So what did you do to your Truck Camper today?

67avion wrote:
Folks, I want to start a discussion. Respectfully.

As I write there have been only about a dozen posts to the Truck Camper Forum in the last day. That is a very low number, almost at the breaking point. At least, that is my opinion. This is perplexing when its clear that the truck camping community is growing by leaps and bounds. The baby boomers are retiring and making choices about their leisure time.

I started a thread that was specific to Avion Truck Campers. It has gone ballistic, with thousands of comments and page views. It is now the best resource anywhere for that SPECIFIC camper. I note that Amerigo has a long string as well.

Here's the point: I think that the traffic to the site, and the enjoyment of the Forum, is to see the interesting posts coming up every day. This string is almost buried with all sorts of unique and interesting material that is largely unaccessible. However, it is undeniable that this string is valuable. After all, look at the huge number of posts and views.

I don't really know the answer, but I suspect that sometimes a generalized thread such as this, can suck a great deal of the energy out of the general Forum. In other words there is a place for a specific interests such as the Avion and the Amerigo, but maybe not for an internal and generalized discussion.

I deeply emphasize that this is a respectful opinion, only meant to elicit some thoughtful discussion......if you like I will start another thread to discuss this, but I am interested in your opinions. Especially Mello Mike who does such wonderful work with his write ups.

What do you think?

Several of you have made very legitimate thoughts on 67avion's post above. AS a Moderator, I have watched this thread and tried to evaluate its overall contribution to the RV.NET Forum. I have mixed emotions.I tend to think it takes away from the Forum as a whole. RV.NET has many forums. Although there are many more Forums on RV.NET, the following are the most common on this Thread:

Dinghy Towing
Forum Technical Support
Tech Issues
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
Roads and Routes
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
Around the Campfire
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
RVing with Disabilities and General Health Issues
RV Pet Stop
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)

These Forums were created at the request of members, so members could post and have discussions with these subjects without unrelated distractions from the subject. I think it is counter productive for and RV type to form clicks that ignore the other RV.NET forums. Folks come to RV.NET to gather information about their RV. To have the information poluted by non-related post has the potential of loosing the member. Loose enough members, and RV.NET will loose its value and cease to exist.

From a members position, I would seldom read this thread. As a member, I see it as not being very informative, just general ramblings from folks with nothing to do or say on the subject of TCs. That sounds harsh, but ask yourself if you or anyone else really want to know what I had for breakfast or if I washed my TC. I think not. How about my trip report. I have a great trip report, but I have no interest posting it here, so here is the link. Oh yea, there is advertising for widgets on that site, that is of greater value than what RV.NET has to offer. Why not post the trip report on RV.NET, and put a link on the other site to see it here?

I do not want to split hairs, edit, frequently move threads, edit post, or delete post as off topic, but I will say, overall this thread gives me reason to rethink those actions. I don't post this as to my likes or dislikes of a person or subject. My concern is for the overall health to the TC Forum, other Forums and RV.NET as a whole.

I ask each of you to think outside of self, and think about the Forum.

Wayne
Member/Moderator