The best forum.. bar none... but does it need a name change ? (1 Viewer)

[scotjimland]

As time has gone on Motorhomefun has grown into one of the best motorhome forums, Jim should rightly be proud that it has been such a great success.. however, does the name reflect the diverse types of vehicles the members own .. quite often we see members who are changing to a caravan and are asking if they are still welcome.

We have members who own, American RVs, 5th. wheelers, Caravans, Camper vans, Euro vans , etc etc etc and some who are still looking and trying to decide what's best, and we may also be missing out on visitors who feel it's only for motorhomes..

I'm not trying to upset the apple cart, the old adage, don't fix if it aint broken come to mind, but I feel the forum name would be better if it included ALL types.. or made it clear in the banner that it's not an exclusive forum just for motorhome owners.

I'm just floating an idea and testing the water, what do you think ?

Ultimately it's up to Jim, it's his forum and his and Bryan's hard work and dedication that has made it work.. long may it continue whatever it's called.

 

[Larrynwin]

Changing name might indicate a change in direction, has the forum met the target that Jim had in mind? To widen the catchment may take the number of members to such a level that it loses its identity and to some degree its exclusivity. Big is not beautiful. Those that use other means of leisure transport are probably well catered for on targetted forums where the information available is applicable to those that require it, as is MHF. Those that do use caravans or indeed tents I am sure are always welcome here but the core of information is not as focussed for those needs.
I feel that this is a quality forum which provides excellent expertise for those that request it and to dilute that would in my opinion have an adverse effect and would no longer be Motorhome Fun.

 

[motorhomer]

"The other side" has caravan facts as a separate site.

I was once a member of a caravan group that included motorhomes and I found that the interests of caravanners were actually quite different, much more about towing stability, also site requirements are different and aires (for example) are not really relevant.

Motorhome fun already caters for pretty much all varieties of motorhome, very well.

Perhaps there should be a poll on this but I would personally say leave well alone. Its very good as it is and a tribute to those that have set it up.

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[chatter]

If any change was done, maybe a line in the header somewhere saying all are welcome, I think it would be a shame to loose those members that have decided to make a change to their mode of accomodation down to costs, Im still a 'tugger' with a 5ver but in all honesty if i take a uk/euro caravan rather than the 5ver to Camarthen from where i live i will save around £60 in fuel costs, and i think its a shame to read folk asking if they will still be welcome once they have made the change. In this day and age we all have to cut our cloth somewhere in order to continue with our hobby/pastime

 

[Fatalhud]

We have members who own, American RVs, 5th. wheelers, Caravans, Camper vans, Euro vans , etc etc etc and some who are still looking and trying to decide what's best, and we may also be missing out on visitors who feel it's only for motorhomes..

Does the term Motorhome not describe all of the above
They are all types of Home with motors

I fall into the "if it ain't broke don't fix it"
The name of the forum reminds "ME" that the discussions on this forum are aimed at the light hearted and informative side of Motorhoming, and when I, or other members get too serious A quick reminder from others that this is the fun forum (not fight forum) brings me back down to earth
I do post on Facts, but get frustrated that quite often it threatens to implode with arguments, bitterness and vicious comments between members

So please leave well alone:thumb:

Alan H

 

[Wintonian]

Here in France I run a forum for British ex-pat motorcyclists.

We have members who own caravans and camping cars. But we would not dream of trying to be all things to all men and pretending that we were anything but a forum devoted to motorcycling matters.

My view is that the forum should stay focussed on Camper Vans.

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[hilldweller]

I'm just floating an idea and testing the water, what do you think ?

Absolutely NO.

If it works don't fix it.

 

[haganap]

a good point jim as per usual but my thoughts are this.

When I first joined MHfun there was someone with a trailer tent. They were welcome then and would still be now as far as im concerned.

I have a motorhome as it suits me, I do not think it has anything to do with the way you choose to camp but more to do with the people within those camping units.

What I would hate to see as happens on someother forums, is the "is motorhoming better than Caravaning/tenting/hotel arguments.

The members I know on this forum that have caravans, love motorhomes. However for whatever reason they are not in a positon to make the best out of a motorhome and use a caravan instead, ie health reasons, affordability, parking problems, logistical stuff.
When we had a caravan we loved motorhomes and all wanted one, however we could not either afford one or it never matched our time. We still love to camp, regardless of what its in. We spent most of the weekend in a funsters caravan remarking on how nice it was. It suited them but would not us, They were though funsters whom had all the atributes to be members, namely good fun.:thumb:

So, if you opened it out, my fear would be that there would be too much confusion regarding advice. As i mentioned, another forum I know, anyone whom asks a question regarding something then becomes enbroiled in a "you should get a caravan/ motorhome" debate.
far better to be accepting of anyone whom comes on board and meets the fit and proper person criteria (whoops ill be kicked out soon:Blush and if it aint broke dont fix it.:thumb:

But a well valid question

 

[Dawnbreak]

Love it as is.....would find it all too confusing otherwise. Lovely to know can come to this site and find lots of facts and info on all things re MH's. As a total beginner and as yet we are non-owners...the info is bar second to non.....all topics etc easy to negotiate and you don't get bogged down by other stuff.....we have picked up so much from here....love it.

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[Wildman]

the name, the header all define what we are, they are an image that is recognised y at least 10,000 people to change it would court disaster. we are growing at a reasonable rate and have little to gain by being the biggest. Best will always be exactly that and should eventually equate to the biggest. It currently works and is great No need for change. we have a corperate identity lets stick with it please.:thumb:

 

[spiritsfree]

Love it as is.....would find it all too confusing otherwise. Lovely to know can come to this site and find lots of facts and info on all things re MH's. As a total beginner and as yet we are non-owners...the info is bar second to non.....all topics etc easy to negotiate and you don't get bogged down by other stuff.....we have picked up so much from here....love it.

Same as us !! We have learnt so much from such experienced people on here..and thank them.:thumb: To me this is the only real dedicated Motorhome forum, and changing it may detract from the pure quality and depth of information. Having said that, i`m sure all fun campers would have much to contribute as well as share, and, as now, would be welcome

 

[vava1]

No

No

Motorhomes are for people who like to be self-sufficient ALL the time, able to stop, walk back and put the kettle on regardless of the weather

Motorhomes are for people who travel, from place to place

Caravans are for swaying about all over the road, going to one place, taking X hours to unhook, set up, fill containers, generally faff about, and staying there 'till it's time to go home

Motorhomes are for serious travellers, able to go off at a moments notice

Caravans are for holidays and the odd well planned trip

Things I wouldn't get from a caravan:

1. Garage for inside bike storage, tools and other kit
2. Pull up anywhere and be at home immediately with virtually no setting up
3. Large on-board fresh and waste water tanks
4. High capacity roof mounted solar panels
5. Automatic roof dish for internet and TV
6. Quickly ready to leave in just a few minutes

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[JeanLuc]

I understand "where you are coming from" Jim, but it is dangerous to mess about with a brand. At present, "Motorhome Fun" is a pretty clear signal of what the site stands for. Most users of motorhomes and relevant derivatives will, I believe, understand what it is all about.
Deviating from a single-minded proposition usually leads to dilution of the idea and fragmentation of the user-base. Or in plain English, people can no longer work out what the brand is trying to offer or what it represents and so, wander away from it. Very few brands succeed by trying to be "all things to all people". What they do is define their territory i.e. "some things" and then try to appeal to as many relevant people as possible.

Trying to diversify the offer could well lead to a problem rather like that depicted in the attached cartoon: confused, certainly not a work of art, and not really relevant to anyone.

Philip

 

[DESCO]

No must agree with others it aint broke so don't fix it.

This forum is open to all but is first and foremost for motorhomes and as such does a magnificent job, and is a credit to Jim & Brian and long may it continue.



Dave :thumb::thumb:

 

[GregM]

Unfortunately it's not just a change of name. You also need to register a new domain using that name. To find a good one that is available wont be easy.

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[Dodgey]

...it ain't broke:thumb:

 

[Road Runner]

I have a caravan at present but prefer it stays as it is.

There are only a handful off us tugging.

 

[buttons]

No
Things I wouldn't get from a caravan:

1. Garage for inside bike storage, tools and other kit
2. Pull up anywhere and be at home immediately with virtually no setting up
3. Large on-board fresh and waste water tanks
4. High capacity roof mounted solar panels
5. Automatic roof dish for internet and TV
6. Quickly ready to leave in just a few minutes

These are things you wouldn't get from most motorhomes either vava, what is a garage for inside bike storage. The only dishes I have with my van are in the cupboards. High capacity roof mounted solar panels, Wow...sounds like top of the range to me.
I like the name as is.

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[chrisboyo]

The name says it all
Keep it FUN
The dark side gets too grouchy
Happy Daze
Chrisboyo

 

[Alfa_Scud]

There are only a handful off us tugging.

Sorry, just my childish sense of humour!

 

[scotjimland]

There are only a handful off us tugging.

the rest are wearing boxing gloves

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[Ralph-n-Bev]

No

Motorhomes are for people who like to be self-sufficient ALL the time, able to stop, walk back and put the kettle on regardless of the weather

Motorhomes are for people who travel, from place to place

Caravans are for swaying about all over the road, going to one place, taking X hours to unhook, set up, fill containers, generally faff about, and staying there 'till it's time to go home

Motorhomes are for serious travellers, able to go off at a moments notice

Caravans are for holidays and the odd well planned trip

Things I wouldn't get from a caravan:

1. Garage for inside bike storage, tools and other kit
2. Pull up anywhere and be at home immediately with virtually no setting up
3. Large on-board fresh and waste water tanks
4. High capacity roof mounted solar panels
5. Automatic roof dish for internet and TV
6. Quickly ready to leave in just a few minutes

I know i shouldnt bite :Blush:
BUT
You can get 1,4 and 5 with modern caravans. Some also have fresh and waste tanks albeit not as big as a Mh.
As for swaying all over the place, well you get bad drivers in all vehicles.
Most new caravans have suspension /stabilizers fitted to them now, which stops the drag from Lorry's. Keeping to 60mph or below stops the problem too.

Infact we could have ticked all your list with our last caravan .

But thats because we are a tidy family and everything has its place
The only thing we would struggle on is no 2
But Ive seen Mh users faff around with water rolls and waste barrels. Not to mention drive aways , Levelers .
We are glad we have the Mh , if we could have afforded one years ago , we would have got one. It is easier hopping from place to place , with everything inboard , granted.
But by having a caravan , it didn't stop us going off at short notice.
We used to rally in our caravan most weekends. The same as we do with the motorhome now.
Infact we are able to do it Less in the motohome due to boggy ground. We have to pick where we can and cant go now. It doesn't stop us, but we have to think about it a bit more.
We could certainly
"stop , walk back and put the kettle on regardless of the weather " ??

As for the original question :-

I say keep the site as it is.
Most people on here are tolerant of all forms of camping .

Bev

 

[scotjimland]

Well what's in a name ?

In America they don't differentiate between different forms or vehicles for *camping*
they are simply called "recreational vehicles" or RVs.
Forums cater for all equally, there is no them and us, whether you have a motorhome, 5er , trailer ( caravan) , toy hauler, pop up camper, de-mountable or whatever makes no difference ..

My suggestion was to include ALL types of campers in either the name or as a forum descriptor in the banner.. but unfortunately, in the UK we don't have a generic name to encompass all forms of travel vehicle, so maybe that was a non starter.

I would agree that the name *Motorhomefun* should not be changed , as pointed out this would be problematic with the url and may lose the site it's identity..

 

[haganap]

There are only a handful off us tugging.

Sorry John but I think you will find it a lot more than a handful, especially with the availability of hardcore pornography on the internet


Jim, your right mate, non starter

nice thought though, lets have a go at some names, how about.....

motorhomecaravantent5thwheelerdemountabletrailertentsleepingbagvanconversionRv.co.uk :thumb::thumb:

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[haganap]

I know i shouldnt bite :Blush:
BUT
You can get 1,4 and 5 with modern caravans. Some also have fresh and waste tanks albeit not as big as a Mh.
As for swaying all over the place, well you get bad drivers in all vehicles.
Most new caravans have suspension /stabilizers fitted to them now, which stops the drag from Lorry's. Keeping to 60mph or below stops the problem too.

Infact we could have ticked all your list with our last caravan .

But thats because we are a tidy family and everything has its place
The only thing we would struggle on is no 2
But Ive seen Mh users faff around with water rolls and waste barrels. Not to mention drive aways , Levelers .
We are glad we have the Mh , if we could have afforded one years ago , we would have got one. It is easier hopping from place to place , with everything inboard , granted.
But by having a caravan , it didn't stop us going off at short notice.
We used to rally in our caravan most weekends. The same as we do with the motorhome now.
Infact we are able to do it Less in the motohome due to boggy ground. We have to pick where we can and cant go now. It doesn't stop us, but we have to think about it a bit more.
We could certainly
"stop , walk back and put the kettle on regardless of the weather " ??

As for the original question :-

I say keep the site as it is.
Most people on here are tolerant of all forms of camping .

Bev

No you shouldn't but it saved me doing it,,, cheers

 

[chatter]

Have to say we do have a name that encompasses all forms in the uk and europe for that matter, it is called Camping after all we all go 'camping' be it a tent,trailer tent, caravan or pop-up,motorhome or RV, demountable or 5th wheel unit and apart from the 'caravan club' when we look for sites they are usually under the heading of 'camping sites'.
Motorhome Fun is a great forum with a great bunch of people and its fair to say that all are welcome, wether they are looking for a motorhome and wanting info or wether they have made the change to something else, its all about getting out there and enjoying what you do hopefully with a bunch of likemided funsters

 

[hilldweller]

I know i shouldnt bite :Blush:
Bev

But you just can't help yourself, especially if it involves chocolate.

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[Ralph-n-Bev]

But you just can't help yourself, especially if it involves chocolate.

I cant believe you've said that. Can you see me ?:Blush:
Im sat watching loose women , on MHF , eating an easter egg.
Bev

 

[scotjimland]

Have to say we do have a name that encompasses all forms in the uk and europe for that matter, it is called Camping after all we all go 'camping' be it a tent,trailer tent, caravan or pop-up,motorhome or RV, demountable or 5th wheel unit and apart from the 'caravan club' when we look for sites they are usually under the heading of 'camping sites'.
Motorhome Fun is a great forum with a great bunch of people and its fair to say that all are welcome, wether they are looking for a motorhome and wanting info or wether they have made the change to something else, its all about getting out there and enjoying what you do hopefully with a bunch of likemided funsters

Hi chatter

very true, I'm all for calling the hobby camping, in fact I always have, ever since I first went *camping* 60 years ago with mum and dad to Cornwall , I still say we are going *camping* ( now called tenting for some odd reason ) but we don't have a generic name like the yanks for the vehicles.. ie RVs which when you think of it makes perfect sense.. they are all recreational vehicles of one sort or another.

 

[billkce]

I'd have to but a new sticker!!

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