I need to rant. Since I already ranted via PM to a member, I won't burn any more calories rehashing the rant. Instead, here's a snippet from my PM:
Dave's Rant wrote: Here's the thing...
You probably didn't notice, but this weekend was the slowest weekend in the Toy Hauler forum for the past many years. Folks complained and then they left. That is very clear evidence to me that these tire threads are bad for business. I can't let that continue to happen. I owe it to the group to keep this place running smoothly enough that members will continue to participate in the forum.
{snip}
So here's what I've known for a long time. Every time I see one of these tire threads start up, it takes every ounce of my self control to keep from grabbing a pencil and jabbing it through my eye. I hate them. And apparently, so do a lot of other members. So I will be keeping a much tighter rein on the tire threads to ensure that they are short and brief: question, answer, bam, closed. I will also keep those whom I consider to be bad operators out of the tire threads. We have plenty of expertise within our group that we don't need input from outsiders. Hopefully this will help to repair some of the damage that's been done to my forum.
Here's the back story for those of you who weren't around last weekend. (I assume that's most of you, because it was a ghost town around here.)
We had a tire thread late last week that got pretty heated over the weekend. It's not obvious from what's left of the thread, because lots of the posts were nuked. But one member went bonkers enough that the Powers That Be ended up deleting his account. (No soup for you!)
These tire threads are a double whammy for me because (A) they bore the hell out of me, and (2) they bring out all the nutjobs who for some reason completely get off on arguing over tires. I will never understand it. But like I said in my PM rant, we have enough brain power here within our own lovable little inbred clan of Toy Haulers that the OP's questions will eventually be answered. We have a good enough mix of backgrounds and opinions that all sides of the issue are usually fleshed out. That's good enough for me and hopefully it's good enough for all of you.
This forum is important to me and I don't like the fact that these tire nerds are driving off good members. Let them go fight over Team Edward vs Team Jacob (or Star Wars vs. Star Trek, or whatever) somewhere else.
And to any kind folks from other corners of the forum who are reading this, yes, I'm aware of the accusations that we have a cliquish "old boys club" in the Toy Hauler forum. Although I don't agree, I can deal with that. I've been accused of worse. If you're pouting and feel ostracized from the group, then maybe it's for the best; maybe you wouldn't fit in here anyway.
/rant
Now quick, someone post a Trip Report. I wanna see some pictures! Even old stock footage of a Sobe would do.
And to any kind folks from other corners of the forum who are reading this, yes, I'm aware of the accusations that we have a cliquish "old boys club" in the Toy Hauler forum. Although I don't agree, I can deal with that. I've been accused of worse. If you're pouting and feel ostracized from the group, then maybe it's for the best; maybe you wouldn't fit in here anyway.
/rant
Now quick, someone post a Trip Report. I wanna see some pictures! Even old stock footage of a Sobe would do.
For those that make this assumption, absolutely NOT true. I have always been welcomed here whenever I have something to add to a discussion. Some have referred to me as a blue hair, but still have welcomed me and my comments on the forum. Also, in person at various rides, I have always felt welcome. Thanks to all the toy hauler group for posting info all of us can use, now and then.
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever" '05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins-Pulling our '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2010 Rzr or 01 V Star in back. Where the wheels are stopped today
So....you're succeeding from the group? Does this also mean that TH posters will not be posting on other forums? Just curious but it seems to be a VERY strange request since towing is towing and batteries are batteries and fridges cause problems in all types of RVs but if that's what you want....you got it.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR - 2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles) 2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
AMEN, Dave!!!! Tires, weight, and speakers (wait, speakers threads are kinda funny) threads all end up with the same bashing and flaming and I usually try to avoid reading them.
I always hated when good shows got killed due to old ladies complaining about booby shots or F bombs.. TURN THE CHANNEL IF YOU DONT LIKE IT (that includes you)!
I don't see how a thread related to tires has anything to do with participation, maybe it's the sensorship or moderation that has the numbers down? Honestly, if anyone person doesn't care for the discussion then don't participate (mod included). The result is content and discussion, you don't NEED to participate or be interested and one bad thread doesn't justify new rules. Some people (not me)love tires, let it go.
Why also do you care who partcipates? I'm with Skipnchar, I don't see the diff between a TH and a TT class A, other than the back or side opens, or one has a motor.. Does that take special knowledge?
I've been in the IT industry for well over a decade so I know a thing about administration and moderation, policies and procedures. My advise to you is let things be and stop the sensorship and sculpting of the forums to meet your own ideals. Simply ensure no one is breaking the rules and move on (know your role). Anything outside of that is a bit much and probably abuse of ones abilities and a waste time. ALSO, I don't see what gives anyone the right to say who can participate and who cant regardless of what they tow or drive or how many times they post in a forum. I have a TH and I've also had a Fifth Wheel and PU and Class A and I welcome a discussion with anyone on any forum (I see it all as one). I'm sure if anyone sees their posts removed for no reason they'll take it up ladder. I think you set a pretty poor example OP/MOD that maybe needs to be pointed out to someone?!
* This post was
edited 04/18/12 10:33am by five'er *
five'er wrote: I think you set a pretty poor example OP/MOD that maybe needs to be pointed out to someone?!
Harsh, but knock yourself out.
If you participate here much, you should know that the Toy Hauler forum has hardly any censorship at all. But when good people who've been part of this forum for many years tell me they're unhappy, I need to listen. Who's more important to me, the members who have participated in this forum for years or the ones who stop by, drop some unhelpful input, and then scatter off?
If I lose some of those "contributors", then it's:
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