Ideas about the 'personality' or scope of this 4-wheeling board?

[John Canfield]

We're off to a rip-roarin' start for rvforum's newest board - thanks to all for jumping right in with posts!

I've been thinking about the persona of this board.  Do we want to be mainly a light chitty-chatty board with little in-depth tech stuff?  Would everybody like to go really tech with build reports, i.e., mods you have documented or had done and documented?  Somewhere in-between?

I'm not sure where everybody's tech capability is, or your desire to get technical.  Marty's post about the transfer case linkage is an excellent example of some very useful techie stuff.

I've documented pulling axles, installing a Rockhard cage, rock sliders, tummy tuck, etc., etc., that I can put up on here, but if most everybody isn't interested in that granular level of detail, I don't want to fill up the board with boring posts that use up a lot of my time.

So let's kick this around - you guys figure out what direction we want to steer the ship.

[skyking1]

I think more info is always better. If it is not a person's "Cup of Tea" they will move on.
The space a post takes up on the server is minimal. If you are really worried about it, host the images off site at photobucket. I am so used to inline images that I did that in this post, #13:
http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?topic=5939.0
 I captioned the images and spaced out the links so they made sense in a narrative way.

[Water Dog]

Nice thing about forum's John, is that you only have to read what interests you. I would like to see it all. Even though I might not be building my Jeep to the same level someone else is, it's really nice to check out others ideas and projects. Sometimes part of someones project fits in with and helps what another is doing. I would also like to see pics and locations of outings, mechanical issues and repairs, and anything else pertaining to 4-wheeling. JM2C

[Molaker]

Nice thing about forum's John, is that you only have to read what interests you. I would like to see it all. Even though I might not be building my Jeep to the same level someone else is, it's really nice to check out others ideas and projects. Sometimes part of someones project fits in with and helps what another is doing. I would also like to see pics and locations of outings, mechanical issues and repairs, and anything else pertaining to 4-wheeling. JM2C

Hear, hear!

[John Canfield]

Great!  Thanks for the feedback guys!  I'm going to collect comments for a while longer - need to give folks a chance to discover us and make some (if any) remarks.

[taoshum]

"Dear John",

Love the sound of that... never mind.


Scope:  In a way, you are attempting to put in one category the threads and categories that take up entire forums on other sites.  The difference is that this one can have a super strong RV core and a "4-wheelin" theme... whereas the "Jeep Forum" has about 100 categories and thousands of threads, just on Jeeps; the JK Forum is also very large and breaks the JK subject into many categories.  However, try to find a tie-in to RV's and it's rare.  So, if you take this theme and develop it... RV's and 4-wheelin'... I bet it will develop a "life" of its own, somewhat naturally.  There are many facets of "RV's and 4 Wheelin" that certainly not even discussed in the "Jeep or FJ Forums"... like tow bars, or RV parks near great 4-wheelin' places, or which tires tow well, or if you do a lift kit what does that do to the tow bar?, or planning outings, or comparing what to carry in the tow vehicle that is useful when 4-wheelin', or how do older folks even get into (or out of) a lifted Jeep?, etc.  Maybe you want a "sticky" with links to these other sites for technical Jeep or FJ or ? discussions?  There's certainly a large community of RV people who tow 4WD vehicles and then drive 'em all over the place.  For instance, how do folks configure a two door Jeep to do everything needed while traveling in a RV?  A four door Jeep?  A Suzuki?  How to carry dogs, groceries, chairs, shovels, etc. 

It's potentially a large subject area...with special needs when coupled to RVs.

[Marc L]

I was on an Xterra forum earlier because that's what I drive. Similar to Jeep they go deep in build threads, etc. However not much on RV related. Just responded to a thread over there on WD hitch.

I foresee this as a spot to share camping/offroad experiences. Nice trails near a nice campround. Trail rating, can you run stock or need a heavy modded rig.

In the end though, it will self define itself by the contributers as they will post on topics they like.

[John Canfield]

Scope:  In a way, you are attempting to put in one category the threads and categories that take up entire forums on other sites. ..It's potentially a large subject area...with special needs when coupled to RVs.

Quite so.  Good comments, thanks!

One of the problems of linking to build threads and other pictures in some of the Jeep forums (or other forums) is they require you resister just to view an image (which I intensely dislike.)

[skyking4ar2]

I don't even have a Jeep, but the last two years at Moab, I got a strong taste of Jeep envy.

I will enjoy the detail because it gives non-owners some perspective of what is involved if they should jump in. The tips about parks and trails will give a taste of what is out there to do, if I should buy and tow a Jeep or similar off road vehicle.

To a previous poster's point, if you don't want to wander through the detail, there's a button for that.

I am looking forward to watching the thread develop and I also think it will find its own way.

Thanks for taking the time to expand our knowledge. Many of us live vicariously through the exploits of others.

[SeilerBird]

John -When Tom announced this part of the forum he said something like he didn't want to compete with 4x4 forums. It sounds like that is your plan. If you do expand the 4x4 section then could we expand the photography section to include a place for Sony users, Canon users, etc? I think you should keep it to 4x4 as they relate to RVs.

[JerArdra]

Tom S,

I agree with you!!!  If we become a "Heavy Duty In-Depth" 4WD forum it will overly dilute our original forum as it has been for a dozen years or so.  Already John has added 3 or more 4WD sticky topics on four wheel driving and in pushing for more on 4WD.  I feel that the 4WD topics could change the focus of our beloved forum which might leave many of our long time members out.

JerryF

[Water Dog]

Tom S,

I agree with you!!!  If we become a "Heavy Duty In-Depth" 4WD forum it will overly dilute our original forum as it has been for a dozen years or so.  Already John has added 3 or more 4WD sticky topics on four wheel driving and in pushing for more on 4WD.  I feel that the 4WD topics could change the focus of our beloved forum which might leave many of our long time members out.

JerryF

I respectfully disagree. There are currently topics on Hobbies & Crafts, Photography, Music, PC's, On the Air Waves, Outdoor Activies, and On the Water. I don't see the harm for one more activity that many of us are interested in as RVer's, and I don't think it will take anything away from the focus of the forum. While it's true that not evryone here is involved in this activity, that same thing holds true for the others as well. I do have to be honest though, I'm not really sure what a "sticky topic" is..

Oh, btw, the main thing that I like about this forum as opposed to the Jeep forums is that THIS is the friendly place....!

[Tom]

... I'm not really sure what a "sticky topic" is..

Dennis, a 'sticky' topic is merely one that stays at the top of the respective message board. If you click on, for example, this 4-wheeling board, you'll see four messages at the top, each with an icon of a 'stick pin' in the left column. It merely means that these four messages will always show at the top unless/until a staff member 'un-stickies' them.

One advantage of a 'sticky' is that it's immediately visible to a newcomer or someone who doesn't visit the forum or message board very often, and doesn't require them to wade through/past all the other topics to stumble on it.

I see nothing in any of the four sticky topics here that suggest we're planning to do anything beyond what was in my announcement. John is merely  trying to understand what our forum members wish to see/discuss here. Anyone who has no interest can visit their Profile and use the Ignore boards option.

BTW anyone who reads the Winnebago-specific issues board here on the forum will know that John is partial to stickies 

[Ernie n Tara]

John,

I think this is a useful addition, particularly in the area of RV related issues. A little technical goes a long ways (and its easy to find), but its nearly impossible to find: towing related information, which RV parks are close to whatever (we're currently parked near the Conejo river in S. Colorado for a Fly Fishing episode; many smaller venues nearby that benefit from 4-wheel access), where are RV'ers 4-wheeling, Rallies with a 4-wheel component, etc, etc.
 
I think the deep technical is not appropriate beyond what you might do to the vehicle (as opposed to how) and why - benefits of a lift? downsides?, etc. It probably is good to provide links to the detailed prodedural information.

All of that said, and as noted above, the forum will define itself as more people find it and start posting their questions.

Meanwhile, thanks for starting a very interesting discussion,

Ernie

[ArdraF]

We've always had lots of discussions on four-wheeling as it applies to RVing and our rallies and I've liked that content.  We do the same with photography and other hobby-type subjects.  I would hate to see the RV Forum become overly done with content on any subject that is better covered elsewhere.  Even though I like to go four wheeling or off roading, I am not interested in having it become a major content of our RV Forum and I'm already starting to feel overwhelmed with too many Four-wheeling topics and too many stickies in that board.

ArdraF

[SeilerBird]

I respectfully disagree. There are currently topics on Hobbies & Crafts, Photography, Music, PC's, On the Air Waves, Outdoor Activies, and On the Water. I don't see the harm for one more activity that many of us are interested in as RVer's, and I don't think it will take anything away from the focus of the forum. While it's true that not evryone here is involved in this activity, that same thing holds true for the others as well. I do have to be honest though, I'm not really sure what a "sticky topic" is..

Water Dog - Jerry and I are not suggesting that the 4x4 section should be eliminated. We just don't think that it should turn into a full blown 4x4 forum. I think the 4x4 section is a great idea. There are lots of RVs with 4x4s and this would be a great spot for info on 4x4s in relation to RVing.

[Tom and Margi]

I agree with Jerry, Ernie and Ardra and Tom S. summed up my feelings quite nicely.
 
I enjoy reading about the framily off-roading adventures and enjoy the pictures.  I would hate to see the RV Forum become overly focused on the technical aspects of this hobby.  Other forums exist which handle this more appropriately.
 
Margi

[FrontrangeRVer]

I posted elsewhere here about tow brackets specifically for a jeep.  Received a few responses.....not many.

I like the tech aspect of the 4x4 wheeling board, especially how it relates to toads and RVing.....The "framily" chatter, while good, could certainly be posted elsewhere. 

[SargeW]

Other forums exist which handle this more appropriately.

That's true, but there is one big difference. As already noted, this is a friendly, respectful forum. And thus having a certain amount of tech stuff is good for it's members. I am a member of a couple of different Jeep forums, but rarely post there due to the majority of the members are teens and twenty somethings who believe that rude and obnoxious is a normal response. 

I also believe that if a subject doesn't interest you, don't click on it. Precisely why I specifically labeled my tech post so clearly. Some folks won't care about it, and I would expect no interest from them. But the group of folks that have that vehicle may find it invaluable. 

It would be like telling someone in the Photography forum that they shouldn't talk about F stops, Macro Lens', or meters because some may find it boring. If I don't find it interesting, I move on to the next  post. The 4X4 forum should be run the same way.

[FrontrangeRVer]

One of the problems of linking to build threads and other pictures in some of the Jeep forums (or other forums) is they require you resister just to view an image (which I intensely dislike.)

It's the same here at RVForum.net.  You can't see the pictures unless you are a registered member.

[Tom]

I'm already starting to feel overwhelmed with too many Four-wheeling topics and too many stickies in that board.

Ardra, surely you jest? 14 topics out of nearly 50,000 can hardly be considered overwhelming, especially since several of them are older topics I moved there here to keep this stuff in one place; They're all related to 4-wheeling in one way or another, and they're all on a 4-wheeling board.

Since this appears to be deja vu from prior times when I've previously opened new boards, I strongly suggest that folks visit their Profile and activate the Ignore Boards option. PLEASE let's not have a repeat of what we went through on those prior occasions.
Edit: Fixed typo.

[Wendy]

I don't like technical discussions about anything, whether it's 4WD, photography, computers, so I don't read them. Choice is a wonderful thing so read or don't read but why block the things that others want?
 
Wendy

[Tom and Margi]

Nobody is suggesting blocking anything.   
 
The title of this thread seeks ideas. Did you really want our ideas about 'personality' or scope, or did you just want ideas and opinions which agree with your own?   And, yes, I will exercise my choice and just not read the super tech stuff.
 

Margi

[Wendy]

What I'd like to see related to 4WD, and what I will read here, is tales about 4WD trips, especially easy places that we can go.
 
Wendy

[Tom and Margi]

What I'd like to see related to 4WD, and what I will read here, is tales about 4WD trips, especially easy places that we can go.
 
Wendy

I agree, Wendy.  My previous post sounded like I was responding to you but I was really responding to the notion implied by others that we should not have expressed our opinions.
 
Margi

[Water Dog]

Water Dog - Jerry and I are not suggesting that the 4x4 section should be eliminated. We just don't think that it should turn into a full blown 4x4 forum. I think the 4x4 section is a great idea. There are lots of RVs with 4x4s and this would be a great spot for info on 4x4s in relation to RVing.

Sorry, I think I might have misunderstood the intent..... I think we all agree, that the forum should not evolve into another 4x4 forum.

[Tom]

.... I was really responding to the notion implied by others that we should not have expressed our opinions.

Margi, just so there's no misunderstanding, nobody has suggested or implied that you shouldn't express your opinion. But, it's clear that some folks have pre-judged this message board and what it might turn into. The last couple of times I opened a new message board, both public and private communications started the same way and soon turned rather sour. It was clear that some folks were close to blowing a gasket, all because some folks they didn't agree with me opening the board.

I'd prefer not to go down that same road again, and I have no desire to see folks get emotionally distressed this time around. So I made my plea for folks who have no interest to take advantage of a profile feature, and they won't see this board again.

[Tom and Margi]

Margi, just so there's no misunderstanding, nobody has suggested or implied that you shouldn't express your opinion. But, it's clear that some folks have pre-judged this message board and what it might turn into. The last couple of times I opened a new message board, both public and private communications started the same way and soon turned rather sour. It was clear that some folks were close to blowing a gasket, all because some folks they didn't agree with me opening the board.

I'd prefer not to go down that same road again, and I have no desire to see folks get emotionally distressed this time around. So I made my plea for folks who have no interest to take advantage of a profile feature, and they won't see this board again.

I'm not the least bit interested in stringing out this discussion.   I don't agree that it's clear that some folks have pre-judged and I also haven't noticed anybody seeming emotionally distressed.  That sounds a bit defensive to me.
 
Why ask for ideas if you don't wish to hear them?  You're suggesting that those of us who are not interested in the technical part of 4x4ing block the new board.  Some of us are very interested in hearing about the adventures and seeing the pictures; therefore, blocking the whole board won't work for us.  I'll just not read the tech messages.  No big deal!
 
Margi
 
 

[Tom]

... I also haven't noticed anybody seeming emotionally distressed.

That was a stated reference to last time around, and an explanation of why I don't want things to deteriorate to that point again.

That sounds a bit defensive to me.

Defensive in the sense that I have no desire or intention of putting up with the nonsense I observed previously, some (much) of it directed at me personally.

How about we see how this board works out. If it strays into areas it shouldn't, we can always do a correction.

[Tom]

My admin/moderator hat off ......

Some things I'd like to see as a regular forum member:

We have a number of off-roading friends, some of whom are what I've considered to be a little nutty. I politely smile when they show or tell me about their latest tricked-out vehicle, but it's often a disguised deer-in-the-headlights look. Reading some of the 'why and how' technical stuff would hopefully give me a better understanding, and maybe I could then have somewhat intelligent discussions with these friends.

I've yet to figure out why folks subject their vehicles and bodies to some of the stuff I see, but I have no desire to join another forum to understand. Hopefully I can gain some insight from not-too-hard discussions here, and maybe will become a convert and participate in more of the activities of forum members.

I'm sure there are other things that don't readily come to mind.

Admin/moderator hat back on .....

[taoshum]

I've yet to figure out why folks subject their vehicles and bodies to some of the stuff I see...

As a Jeep newbie, it is quite amazing... both what these vehicles can do and the stuff that people do with the vehicles... our Jeep never ceases to amaze me that it can actually do what it does and in hindsight, makes it seem "ok" to do it again or go on another trail...  All the while, going places that very few people ever see.  Then I see videos or pics of the really tough trails and it scares me to even watch.  BTW, some of them do tumble or roll over during these excursions.  Hard to even imagine being inside when that happens.  And the Jeep modification business and accessories... it is gigantic... we must get a new catalog every week with parts for Jeeps older than me and younger than yesterday.  Kinda like the RV catalogs, I guess.

[John Canfield]

We've been on the road all day and I see we've had a little activity in this thread  .

This is a friendly and gentle reminder to please stay on topic.  As a refresher, the essence of the question for those of you interested in reading/participating in the 4x4 board is:

I've been thinking about the persona of this board.  Do we want to be mainly a light chitty-chatty board with little in-depth tech stuff?  Would everybody like to go really tech with build reports, i.e., mods you have documented or had done and documented?  Somewhere in-between?

[Molaker]

Two or three reasons why I haven't mod'ed my Jeep.  1). I spend nearly all my spare cash on my MH.  2). It is hard enough for us old farts to get in and out without adding a lift and/or bigger wheels and tires.  3).  DW ain't too hep with the idea (biggest reason).  So, a trail runner I'll be.  Besides I love poking around old forest and mining roads, which are great as long as I don't make the DW gasp.  I am, however, very interested in doing my own work in making the danged thang keep rolling, so that kind of tech talk interests me. If it gets real deep, I can take it and will enjoy reading about the how-to's in towing, mods and in driving techniques.

[Betty Brewer]

I've been thinking about the persona of this board.  Do we want to be mainly a light chitty-chatty board with little in-depth tech stuff?  Would everybody like to go really tech with build reports, i.e., mods you have documented or had done and documented?  Somewhere in-between?[/size][/b]

John,
I love  chitty chatty as it is a way to keep up personally with RVForum Friends.  However I think there may be  value in the indepth stuff for those considering such a venture.  I'm certain that the  4x4 discussions will evolve  to the interest and delight of all.

If some have no interest then I suggest they  do as I do with the Fishing Board....ignore it.  My 2 cents and worth every penny!

[Jim Dick]

As many of you know, Pat & I have participated in MANY off road adventures. We've never owned a Jeep and probably never will. We've had a lot of fun taking the hard road with many members of this forum. Not once did anyone complain about these adventures. Some of our most treasured moments were off road such as our first Ridge Ride, about which I have written in the past.

I see nothing wrong with having a section devoted to these activities that so many people enjoy. One does not have to read all of the section. You can look at the thread and decide if it's too technical to enjoy or if it's a report of a great ride enjoyed by many. I can't see this taking over the RV forum to the point we will no longer talk about all the other good things that come from this lifestyle.

We may never be able to enjoy these adventures like we did in the past but that doesn't preclude us from enjoying reading about them. Yes, it just might make me jealous that we can't participate as we did. If that becomes the case, I can easily IGNORE the section. It's just another RV related subject!

[Tom]

For the folks who prefer not to view this message board (or any of our message boards) ....

In addition to my prior suggestion to visit your Profile and activate the Ignore Boards option, there's also another option that will hide an entire category of message boards; Depending on how you view the forum, you can click the '-' symbol to the far right of the category name. To restore the category, just click the '+' sign. The attached screen shots show the result on of collapsing and restoring a category.

This is also explained in the Forum Navigation And Usage Tips message board.

Edit: Renamed attachments for clarification.

[ArdraF]

I finally got a chance to look at the topics under the 4-wheeling board and all look reasonable except for the very last one.  It's by Ron Marabito describing one of our Quartzsite rally trail rides (4x4 trip, Tuesday, Quartzsite Rally 07).  See http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?topic=9188.0.  I think it would be more appropriate to keep trail rides at rallies within the Rallies board.  I suspect Ron would be looking for his topic under Quartzsite rallies if he wanted to look for it, as I think most of us would be doing.  I always look for specific rallies to find photos of people and events.

If someone organizes a trail ride that's not during one of the RV Forum rallies and wants to post photos, then I suppose that would appropriately be under the 4-wheeling board.  But let's leave the rallies trail rides within the specific rally topic.  We organize ours by the rally, such as Moab, Quartzsite, or whatever so we can find them easily.  What we don't need is to confuse everyone by posting some rally photos within the rally topic and others within the 4-wheeling topic.

ArdraF

[Jim Dick]

Ardra,

I agree. We should keep rally related subjects to each rally thread. Let's face it, most of our rally rides are not extreme so many folks can go even though they don't have a hard core 4X4. 

[Ernie n Tara]

I'll third that with the proviso that I do think its appropriate to post the fact of an upcoming rally that is also a 4-wheeling opportunity to the 4-wheeling board as well.
Ernie

[Tom]

Thanks for the link Ardra 

I checked the logs, and it was my error in moving that topic to this 4-wheeling board; It was a standalone topic, not part of a rally discussion, which is how such rally-related activities are normally handled. I'd run a search on "4x4", "4-wheeling" or similar, and moved it without fully reading the subject line; Shame on me  I've now moved it back to the Rallies board here.

With that resolved, hopefully we can return to forum business as usual 

.... we can always do a correction.

Note to myself - aye, that's what we just did.

I do think its appropriate to post the fact of an upcoming rally that is also a 4-wheeling opportunity to the 4-wheeling board as well

Agreed Ernie, and we'd probably just a post a link here pointing to the topic on the other board or vice versa, depending on the situation. e.g. some folks might decide to meet up for an unorganized 4-wheeling week(end), and mention it here; Later they realize there might be greater interest and decide it might be an opportunity to invite others, turning it into a rally.

[John Canfield]

If 4-wheeling is an incidental activity to a rally, then it should be in the rally area.  If 4-wheeling is the primary focus for a gathering, then it belongs here.

We're up to our eyeballs a) visiting with friends and b) replacing our 4-door Norcold with a household fridge (Norcold removed about an hour ago), so it will take a few days for me to parse all of the remarks/comments and come up with where I think the direction the majority want this to board to proceed.

Thanks again for the helpful comments!

[Wendy]

If you let the board go along on its own for a month or two, that would probably be a better indicator of where folks want it to go than the comments of a handful of people in this one thread. Why not just let it go and see where it wanders?
 
Wendy

[John Canfield]

Wendy - the board will evolve for sure but I thought it would be useful to check the pulse of those interested right from the get-go.