Characteristics or 'Groups' of Campers...

RoboLB · Senior Member

Characteristics or 'Groups' of Campers...

DMaxer · Guru

I think the vast majority are just nice pleasant people enjoying a quiet lifestyle and having fun sightseeing and socialising. The ones I have met are up for a chat and interesting to talk to. The ones that give me a laugh are the Action Man types. They always have a Ute covered in winches, driving lights and off road gear. Radio aerials are everywhere and the Ute has massive suspension and lifted yet here they are in a campground. There are always bikes, surfboards and fishing roads that never get used. The wife sits in a chair whilst Hubble looks under the bonnet, adjusts the solar and walks about with his elbows stuck out in a T shirt three sizes too small and the mandatory tats on arms and legs. Good entertainment I think.

Ivan 01 · Guru

It is funny that quite often on this forum and some others we all criticise members from our own group (mainly GNs)

Sometimes the criticism is well deserved, but many times the GN is very savvy with what is legal, acceptable and what equipment he or she needs to enjoy themselves without the need for the kitchen sink loaded onto their rig.

Then we see the weekend warrior who has the top of the range Datsun Insult with the roof camper, all the winches mud boards, snatches, solar to run a small village, fridges a tent or two and the almost mandatory three kids. Oh hang on, I forgot the 4m x 3m Chinese Gazebo as well as the jet ski in tow.

They have enough equipment to spend months out in the bush but inevitably they turn up at the beach side caravan park at every long weekend available so regularly that I am sure many park managers leave a few spots available for their last minute arrival on the nice green lawned areas.

They generally get there on the Friday evening and the kids run wild after an epic packing and road trip while Dad and Mum or the trendy new girlfriend set up the camp.
At this stage they dont use the rooftop camper because they will be getting up early on Saturday to tow the jet ski to the ramp to explore the area beyond the park grounds.
They return in the arvo open the esky and enjoy a few drinks.
They are generally too tired to set the roof top sleeper up so they all elect to sleep under the Gazebo for the night.
Around tea time an old GN wanders by a bids them a friendly hello and at the same time mentions the change in the weather which is predicted for early morning on Sunday.
Dad says thanks mate, no worries, we have a good set up and we will be fine.

Sunday morning we observe that the heavy rain which was predicted combined with some hefty gusts of wind took its toll on the Chinese Gazebo and when the roof of their night shelter filled in the corners with rain water causing it to collapse it created a wet family with wet belongings.

Dad proceeds to dismantle what is left of the Gazebo and throw it onto the pile of already destroyed gazebos which are now taking up a complete camp site in the back corner of the park.
By this time the kids are crying, Mum / new girlfriend wants to go back to the city and Dad wishes he had gone into the bush camping and drinking with his mates.
Usually by Sunday night they are all but packed up fully, they are prepared to sleep in the Datsun Insult and head home on Monday.

Quite predictably, the nearby campers hear the *rice burner* fire up at 4.00am and off they go, back to civilisation says Mum / girlfriend.

There is really no place on the pecking order ladder with this camper although I really do believe that those of similar equipment do have their own pecking order ladder on which they find a spot to compare themselves, their equipment, their car and their jet ski with others.

There are others who come along.

The professional camper 4w driver who does know what he or she is doing. These people tend to avoid the family with the Datsun Insult particularly if it is a long weekend.

The couple in the motor home who only talk to others in a motor home. I think they are using a special motor home language so they can talk to each other.

The motor home with the single bloke. He enjoys his day talking to others. Those others are mostly females on their way to use the facilities.

The single female in the well appointed Wizz Banger who spends most of her time avoiding the single male by walking the long way to the showers.

The couple in the caravan with 6 dogs in tow. They tend to build their own wild life park around their van with droppers and chook wire which is virtually impenetrable to anything but the Bull mastiff in the adjacent camp.

The couple in the caravan who organise the Happy Hour gathering if only for one reason and that is to hold attention while they tell everyone in attendance how bad the managers in the park are and how they will only stay here long enough to steal a months supply of toilet paper and hand soap. After all they say, they are owed this for the park not having Wi Fi. cry
Usually within this group there is the bloke who knows so much about everything that he is actually 168 years old.
Did I add that these same two organisers dont drink alcohol and frown on those who may turn up with wine or beer.

Well then what do we have left.

We then have about a dozen or so folk consisting mainly of couples who tend to do their own thing of a day and then get together of an evening for a quiet drink a laugh and a convivial conversation on many topics. This group can be popular but the members can also be very protective as to who actually sits in the group.
Unfortunately even within this group there may exist a pecking order generally based on the brand of car and the brand a luxury appointments of their caravans.

So, to the OP, yes there can be groups and pecking orders.
Head out there, do you own thing, make you own decisions, enjoy others company if they fit with what you expect of others.
Respect those who you may not be amicable with no matter how rude they are.
If being social you will find friends and even those who you will remain in contact long term.

With those on the road there is a common denominator in travelling which makes a very good conversation starter.

Enjoy yourself and travel safely.

BTW no camper, new designer girlfriend or Datsun was injured with the writing of this post biggrin

This is also the reason why so many enjoy their travels by avoiding all of the above. smile

-- Edited by Ivan 01 on Tuesday 28th of June 2022 01:41:18 PM

Stewart · Senior Member

Very good response. I like the fully equipped urban assault vehicle loaded to the hilt for off grid and parked outside the large cabin while the owner polishes the wheels again. Then there is the middle aged caravaner towing a 24 food t caravan and proceeds to create a 5 bedroom mansion along with 60 inch tv in the double annex. Large BBQ and super loud stereo. Also has advice for everyone in listening distance. Cheers Stewart

Mike Harding · Guru

Very well written Ivan :)

And *that* is why I spend most of my time in the bush.

Bobdown · Guru

Hi Rob,

Is that the rig you ended up with in your Avatar? I was following your search for a campervan but didn't know the final result......wait for new or secondhand?

We tend to avoid busy seaside areas, travelling in school holidays and enjoy playing games etc usually just us but occasionally with others.(Yahtzee, Pictionary and card games)

We have done a few short trips with friends, but after one eventful month with neighbours, never again.

We always say hello to other Nomads, but mostly don't intrude unless its a Sundowner or like, and then we will have a drink with others.

Cheers Bob

Good story Ivan, have probably seen all those types. smile smile smile

RoboLB · Senior Member

DMaxer wrote:
I think the vast majority are just nice pleasant people enjoying a quiet lifestyle and having fun sightseeing and socialising. The ones I have met are up for a chat and interesting to talk to. The ones that give me a laugh are the Action Man types. They always have a Ute covered in winches, driving lights and off road gear. Radio aerials are everywhere and the Ute has massive suspension and lifted yet here they are in a campground. There are always bikes, surfboards and fishing roads that never get used. The wife sits in a chair whilst Hubble looks under the bonnet, adjusts the solar and walks about with his elbows stuck out in a T shirt three sizes too small and the mandatory tats on arms and legs. Good entertainment I think.

Note to self. Don't add too many aerials and solar to new campervan when it finally arrives LOL

RoboLB · Senior Member

Ivan 01 wrote:

So, to the OP, yes there can be groups and pecking orders.
Head out there, do you own thing, make you own decisions, enjoy others company if they fit with what you expect of others.
Respect those who you may not be amicable with no matter how rude they are.
If being social you will find friends and even those who you will remain in contact long term.

With those on the road there is a common denominator in travelling which makes a very good conversation starter.

Enjoy yourself and travel safely.

BTW no camper, new designer girlfriend or Datsun was injured with the writing of this post

This is also the reason why so many enjoy their travels by avoiding all of the above.

-- Edited by Ivan 01 on Tuesday 28th of June 2022 01:41:18 PM

Love it! biggrin

RoboLB · Senior Member

Bobdown wrote:
Hi Rob,
Is that the rig you ended up with in your Avatar? I was following your search for a campervan but didn't know the final result......wait for new or secondhand?
We tend to avoid busy seaside areas, travelling in school holidays and enjoy playing games etc usually just us but occasionally with others.(Yahtzee, Pictionary and card games)
We have done a few short trips with friends, but after one eventful month with neighbours, never again.
We always say hello to other Nomads, but mostly don't intrude unless its a Sundowner or like, and then we will have a drink with others.
Cheers Bob
Good story Ivan, have probably seen all those types.

It's the one on order Bob. Heaven knows when we'll get it.

If we see a 'bargain' used one we might get one, but used prices are crazy right now.

So will probably rent whilst waiting.........

The 'small rig' suits us as we spend a lot of time on the road and really only stay 1 night anywhere. Lots of short trips at this stage.

86GTS · Guru

Many years ago we were camped in Hall's Gap in the Grampians.
A couple with two kids arrived & started setting up their tent/camp.
To us it appeared that they were novices & didn't have a clue what they were doing.
After a lot of stuffing around & some arguments they sort of had things under control.
The weather turned wet & windy.
They deserted their camp & headed to a motel a few minutes down the road.
Three days later they came back to a flattened tent & a big mess.
They threw it in the car & drove off
We went over to where they had been "camped" & saw price tags from all the equipment that they had obviously used for the first time, spread everywhere.
We reckoned that they would never go camping again.

The most obnoxious group of oldies that we've ever met was at Genoa donation camp, VIC . Four couples sitting around a campfire bragging about how many dunny rolls they'd stolen, how much handsoap they'd pumped into their own containers & how many donation camps that they'd been to without donating.

-- Edited by 86GTS on Tuesday 28th of June 2022 02:41:45 PM

RoboLB · Senior Member

86GTS wrote:
The most obnoxious group of oldies that we've ever met was at Genoa donation camp, VIC . Four couples sitting around a campfire bragging about how many dunny rolls they'd stolen, how much handsoap they'd pumped into their own containers & how many donation camps that they'd been to without donating.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Tuesday 28th of June 2022 02:41:45 PM

That's really sad .......

Whenarewethere · Guru

RoboLB wrote:
Note to self. Don't add too many aerials and solar to new campervan when it finally arrives LOL

Agree.

Everything you add, is payload used up. It is surprising how all the tiny little things add up. Spreadsheet & kitchen scales are handy!

We don't drive at night so don't need spot lights. We do have a far bit of equipment, tow rope, spanners, obviously a tyre repair kit & compressors, fuses, jumper leads & can jumpstart from our auxiliary batteries, clamp meter (multimeter), TPMS, to name a few.

Do some shorter trips closer to home first before you buy anything to work out what you would like need.

More importantly what you do not need & leave it at home. Every trip we finish we find a few things that will reduce payload. Often wondering why we bought it in the first place.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

G'day Rob,

I live in my aluminium tent full time and have done heaps of freedom camping, donation camping, show grounds, side of the road, caravan parks, you name it I've done it. Currently I am enjoying power and water in a caravan park in my aluminium tent.

I will chat to anyone if they want but don't interfere. Some talk, some don't and some just ignore you. I love joining in happy hours and have had some real good ones and some very long ones too. I don't like know it all's, smart as..s or exspurts and avoid then as much as possible. I have been very lucky to have met a lot of great people from this forum and in my travels and would count on a 3 finger hand the ones I wouldn't bother with again. Most people are friendly, very friendly, as we are all doing the same thing really.

I know the family you are talking about and follow them on Youtube. Very knowledgeable bloke with a lovely family.

I'm sure you will enjoy your travels once you get started but,

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

hufnpuf · Senior Member

I have no idea and no real interest in judging or characterizing who else is around. I am mostly out looking at something in the day and then I'm out like a light at night, I don't observe other campers closely. If they are there, we'll say hello, otherwise if they are not there they are off out too, I suppose. The only thing I've noticed about other campers is the families with little kids or the people with no kids. The kids have a great time at caravan parks, scooting on scooters and little bikes and those campers have a lot of "kid stuff'. The other things I notice is when somebody is cooking something that smells good, barbecue or curry or something and who else has dogs along. That's pretty much it.

RoboLB · Senior Member

Whenarewethere wrote:
RoboLB wrote:
Note to self. Don't add too many aerials and solar to new campervan when it finally arrives LOL
Agree.

Everything you add, is payload used up. It is surprising how all the tiny little things add up. Spreadsheet & kitchen scales are handy!
We don't drive at night so don't need spot lights. We do have a far bit of equipment, tow rope, spanners, obviously a tyre repair kit & compressors, fuses, jumper leads & can jumpstart from our auxiliary batteries, clamp meter (multimeter), TPMS, to name a few.
Do some shorter trips closer to home first before you buy anything to work out what you would like need.
More importantly what you do not need & leave it at home. Every trip we finish we find a few things that will reduce payload. Often wondering why we bought it in the first place.

Sound advice. Better stay off Amazon.........

RoboLB · Senior Member

Dougwe wrote:
G'day Rob,

I live in my aluminium tent full time and have done heaps of freedom camping, donation camping, show grounds, side of the road, caravan parks, you name it I've done it. Currently I am enjoying power and water in a caravan park in my aluminium tent.

I will chat to anyone if they want but don't interfere. Some talk, some don't and some just ignore you. I love joining in happy hours and have had some real good ones and some very long ones too. I don't like know it all's, smart as..s or exspurts and avoid then as much as possible. I have been very lucky to have met a lot of great people from this forum and in my travels and would count on a 3 finger hand the ones I wouldn't bother with again. Most people are friendly, very friendly, as we are all doing the same thing really.

I know the family you are talking about and follow them on Youtube. Very knowledgeable bloke with a lovely family.

I'm sure you will enjoy your travels once you get started but,

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

That's them. Very entertaining videos.........

86GTS · Guru

A few notable types of campers that we've noticed on our travels:

THE CLEANER: He spends all of his time washing & polishing his rig, even if it wasn't dirty in the first place. We saw one guy go over his caravan & car about 8 times with a gurnie gun in a CP with water restrictions. Another time we saw a motor home pull in & the first thing he did after quickly jumping out of the drivers seat was to grab a leaf blower & go all over his vehicle removing invisible dust.

THE MECHANIC: He spends all his time fiddling under the bonnet of his tug or under his caravan. There are lots of mechanics.

THE ENVIROMENTAL DISASTER/PYRO-MANIAC: The first thing he does after jumping out of his tug is to cut down every bit of bush in sight & start a fire. He then sets up his caravan, raises the TV aerial, never to be seen again.

THE KEG: He spends all day from 11am until bedtime with a can attached to his arm. The only exercise that he gets is walking to his vehicle to check the beer fridge for another can.

THE CHATTER BOX: She spends all day, every day talking loudly on her mobile so that the whole camp can hear her, mostly to her kids & grand-kids. She sometimes talks to her husband, though not very often.

THE INVISIBLE PEOPLE: They pull up in a beautiful location in a motor home. The satellite dish goes up within a few minutes of arrival. No-one gets out for 3 days. The dish goes down & they drive off. Or maybe the whole thing works on robotics & there's no-one in it?

These are some observations over 12 years of travel. As long as everyone is enjoying themselves in their own way, who cares? Like Mike we spend most of our time out in the bush, preferably by ourselves.

-- Edited by 86GTS on Wednesday 29th of June 2022 09:38:57 AM

Buzz Lightbulb · Guru

We tend to keep to ourselves. Not because we are antisocial but because we do a lot of sightseeing and bushwalking so we're hardly at our caravan unless it's for breakfast and dinner. We tend to go to bed a bit early because we're plumb tuckered out after a day of sightseeing.

We mostly meet people at the attractions. We met a couple at a lookout at the end of a 5km bushwalk. After chatting to them for some time they said that they were camped next to us at a caravan park in a very small town. We ended up having dinner together at the local pub but went our separate ways the next morning.

I find that most people are nice to talk to. There are a few to avoid. I don't think it's as bad as Ivan01 says but we do tend to stay in small towns.

Stretch60 · Senior Member

This is hilarious, my very good mate of over 40 years is one of those. Buys near new Jayco second hand off road family van and spends 2k on a ceramic polish. Then drives to a caravan park. Sinks his not off road tug in a puddle then buys over priced 2nd hand 200 series and pays a couple of grand for yes you guessed it, a ceramic polish. Then gets raised suspension to match off road van to tow to aforementioned CP. Then talks to the nearest knob with the same over priced off road rig that never sees a dirt road. But, he's happy which is what it's all about.

Mike Harding · Guru

Stretch60 wrote:
But, he's happy which is what it's all about.

Absolutely!

I suppose we all get a little evil fun from taking the mikey out of others on occasion but why shouldn't the bloke spend all day polishing his pride and joy caravan? The pleasure he gets from that is just as valid as the pleasure I gain from being in the bush.

Do as you will and don't harm others....

86GTS · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
Stretch60 wrote:
But, he's happy which is what it's all about.
Absolutely!
I suppose we all get a little evil fun from taking the mikey out of others on occasion but why shouldn't the bloke spend all day polishing his pride and joy caravan? The pleasure he gets from that is just as valid as the pleasure I gain from being in the bush.
Do as you will and don't harm others....

Absolutely.

Having a private chuckle does no harm though.

I can imagine what other people think of us wandering around the bush with binoculars & cameras trying to find feathered creatures. "Look at those two weirdos!"

Clarky 1 · Senior Member

Ivan 01 wrote:
It is funny that quite often on this forum and some others we all criticise members from our own group (mainly GNs)

Sometimes the criticism is well deserved, but many times the GN is very savvy with what is legal, acceptable and what equipment he or she needs to enjoy themselves without the need for the kitchen sink loaded onto their rig.

Then we see the weekend warrior who has the top of the range Datsun Insult with the roof camper, all the winches mud boards, snatches, solar to run a small village, fridges a tent or two and the almost mandatory three kids. Oh hang on, I forgot the 4m x 3m Chinese Gazebo as well as the jet ski in tow.

They have enough equipment to spend months out in the bush but inevitably they turn up at the beach side caravan park at every long weekend available so regularly that I am sure many park managers leave a few spots available for their last minute arrival on the nice green lawned areas.

They generally get there on the Friday evening and the kids run wild after an epic packing and road trip while Dad and Mum or the trendy new girlfriend set up the camp.
At this stage they dont use the rooftop camper because they will be getting up early on Saturday to tow the jet ski to the ramp to explore the area beyond the park grounds.
They return in the arvo open the esky and enjoy a few drinks.
They are generally too tired to set the roof top sleeper up so they all elect to sleep under the Gazebo for the night.
Around tea time an old GN wanders by a bids them a friendly hello and at the same time mentions the change in the weather which is predicted for early morning on Sunday.
Dad says thanks mate, no worries, we have a good set up and we will be fine.

Sunday morning we observe that the heavy rain which was predicted combined with some hefty gusts of wind took its toll on the Chinese Gazebo and when the roof of their night shelter filled in the corners with rain water causing it to collapse it created a wet family with wet belongings.

Dad proceeds to dismantle what is left of the Gazebo and throw it onto the pile of already destroyed gazebos which are now taking up a complete camp site in the back corner of the park.
By this time the kids are crying, Mum / new girlfriend wants to go back to the city and Dad wishes he had gone into the bush camping and drinking with his mates.
Usually by Sunday night they are all but packed up fully, they are prepared to sleep in the Datsun Insult and head home on Monday.

Quite predictably, the nearby campers hear the *rice burner* fire up at 4.00am and off they go, back to civilisation says Mum / girlfriend.

There is really no place on the pecking order ladder with this camper although I really do believe that those of similar equipment do have their own pecking order ladder on which they find a spot to compare themselves, their equipment, their car and their jet ski with others.

There are others who come along.

The professional camper 4w driver who does know what he or she is doing. These people tend to avoid the family with the Datsun Insult particularly if it is a long weekend.

The couple in the motor home who only talk to others in a motor home. I think they are using a special motor home language so they can talk to each other.

The motor home with the single bloke. He enjoys his day talking to others. Those others are mostly females on their way to use the facilities.

The single female in the well appointed Wizz Banger who spends most of her time avoiding the single male by walking the long way to the showers.

The couple in the caravan with 6 dogs in tow. They tend to build their own wild life park around their van with droppers and chook wire which is virtually impenetrable to anything but the Bull mastiff in the adjacent camp.

The couple in the caravan who organise the Happy Hour gathering if only for one reason and that is to hold attention while they tell everyone in attendance how bad the managers in the park are and how they will only stay here long enough to steal a months supply of toilet paper and hand soap. After all they say, they are owed this for the park not having Wi Fi.
Usually within this group there is the bloke who knows so much about everything that he is actually 168 years old.
Did I add that these same two organisers dont drink alcohol and frown on those who may turn up with wine or beer.

Well then what do we have left.

We then have about a dozen or so folk consisting mainly of couples who tend to do their own thing of a day and then get together of an evening for a quiet drink a laugh and a convivial conversation on many topics. This group can be popular but the members can also be very protective as to who actually sits in the group.
Unfortunately even within this group there may exist a pecking order generally based on the brand of car and the brand a luxury appointments of their caravans.

So, to the OP, yes there can be groups and pecking orders.
Head out there, do you own thing, make you own decisions, enjoy others company if they fit with what you expect of others.
Respect those who you may not be amicable with no matter how rude they are.
If being social you will find friends and even those who you will remain in contact long term.

With those on the road there is a common denominator in travelling which makes a very good conversation starter.

Enjoy yourself and travel safely.

BTW no camper, new designer girlfriend or Datsun was injured with the writing of this post

This is also the reason why so many enjoy their travels by avoiding all of the above.

-- Edited by Ivan 01 on Tuesday 28th of June 2022 01:41:18 PM

That is one funny write up Ivan. biggrin biggrin

I know it was written in jest but it hits home with some that I have seen anyway.

Isnt it quiet out in the bush. smile

Hitting the road · Senior Member

LOL...brilliant Ivan...love it!

DeBe · Guru

The couple in the caravan with 6 dogs in tow. They tend to build their own wild life park around their van with droppers and chook wire which is virtually impenetrable to anything but the Bull mastiff in the adjacent camp. Realy enjoyed your post Ivan in particular the bit about dogs.

spida · Guru

Love it Ivan.
Then there are couples with a dog. Do you notice how they seldom walk it together - one in the morning - the other at night. Chance to get away from each other?
I love the ones who put out the awning, the chairs, tables, eskies, ground mat, BBQ etc etc - stay one night then pack it all up again.