How to ruin someone elses camping experience

[SeaLevel]

We pulled into our campsite yesterday and immediately noticed a strong odor, but we weren't sure where it was coming from. It was bad enough that we had to keep our windows closed and it was making us a bit nauseous.

This morning I was talking to our neighbor that is camping in a tent, and he asked if we had been bothered by the strong diesel smell (DEF?). Then he showed me that there was a large spill in the gravel under where we parked the truck - hence the reason we didn't find where it was coming from. We have a gas engine and they noticed the smell and the spill before we arrived.

I have no idea who was camped here before us, but it seems like bad manners to spill something like that and not address it. I had the rangers come with a shovel and bucket and they scooped up the gravel from that area and took it away.

[DaveMc]

The DEF is odorless, but diesel leaking underneath a vehicle would be bad. Another possibility is that someone had a small can of diesel for starting a fire and dumped or spilled some in the driveway. I feel your frustration for sure--I don't deal well with pungent odors. Hope the rest of the stay is a pleasant one!!!

Dave

[n2916s]

And whatever they didn't get is headed for the water table...

[Nightmare67]

DEF is Urea mixed with deionized water and can have a slightly pungent odor similar to ammonia.
I’ve also heard it described as cat pee.
The rig before you probably spilt a bunch while adding it.

It’s harmless but it does stink.

[streaminwild]

Always leave a place better than you found it. One of my creeds. Glad you feel the same way SeaLevel. Some people have no appreciation for one or another...let alone nature.

[Nightmare67]

Yup. That ol saying... “take only memories. Leave only footprints”

Sierra Club?

[DBinSD]

If you spill DEF and don’t clean it up.
It’s like peeing there and walking away. Urea, it’s urine...
Sorry you had to experience a crappy camper.

[SeaLevel]

It must have been diesel fuel, based on the description of the smell of DEF. I told them they might want to look up who was here before us and let them know. If it was a leak they need to get it fixed. If it was an accident, or on purpose, they also need to be told they can’t leave it like that.

[xrvr]

I have found burn pits where gray water has been dumped are also smelly. Dish water, etc has food particles that rot.

[n2916s]

My pet peeve is a cooking grate or fire pit full of cigarette butts. Nothing like that aroma to brighten up your s'mores...

[KJRitchie]

Probably drained their diesel fuel filters suspecting water in them. Not cool.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by DBinSD

Urea, it’s urine...

Not true. Both urine and DEF contain urea. But saying urea is urine is like saying that vodka is gasohol because both contain ethyl alcohol.

[VAtom]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Not true. Both urine and DEF contain urea. But saying urea is urine is like saying that vodka is gasohol because both contain ethyl alcohol.

I wonder if I pee in my DEF tank...will give me a couple more "starts"

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Not true. Both urine and DEF contain urea. But saying urea is urine is like saying that vodka is gasohol because both contain ethyl alcohol.

Ah.............Home made Russian Vodka.

Best regards and safe travels

[MickeyC]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Probably drained their diesel fuel filters suspecting water in them. Not cool.

I agree with KJRitchie! I have seen several people drain their filter right on the ground. I have asked a few of them about it and they always say "it ain't enough to hurt anything". My filter has a hose on it and I drain it into a bottle and depose of it when I get to a truck stop. They usually have a fuel disposal.

[banderabob]

If left intentionally, just reflective of the “don’t care”attitude that seems to rear its ugly persona periodically.

[imflyinby]

Your scenario would be extremely disappointing, especially in this day and time when there are more RVers and less opportunity to move to another site. Some of us spend alot of time planning to have a great site and enjoyable experience while we are on vacation and away from the day job.
Our biggest pet peave we have encountered while camping is lighting. Now I do realize that some of us may be in the minority of wanting a true camping experience which includes a campfire and a dark sky to view the stars, there are also those who feel the need to light up their site like the are still in their subdivision. We’ve seen people bring their own portable street-post lamps with bright LED cool white lighting. Some of the newer RVs with their built-in LED light strips make the campground look like an amusement park. Thank goodness our Airstreams don’t have those.
As campers we are out to get a dose of nature and are concerned about all types of pollution.....let’s please don’t forget about light pollution and the ability it has to make for a bad camping experience, especially for those of us who enjoy sleeping with our window open to get the fresh air, feel the breeze and listen to the bugs sing at night.

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by imflyinby

Your scenario would be extremely disappointing, especially in this day and time when there are more RVers and less opportunity to move to another site. Some of us spend alot of time planning to have a great site and enjoyable experience while we are on vacation and away from the day job.
Our biggest pet peave we have encountered while camping is lighting. Now I do realize that some of us may be in the minority of wanting a true camping experience which includes a campfire and a dark sky to view the stars, there are also those who feel the need to light up their site like the are still in their subdivision. We’ve seen people bring their own portable street-post lamps with bright LED cool white lighting. Some of the newer RVs with their built-in LED light strips make the campground look like an amusement park. Thank goodness our Airstreams don’t have those.
As campers we are out to get a dose of nature and are concerned about all types of pollution.....let’s please don’t forget about light pollution and the ability it has to make for a bad camping experience, especially for those of us who enjoy sleeping with our window open to get the fresh air, feel the breeze and listen to the bugs sing at night.

Well said for us in minority.

[SteveSueMac]

On the diesel puddle or lighting or anything else - it may be helpful to start in any scenario by assuming positive intent - even though some people are jerks. [emoji3]

Very few people - even jerks - wake up in the morning thinking, "what one thing can I do today to piss off a random stranger..."

As mentioned - it's possible the prior campsite users had an unknown diesel fuel leak and are perhaps so used to the smell they never noticed it. Yes, it's also possible they changed a filter and spilled some without cleaning it up - but we don't know and assuming positive intent, the idea of having the campground call them to let them know is a good one - maybe they just don't know they have a leak and that call could be very helpful to them. Or if it wasn't a leak and they did change a filter and spill some - they might 'fess up and the campground owner can educate them on why it's a bad idea, or they might remain silent about it but realize that can't happen again, or still, they might be jerks and not give a care. Either way - taking action based on assuming positive intent for the benefit of the other person seems a good strategy.

Same with lights. For starters - the idea that someone leaves a light display on after 10:00 in a campground is pretty bad form but again, assume positive intent - maybe they dozed off inside the camper after a long hike and meant to hit the lights but hit the hay first by mistake.

Or maybe they're outside with a cosmic light display going on. If it bothers you, no harm in asking them if they wouldn't mind picking a time to shut them off so you can catch the night sky. See diesel examples for possible replies - but most people are decent and would be glad to oblige.

Humans are mostly decent [emoji3]