What is happening with our members?

[larry_cad]

I've been a member here since 2004, and have learned a lot from this forum, and I still monitor it for new info, and to help newbies when I can.

Lately, I have been astounded by the number of members who have been on here for many years, have many posts, are labeled as SENIOR MEMBERS, and are asking genuine newbie questions.

Had one today where the OP is a "senior member", with almost 500 posts, has been a member since 2015, and his question was how do you fuel a gas truck with a trailer connected?

I'm like, how have you been doing it for the last 10 years? I mean, really? And this is not an isolated issue. Of course we are deluged with newbies due to the Covid rush to RVs, but did our senior members take a break during the pandemic, and while off, forget everything they had already learned? I could understand if the post was a tech problem that just occurred but fueling a truck pulling a trailer?
:h:?

[JIMNLIN]

I've never saw a manual yet that had "all" the correct answers. And its not possible manuals can answer all questions.
Simply put manuals hit the high spots ...and if more tech answer are required rv forums most of the time someone has already found the answer.
Like this thread...nowdays a op have to plow through snarky remarks and from those that should have zipped their lip.

[Chum_lee]

TechWriter wrote:

Chum lee wrote:
. . . as I get older, I'm increasingly bored with RV'ers, who simply won't read their owners manuals. (many common questions are answered there) In their initial posts they provide so little information that it is literally impossible to help them in any meaningful helpful way without extensive further questioning. I'm not going to do your homework for you (for free)

Yikes! A tad bit harsh. As someone who used to write manuals, I’ll be the first to admit sometimes they’re of little value and they do get lost.

Yes, a little harsh it may be, BUT, the OP asked a question, and, I answered it to the best of my experience. If no one reads the (your) manuals, maybe you should take a look at yourself and your writing style. I read technical manuals all the time. I learn a great deal from them. Thanks for reminding me, there's always someone here who criticizes the truth, but they can't change it.

Chum lee

[Boon_Docker]

Some people get grouchy and intolerant as they get older. :B
And other people become more helpful as they age.

[TechWriter]

Chum lee wrote:
. . . as I get older, I'm increasingly bored with RV'ers, who simply won't read their owners manuals. (many common questions are answered there) In their initial posts they provide so little information that it is literally impossible to help them in any meaningful helpful way without extensive further questioning. I'm not going to do your homework for you (for free)

Yikes! A tad bit harsh. As someone who used to write manuals, I’ll be the first to admit sometimes they’re of little value and they do get lost.

[Chum_lee]

I am one of those "senior members" who rarely post here anymore.

Why? Because as I get older, I'm increasingly bored with RV'ers, who simply won't read their owners manuals. (many common questions are answered there) In their initial posts they provide so little information that it is literally impossible to help them in any meaningful helpful way without extensive further questioning. I'm not going to do your homework for you (for free). (year, make, model, engine, transmission, current mileage, previous repair history, location on the planet, etc.) IMO, the site administrators should require this information at the initial post. It would make a more helpful website. Since they don't, . . . . maybe there's some ulterior motive?

Chum lee (over and out)

[ken56]

Lol. Love the humor the members share.

[propchef]

Sjm9911 wrote:

Get off my lawn.

[propchef]

Reisender wrote:


That’s exactly what’s happening. There are thousands of us who pull small trailers with EV SUV’s. We interact thru a few Facebook pages. Discuss various aspects of RVing and towing etc. Some have come to this board or others and lurked a bit and then go back to Facebook and mention toxicity of the various RV boards. It’s a shame. Many are new to RVing and want to learn. And the archives here are great. Lots of problem solving knowledge.

Like I say. I think there may still be a turnover on these boards. One board has now added an electrical vehicle section. Things are looking up. :).

Either way. I’ll keep my feet in here for awhile yet.

I see this a lot and it gets old. The name-calling is the worst. This forum is guilty as well.

[Sjm9911]

[TechWriter]

Wade44 wrote:
All of their boards are moderated by volunteers, most of whom I believe are Nazis taking into account the ones I once belonged to and left due to the iron boot moderation. Those mods work for free while the owners of Social Knowledge cash checks.

Yeah, right. Mark Zuckerberg town is so much better.

[Wade44]

bikendan wrote:

Wade44 wrote:
Could it possibly be that the software used is vintage 1852, or maybe folks do not appreciate posts being deleted with no explanation that in no way violate a posted forum rules regarding same? Ive only been on this board a short while but have already noticed a few mods where the job may have went to their head a bit. Thats what a little power does to folks LOL.

I have the opposite opinion. I've been here since 2005 and IMHO, this forum is under moderated.

That would depend on what forum you're comparing it to I guess. It's under moderated when compared to any of the boards operated commercially by a company named Social Knowledge, which operates a whole gaggle of forums with subjects from RV's, to the band U2, to Royalty. All of their boards are moderated by volunteers, most of whom I believe are Nazis taking into account the ones I once belonged to and left due to the iron boot moderation. Those mods work for free while the owners of Social Knowledge cash checks.

[bikendan]

Wade44 wrote:
Could it possibly be that the software used is vintage 1852, or maybe folks do not appreciate posts being deleted with no explanation that in no way violate a posted forum rules regarding same? Ive only been on this board a short while but have already noticed a few mods where the job may have went to their head a bit. Thats what a little power does to folks LOL.

I have the opposite opinion. I've been here since 2005 and IMHO, this forum is under moderated. During the pandemic, when new RV ownership is at an all-time high, the Beginning RVing section has declined dramatically. This is mainly due to how new members are being treated.
It's clear that they are going to other much more friendly and helpful alternatives.
Of course, this is just my opinion.

[Reisender]

2112 wrote:
I see other related forums and social media apps flourishing while this one fading away into the sunset.

It appears rv.net has become another OCC (Old Codger's Club). The next generation that do happen to wander in the door are quickly scooted out by the grumpy old man or the 'how stupid can you be' mentality here. They find a more appealing, knowledgeable crowd elsewhere. It has nothing to do with the software or mod's actions.

That’s exactly what’s happening. There are thousands of us who pull small trailers with EV SUV’s. We interact thru a few Facebook pages. Discuss various aspects of RVing and towing etc. Some have come to this board or others and lurked a bit and then go back to Facebook and mention toxicity of the various RV boards. It’s a shame. Many are new to RVing and want to learn. And the archives here are great. Lots of problem solving knowledge.

Like I say. I think there may still be a turnover on these boards. One board has now added an electrical vehicle section. Things are looking up. :).

Either way. I’ll keep my feet in here for awhile yet.

[2112]

I see other related forums and social media apps flourishing while this one fading away into the sunset.

It appears rv.net has become another OCC (Old Codger's Club). The next generation that do happen to wander in the door are quickly scooted out by the grumpy old man or the 'how stupid can you be' mentality here. They find a more appealing, knowledgeable crowd elsewhere. It has nothing to do with the software or mod's actions.

[MFL]

Wade44...you've done it now! Your new member account has been automated to the RED FLAG file where the vintage software may delete your posts at random, for no apparent reason.

The mods are kind of like a cop. A cop will give you a ticket for speeding. You were speeding because you were in a hurry. Now you've been stopped/held up, so to make up time, you need to drive faster, another ticket...you see the pattern here, but the cops just don't get it!!

I know some of my posts get deleted, for no reason, other than me just trying to adjust/help another member, that may disagree with me.

Jerry