First Time To A National Rally

[hermanmullins]

Was asked by someone about what to expect when going to a National Rally for the first time. First congratulation for coming.

After you have registered, you will receive a packet full of information. Be sure to register early so you can receive your packet early. It can be held for arrival in the will call area but you will be in the dark till then.

In your packet will be several items. There will be instructions and directions into the venue. Please follow the directions so you will be in the right place at the right time.

                                                       

        There will also be Window Placards. There will be one showing what kind of Hook Up you have. One showing that you are a First Timer.

         "Please place these in your front window in the lower left hand corner (drivers side) so the folks in Staging know where you go"

        There will be a LOCATOR CARD for you to fill out and it must be turned in at the Information Booth.

        There will be badge and a badge holder for each registered person in the coach. Badges must be worn at all times for entrance to                                                                         everything, Vendors, Seminars, Entertainment and so forth. 

Upon arrival you will be greeted by a parking person in the area known as The Staging Area. At this point you will be instructed to unhook your tow vehicle. (if you are alone or do not have someone to drive your vehicle you may unhook when you arrive at your parking site.

From the Staging Area you will be guided by a Follow Me golf cart to your parking site. (Please be patient some time it is a slow winding drive.)

When you arrive at your site you will be turned over to several folks called Parker's. These folks will guide and direct you into your site.

After you are parked and hooked up you may begin your adventure. In most cases there will not be adequate parking for autos near the buildings. Trams will be running through your area quit often and can get you to where you want to go.

After you are set up you may go to the Information Booth where you will pick up your Goody Bag. Remember your locator card. You need it to get your Goody Bag.

Inside the Goody Bag is a plethora of information and goodies. Program book and a map of the area showing all the locations for Seminars, Vendors, Show Coaches, places to eat and where the Entertainment will be.

If you have any questions or need directions don't hesitate to ask one of the people with "VOLUNTEER" on their badge.

Now again Welcome to your first FMCA Family Reunion aka RALLY. Your are about to meet your New Extended Family.

 

Note: In case of an emergency please call 911. Give the dispatcher your location. Remember the information you put on the Locator Card. And if at all possible turn on your flasher on your coach. This will help the first responder's locate you faster. 

Herman

 

PS: Since you are seeing this on the FMCA Forum don't forget the Forum Meet and Greet get together. Wednesday March the 8th in Seminar Room 2 at 4:45 PM to 5:45 PM.

Put a face to the names.

 

Herman

[manholt]

Herman, that was well done and informative!  You running for office is in July, not March...hey practice makes perfect !

I really would vote for you, but I can't, because I'm INTO.  Not South Central.

Carl

[captainjustice]

Great info Herman. Very helpful. Couple of additional questions -- and I realize that some may be answered in my not-yet-here packet  :

1. Home many coaches are expected? Just curious. 
2. Is there a reason to pull the TOAD for such as touring the area? I won't need it any time enroute and it sounds as if things are pretty busy right at the rally.
3. If attending the RV Basics, when do I need to be at the rally site? Not finding that sort of info except that registration for that gives 2 additional nights camping.
4. I assume there are many food venues available. Correct?
5. I've heard about getting an all-wheel weighing. When/how does that happen?
6. How advisable is it to sign up for electrical hookup? Why would you do that if you have an onboard generator?

[hermanmullins]

1) Wishful thinking 3,000 but 1,000 to 1,500 coaches should be more realistic. 

2) That would be up to you. There are lots of trams and most of us will pick you up unless you look too suspicious?

3 & 5) All that information will be in your packet. 

4) There should be a number of location for food.

6) Again that woul be your choise. There are areas full generators and 7 to 11 generator.

One thing I didn't  mention is to arrive with a full water tank and EMPTY holding tanks. This is very important. Extra power cord and water hose helps.

Herman 

[manholt]

Gil. Welcome again.

I would expect in excess off 700 plus Vendors.  I always have a toad, never know when you need one.  For the RV Basic and Weighing, I would call FMCA at 1-800-547-3622.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner, also some fast food, not many.  Elect. is a personal thing.

Carl

[wildebill308]

Personally, I never go anyplace without my toad. 

Bill

[manholt]

Totally agree!  In the event of a break down in a area with lousy phone service, you can go and fetch help...also good for sightseeing and shopping!   I even take mine when I go to Cummins in Houston for Service, 63 miles!  My girlfriend is parked next to me at a rally in Bourne, now and we both have toads and she lives less than 2 hours away!

Carl

[desertdeals69]

I was told by a VP that there were about 2000 signed up.

[manholt]

Good grief !  That's like a good FMCA Reunion!   I half expected a good turnout, due to Quartzite being over by March 7th...just not 2,000+ coaches!

Carl 

[hermanmullins]

DD69,

That would be great.

[wildebill308]

Well that is the kind of turnout FMCA needs to draw the venders. More venders will draw more coaches......

Bill

[manholt]

Hope we find each other!

[Guest]

Registration for Chandler continues to be very brisk and as of this morning (1/30/17) we have 2,144 coaches registered. With 5 weeks remaining before the event, we anticipate that the final count could exceed 2,500 coaches. The really exciting statistic is 35% of registered coaches are First-Time Attendees! Please welcome these attendees to our Chandler convention and offer to help them get acquainted; they will be wearing gold-colored "First Time Attendee" ribbons. Another interesting statistic is 49% of registered coaches are Chapter members! This is the first time FMCA has held a convention at a "themed" venue and you will find lots to do and you will have loads of FUN at Rawhide Western Town & Event Center, part of the Wild Horse Pass Development which also features the Koli Equestrian Center, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Shopping Center, Restaurants, Sheraton Resort, Whirlwind Golf Club, and other exciting destinations. We are looking forward to seeing you at FMCA's 95th International Convention! Following are some links you may find interesting. - Chris Lusk, Director of Events

www.rawhide.com

http://www.wildhorsepass.com/

https://koliequestrian.com/

http://www.whirlwindgolf.com/index.php

http://wingilariver.com/index.php/wild-horse-pass-hotel-casino

 

[manholt]

Chris.  Please clarify, are you saying that 2,100+ people have registered?  Or 2,100+ Motorhomes, with one or more people in it, have registered?  Then you have all the Vendors, Dealers, Manufacturers and Show Coaches!

Begs the question.  How many coaches and other types of rigs can this place hold?  Yes, I'm signed up and so is my woman friend, so that is 2 people, in 2 DP's!

Please answer all you can.

Carl

[tomandcolleen]

We're thinking of going to the Indianapolis rally this July.  Lots of good information on this forum for first timers, thanks!

We are new coach owners and have not been on many extended stays.  One question we have is about emptying holding tanks.  We're pretty sure we cannot go 4 days without having to empty tanks.  Are there accommodations for this?

[hermanmullins]

Tom & Colleen,

Welcome to the Forum.

When going to any national rally always stay the night before you are scheduled to go in at a RV park. You can empty your holding tanks and fill up your water tank. Also be sure to have full propane and fuel.

At a FMCA National you have an opportunity to make new and wonderful freinds, shop in the Vendor and even purchase a new or pre-owned motor home. There's good entertainment. 

So come to Indianapolis for a great time. 

Herman 

[BillAdams]

There is a way to empty your tanks (for a fee) at most rallies.  As mentioned above you want to come in with your fresh tank FULL and your black/grey tanks EMPTY.  That's all you can do.  There is usually no free fresh water and no free dump once you are in place so conservation is the key word here.  You can get water and you can get someone to come and clean out your holding tanks but it's not cheap.  If you are only there 3 days you should be fine if you just think about your water usage.  Showers need to be very short and you need to ensure you only have water running when you need to wet or rinse something.  It's hard at first but the more you do it the better you get at it.  I am not a fan of conservation so I pay and pay and pay.  That's what's nice.  You can save or pay but both options are perfectly OK.

[manholt]

Tom.

What size coach do you have?  I can take a shower or 2 a day, for 7 days with out getting full grey tank.  Black=10 days! I have 110 gal. fresh, 80 grey, 40 black.  Now granted, I can't take the kind of shower that I do in a RV park or at my house!  So, as long as you both understand the idea of get wet, turn off shower, soap up, turn on shower and rinse off...you'll do fine!

BillA. got his in first.

Carl

[captainjustice]

On 1/27/2017 at 1:47 PM, hermanmullins said:

1) Wishful thinking 3,000 but 1,000 to 1,500 coaches should be more realistic. 

2) That would be up to you. There are lots of trams and most of us will pick you up unless you look too suspicious?

3 & 5) All that information will be in your packet. 

4) There should be a number of location for food.

6) Again that woul be your choise. There are areas full generators and 7 to 11 generator.

One thing I didn't  mention is to arrive with a full water tank and EMPTY holding tanks. This is very important. Extra power cord and water hose helps.

Herman 

 

On 1/27/2017 at 11:30 AM, hermanmullins said:

Was asked by someone about what to expect when going to a National Rally for the first time. First congratulation for coming.

After you have registered, you will receive a packet full of information. Be sure to register early so you can receive your packet early. It can be held for arrival in the will call area but you will be in the dark till then.

In your packet will be several items. There will be instructions and directions into the venue. Please follow the directions so you will be in the right place at the right time.

                                                       

        There will also be Window Placards. There will be one showing what kind of Hook Up you have. One showing that you are a First Timer.

         "Please place these in your front window in the lower left hand corner (drivers side) so the folks in Staging know where you go"

        There will be a LOCATOR CARD for you to fill out and it must be turned in at the Information Booth.

        There will be badge and a badge holder for each registered person in the coach. Badges must be worn at all times for entrance to                                                                         everything, Vendors, Seminars, Entertainment and so forth. 

Upon arrival you will be greeted by a parking person in the area known as The Staging Area. At this point you will be instructed to unhook your tow vehicle. (if you are alone or do not have someone to drive your vehicle you may unhook when you arrive at your parking site.

From the Staging Area you will be guided by a Follow Me golf cart to your parking site. (Please be patient some time it is a slow winding drive.)

When you arrive at your site you will be turned over to several folks called Parker's. These folks will guide and direct you into your site.

After you are parked and hooked up you may begin your adventure. In most cases there will not be adequate parking for autos near the buildings. Trams will be running through your area quit often and can get you to where you want to go.

After you are set up you may go to the Information Booth where you will pick up your Goody Bag. Remember your locator card. You need it to get your Goody Bag.

Inside the Goody Bag is a plethora of information and goodies. Program book and a map of the area showing all the locations for Seminars, Vendors, Show Coaches, places to eat and where the Entertainment will be.

If you have any questions or need directions don't hesitate to ask one of the people with "VOLUNTEER" on their badge.

Now again Welcome to your first FMCA Family Reunion aka RALLY. Your are about to meet your New Extended Family.

 

Note: In case of an emergency please call 911. Give the dispatcher your location. Remember the information you put on the Locator Card. And if at all possible turn on your flasher on your coach. This will help the first responder's locate you faster. 

Herman

 

PS: Since you are seeing this on the FMCA Forum don't forget the Forum Meet and Greet get together. Wednesday March the 8th in Seminar Room 2 at 4:45 PM to 5:45 PM.

Put a face to the names.

 

Herman

Great info Herman. It served me well when I got to the Rally in the Valley. I had no great surprises other than the view of 2600 coaches from the roof of my Georgetown! I attended the RV Basics course and made a lot of the additional seminar offerings. My ham radio experiment with a vertical antenna attached to the ladder, complete with the "Guilford Courthouse" flag (revolutionary war battle) flying on top was a success as well. What you included in your info was a lot of what is covered in the first-timers packet that eventually came by mail and I've suggested to FMCA that the info be sent out by email as soon as a newbie registers so that those preliminary questions get covered in a timely way. Thanks again for sharing all of that.

[hermanmullins]

Gil,

Your quite welcome. I enjoy FMCA and am glad to help where ever I can.

Herman

[manholt]

I don't know if an aerial view was taken, but would love to see one!  2,600+ coaches in any FMCA Rally, is more than I have seen in many, many years!   Now, think of the bedlam if another 2,000+ pull behinds had been there...  90% off them have to have electric hook ups, most can't go long on their own holding tanks!  

I was at the San Antonio, TX. FMCA Annual  Rally.  We had over 4,000 coaches at the Fairgrounds...after the event, the City said, no mass (no more)!  First and last.  That's when FMCA started talking about 2 rallies per year! 

Carl

[redandsilver]

Sorry for some dumb questions.....

Looking at the Registration form in the April magazine it says the holding area will open Sunday July 9 2017 at 8am. Is that when we should show up? Or just the earliest we can show up but shouldn't show up then IF we have registered and had a spot assigned to us?  Or are spots not assigned beforehand?

I called in February and talked to Sarah and asked if I could bring my trailer with me as I might be going someplace after the convention.  She said the person that would know would be back the next day and she would get back to me - She never did.  Parking 65' won't fit just anywhere. I would/could unhook if I could keep it next to the coach but wouldn't be interested in parking it somewhere far away and unsecured.

There is a section the states: "PLEASE INDICATE YOUR PARKING PREFERENCE" - So which one would you choose if you wanted the 30amp electric section?

Also the Convention is July 12-15 so does that mean we still sleep there the night of the 15th and then everyone tries to leave on Sunday the 16th?  Over 2000 coaches trying to leave at the same time - well I can imagine a lot of idle time per coach.  Or is there a system in place for all to leave in an hour or two?

 

 

[hermanmullins]

Red,

Not dumb questions. 

When you receive your packet there will be several items in it.

1) Your name badges with holders. 

2) A window plaquerd with what you registered for. Plus arrival date.

3) Directions 

One thing to be certain to do, Come In With  Empty Holding Tanks and  A Full Water Tank. I can't express this enough. 

Now about staying hooked up to your trailer.  When you are 65' long it takes two parking spaces. Many members park their trailers in a trailer area. That being said we will do our best to accommodate your needs. 

Come enjoy we'll take care of you.

Herman 

[redandsilver]

16 hours ago, hermanmullins said:

Red,

Not dumb questions. 

When you receive your packet there will be several items in it.

1) Your name badges with holders. 

2) A window plaquerd with what you registered for. Plus arrival date.

3) Directions 

One thing to be certain to do, Come In With  Empty Holding Tanks and  A Full Water Tank. I can't express this enough. 

Now about staying hooked up to your trailer.  When you are 65' long it takes two parking spaces. Many members park their trailers in a trailer area. That being said we will do our best to accommodate your needs. 

Come enjoy we'll take care of you.

Herman 

Thanks Herman for the info.

I would with out a doubt have full water and empty tanks. 

I haven't decided if I will bring my trailer 100% yet.  I have motorcycles etc. in it, and would want access to them if I want to go somewhere just like some one that pulls a toad has a vehicle so they can go somewhere if they want to.  So in a nut shell, my trailer is like someone else's toad and they normally have their toad very close to their MH. So with no guarantee that I could keep my trailer next to me - it makes the decision harder as to whether to bring it or not.  - In your opinion, do people go out to dinner at night or leave the campground/parking area to go sightseeing around the area - or do most stay put?

The next decision is whether or not to pay for 30amps for electric vs. using the generator during the stay.   I have stayed in my MH over nights (it's fairy new to me) but had power hooked up.  I use a CPAP and have not tested how long it will last using the inverter.  Charging the batteries with the generator for a couple of hours in the morning and at night - I don't know it that would be enough - yet.  So that is one reason I'm considering the electric route - However $175 is more then 24-30 hours of fuel for the generator. Decisions, decisions......

How is the date of arrival decided?  If the Convention starts on July 12 is everyone suppose to be there no later then July 11?  Do some have an arrival date on July 10th?   Me personally could arrive anytime.  I've even thought about Volunteering for something - but I'm not sure if they want First Timers to do that.

Since I'm in Michigan this Convention is about as close as any will likely ever be - So I'm really thinking about coming - but I know I have to make a decision very soon as I assume there are limited 30amp sites available.  As soon as the weather breaks here I may have to spend a few nights in my driveway without to see how long the battery power lasts etc.           

So any more info you (or anyone) can supply will be much appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[hermanmullins]

Red, 

Yes many people do park their tow vehicle close, aka next to their coach. That being said. Most of their toads are not 25 to 30' long and 8' wide.?

And yes many go out for dinner and sightseeing.  We can help you park your trailer and get you back to it once you are parked.  You could then take you bike to your coach and park it there.

Most people arrive the day before the start date. You will have an arrival date in your packet. Those dates are determined in Cincinnati and the parking crew.

There are quite a few first trimmer that volunteer. It is a great way to meet new people and learn so much more about FMCA.

As far as your need to or not to sign up for electric is strictly a personal decision.

Anything else I can help with don't hesitate to ask.

Herman