User Tag List

Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Seasoned Camper J Maguire's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Phoenix
    Posts
    268
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Lights under vehicles to scare away critters Question!

    Out here in AZ (Phoenix area regional parks) we see a lot of lights overnight under vehicles to keep out unwanted pests; rats in the winter and snakes in the summer? Of course, we see it practiced elsewhere as well.

    We do not subscribe to this tactic and have never had a problem in a lot of years of camping. We don't stay for more than a few days at a time while camping in this area so maybe an extended stay would warrant a closer look into this practice.

    So, would love to hear from others - for and against this strategy. Cheers!
    2021 GD Reflection (150) 5th Wheel 268BH
    2019 F250 Gas 6.2L V8 FX4 Crew Cab
    PullRite 2100 20K Hitch w/ LOCKED OUT Turning Point
    2x Honda EU2200i Generators & 1UP Bike Rack & Roll-N-Lock Bed Cover
    Previous Setup:
    2017 Outdoors RV 23BHS
    2017 F150 Sport 3.5L V6 EcoBoost

  2. #2
    Long Hauler D2Reid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    Somewhere, USA
    Posts
    2,616
    Blog Entries
    3
    Mentioned
    30 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I think it may have some merit, but like you we have never purposefully put lights down to scare away critters. I think it would work for a short term but critters get used to things that stay the same over a period of time and I believe they would eventually cross the line to find the goodies.

    Over the years we have seen an increase in lighting while camping, mostly I think it's used to assist with not tripping over sticks and roots at night.

    While campground hosting in Deception Pass I had a gentleman knock on my door and asked that I turned the V LED lights off on the front of my Momentum. While hosting we light them up to show people that we are inviting them into our warm and friendly camp. This fellow indicated that the blue lights where shining into his campsite ruining the ambience of his camp fire. We left them off until he departed a few days later.
    Dallas
    2017 Momentum 376TH, 2019 Ford F450, Dual Rear Wheel, 4x4, diesel.
    2015 Harley-Davidson Street, XG750

  3. #3
    Fireside Member kscaddo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    NE TEXAS
    Posts
    91
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Why don't you try the old "lay out the site with a rope" trick? LOL couldn't resist.
    Ken & Margie
    2020 GD 337
    2018 Ram 3500 DRW 4X4
    B&W Companion

  4. #4
    Site Sponsor
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Cedaredge, CO
    Posts
    1,298
    Mentioned
    6 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    We surround our rig with solar powered rope lights. Have not had a critter problem since we started doing this.
    2018 Solitude 375 RES 2022 F450 Powerstroke Dually

  5. #5
    Site Sponsor Richter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Near Pittsburgh, PA
    Posts
    489
    Mentioned
    6 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I keep an old “trouble light” hooked up, with an IKEA 100 lumen bulb (smallest and cheapest to operate that I could find) and the cord run under the trailer and up into the basement and plugged in (had it in my garage for years, just hanging on the wall), but I put it out there so that I could ensure that the power was on and that I hadn’t popped a breaker in the garage/shop. Never really gave a thought to whether it might/might not be a deterrent to pests.
    Tom and Janice (known as Tom in PGH on the “other” forum)

    First came the 18' Comfort bumper-pull, was great for 20 years.
    Now a 2019 Reflection 303RLS, second air, double glass, table and chairs
    2019 F350 Lariat (Diesel) 4x4 Crewcab with lots of goodies
    Andersen aluminum with the puck system holding it all together
    Cranberry Twp. PA, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh

  6. #6
    Seasoned Camper fmartinmn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Litchfield, MN
    Posts
    369
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Dick Noble View Post
    We surround our rig with solar powered rope lights. Have not had a critter problem since we started doing this.
    Ok Dick, un foto por favor. You have us interested.
    Frank & Jolynn Martin
    Litchfield, MN
    Mabel & Bailey, Golden Retriever Fur Kids
    2019 RAM 3500 CTD, CC, LB, B&W Turnover Ball, AirLift 5000 Bags
    2019 Solitude 3350RL S-Class, 4440# CCC, Reese 20K GooseBox, 8K EOH Disc brakes, RV Airflow, SoftStartRV, 2-206AH SOK batteries, Victron Multiplus II, Victron 30A DC2DC,790W of Solar, Flex Armor Roof, Blu Tech Water Filtration, BlazeCut Fire Suppression

  7. #7
    Site Sponsor
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Cedaredge, CO
    Posts
    1,298
    Mentioned
    6 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Sorry, no pics. 5er is buried in snow and it is 22 out there. Couldn't see the white led rope lights anyway. Got the 20' ones, solar powered, from Harbor Freight. Needed 4 of them. I had to be careful to see that the chargers had lots of sun. I am thinking about 110/120 landscape lights for the north side next winter down south.
    2018 Solitude 375 RES 2022 F450 Powerstroke Dually

  8. #8
    Fireside Member 2ACDogs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Location
    central Arizona at 5000'
    Posts
    69
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Dick Noble View Post
    We surround our rig with solar powered rope lights. Have not had a critter problem since we started doing this.
    Wondering what critter problem you had before the lights? Would they keeps snakes away?
    2017 Imagine 2150RB
    2018 Titan CC 4x4

  9. #9
    Site Sponsor
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Cedaredge, CO
    Posts
    1,298
    Mentioned
    6 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    We did have mice before the lights. No snakes or elephants.
    2018 Solitude 375 RES 2022 F450 Powerstroke Dually

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

DISCLAIMER:This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Grand Design RV, LLC or any of its affiliates. This is an independent site.