AITA for bringing a camper while camping?

A man, reluctantly joining his sister’s chaotic camping trips to care for his nephews, brings a used camper to dodge years of pranks like tent-collapsing and air horns. His sister and brother-in-law, frustrated by their failed antics, confront him, demanding a “tents-only” rule, which he rejects, insisting the camper stays.

This Reddit story captures the tension between personal boundaries and family expectations in a rowdy camping setting. It explores the struggle to maintain self-respect while fulfilling familial duties, resonating with those navigating intrusive relatives and seeking peace.

‘AITA for bringing a camper while camping?’

I know this sounds a bit odd. But I (M32) am not a big fan of camping. Don't like it, but don't really hate it either. My sister loves it though. And every time she invites me on a camping trip, something happens. My sister and her husband love to camp with friends multiple times a year. Our mother always calls me up begging I go too.

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And the reason why is because my sister and BIL use camping as a reason to get wasted and act like teenagers. They have two kids, both boys, 10 and 9 years old. So someone needs to stay sober and be responsible. My sister and BIL love to s**ew with me too. They don't like to let me sleep in, and would literally collapse my tent on me to wake me up.

Last year I brought one of those cots that's it's own small tent. They pushed me over in it like they were cow tipping. I'd had enough. So this year I took some measures. I only go along with the camping for the sake of my nephews. They're good kids. So this year I got a used camper without telling anyone and met my sister and the rest of her group at the campsite with it

She looked not pleased when she saw it. But didn't say she was upset. Everyone else seemed to love the camper though. During the camping all of the usual stuff happened. Except any time they tried to s**ew with me, I just went into the camper and locked the door. Which also meant I got a better night's sleep. Around 8 am I heard someone outside fiddling with the door knob.

They were trying to prank me again. They ended up resorting to using an air horn. I put in ear plugs. They then tried to rock the truck, but it must have been too heavy because they stopped after a few seconds. I didn't get up till 11. I made myself breakfast, got to do my business in a portable toilet, and had a decent place to change clothes.

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When I finally came outside my sister looked pissed. The entire time we were camping stuff went on like this. But they couldn't mess with me when I locked myself in a box. I got good sleep for once on these trips, and my nephews were always wanting in my camper to hang out. We played UNO at the table a few times. And I had a refrigerator filled with soda.

When the trip was over my sister confronted me and said that next time she was making a tents only rule. And I said I wouldn't be going then because my camper and I are a package deal. She told me she hated the camper, and that it wasn't necessary. I said she only hated it because she can't mess with me now that I have it. I was sick of all the stupid pranks.

And if they want me to help with the kids on camping trips, then my camper comes with and they stop messing with me. She called me a j**kass and walked away to fume. The only other person who's giving me crap is her husband. But everyone else says the camper is cool. AITA for getting it? Update: I've showed this post to my sister and BIL. They weren't happy.

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Frankly they were pissed. But they spent some time reading comments and are now extremely embarrassed. They've agreed that if I keep camping with them to help with the kids, there will be no more pranking me. They and their friends are free to prank each other, but I and my camper are off limits to their shenanigans. Especially after I pointed out that if they cause any sort of damage,

it'll be on them financially. What's more when they learned it's a potential criminal offense to rock my camper the way they did because it can cause injury. So they said they'd never try that again. They're also not gonna do the airhorn anymore for obvious reasons. My sister is actually very upset that so many here called her out as a bully. Especially since I agreed with them.

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When I asked her why she was so dead set on messing with me, she said she really didn't know. I told her that it didn't really matter. Bullying is bullying. And we're not kids anymore. My BIL initially defended her, but was sucked into it as well for always going along with her antics. To which I called him a complete tool. He's currently moping about it.

He and my sister are both extremely upset to have been called out as acting like kids, or actually more like a drunken frat. They were especially sore when I pointed out we're not young anymore. I'm actually the younger sibling. My sister is 35 and BIL 36. The arguments did start out with things like 'Why can't you just lighten up!' and me saying

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'Why can't you just respect my choice to stay out of the pranking and leave me the hell alone!'. And it remained a stalemate until My sister and BIL went through all of the comments. On top of all that, I think I may have started a camper trend. Because at least one of the couples my sister and BIL are close friends with are in the market for one now too since they have a GMC Sierra.

That'll haul one just fine. The days of tents only camping may actually be over. Lastly there is my mother. She was the most unhappy finding out about this post. But I told her I really didn't care what she thought because she insisted I keep going on the camping trips despite the relentless pranking because 'THE CHILDREEEEN!'.

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I called her out that if she was so concerned with that, she'd have gone too. She's retired and has plenty of time on her hands. And then she whined that she hates camping. And I sarcastically nodded and said 'You see! Now you get how I felt!'. She hasn't apologized, but did admit I was right.

I'm still gonna be doing camping, because what's the point of having a camper if I don't use it. But it's more for myself now. I'll go on my own time. And if I go with my sister and BIL again, they aren't allowed to s**ew with me. Thank you everyone here for all your input. It's really been a game changer.

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The man’s camper was a smart move to shield himself from his sister’s and brother-in-law’s pranks, which crossed into bullying with actions like tent-collapsing. It set a firm boundary, allowing him to care for his nephews without enduring harassment.

Sibling conflicts often stem from boundary violations. The sister’s “tents-only” demand shows resistance to his autonomy, but her eventual agreement to stop pranks, spurred by community feedback, marks progress toward respect.

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Psychologist Dr. Harriet Lerner notes, “Boundaries strengthen family ties.” The camper forced accountability, reshaping their dynamic. The man’s stance was key to this constructive outcome.

He should enforce the no-prank rule and limit participation if boundaries are breached. His sister must prioritize parenting, ensuring future trips respect his peace and focus on family bonding.

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Here’s what the community had to contribute:

Reddit users applaud the man’s camper as a clever way to evade his sister’s and brother-in-law’s immature pranks, praising his dedication to his nephews. They see the camper as a justified boundary, enabling him to join trips on his terms.

Commenters condemn the sister’s bullying antics, arguing her frustration reflects lost control. They celebrate his firm stance, noting the camper’s role in ending pranks and inspiring others, while urging him to prioritize his own camping enjoyment.

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mizfit0416 − NTA - your sister and BIL need to grow the hell up.

Kellymargaret − NTA - pranks are ridiculous when adults use them as an excuse to be mean and ugly. They should be so appreciative that you come to take care of their children while they are being irresponsible.

UnpopularConclusion − NTA. Your sister and BIL need to grow up, or at the least respect boundaries. I literally chuckled when you said “my camper and I are a package deal.”

MissTheWire − NTA, but your sister & BIL are and you should just refuse to go. They are going to spend the whole year trying to figure out how to f**k with your camper.

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ATHFAssemble − Your sister LOVES using you as a punching bag. She finds it hilarious to watch you get upset and to judge your reactions. She has no respect for you as a person.

neil_guitar − NTA. Camper was a genius idea. Next time collapse their tents in the middle of the night as well

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[Reddit User] − Nta but why the f are you still going camping with them?????

[Reddit User] − NTA. As the saying goes, 'Roughing it is a black and white TV in my Winnebago'. But your sister is an AH. Probably because she didn't think to get one. Both she and your BIL are AH for doing what they did with the rocking and airhorn. Ibet other campers in the area were thrilled with that airhorn too.

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toofat2serve − NTA. You are the uncle that every kid needs.. You set boundaries, your sister crashes through them.. This is like the three little pigs, and the wolf is pissed because she couldn't blow your camper over.

Bassjosh − NTA. Your sister sounds like a piece of work. Stand your ground and enjoy your camper!

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This engaging story of a man using a camper to outsmart family pranks during a camping trip highlights the power of setting boundaries. His stand against his sister’s antics underscores the need for respect in family dynamics. Share your thoughts below and let’s unpack this camping caper.

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