FMCA

[Utahclaimjumper]

  As much as you enjoy "gatherings" (AKA Rallies) I am sure you realize that "clubs" are much more likely to stage these events for like minded folks than other "for profit" entities. JC.>>>Dan  ( Just like this forum,,,if Gary did not provide this forum someone else would,,,its a human thing.)( Just like today,, FMCA was founded by like minded folks with the desire to associate.)
   The advantage of large numbers of members is,,and always has been,, buying and negotiating power.>>>D

[Dave5Cs]

And funny thing FMCA was founded in Maine by a bunch of Bus Conversion people originally!LOL

[richard5933]

Just my two cents worth, but I suspect clubs and groups of all kinds are going to make a comeback in the next few years as young people raised on the internet (iGeneration) start to crave and seek out actual contact with actual people in actual places.

Everything comes and goes.

[luvrbus]

And funny thing FMCA was founded in Maine by a bunch of Bus Conversion people originally!LOL

I read where the "1" was issued to a person that didn't even own coach   

[chessie4905]

Not much different that a bus conversion website with how many that don't have bus conversions or even a motorhome for that point.
FMCA is trying to survive the tremendous upheaval from the last several years. 4 dollar plus a gallon of fuel almost killed the RV industry. Some of the result I see at the annual RV show at Hershey convention center. Very little color choice any more, all interiors are same basic color combinations, everything is leather or pleather, with ceramic floors, and they put slide outs on every damn thing with wheels under it. BTW, they NEVER show any with the slides run in. Many more people are buying campers than before, maybe they can justify buying a super duty crew cab pickup to pull it.
Their magazine is half what it used to be. More RV members should help vendor attendance at national rallies. With generational changes, it is necessary to adapt or disappear. They have high numbers on their goose eggs, but I would like to know how many actual members there are anymore. People die off, get out of RV in or other reasons.

[windtrader]

Just my two cents worth, but I suspect clubs and groups of all kinds are going to make a comeback in the next few years as young people raised on the internet (iGeneration) start to crave and seek out actual contact with actual people in actual places.

Everything comes and goes.

Richard,
maybe but there is zero hint the tide has yet to change. Until the detrimental effects of social media become clear, the trend is even more toward virtual existences. Even spreading to religion. Check this out -  https://futurism.com/way-future-new-church-worships-ai-god/

Humanity is facing existential threats like this. Makes "clubs" roadkill in the big scheme.

[luvrbus]

There are not that many vendors left now at a FMCA rally about all you see now are vendors selling rv's from low end to the top end conversions.

The rally fee is a little steep just to listen to a sales pitch IMO.Then if you want power get ready that will cost you another 50 to 60 dollars a day,they need to make their rallies a little more family oriented JMO   

FMC may survive or may not,the chapters are the life blood for FMCA without the chapters they would have already been gone.

Younger folks could care less about clubs or FMCA they have their own life to live and enjoy other things to do beside setting around a fire and listen to the BS 

I wouldn't bet on the younger crowd having much to do with helping save FMCA

[oltrunt]

Clifford, I'd have to agree with you but having come to this "bus" stage so late in life I'll not be able to help much.  Besides, here in smoke choked Kalifornia who needs a club to sit around a camp fire.  All I have to do is risk opening my door to watch the flames dance around.  So far, so good but there aren't any local camp sites left.

[Jon]

. 4 dollar plus a gallon of fuel almost killed the RV industry.

While that is likely a very accurate statement it actually shows how much emotion plays a part in RV selection and purchase.

Is there anyone who has ever bought a new RV that has spent anywhere close to the amount of depreciation per year on fuel? With depreciation rates that are breathtaking I never hear anyone ever discuss that as an impediment to making a purchase, but if fuel goes up in price even a little, owners are in a panic.

[windtrader]

With depreciation rates that are breathtaking I never hear anyone ever discuss that as an impediment to making a purchase, but if fuel goes up in price even a little, owners are in a panic.

Jon, it is a certainty the topic comes up when selling. The RV marketing and sales folks earn AAA ratings for getting people to fork over wads of cash for a new RV while blinding them of the fact one nearly brand new but a few years old can be had for a huge discount; probably more than they will ever spend on fuel whatever the price. But same goes with nearly any non-investment grade asset.

[chessie4905]

Don't forget the boating industry for the same value issues.

[bigred]

So are we changing the name from FMCA TO FTTA??

[kyle4501]

The younger crowd at work & church seem more interested in NEW & seem to avoid used at all costs. They can't fathom why I like my 82 year old house. They think that anything used has problems . . . . They also think a 'warranty' will prevent anything from going wrong.

They also seem to think they already know it all & a club is a waste of $$

[richard5933]

I still have hope. I've been involved in restoring and collecting both vintage typewriters and sewing machines over the past decades, and there are a growing number of 20-somethings who are collecting and using the old machines. Almost all the machines I've sold over the past few years went to college kids.

Just like the width of ties, everything comes and goes.

[scanzel]

We can find faults with FMCA, Good Sam and many other companies, clubs, hoarders etc but if it wasn't for these and many other organizations willing to step up and provide some sort of info or service we would have nothing. We can buy just about anything on the internet but when stores and malls completely shut down because of no one to support the malls it will be very boring. If it wasn't for people that create clubs, collect things, hoard things like on Pickers everything would go away and what would we have left ? I subscribe to FMCA, does it provide me everything, No but I like to read the magazine from cover to cover and find it very interesting reading. We all have opinions on things which is fine but does it make a difference, if not just enjoy what you have and get on, the day will come when you cannot.