Just a general observation about most of you folks here:I spend more time here than I probably should, but there has to be a reason for it. We all come here with different needs, wants and levels of RV knowledge and also levels of participation here.I have been around the block a few times, kinda know some stuff about RV's, rebuilt a few over the years, even worked in a trailer factory when I was a puppy. And I have been RV'ing for more decades than I care to admit....But it always continues to amaze me how much all of you are like an extended family, folks who really care and want to share with others about any aspect of RV'ing, and who genuinely want to help where they can. Whether it be contributing useful information about technical stuff, (I could name a few) or contributing about factual experience, you guys for the most part are a great group to be part of. Every time I post a topic, I get a lot of very helpful replies based on knowledge and experience, some thing I do have a lot of, but I certainly have not been everywhere and do not pretend I have been and know it all. I get a lot of PM's offering great info on something coming up in my next RV adventure, like the one I'm on now. A couple of you know who you are on that one. Though I have been an RV'er since about 72, I certainly don't pretend I know it all.This is the kind of thing that keeps me here on the RV forum, mainly reading stuff but sometimes adding my 2 cents worth based on something I know about.Of course, there are some well known trolls here too who post stupid threads about stupid topics and get people who don't know any better all supercharged and dialed up, but for the large part, most everyone here is genuine and sincere in their efforts.I really appreciate this forum, the people on it and the feedback I get from things I comment to and post about.You guys are all a great bunch!!! :)

You are welcome.I try to help as much as I can from experience and years of work, if I do not know I ask, if not mums the word. Although my profile says 2001 or 2002 I haqve camped in a tent to many times to count and had a 1968 VW that I converted for camping/navegator

Bob,Any chance that you used to post on a web site called Askme.com? I used to post lots of useful information on that site, until it un-expectedly closed down around 2003. Ask Me suggested it's users go to websites like Rv.Net. I started answering questions here when Askme.com ended. Such a long time ago!I have also been to a bunch of RV rallies, and had a great time at each of them.Fred.

As with most things, a good experience is often the result of an initial bad experience. I've never felt the need to repeat somebody else's bad experience. This forum is perfect for that. Since we're all anonymous, its easier to admit our dumb mistakes. I've posted a few doozies.

I am always amazed of the expertise of all the folks on here... We all retire sooner or later and like to pass along what we have learned over the years just to pay back I guess...In my case I too have run the roads alot over my working years with electronic systems installs all over the USA. I too have been in the camping scene since the early 50s to present time... I have always tried to pass along what I have been through already.Sometimes I'm sure I come up with something that helps but probably alot of the time I am probably just another old retired guy sitting up late reading the forums with nothing else to do haha... Its my way of reminiscing abit I reckon...I try hard to be helpful...Roy Ken

One of the things I like about this forum is how most people have respect for others. I have a disability. Some days when I post what I am thinking in my head makes total sense but when I put it into words I get confused easily. If I go to answer I have to read everything line by line to remember what I was posting.Other days are plain brain fog. Like the day I was posting about our Avalanche and its towing ability weight wise. I was thinking Avalanche but because I was looking at a different truck outside I was writing that trucks abilities instead.Anyway...The point is that folk did not make nasty comments or insult me in any way. Even when I insisted I was right, LOL. For that reason I really enjoy all the solid, honest, knowledgeable information we receive here.

General observation about you RV folks here...

44 Replies

Scott16
Explorer
Nov 23, 2013
This is a great post BobsYourUncle. I am a newbie researching to buy either a TC or a Fifth wheel, now i have to decide on which. I started tent camping as a youngster. Went camping for two weeks in a TT pulled by our Ford (can't remember the cars name), in the summer of 67 down the Oregon coast with my family and that was the greatest time i have had.
I went in the Navy and spent 21 years and at retirement,I was going back to Washington State find work and to resume Rving. But as i was Separating from the navy. Found a job at the Naval Ship yard in Hawaii and have been working over 10 years now.
I will be retiring in four years and am planning to full-time as long as i am able, as kind of a bucket list. I have learned so much on this forum, thank you to all members on RV.Net for the advice on any question i ever asked. So a little warning will be asking more. Sorry for the rambling report.
Have a good evening everyone.
Scott
Parrothead_Mike
Explorer
Nov 23, 2013
travelnutz wrote:
Parrothead Mike,

Where's Riverview RV park in Florida? I know where Riverside RV Park is, Arcadia. River Ranch RV Park east of Wales off SR-60. Riverview at Bristol (a very small park). Been to all 3 of those. River Ranch several times.

We'll be in a CG/RV park about 50 miles west of Gainsville for approx 1-1/2 to 2 months this winter again after New Years, usually late Jan and Feb, and in others at different times until we get sick of Florida and head back home by mid March. Some others: Jupiter, FL at my Bros, Juniper Springs (Ocala Nat Forest), maybe a week or so near Sneads, Fl. We don't make reservations because we're never sure which RV unit we'll be taking or where we'll be at a given time. Have never had a problem getting a site yet in all the years of RVing around Florida. Neither of us likes to be under the gun to be at a certain place at a certain time. We just call on our cell either the day before we head out or a couple hours before we'd get there and we've always been welcomed back and the places have a site for us and usually a very nice site. Maybe we'll cross roads down there. Who knows?

BTW, just met up with 2 forum members again the 2nd week of October 2013 at Tahquamenon Falls SP River Bend CG in the U.P. for our annual long leaf peeping trip. We had even talked about meeting one of them up there on the forum. Met another forum member the next week at Indian Lake SP CG near Manistique. Then on the way back home met up with another forum member in Little River Casino CG, Manistee plus had 2 neighbors camping there right across from us at the same time we were there. Didn't know any of the 3 were even going to be there.

You're right Nutz, it's Riverside in Arcadia. Hey, I got the "river" part of it right.

Now after BobsYourUncle pointed out the web site for RV.net wearables we just might cross paths one of these days.
travelnutz
Explorer II
Nov 21, 2013
FWIW:

We're life members of Good Sam and have been since it was offered. However, as we always have 2-4 RV's and sell or buy a different RV so often, our round GS logo stick-ons went bye bye many years ago with the RV sale (we don't trade in but sell it ourselves). Besides, there are so many Good Sam etc members but only a small fraction are also rv.net members or readers. How would you know which are?

I have to agree that having the term "rv.net" or "rv.net forum" and/or your forum name (handle) on your rig somewhere very visible would be nice and help members to meet or recognize each other quickly.

Our basic ident is on the rear of the Lance TC in an 8.5 X 11 thickly laminated double stick taped sign with large bold black in a pattern letters along with an 8.5 X 11 thickly lamintated black outline of Michigan map and a star where we live including the city name in bold black letters. Same is on our other RV units. So many other forum members have come themselves to our site and said they'd seen the signs. I real ice breaker!

So simple, quick, and cheap to do with your own puter and about any printer. You can use about any printing or publishing program or Word etc and design your own and as fancy or plain as you want. Years ago, I made ours in very bright colors with fancy graphics etc but the colors quickly fade in the sun so now they are black ink on white 24lb or 28lb bright white paper and laminated. The black ink holds up for at least 8 years and the paper is sealed against water or moisture intrusion totally. Shouldn't use thin under 5 mil laminate because the sign will be floopy looking and not stay flat. I use either 5 mil or 10 mil thick and it looks and stays professional in appearance. I have a very good HEAT laminating machine but if you don't have one at all, take it to a Staples or other office supply store and have them HEAT laminate it with thick clear film. The heat pressure rooled film melts together for a true seal and also to the paper and makes it look so bright and truely professional. The off the shelf sticky adhesive film pouches doesn't keep the moisture out and the sun rots the adhesive real quick.

Total cost of an 8.5 X 11 sign is about 50 cents including the paper, ink, and laminating film. If you have an office supply place do the laminating it may be $1 to $2 more. Our Staples charges $1 for a 5 mil 8.5 X 11 lamination. $1.50 for 10 mil. Double stick 3M etc tape is cheap and it's behind the sign and not affected by the sun. One has been stuck on for 8 years so far and is still stuck well and flat too. I do check them each year though as there's no guarantee but none have been loose yet.
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Nov 21, 2013
jerem0621 wrote:
Bob, I found your trailer rebuild site a long time ago. Before I joined RV.net IIRC. Took me a few years to realize that you were the one that did that sweet rebuild. But that wasn't until I clicked one of your likes. I really do enjoy RV.net and hope to have another Rv soon.

Jeremiah

Sadly, I never did finish it. Life and family and work all somehow pushed the project back.

So there it sits in my driveway, unfinished....
jerem0621
Explorer II
Nov 21, 2013
Bob, I found your trailer rebuild site a long time ago. Before I joined RV.net IIRC. Took me a few years to realize that you were the one that did that sweet rebuild. But that wasn't until I clicked one of your likes. I really do enjoy RV.net and hope to have another Rv soon.

Jeremiah
J-mans_Dad
Explorer
Nov 21, 2013
More like a tat that looks like this for the "Senior" members ;)
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Nov 20, 2013
Parrothead Mike wrote:

Maybe we need to come up with a secret handshake or maybe a tattoo of some sort. :B

We could all take this down to the local tat shop and have it done......course we would need permission
travelnutz
Explorer II
Nov 19, 2013
Parrothead Mike,

Where's Riverview RV park in Florida? I know where Riverside RV Park is, Arcadia. River Ranch RV Park east of Wales off SR-60. Riverview at Bristol (a very small park). Been to all 3 of those. River Ranch several times.

We'll be in a CG/RV park about 50 miles west of Gainsville for approx 1-1/2 to 2 months this winter again after New Years, usually late Jan and Feb, and in others at different times until we get sick of Florida and head back home by mid March. Some others: Jupiter, FL at my Bros, Juniper Springs (Ocala Nat Forest), maybe a week or so near Sneads, Fl. We don't make reservations because we're never sure which RV unit we'll be taking or where we'll be at a given time. Have never had a problem getting a site yet in all the years of RVing around Florida. Neither of us likes to be under the gun to be at a certain place at a certain time. We just call on our cell either the day before we head out or a couple hours before we'd get there and we've always been welcomed back and the places have a site for us and usually a very nice site. Maybe we'll cross roads down there. Who knows?

BTW, just met up with 2 forum members again the 2nd week of October 2013 at Tahquamenon Falls SP River Bend CG in the U.P. for our annual long leaf peeping trip. We had even talked about meeting one of them up there on the forum. Met another forum member the next week at Indian Lake SP CG near Manistique. Then on the way back home met up with another forum member in Little River Casino CG, Manistee plus had 2 neighbors camping there right across from us at the same time we were there. Didn't know any of the 3 were even going to be there.
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Nov 19, 2013
Parrothead Mike wrote:

It would be nice if the forum operators offered an online store for caps, t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.

Check this out:

RV.Net Wearables
Parrothead_Mike
Explorer
Nov 19, 2013
travelnutz wrote:
Parrothead Mike,

Wow, since 2002 you've only met one forum member so far? Kind of surprises me as there are many in various CG's in our state of Michigan alone. Mostly in the summer of course but have also met several from our state when in we're Florida or other states too. We've met dozens of memebers so far and some of them 3 or 4 times in CG's in Michigan and the rest of the USA. Even met some members when shopping at various Camping Worlds.

Nope! They don't wear big red arm bands so you can pick them out in a crowd. Some have hints or names or their rv.net name on their rigs and some you meet when walking around a CG or in the bathouses or restaurants etc just by striking up a conversation and mentioning rv.net forum.

We have gained many additional friends this way and have met or even traveled together with our rigs. Maybe we are just a little more outgoing than the average RV'er. However, it's been very good and positive to us.

Hey Nutz, it's not like I haven't tried to meet fellow RV.netters. I've brought it up during conversations while camping and nada, but I have had some people ask me for the web site so they can check it out. I was planning to go to a Michigan group camp outing up at Little River Casino a few years back, but something came up and we weren't able to go.

Maybe we need to come up with a secret handshake or maybe a tattoo of some sort. :B It would be nice if the forum operators offered an online store for caps, t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. I did have one of those RV.net decals some years ago, but it faded out and I took it off my rig. Anyway, hope to meet up with others one of these days.

BTW, one forum member did send me a PM letting me know their site number at Riverview RV Park down in Florida this winter while we will be there. I will make sure to meet him. Happy trails!