Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

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Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

October 03, 2013, 01:20:03 pm

I still think we need a Foreforums rally that is focused on the technical aspects of our coaches and owner maintenance/trouble shooting. Have more emphasis on coach open houses, sharing of owner projects and innovation and less in the way of socializing and FT marketing. Maybe even have coach inspections and weighings. Wouldn't that be fun! And have it in a place that is interesting to many.....sorry Indiana leaves me cold (or hot/humid) as the case may be.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #1 – October 03, 2013, 02:00:49 pm

Understand that this was discussed previously. But it could be done for a price. I would be willing to pay a fee similar to the GV fee for such a rally. Fortunately, the Cummins engine in our coaches is probably the most reliable component. If it must be in the midwest, maybe the home of HWH would be good. Everyone has, or will have, problems with their systems. Or have it in Nac where there are plenty of technically capable people available. I guess my point is that the old rally model of people getting together with one thing in common.... their coaches, for a socially oriented gathering, may be on its way out. We need to try something different IMHO.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #2 – October 03, 2013, 02:02:52 pm

Quote from: George Hatfield – October 03, 2013, 01:20:03 pm

I still think we need a Foreforums rally that is focused on the technical aspects of our coaches and owner maintenance/trouble shooting. Have more emphasis on coach open houses, sharing of owner projects and innovation and less in the way of socializing and FT marketing. Maybe even have coach inspections and weighings. Wouldn't that be fun! And have it in a place that is interesting to many.....sorry Indiana leaves me cold (or hot/humid) as the case may be.

Sounds to me that this would be an event that as a owner of a newer coach would not be attending. I cannot see myself sitting through lectures on RV repairs at this time. I do like the socializing time we had at the Grandvention.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #3 – October 03, 2013, 02:14:57 pm

It would be interesting to know the stats on who owns what for Forum members. My impression is that the vast majority own coaches in the 1990-2004 model years. This is the group that such a rally would be directed to. The newer coaches, especially the IHs, seem to have little in common with those made in the period cited, so owners of those would not be a target group. I don't see this as an issue.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #4 – October 03, 2013, 04:28:18 pm

Quote from: John S – October 03, 2013, 01:53:34 pm

One insurance is required for a group in a campground and we looked into an FMCA chapter but you have to let everyone in.

To further what John said, by far the easiest, most cost effective, lowest personal liability way to obtain insurance for rallies would be through FMCA as a chapter.

The issue with forming an FMCA chapter, though, has nothing to do with "letting everyone in" but it was clear from several surveys of the forum membership that there isn't adequate interest in being a club officer, rally organizer, etc. A chapter cannot be successful without a good base of involved, active leadership and there simply wasn't enough here to justify going forward.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #5 – October 03, 2013, 05:30:07 pm

If this gets put together , I'll go for sure . Age of coach is one thing all right ---BUT--- It 's the people that have my interest . At the GV in Tenn. , I got a up close look at some of the nuts that make this whole thing what it is .Boy, was I suprised at how some of these people looked . Not sure what I expected , but that wasn't it .

The whole thing is getting together with the folks you talk to and read on the forum . Lets do it . Brad Metzger

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #6 – October 03, 2013, 05:57:15 pm

Quote from: George Hatfield – October 03, 2013, 02:14:57 pm

It would be interesting to know the stats on who owns what for Forum members. My impression is that the vast majority own coaches in the 1990-2004 model years. This is the group that such a rally would be directed to. I don't see this as an issue.

This sounds very familiar. We can call the ones then with the 1990-2004 year coaches the Democrats and the newer coaches the Republicans. Since there are more older coaches according to your post, then the Democrats are in control and do not need to address the needs of the minority party. I am really taken back when you said: " The newer coaches, especially the IHs, seem to have little in common with those made in the period cited, so owners of those would not be a target group." I do not think for a minute this is the mission of this forum.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #7 – October 03, 2013, 06:03:57 pm

Relax. That was not the intent I am sure. Foretravels have significantly changed technologically over the years. I know I would not get much out of getting to know how to use the high tech coach electrical control pad, etc.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #8 – October 03, 2013, 06:08:09 pm

I like this idea!
Maybe just hold it at the Factory and do one rally for older coaches and a separate for the newer models. I for one would love to talk with owners of coaches closer in age to mine. And would like to here what the IH owners think of their units as I may be considering one at some point.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #9 – October 03, 2013, 06:47:55 pm

Anny.... Republicans and Democrats? Poor timing for such an analogy! I was just saying that we don't have to have a rally that would be of interest to 100% of FT owners. But we could certainly have two rallies if there was interest from both groups (old vs new). I am not any more interested in hearing about IH problems than you would be to hear problems with a U295. And no one said anything about replacing the GV. I was just suggesting something that would be of interest to many Forum members, at least I think that would be the case.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #10 – October 03, 2013, 07:08:01 pm

Ok ;I have several extra pairs of boxing gloves left over from my younger days . Please people , put away your bucket of wedges . WE need ways to get together and it looks like effort is going to be required . I can relate to coaches from the 1989 U-300 ,03 320 , 06 Phenix so I won't be real exited about some of that stuff , but a lot of it still goes . I don't think we have too many members in this Forum , so lets make it grow in a positive way . Like I said before ," don't need a line in the sand" Lets figure a way to be happy and smile since we are all driving ( Foretravel's ) Brad Metzger

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #11 – October 03, 2013, 07:31:17 pm

Anny,

I was there, but don't think I had the pleasure to meet you.. Looking forward to it!

We are all just learning members of a great community, I hope you and all feel welcome here!

Tim

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #12 – October 03, 2013, 07:39:15 pm

Yup.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #13 – October 03, 2013, 07:43:17 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – October 03, 2013, 07:31:17 pm

Anny,

I was there, but don't think I had the pleasure to meet you.. Looking forward to it!

We are all just learning members of a great community, I hope you and all feel welcome here!

Tim

Thank you Tim. I did not meet you at the Grandvention but hope to one day in the future. We did not bring our rig there but we flew in and attended with others in the coach. Thanks

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #14 – October 03, 2013, 07:50:18 pm

Quote from: anny – October 03, 2013, 05:57:15 pm

This sounds very familiar. We can call the ones then with the 1990-2004 year coaches the Democrats and the newer coaches the Republicans.

One shouldn't lest it take the conversation in a political direction, which is not permitted per the forum user agreement.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #15 – October 03, 2013, 08:22:43 pm

I for one have never had an issue with new vs old. Many of us had new once or close to new and to see the newer coaches and their experiences is interesting. For what it is worth, the buddy rally is kind of like that.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #16 – October 03, 2013, 08:27:40 pm

Quote from: Michelle – October 03, 2013, 07:50:18 pm

One shouldn't lest it take the conversation in a political direction, which is not permitted per the forum user agreement.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #17 – October 03, 2013, 09:30:39 pm

Someone previously said " The newer coaches, especially the IHs, seem to have little in common with those made in the period cited, so owners of those would not be a target group."

Quote from: anny – October 03, 2013, 05:57:15 pm

I do not think for a minute this is the mission of this forum.

Anny is correct - Foreforums (and any activity related to the forum) is for all Foretravel owners and those interested in all years and models of Foretravels. It doesn't matter what year you own or are interested in - all are welcome here.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #18 – October 03, 2013, 09:50:38 pm

I think Brad Metzger said it best,don't judge a book by it's cover.
From my father, put brain in gear before putting tongue in motion or fingers to keyboard.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #19 – October 03, 2013, 10:21:53 pm

I've been an EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) member since 1978 and get to their annual convention (airshow) in Oshkosh, WI about every third or fourth year. At that convention more than 10% of all aircraft registered in the US show up as well as people from all over the world. Aircraft of every vintage from early pioneers to classics to warbirds to jets to homebuilts and the latest in technology show up. And people of every age and means I don't own an aircraft but have been an enthusiastic supporter for a long time.

What is common there as it is in the Fore Forums is the interest in the machines and what we do with them and who is using them. For us it is our Foretravels, the RV lifestyle what ever that may be for each of us and a truely amazing bunch of folks.

The classic airplane owners like to get together as do the war bird owners but they like us have common interests, concerns and aspirations. That 2003 U320 owner might just be the buyer for the 2013 IH45 in 6 or 8 years, who knows.

So please, lets all contribute everything we can to making this a better, more inclusive group. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is a valuable part of this community with valuable insights and opinions and an equal say in where it goes.

I like the idea of a FF get together. Sign me up to help put it together. Maybe we should have a poll to see where and when the most people would likely go

Roger

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #20 – October 03, 2013, 10:37:32 pm

Thanks Roger. You put in good words to what I was thinking of this post. Mark

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #21 – October 03, 2013, 11:09:25 pm

+1 on the FF rally. Before I saw the light and bought a Foretravel, I attended a couple of TiffinRVNetwork rallys that were focused much like everyone is talking about. They were very informative and enjoyable - even the one in Quartzsite during January. I believe we had about 40 coaches in Q - the Tiffin forum is very active like ours and is of course larger given the production numbers involved. I can provide the name of the organizer if we want to pick his brains.

I also went to a couple of Escapees HD (class 7/8 tractor) chapter rallies back when I pulled a fiver. Now that is a great bunch of gear heads!! The HD group had a very successful rally in Wichita KS - we used an RV park but all of the activities except happy hour were hosted by the local Peterbilt dealer who provided meeting rooms, discounts on mechanical work, hands-on technical training/seminars right in the bay or on the rack. They also had Dyno day and a discounted VIS check. Maybe we could partner with the right RV dealer or Cummins shop or someone else like that. The Quartzsite rally was fun but I got a lot more out of the format that the Heavy Duty truck group used.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #22 – October 04, 2013, 07:53:07 am

Hey Michelle... Just to be clear, I was not suggesting that anyone be excluded from anything. I was just making a suggestion for a possible program. I too think that one of the Forum's strengths is our diversity. Obviously, everyone would be welcome to come to any program presented, even if it had nothing to do with their coach.

And I would be willing to help organize such a program in the future.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #23 – October 04, 2013, 08:04:57 am

We would be interested in an FF rally. I don't have nor will ever have an IH unless it is a door prize at said rally. Anyway, I'm always interested in any problems/solutions to anything Foretravel. I can usually pick up some line of thinking that will work with a problem I have or will put me in the right frame of mind to think my problems through.

Re: Foreforum rally discussion (split from Re: 2015 Grandvention)

Reply #24 – October 04, 2013, 08:29:29 am

George, John S, Myself and others whose names don't come to mind right now explored the possibility of having a FF rally about a year ago. We also explored formation of a FMCA Chapter. There was almost zero interest, especially in forming a chapter even tho some of us had volunteered to be officers. Maybe Michelle can point you at the Messages we exchanged in this effort. I agree that it is a worthy goal and a good idea but the read blocks are formidable.
Gary B

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