Let's Get This Forum Active!

[benny@waskomtexas.com]

Hey, a lot of people are reading the posts, so how about making some comments. We all have questions about our rigs from time to time. Let's add more interest to this forum. If you ask some questions, someone will answer and more people will come to the forum. I joined mostly for this reason. I have only owned a motorhome for two or three years and I have a lot of questions.

[wolfe10]

Hey, a lot of people are reading the posts, so how about making some comments. We all have questions about our rigs from time to time. Let's add more interest to this forum. If you ask some questions, someone will answer and more people will come to the forum. I joined mostly for this reason. I have only owned a motorhome for two or three years and I have a lot of questions.

I agree completely. Our ratio of VIEWS to POSTS is over 100 to 1! So people ARE interested in the discussions.

But, with many who are new to a Forum, this is the normal progression. People want to feel like they "know what is going on" before posting. And our Forum is about at that age where we have a lot of "Viewers" who should be ready to start posting.

It is a shame because many who just view have questions that are shared by many, OR answers that could help many.

It sounds like a platitude (OK, it IS a platitude), but THERE ARE NO STUPID QUESTIONS.

Brett Wolfe

[Guest Wayne77590]

There is such a diversified group of people with diversified experiences that everyone can learn by. Problems encountered, fixes employed - and on, and on, and on. So. Let me start something:

On our last trip of 89 days, 4000+ miles, while we were traveling down the NY Thruway, I heard this "bing, bump, thud." As a stupd question I asked the dear wife, "What was that?" Of course she had as much of an answer as I did, but I figured I hit something in the road. I pulled over - not a good thing to do on the NY thruway, and started my external walk around, looking for any tell-tale signs. What I saw when I got to the rear of the MH was a twisted piece of angle iron that my mud guard hangs from. I mean twisted so tht the guard was half on the road on the curb side. I was able to remove it and put it in the TOAD. I still figured I must have hit something I did not see on the highway.

When we arrived at our next CG stop, and I was using the auto-leveling system, it just was not working correctly. When I looked under the coach I observed that the passenger side jack was without a foot and the piston was going into the pea-gravel. I had lost that foot on the NY thruway.

Now, eight months ago I lost the driver side foot somewhere between Houston and San Antonio and never knew it until we were getting ready to depart the CG and a neighbor informed me.

I never thought I would be thinking about crawling under the MH every once in a while and checking to see if the foot pads on the leveling jacks were tightly secured, but now I think about it, and I'm sure the next time out I'll be checking.

Happy trails.

p.s., I wonder if those lurking in the bushes on this forum are afraid to post because they are not sure where the post should properly be. Well, if it needs to be moved to a specific discussion thread, the administrators will move it and post a link to where it was moved. Over time we will get to know where what thread of the forum the information goes into.

[Chickadee]

Rolacoy, Brett & Wayne: I too have been reading the different threads here on the FMCA Forums and lamenting the kinda "ho-hum" interest and abscense of vibrant discussions. However, I'm thinking it has to do with the fact that it is, after all, the summer travel time and folks aren't as interested in and are too busy to invest alot of time on forums. What's true here on FMCA, seems also to be the case on a number of other RV forums, (ie., iRV2, Escapees, etc.)

I'd love to generate a more active exchange between RV'rs here on the FMCA Forum WITHOUT baiting anyone into some kind of useless, childish, political/social argument, bUT......haven't come up with a good topic.....yet Will keep thinking though. Steve & Lynette

[Guest Wayne77590]

Chickadee (I assume Lynette is Chickadee),

Unless you are following a particular thread on iRV2 I have not noticed a decrease in posts. Daily, as I click on "new posts," at least 2 pages come up, and some times 3 or more - and that is every day. I know, I know, I need a life!!

I think I was hoping that more users here would come aboard and create there own thread on their interest, as a few others have done. Even if it were to post the areas they are visiting, CG's they are staying at, and tourist traps, as what they would consider worth seeing. Not everyone has the same tastes, but anything would give a new traveler to the area some information to go by. Now that is just an example. The topics, as you most likely know, can be very diversified.

I believe that with each new thread (topic) a little baiting is being done. Those that are interested, I would hope, would reply.

When I looked at my profile yesterday, I had over 2000 viewers look at my profile. At least someone wants to know who he heck I am. We have over 6000 registered users. Not even close to the number of FMCA members nation wide. I do realize that not everyone uses a computer and that not everyone is "forum" friendly, but the more that contribute, the more topics and information that we will have.

I have learned from many on this forum. I hope in some way I have contributed to some else.

I, like you and others, wish there would be more participation. As for travel, I take a laptop with me and log in when I am traveling. I think that in today's technological age that the majority of travelers have some type of computer with them. Personally, I would have severe withdrawal pains without one.

Help!!!

p.s., maybe those 2000+ viewers of my profile are all Seajay - do ya think?

[seajaycecil@yahoo.com]

Wayne, there you go,,,,,,, bragging yourself up again. TYPICAL MARINE.... I will admit I look at a lot of profiles on here. I wish everyone that puts up a ''profile'' would also post a picture of themselves (you), or a picture of someone that kinda looks like them, or a picture of a strainer with nice legs and a big chest. POST PICTURES FOLKS...

What we need on here is more Sailors to build up the reputation (feel good) of this and other forums. You know, people that can read and write and count to three numbers and stuff like that ...... I am like most of you guys. There are a lot of "QQ" lookers but very few people that will write a comment (talk). From my guess I would say that there are less than one hundred (100) people that actually put a comment (say) down on here and I think Wayne the Marine, Tom and me are the biggest participants (users) of the forums. Like you Wayne, I know of three people that has read my profile. One asked me not to post anything else. One asked me to leave FMCA (i think it was Wayne). And one thought I was his long lost brother that owed him twenty dollars. (two tens Wayne). Anyhow, thats my story and I'm stickin' to it for now.

The words in ''parentheses'' (little roundie things) are to simplify (make easy) reading for our Marine members....

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND BRING THEM HOME SAFE........

GOD BLESS OUR VETS.

Seajay the sailor man ......

[Guest Wayne77590]

Actually the past couple days have seen an increase in activity from different users and I think that is great. When I am out and about I always ask if they have seen th new FMCA web site and then tell them about the great forum. I hope it works.

Edited: Seajay, just for you I put a picture up on my profile. Just remember, you have to get through the bull to get to me!!!

[seajaycecil@yahoo.com]

to my friend Wayne.....

I just visited your profile and observed (saw) your new picture and I have these comments (says)......

one.... Which one is you?

two.... Are you the one with the horns or the one with the ball cap?

three.. I can see from the picture that you are an animal lover and this is good. (everyone needs at least one friend)

four... Is this your ''toad''?

five... How many ''bails to the mile'' do you get?

I could say more but I might offend someone ...

YOUR FRIEND SEAJAY .............

God bless our troops and bring them home safe

God bless America.......

ps. Wouldn't it be nice if other folks could talk to each other like you and I? Maybe just maybe these forums would become more active.

[JTurney]

Well, SEAJAY, I just got my FMCA number today and joined, so we can add another retired sailor to the forum.

We've had our 24-ft Minnie since we bought it new 5 years ago. We are weekenders as we still work mostly full time, me as an engineer and DW as a Realtor. Bubby is our minature poodle who thinks the MH is her's. One time she even locked us out and tried to drive off in it. Fortunately, she can't reach the pedals. If I drive off in it to fill it with gas or propane and don't take her, she will stand in the window and let me know about it. She would love to full-time, but doesn't understand that someone has to pay for her food.

[Chickadee]

Chickadee (I assume Lynette is Chickadee),

Unless you are following a particular thread on iRV2 I have not noticed a decrease in posts. Daily, as I click on "new posts," at least 2 pages come up, and some times 3 or more - and that is every day. I know, I know, I need a life!!

I think I was hoping that more users here would come aboard and create there own thread on their interest, as a few others have done. Even if it were to post the areas they are visiting, CG's they are staying at, and tourist traps, as what they would consider worth seeing. Not everyone has the same tastes, but anything would give a new traveler to the area some information to go by. Now that is just an example. The topics, as you most likely know, can be very diversified.

I believe that with each new thread (topic) a little baiting is being done. Those that are interested, I would hope, would reply.

When I looked at my profile yesterday, I had over 2000 viewers look at my profile. At least someone wants to know who he heck I am. We have over 6000 registered users. Not even close to the number of FMCA members nation wide. I do realize that not everyone uses a computer and that not everyone is "forum" friendly, but the more that contribute, the more topics and information that we will have.

I have learned from many on this forum. I hope in some way I have contributed to some else.

I, like you and others, wish there would be more participation. As for travel, I take a laptop with me and log in when I am traveling. I think that in today's technological age that the majority of travelers have some type of computer with them. Personally, I would have severe withdrawal pains without one.

Help!!!

p.s., maybe those 2000+ viewers of my profile are all Seajay - do ya think?

Wayne77590:

Oooops, sorry for my delayed reply to your Aug. 6th post above. (The very small/micro font on this FMCA Forum makes it tough for me to read so I tend to avoid coming here and I miss or overlook alot!!)

"Chickadee" is just the name of our rig. We live in her full time (no house, no stuff) and just bounce around hangin out where ever. We're presently on the South Dakota prairie just S. of Mitchell visiting wife's (Lynette's) sister and watchin the corn grow across the road, the wild turkeys in the back hay field, the occasional deer sneaking in and out of the corn, and, ofcourse the occasional pheasant rippin over the alfalfa to our West.

Will be leaving all this excitement in Sept. and likely head for the Black Hills (one of our favorite areas) before heading the rig toward warmer climates (AZ, TX, or FL...haven't yet decided). Hope to meet ya down the road sometime. Good Travelin!!! P.S. Gotta tell ya......this tiny font IS really hurtin the FMCA forum.

Steve & Lynette

[Guest Wayne77590]

Steve,

I also have a problem with small print. So, here is what I do. Hold down the control key (Command Key if MAC) and tap the +/= key at the same time. The print should increase to whatever size you are comfortable with. It works in IE, Firefox, or Safari

Have no fear. Seajay will pay me for the advice. I'm keeping a book on all that he owes me times 2.

[Chickadee]

Steve,

I also have a problem with small print. So, here is what I do. Hold down the control key (Command Key if MAC) and tap the +/= key at the same time. The print should increase to whatever size you are comfortable with. It works in IE, Firefox, or Safari

Have no fear. Seajay will pay me for the advice. I'm keeping a book on all that he owes me times 2.

Wayne:

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I did as you suggested and it did help when the whole page increased in size although it overflowed the margins of my screen, but it's easier to read. I first got the page TOO large and to shrink it again, clicked on the Neg./Hyphen key (left of +/= key) while holding control and it DID shrink. Not as nice and big as your post above, but still better than original and it seems to stay set even when backing our of the FMCA site back to Google and into FMCA again. Thanks. AND....thanks for helping an old fart whose trying self taught to learn how to use a computer. Steve

[Chickadee]

Steve,

I also have a problem with small print. So, here is what I do. Hold down the control key (Command Key if MAC) and tap the +/= key at the same time. The print should increase to whatever size you are comfortable with. It works in IE, Firefox, or Safari

Have no fear. Seajay will pay me for the advice. I'm keeping a book on all that he owes me times 2.

Wayne:

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I did as you suggested and it did help when the whole page increased in size although it overflowed the margins of my screen, but it's easier to read. I first got the page TOO large and to shrink it again, clicked on the Neg./Hyphen key (left of +/= key) while holding control and it DID shrink. Not as nice and big as your post above, but still better than original and it seems to stay set even when backing out of the FMCA site back to Google and into FMCA again. Thanks. AND....thanks for helping an old fart whose trying self taught to learn how to use a computer. Steve

[Guest Wayne77590]

Steve,

The reason that the print went off of the screen is due to the way the web page itself is formatted. Embedded in the HTML code of the web page they must be using fixed widths in their programming. If they use 100% as a figure instead of a fixed width the text would stay on the screen and not wrap around. Try it on other web sites and you will see what I'm talking about. I'm glad I was of help. Enjoy.

Come on Webmaster - take a look at width formatting and help us old ones out.

Oh! And when it does go off the page, just use your right and left arrow to move it one way or the other for reading. Easier then reaching for the mouse every time. Also, again it is a function of the web page for not being able to increase the font to gigantic proportions. Try it on other web sites.

[Chickadee]

Wayne: So how'd ya get that LARGE sized font into the "add reply" screen????? Steve

[Guest Wayne77590]

You expect me to remember????

There are several formatting commands that can be used. When you click on fast reply you will not see them, but if you click on "more options," you will be given a wider selection of formatting options, including the smiley.

The larger text is prefaced with the command [ size="1 through 7" ] they are all run together. Let me see if I can fool the system for what it would look like

[size="4"] THEN THE TEXT HERE and finish with [/size] Ignore BOLDing

Yep! That will do it. Remember that the BBCode can be different on other forums. (BBCode is what is used when formatting text on most forums)

[mapleskoff@gmail.com]

Wayne, you need a hobby! You need to find something to do.

I agree that there haven't been many posts, and I'm guilty also, as I only go to the site sporadically, and not often when we're on the road.

Get our little coach returned tomorrow after having last warranty repairs done up in the foothills of NC. Added a new flat screen TV, as the Sony that was over the front seats lost its grip and was bouncing around all over the place and frankly scared the **** out of us; if it had fallen out of the perch it could easily have injured or even killed us as it weighs about 250 lbs. I know it would have crushed our 65 lb. dog if he didn't jump out of the way fast enough. That said, there's a new flat screen HDTV in the space that weighs only 25 lbs and won't kill us as bad.

I guess that I'm part nomad as I can't wait to get back on the road once more. Carol not so eager, as she would like to spend some time doing some quilting and embroidery work that she isn't able to do in our 28 footer. Oh well, we have learned to compromise and we both are happy.

Wind at your back everyone, and be well, be safe, and enjoy life.......it can be over so quickly.

Doc Mike

[Guest Wayne77590]

Doc,

In one other life I was in signals intelligence, and the other was at NASA as an Information Security Specialist, Civill Servant, affectionately called that blankety blank computer security guy. So my hobby is spending to much time on 'puters.

I do understand about not having the RV available. I darn near get withdrawal pains when I'm not within being able to get mine and go somewhere. Earlene is the same way. We are scheduled to go out for Labor Day 3-8, and I'm trying to get a doctor's appointment moved up so we can go out earlier. I have pre-op on the 11th and the 15th is the knee replacement. The only thing I'm dreading is the down time I'm going to have and not be able to travel. Especially since it is the right knee. Maybe I can cross my legs and drive with the left foot. The darn console is in the way to stretch it out and drive with the left foot.

Come on Y'all - jump in and post!!!!!! I know you are lurking there reading all these posts, so now say something.

[mapleskoff@gmail.com]

I can **** near feel your desire to get out and go! I also think that in a few months you'll feel like a new person with that new knee. Briefly, when Carol had her knee replaced 3 yrs. ago it was truly a blessing. It had reched the point where she literally had trouble walking. She had her last "shot" in the knee the day before we left for Anchorage for our second Alaskan cruise. Made it through the cruise and tours, barely, and had surgery one week after our return.

Though she was bothered by pain for a few days, once she started rehab at PT she once again felt great.

Only downside she's had since the new knee is an inability to work our dog in competitive agility trials, and she blames that more on her advancing age (yes she's older than I am) than on the knee.

So, all of that said, we wish you luck, a calm surgeon's steady hand, and a VERY BIG RED X on the knee he/she is to replace.

Please continue to keep us posted after surgery. Do you have a silver bullet to bite? Oh, I forgot, you are after all. a Marine, and we're all proud of you, so keep the whining to a minimum, please.

Doc Mike

[Guest Wayne77590]

Doc,

I know you will understand this. My pain threshold from all the arthritis and bad knees allows me to have my teeth drilled without Novocaine or anesthesia. I had an emergency dental vist for a cracked tooth. It was a little after 4 p.m. and the lady dentist told me to put some dental wax on it and come back in the morning. I told her that I did not take Novocaine. She was aghast to say the least. When I showed up the next morning, I was sitting in the chair, and she asked, "Are you sure you don't want Novocaine, I stayed awake all night thinking about this." I said no to the Novocaine, she turned, got the drill and when she turned around to face me I hollered, "Boo!" Expletives deleted at this point, but it got her to relax and do the job. I almost fell out of the chair laughing so hard.

Ah! Just like to have fun.

Seajay, I fly the flag all the time when I'm in the MH. I'll be home for the 11th and I will definitely fly Old Glory on that day.