In just the past week I have read probably 10 comments among different threads all claiming that this site is going downhill, is losing members (or chasing them away)and generally ailing by reason of it's policies, members actions or combination of the two.Do you think this is true?How are people coming to this conclusion?If there is truth in it what can be done to improve the situation?This baffles me a bit. I can see both sides but don't know what the real statistics are on site participation or even if they are available to the general public. (I frankly haven't looked)The site has a value for sure and is often entertaining and sometimes groan inducing. It definitely has it's flaws, some serious others just irritating. So in a way it is much like anything else.What do you think?

I think a factual answer may be found by posting in FTS.

I think they are full of beans - the site remains strong

I've been using RV.net for many years now, and it seems every winter this subject comes up. Although this year, seems to be a bit more extreme. It's pretty much been the history of these forums that usage drops over the winter months. Usage is higher in the Spring and Fall, and steady through the Summer. But the cold months of the year, activity slows way down. This has been going on, like I said, ever since I started using RV.net (and probably long before that).I will say, usage seems to be down a bit more than usual this winter though. I suppose I'm just an old die-hard here. I've been blasted, told I was wrong, been thanked for my wonderful "sage advise", and even completely ignored. But, I keep coming back for more! I'll keep posting and keep reading, and keep enjoying until the web site is shut down, or I die. Which ever comes first!

DutchmenSport wrote:I've been using RV.net for many years now, and it seems every winter this subject comes up. Although this year, seems to be a bit more extreme. It's pretty much been the history of these forums that usage drops over the winter months. Usage is higher in the Spring and Fall, and steady through the Summer. But the cold months of the year, activity slows way down. This has been going on, like I said, ever since I started using RV.net (and probably long before that).I will say, usage seems to be down a bit more than usual this winter though. I suppose I'm just an old die-hard here. I've been blasted, told I was wrong, been thanked for my wonderful "sage advise", and even completely ignored. But, I keep coming back for more! I'll keep posting and keep reading, and keep enjoying until the web site is shut down, or I die. Which ever comes first!Instead of typing the same thing, I'll just X2 Mr. Dutchmen!My thoughts exactly.

We just need some New topics to discuss. How about tires, gas vs diesel, or who makes the best truck.

Is this Site Declining and losing Members? | Good Sam Community

141 Replies

RandACampin
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2017
shelbyfv wrote:
RandACampin wrote:
fulltimedaniel wrote:
The other day I posted a rather innocuous rhetorical question on this forum about how I felt the RV manufacturers were missing what I believe to be a small but significant market segment.

To my complete surprise this thread went for 100 posts and over 3300 views. ??

Yet at the same time in Modifications and Upgrades I had posted something really important, or so one would think, about the renovation of my trailer and the re-do of my bathroom where I tore out the entire vanity and sink and replaced them with "Real" fixtures and new flooring, and tiled with real tile the new countertop and backsplash all with photos and explanations. Few were interested.

So when posts like these attract many many if not hundreds of participants and a hard information post like my trailer redo goes virtually unnoticed what does that say about what truly interests the most people here?

Yet many who praise the site do so citing posts like my bathroom one.

Many posters have laid the alleged decline to others imagination and or "Winter", writing something like; "Well it's just winter and it's always like this"

Then during Spring and Summer I read the same comment Just insert the appropriate season. "Well everyone is busy actually camping and not on the Forum"

There are many of us who full time and are very active on the forum ALL YEAR. And if thought is given to it it would make sense that Forum activity should go UP when folks are not actually camping but getting ready, during those long winter months and when putting the beast away.

I think the winter argument is baseless.

So it's all about you patting yourself on the back and getting "likes" for your posts? When you don't and you get your "everybody gets a trophy" felling hurt, the site is going downhill and losing membership. :S
A little blunt but pretty perceptive!

Why play games. I say what I mean.
shelbyfv
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
RandACampin wrote:
fulltimedaniel wrote:
The other day I posted a rather innocuous rhetorical question on this forum about how I felt the RV manufacturers were missing what I believe to be a small but significant market segment.

To my complete surprise this thread went for 100 posts and over 3300 views. ??

Yet at the same time in Modifications and Upgrades I had posted something really important, or so one would think, about the renovation of my trailer and the re-do of my bathroom where I tore out the entire vanity and sink and replaced them with "Real" fixtures and new flooring, and tiled with real tile the new countertop and backsplash all with photos and explanations. Few were interested.

So when posts like these attract many many if not hundreds of participants and a hard information post like my trailer redo goes virtually unnoticed what does that say about what truly interests the most people here?

Yet many who praise the site do so citing posts like my bathroom one.

Many posters have laid the alleged decline to others imagination and or "Winter", writing something like; "Well it's just winter and it's always like this"

Then during Spring and Summer I read the same comment Just insert the appropriate season. "Well everyone is busy actually camping and not on the Forum"

There are many of us who full time and are very active on the forum ALL YEAR. And if thought is given to it it would make sense that Forum activity should go UP when folks are not actually camping but getting ready, during those long winter months and when putting the beast away.

I think the winter argument is baseless.

So it's all about you patting yourself on the back and getting "likes" for your posts? When you don't and you get your "everybody gets a trophy" felling hurt, the site is going downhill and losing membership. :S
A little blunt but pretty perceptive!
drsteve
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
The on-site search engine here is sometimes not the best. Another way to search this forum is to tell Google to search only rv.net. To do this, in the Google search box type "site: rv.net" no spaces (I had to put a space there or the site code puts up an emoji) or quotes, then a space, then your search keywords. Example:

site: rv.net chinese tires

Again, no space between : and r

That search returned 1,700 results. I would have thought it'd be about 17 million.

This works with any website.
RVcrazy
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
As FT RVers, I find that our use fluctuates with the seasons. When tri planning, I use it frequently for compare & contrast between RV parks. Although I use trip advisor, RV park reviews, this forum & Google first. I find that the final "best" for us often comes from the helpful info on this forum. At other times, we have a particular problem (i.e.: water heater) when we are looking for help. I appreciate this forum & those who respond with helpful advise. Thank you! I also appreciate the moderators who have a thankless job... Maybe the forum could use a current events or topics of the day section? That, however. Is not why I am on the forum.
lbrjet
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
2012Coleman wrote:
In the spirit of the discussion, I will add the existence of this thread.

The thread presents a series of know-it-alls who think their blistering sarcasm is somehow of real help to a person asking about tow mirrors. One poster renowned for his rolling eyes and head scratching emoticons, goes to the extent of searching the OP's prior posts and flaming her for her chosen tow vehicle.

OP hasn't been back since. WoodGlue was banned for much less than the shenanigans going on in this thread, but I guess it passes the Mods muster as what this site should be about.

Yea, some posters get all bent out of shape if a new user doesn't follow their 'expert' advice and instead follows their own gut. A simple thread about tow mirrors turns into a tongue lashing from the weight police and stupid words like "good luck because you are going to need it". Terrible. If someone wants to tow at their limit it ahould be their choice.
2oldman
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2017
beemerphile1 wrote:
In a subject like this people tend to find the support for their own predetermined hypothesis.
Gives everyone a chance to ***** about their favorite annoyance.

The only thing that matters is the data.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
fulltimedaniel wrote:
So from reading every post I think the consensus is that it is declining....The Vast majority of folks who posted here agreed that there IS a problem with the site, Most, it is fair to say, point to Moderation and Rudeness as the culprits....

In a subject like this people tend to find the support for their own predetermined hypothesis. I think the forum is fine as is and doesn't need any change.
dewey02
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2017
Lantley wrote:
AT the end of the day the forum is fine. The policies are fine. I don't believe the vast majority believe their is a problem with this site.
There maybe a portal issue here or there but in time you will learn to use the other portals when necessary.
I can agree there could be some updating to the software however it is not a significant issue. The forum is easily accessible from desktops, laptops and mobile devices.
At the end of it all. The entire RV world is much better off with this forum as it stands than without it. Is it perfect no. But none of the other RV forums are even close in terms of volume, content, activity and knowledge.
The sky is not falling. This is still the best place on the internet to discuss everything RV'ing.

The best post of the entire thread and the one that is most true.
This sums it up nicely.
For the long-time members just remember that nothing stays the same and especially technology and how people use it changes rapidly. This forum will not be the same as it was 5 years ago.

On the other hand, as Lantley has said, this is still the best place to go for info and discussion.
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2017
I think everyone seems to agree it is going down hill to a degree from rude answers or statements to over moderation. Moderators i think do a pretty good job for the most part but some are a little heavy handed. I think if they are going to close a thread they should at least have the courtesy of telling us why. Many do not and it could stop future problems.
Lantley
Nomad
Feb 09, 2017
AT the end of the day the forum is fine. The policies are fine. I don't believe the vast majority believe their is a problem with this site.
There maybe a portal issue here or there but in time you will learn to use the other portals when necessary.
I can agree there could be some updating to the software however it is not a significant issue. The forum is easily accessible from desktops, laptops and mobile devices.
At the end of it all. The entire RV world is much better off with this forum as it stands than without it. Is it perfect no. But none of the other RV forums are even close in terms of volume, content, activity and knowledge.
The sky is not falling. This is still the best place on the internet to discuss everything RV'ing.

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Is this Site Declining and losing Members?

141 Replies

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