Allowing Towables Vote At Indianapolis In July

[LCHammer]

My DH and I have discussed this back and forth.  We like the idea of FMCA being for motorcoach owners.  Attending rallies is informative and instructional for us.  

We went to the Indy rally and had a nice time (our first rally).  We liked looking at all the new coaches on display, and the unique vendor opportunities.  

Our thoughts are this:  if towables are allowed, you'd "muddy" the informative aspect of the rally (how much info does a  trailer owner really need/use?) We owned several trailers through the years and I can honestly say I wouldn't have seen any value in attending a rally with my trailer.  Kids - could be an issue but maybe not.  The one thing I think would draw the families is looking at new coaches (and there goes the pleasant experience of strolling through new coaches...sigh) but entertaining throngs of kids would be a BIG issue.

 The Energized group does a nice job with the handful of kids at rallies now and if the number grows, families will really want on-site activities for kids.  

Lots of planning, but in reality you'd have to really think about how many families would find rallies interesting AND plan a rally as a family destination... I wouldn't have done that...

[jimnorm]

Just another little bit to add: "The only difference between a Towable and a Coach, is the engine/transmission."   This statement is factually untrue. Yes a Motor Coach has an engine and a transmission. A towable doesn't, but there are many additional differences. We have AirBrakes. Automatic levelers, charging systems that connect and disconnect the house and chassis batteries. Generators that are built in. Tires and wheels well outside those found on most any trailer. Steering and suspension issues. Our Coaches are not simply a trailer with an engine. With a 5:1 superiority in numbers how long before a FMCA rally is all about trailers? Think of the vendors we get. How many trailers need a sunshade for the windshield, or a windshield? How many need diesel management systems? We will become a Good Sam Lite. We don't have the financial backing of Camping World.

I do not have an issue with people that have a trailer. My brother had one for years. we camped together. I've said this before and I am not the only one, Until EVERY OWNER OF EVERY MOTORHOME THAT IS NOT AN FMCA MEMBER TURNS US DOWN, WE DON"T HAVE A LACK OF POTENTIAL MEMBERS, WE HAVE A LACK OR SALESMANSHIP OR PRODUCT RECOGNITION.

[dons2346]

[manholt]

Dons.  A variation of a Earth Roamer.  Deep pockets will get you anything!

jimnorman.  I didn't think I had to go into detail...apparently I should have.  There are towables out there in the one million dollar + class, that have most of what you state they don't have.  Talk to a Newell rep...yes, Newell makes Custom 51 to 55 foot, fifth wheel trailers.  Several others do the same.  Then there are horse trailers that will nock your socks off.

[isaaac1]

Ok, just my take on it again, I don't care if the the towable cost $500,000, and the motorhome cost $5,000.  This organization should focus on the interest of motorhome owners, should attempt attract motor home specific vendors to the rallies, should focus seminars on motorhome specific topics.  This is not to say that general RV topics should be off limits, just that the focus should be on the things that are unique to motorhomes.

As to the topic at hand of the vote, my concern is that the membership at large is only seeing one side of this issue in the magazine, where only the party line of we must pass this to survive is being pushed.  The truth is that if the FMCA wants to recruit younger members, the way to do it is to appeal to younger motor coach owners.  There is plenty that can be done to attract these people, but unfortunately little or none of it is being done, just look at the events schedules for an upcoming rally and one can see nearly every line item is focused at the AARP crowd.  This is not to say anything bad about AARP, after all I will be eligible to join in a matter of months.  It is just to say that the younger demographic that the FMCA claims to want to attract are not typically interested in stringing beads together, and playing bingo. 

So what might appeal to younger rally goers, well many of them are going to be new to motorhome ownership, so there is all that care and maintenance stuff, but there are I am sure plenty of RV living tips that would help.  The younger generation today is far more into food than the older generation ever was, but today it is all about exotic, and quality of food.  So maybe something on meal preparation in limited space, cooking more than just burgers on the propane grill, or things that can be done with an induction cook top.  Younger people also want adventure, and adventure camping, or at least the feel of adventure.  They also often live vicariously through the adventures of others, and actively interact using social media and the internet.  Here is another place where the FMCA could reach out, we just had the big convention in Indiana, and for the week of the convention this message board was even more dead than normal.  Something as simple as a few daily updates of what was going on at the convention for all those stuck at home would have went a long way towards giving the younger members a feeling of being included.  These could be on the web site, on an FMCA facebook page, on this message board, etc.

[manholt]

Isaaac1. 

Thank you for not sugar coating it. Even at 74+, I can still remember why I joined FMCA first and not Good Sam...it was all about my coach and like minded folks!  No one had a toad or even thought about it.  The annual convention (no winter or area) had to do about seeing what everyone was driving, new coaches and ideas, to make our journey easier!  Most folks had their kids with them, yes Dad took his vacation around the convention, that's why it's called Family MCA!  There was no texting, internet or high tech devises, so kids found their own things to do during the day and joined in with families for supper and evening entertainment.  The entertainment was off the day, not 40+ years old.

As I see it, the biggest problem of today is the internet.  Grandparents, parents and kids are all on Facebook, Twitter and other Social Media!  They don't have time to interact as a Family unit anymore!   I see so many RV family's driving down the road and the only one not, on a mobile devise, is the driver!

I do agree with you.  Something has got to change within FMCA, before we talk or even think about expanding!

Carl C.

[hermanmullins]

Isaaac1,

FYI, at each and every National Convention there will be an App. for your phone about the Convention. It will announce the activities for the day plus and other goings on. I am sorry to say I have always been tooo busy to look at it but my DW looks at it all the time. She is reminding me all the time about something for that day. 

I see that you are located in SW Louisiana. Are you a member of the Cruzin Cajuns, Romin Catholics or Pelican Travelers? Will you be coming to Texarkana in October for the Six-State Rally?

Herman

[isaaac1]

Herman, an app of events at the convention is a good thing, but I was talking more about a PR effort through online social media to share events with those that could not attend (not that I use the stuff myself, but plenty of people do, I think my last facebook page update was nearly a decade ago). 

As to the rest, I am not a member of any of those chapters yet, though I do plan to look into them, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), our travel schedule is fairly well booked for the rest of the year, I / we will be leaving on our big 3,500+ mile trip for this year in a few days, (I am leaving Monday, and my wife will be flying up to meet me the next Saturday in Wyoming), I did join Safari International a few months back, with intentions of attending their gathering in Lebanon, TN, though it now looks like I may not make that one.  I do plan to be at the Six State Rally, in fact I just registered for it yesterday afternoon, I am not sure if my wife will going with me to it or not, she does not see much on the events list to interest her, and she has a big work project going on here at around that time.

[aztec7fan]

  On 8/3/2017 at 6:01 AM, Isaaac1 said:

They also often live vicariously through the adventures of others, and actively interact using social media and the internet.  Here is another place where the FMCA could reach out, we just had the big convention in Indiana, and for the week of the convention this message board was even more dead than normal.  Something as simple as a few daily updates of what was going on at the convention for all those stuck at home would have went a long way towards giving the younger members a feeling of being included.  These could be on the web site, on an FMCA facebook page, on this message board, etc.

Did you see the videos posted on the Facebook page?  Several people commented that they wish they could have been there 

[jeff753]

  On 8/3/2017 at 6:01 AM, Isaaac1 said:

Ok, just my take on it again, I don't care if the the towable cost $500,000, and the motorhome cost $5,000.  This organization should focus on the interest of motorhome owners, should attempt attract motor home specific vendors to the rallies, should focus seminars on motorhome specific topics.  This is not to say that general RV topics should be off limits, just that the focus should be on the things that are unique to motorhomes.

As to the topic at hand of the vote, my concern is that the membership at large is only seeing one side of this issue in the magazine, where only the party line of we must pass this to survive is being pushed.  The truth is that if the FMCA wants to recruit younger members, the way to do it is to appeal to younger motor coach owners.  There is plenty that can be done to attract these people, but unfortunately little or none of it is being done, just look at the events schedules for an upcoming rally and one can see nearly every line item is focused at the AARP crowd.  This is not to say anything bad about AARP, after all I will be eligible to join in a matter of months.  It is just to say that the younger demographic that the FMCA claims to want to attract are not typically interested in stringing beads together, and playing bingo. 

So what might appeal to younger rally goers, well many of them are going to be new to motorhome ownership, so there is all that care and maintenance stuff, but there are I am sure plenty of RV living tips that would help.  The younger generation today is far more into food than the older generation ever was, but today it is all about exotic, and quality of food.  So maybe something on meal preparation in limited space, cooking more than just burgers on the propane grill, or things that can be done with an induction cook top.  Younger people also want adventure, and adventure camping, or at least the feel of adventure.  They also often live vicariously through the adventures of others, and actively interact using social media and the internet.  Here is another place where the FMCA could reach out, we just had the big convention in Indiana, and for the week of the convention this message board was even more dead than normal.  Something as simple as a few daily updates of what was going on at the convention for all those stuck at home would have went a long way towards giving the younger members a feeling of being included.  These could be on the web site, on an FMCA facebook page, on this message board, etc.

That's a good idea to build inclusion for those members unable to attend. 

We had FMCA staff and some bloggers taking pictures and videos at Indy but I haven't seen much of what they captured yet. FMCA is getting better at social media and videos on line. The ENNERGIZED Group also post active stuff on their Facebook group page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fmcau60taskforce/

In my prior occupation we would have live feeds from the convention floor so those not there could observe the business of the association. 

[Cookie]

I guess I am one of the 50,000 members who do not belong to a Chapter nor have we ever gone to a Rally (we went to one Good Sam one in 2000).  We now are retired, and travel to and from Palm Springs for three months, and then somewhere else for about a month and a half or so, then return home.  We live in the Pacific Northwest which is the most beautiful place in the country in the summer.  Why go somewhere else.  We may take a few weeks and go to the Coast, but that is about it.  We have 12 grandchildren next door, volunteer at a non-profit for 10 hours each Monday (50 miles away), and we keep plenty busy during the summer.  We enjoy the magazine and all the MOTOR HOME articles in it, and the benefits. 

With that said, in 2019 we are taking a 3-4 month, 8-11,000 mile trip around the country with my daughter, son-in-law and their 12 kids.  Them in a bus towing a trailer, us in our motor home towing a car.  That should be fun.

It was mentioned above that 80% people that poster talked with supported it.  As I understood it, that was a group of reps from the Chapters.  If the numbers posted above that only about one third of the members are members of clubs, that 80% number cannot be used to say that is the percentage of the entire membership who supports the proposal.

Also, that definition of RV is so weak.  Let's keep this the Family MOTOR COACH Association.

Thank you for your time.

 

[wolfe10]

Everyone please be aware, all the Governing Board is approve sending the change out to ALL FMCA members for approval/rejection.

It is up to ALL FMCA members to vote (or quietly accept the vote of others)!

Again, whether for or against, PLEASE VOTE-- FMCA IS YOUR ORGANIZATION.

[jeff753]

  On 7/31/2017 at 9:13 AM, hobart said:

At this point in time the important thing is to vote, and urge all members to do the same. Not all may agree but all can agree that not voting is letting someone else make the choice for you.

That's true!  00

[jeff753]

Here's a couple threads from another member 

Had this exchange today with a motor home owner on the Fulltime Families FB group. Their question "What do the motor home owners do for tires?  Do you go for the expensive tires like Michelin or Continental or go with cheap overseas tires?"  I answered join FMCA, they have huge discounts on Michelin and Continental tires. They then asked "What is FMCA?"  This is the problem that FMCA has, if they can't reach motor home owners how are they going to reach the towables?  I don't feel like allowing towables is going to give FMCA the membership boost they think it is.

[jeff753]

And 

Reaching out to the existing motorhome owners who have never heard of FMCA is a solution that would actually increase membership without changing our Founders Focus on Motorhomes. 

Next time you're in a RV park--- find a motorhome driver without a FMCA oval and ask them if they've heard of FMCA.

RVIA reports: "RV shipments for May top 40,000 for the third straight month, staying on record pace". 
Towables are up by 19.8% over 2016 but motorhomes were up 27.5%  
So how many of those 6,163 May 2017 motorhome buyers have heard about FMCA yet?
If we aren't asking eligible members to join then increasing the pool will not fix the perceived problem. It will only dilute the Founders vision. 
Let's go all out on our own recruitment before we vote to enter direct competition with Good Sam/Escapees.

 

[wildebill308]

How many times have I said that. 

Bill

[wolfe10]

With this thread already 15 pages long and the title out of date (Indianapolis is behind us), let me suggest that someone start a NEW TOPIC.

Perhaps: Allowing Towables: Upcoming Vote By All FMCA Members.

Then we can let this old thread either die a natural death or just lock it with reference to the new thread.

And, if you made a particularly compelling argument on this thread-- either for or against, perhaps copy and paste it into the new thread.  That way those researching the subject before voting will see reasoned discussions on the issue.

Thanks,

Moderator

[jimnorm]

  On 8/3/2017 at 2:55 AM, manholt said:

Dons.  A variation of a Earth Roamer.  Deep pockets will get you anything!

jimnorman.  I didn't think I had to go into detail...apparently I should have.  There are towables out there in the one million dollar + class, that have most of what you state they don't have.  Talk to a Newell rep...yes, Newell makes Custom 51 to 55 foot, fifth wheel trailers.  Several others do the same.  Then there are horse trailers that will nock your socks off.

Manholt,

Yes, there are incredibly expensive all inclusive Towables out there, but be honest, how many? Let us look at the average MH vs the average towable. MH has an engine, transmission, genset, automatic or semi-automatic leveling, steering gear, air suspension, (OK, not all) a large windshield, and requires specialized support for all. The average towable has none of the above.

There are 8.9 million 8,900,000 RV owners out there, if even only 10% 890,000 are MH owners we have only attracted about 5% of our target audience!  So with this outstanding success in attracting members from our target audience, why do we think that going up against Good Sam will bring in many new members?

I would suggest MAYBE a middle ground, an associate membership that is valid for a non-owner to see what we are about while contemplating the purchase of a MH. This class of membership would have a couple restrictions, it would not be a voting membership and it would sunset. You could not remain a member more than  years, 5 seems a good amount, without the purchase of a MH. Also you would not get a traditional FMCA Member Number and would not be entitled to the Goose Egg.

 

 

[hobart]

Brett, in response to your suggestion, the fact that so many have expressed an opinion is of itself telling of the importance of the subject. If we close this thread we may loose the history of the discussion. Future comments may look to be out of context. Also as long as this continues there will be no appearance of interference in the conversation as there was earlier this year. I know that e all want the process to be open, or in current PC transparent. Please do not suggest anything that would open the door to the type of comments that suggest interference The best interest of the membership is served by all urging that everyone vote their belief and that we all remind our fellow members of that need. 

[wolfe10]

hobart,

I understand your concern.

My fear, and the reason I brought it up is that there are many who are likely to come to the Forum (many for the first time) after they see ballots and articles in the FMCA Magazine over the next few months.  People who genuinely want to explore both sides of the issue.  People who have not been party to this 15 page long discussion. 

And, while there are some truly excellent "white papers" in the thread, I fear that 15 pages of posts is not likely to be reviewed. Additionally the title is well outdated.  Were those who had such well through out points in this thread to post them in a new thread, I believe they would receive more readership.

So, for right now, let's keep this one open, but hope that a new one with some of the more well thought out positions comes to life.

[jimnorm]

Regarding this thread, might I make a Suggestion? If it is that Indianapolis is in the title, why not change the title to a more appropriate one? Such as "Should A Motor Home Association allow non-Motor Home owners as full members? or something similar that actually states the question?

 

[hermanmullins]

Jim that is how the Thread was started back in May. If you would like a different title feel free to start another Thread  (post) and give it your suggested title.

Sorry I am not trying to be flipped or condescending. Hope you don't take it that way.

Herman

[wildebill308]

What about. 

Allowing Towables Vote At Indianapolis In July/Opinions on Allowing Towables: Upcoming Vote By All FMCA Members.

Bill

[rossboyer]

New topic started 

[jleamont]

Thought; drop the word "towable" call it a trailer, that is what it is, king pin or ball hitch it's still a trailer. 

Towable is confusing to some as they call their Toad a "towable".