COST of shows ..can I do better

[Landy lover]

I guess the thread is about getting the best return for your money, in the past we have all traveled hundreds of miles to attend rallies but the realisation has come that fuel just gets getting more expensive and unless you have an income that rises to keep pace with the rising costs then one must cut ones cloth accordingly. For some it is a choice between a decent trip to France or a few rallies. We have to make the most of our opportunities and bend with the wind of change. (Unless we are lottery winners or rich anyway). We all like to meet fellow funsters, they become good friends instead of names on a forum page. I am lucky in being able to hold rallies here and cut my travel costs not everyone is as lucky.

I think you are right there Roger - this is a point I have made many times in similar discussions - I do feel the shows are dying and as far as many motorhomers are concerned driving halfway across the country for 2 or 3 nights no matter how enjoyable will have to be tempered by the cost of going to and fro - I do suspect that there will be an increase in more regional meets such as yours where for a similar say £30 or £40 for 4 or 5 days will be more attractive to many - the first of this type of meet is surely the July meet at Rutland Water which has already realised a lot of support - I do believe there are other northern based meets happening in the near future.

There will always be meets that are worth while going to regardless of distance but so many of the shows now are only of interest for the social side of things that if that social side is available nearer home then why travel

Having said that - this last year we have done many shows but for the coming year we are definately being more carefull and will only go to those shows where we enjoy it and also feel we are getting value for money.:thumb:

 

[slobadoberbob]

Some people will not accept that they give the wrong impression

hi Gromett was that the show were yourself and i helped Kands fit his new awning?

like yourself it put me off shows as only Keith Yourself and i spoke but, that was on the dark side. i joined fun and have done the opening show at Bosworth,then Newark and once at shepton.met some nice people made lots of friends, the thing with myself and sue is we have children who we took out of the care system(4) and take them with us not all like kids at rallies and this was the reason for leaving the dark side . i felt settled with fun but alas had a run in with rvoc over the child isue with brian jo josh i think rvoc is a click and the likes of me don't get a level playing field. i was pushed out of rvoc by people sticking together from the "click" moving my tread from view and being told i did not read or post to there satisfaction
even though i was a founder member.
to days status is i am going on the majal rallies but on my own as sue is getting the kids of to school and will not shirk her duties

I do not speak for RVOC or MHF, or anyone other than myself. It is a case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's as whatever is said will be held against you .. I know from my own experiances.

I have the second highest number of posts on RVOC, but I have belonged to MHF longer, I think I have a reasonable idea of what is what within our world of motorhoming. I started off on MHF and was happy here.. I was encouraged to post on RVOC... first comment I had was wondered how long before you would find your way here! now was that a welcome or .. oh dear he is on this site now as well? all depends which way you look at it. I still post on RVOC most days, but feel less welcome than I do on MHF... not going in to the in's and out's but I do find in general this site is more friendlier... hate the word Click.. used it seems because I sit around with other American Owners at shows... Bill (Landy Lover) in his recent post covered the common interest of American vehicles and country music etc., .. but it does not mean I do not enjoy the company of European motorhome owners, even if I do at times call them Euroboxes or icecream vans.. but it is in fun and not to make someone take offence.

Even in this run of posts I have seen the odd heckles raised because someone thought there turf was being challanged or slighted. Not intended I am sure by the poster, just the way someone took it. Even Jim made a cut and paste of the fact I mentioned old faces.. but as I said.. I saw Jim, I saw Jim, I saw Jim .. etc., did Jim take my comment the wrong way. I doubt it, knowing his sense of humour ... being on the receiving end of it a few times.

The meet you mention was a private thing and because of that, that person can make up his own rules as he wishes. As such the rules were not of the making of MHF or RVOC...I think it had more to do with overall numbers in the club house than children..But it did come across that children were an issue. It all comes down to the way someone interprets the words or the way it is said. I am not defending either side in this matter. But perhaps if things were better explained it might have helped the situation in my view... and i did say MY VIEW.

But one thing I will say is the shows I have been to with MHF have always been good. I left an American club 24 years ago because of the issues of the biggest and most expensive in a line was more important than the idea of motorhoming.. That I would say does not happen in an MHF meet and we all get along well together.

I started this post just to see what everyones views were on costs etc., certainly not to have world war III situation. I respect everyones views even if I do not subscribe to them.

Bob

 

[motor roamin]

Wow I have got a headache reading that lot.

I fully understand when people say travelling costs make some shows prohibitive to them, I do the shows not for the show but the company I keep and enjoy.

As for cliques sorry no such thing, I and others have said more than once come and join us and most do.

Stratford as already said was a brilliant show or was it, actually the show was pethetic waste of time, the fun meet was bloody brilliantand woth evey penny I spent, as bill said we had 16 people 5 BBQ's and 6 dogs one evening, no it wasn't a clique as 4 of those people just took up the open house and came along.

It is up to us all to make every one feel as though they belong but some people seem to want a written invite, sorry I ain't good at that but just turn up and you will be welcome.

all the best Rick

 

[slobadoberbob]

and did we not have a good time

Wow I have got a headache reading that lot.

I fully understand when people say travelling costs make some shows prohibitive to them, I do the shows not for the show but the company I keep and enjoy.

As for cliques sorry no such thing, I and others have said more than once come and join us and most do.

Stratford as already said was a brilliant show or was it, actually the show was pethetic waste of time, the fun meet was bloody brilliantand woth evey penny I spent, as bill said we had 16 people 5 BBQ's and 6 dogs one evening, no it wasn't a clique as 4 of those people just took up the open house and came along.

It is up to us all to make every one feel as though they belong but some people seem to want a written invite, sorry I ain't good at that but just turn up and you will be welcome.

all the best Rick

And did we not have a good time at that show.. even a game of Boles in the dark.. bloody hard to find a green jack against the grass.... trying to do a cook out in the high wind and rain at the Mid summer meet, the wind yet again at Lincoln (always seemed to be windy this year).. but we had some great meets.. even if Bill was stuck next to the dung heap at Malvern.

Bob:thumb:

 

[motor roamin]

And did we not have a good time at that show.. even a game of Boles in the dark.. bloody hard to find a green jack against the grass.... trying to do a cook out in the high wind and rain at the Mid summer meet, the wind yet again at Lincoln (always seemed to be windy this year).. but we had some great meets.. even if Bill was stuck next to the dung heap at Malvern.

Bob:thumb:

And thats why I do shows, but I do understand what you say about fuel cost , it has to be taken into account.

All the best Rick

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[Larrynwin]

For us , when we go to a show we make a trip of it , a few nights elsewhere makes a holiday of it. As for cost , if that were problem then perhaps we would not have an RV.
As far as cliques are concerned , if you bring a number of people together , it is inevitable that groups of them will socialise, that is the whole point of these meets. If we had a problem with that , then we would not attend in the first place.
We have been to both MH Fun and RV meets and have always been included and completely enjoyed ourselves :thumb:

 

[Jim]

Bob, you worry too much.

I do not speak for RVOC or MHF, or anyone other than myself. It is a case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's as whatever is said will be held against you .. I know from my own experiances.

I have the second highest number of posts on RVOC, but I have belonged to MHF longer, I think I have a reasonable idea of what is what within our world of motorhoming. I started off on MHF and was happy here.. I was encouraged to post on RVOC... first comment I had was wondered how long before you would find your way here! now was that a welcome or .. oh dear he is on this site now as well? all depends which way you look at it. I still post on RVOC most days, but feel less welcome than I do on MHF... not going in to the in's and out's but I do find in general this site is more friendlier... hate the word Click.. used it seems because I sit around with other American Owners at shows... Bill (Landy Lover) in his recent post covered the common interest of American vehicles and country music etc., .. but it does not mean I do not enjoy the company of European motorhome owners, even if I do at times call them Euroboxes or icecream vans.. but it is in fun and not to make someone take offence.

Even in this run of posts I have seen the odd heckles raised because someone thought there turf was being challanged or slighted. Not intended I am sure by the poster, just the way someone took it. Even Jim made a cut and paste of the fact I mentioned old faces.. but as I said.. I saw Jim, I saw Jim, I saw Jim .. etc., did Jim take my comment the wrong way. I doubt it, knowing his sense of humour ... being on the receiving end of it a few times.

The meet you mention was a private thing and because of that, that person can make up his own rules as he wishes. As such the rules were not of the making of MHF or RVOC...I think it had more to do with overall numbers in the club house than children..But it did come across that children were an issue. It all comes down to the way someone interprets the words or the way it is said. I am not defending either side in this matter. But perhaps if things were better explained it might have helped the situation in my view... and i did say MY VIEW.

But one thing I will say is the shows I have been to with MHF have always been good. I left an American club 24 years ago because of the issues of the biggest and most expensive in a line was more important than the idea of motorhoming.. That I would say does not happen in an MHF meet and we all get along well together.

I started this post just to see what everyones views were on costs etc., certainly not to have world war III situation. I respect everyones views even if I do not subscribe to them.

Bob

 

[Gran & Rog]

You all had such a good time at Lincoln thatg even the organisers got gealous and tried to put a stop to it

Only trouble was we had booked for the show so missed it

 

[Janine]

I think that the shows represent excellent value for money if you take into account the amount of live music the organisers put on.

Every show I've been to over the last 6 years has amazed me by the sheer quality and quantity of entertainment provided, especially Malvern where I'm always spoiled for choice!

All that for £10 a night? It's got to be worth it.

Fuel costs are always going to be an issue wherever you go, but by tagging the weekends onto a longer break they can be justified.

 

[slobadoberbob]

did we or did we make a noise?

You all had such a good time at Lincoln thatg even the organisers got gealous and tried to put a stop to it

Only trouble was we had booked for the show so missed it

We certainly put on a good show ourselves that night..Warners did not like it one bit... bet we are moved again next year.. would not matter, we will still enjoy it... we have complaints from Warners one side and the Motor Caravaning club the other.. oh well:Blush: The only thing that could have made it better would have been if the wind had died down.

Bob:thumb:

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[chrisgreen]

We certainly put on a good show ourselves that night..Warners did not like it one bit... bet we are moved again next year.. would not matter, we will still enjoy it... we have complaints from Warners one side and the Motor Caravaning club the other.. oh well:Blush: The only thing that could have made it better would have been if the wind had died down.

Bob:thumb:

Bob!before the lincoln meet you posted about the rain,and not bothering if it was going to rain ,Jim (our blessed leader) had a word with the man upstairs,and sorted out the rain for that weekend,but you never mentioned the wind?had you have mentioned the wind before the meet ,Jim (our blessed leader )would have sorted the wind out at the same time:thumb:
Knowing what i do about jim,and his connection's with the man upstairs anything is possible,but for all his greatness ,Jim aint a bloody mind reader.

 

[slobadoberbob]

Next time Chris I will remember

Bob!before the lincoln meet you posted about the rain,and not bothering if it was going to rain ,Jim (our blessed leader) had a word with the man upstairs,and sorted out the rain for that weekend,but you never mentioned the wind?had you have mentioned the wind before the meet ,Jim (our blessed leader )would have sorted the wind out at the same time:thumb:
Knowing what i do about jim,and his connection's with the man upstairs anything is possible,but for all his greatness ,Jim aint a bloody mind reader.

Next time Chris I will remember to give Jim a list... no rain, no wind and no cow dung piles (Malvern).... while Jim is talking to him up stairs, can you ask him to get me for Christmas and set of batteries for my RV

Bob:thumb:

 

[chrisgreen]

Next time Chris I will remember to give Jim a list... no rain, no wind and no cow dung piles (Malvern).... while Jim is talking to him up stairs, can you ask him to get me for Christmas and set of batteries for my RV

Bob:thumb:

Bob! as there is no direct way of delivering from the man upstairs? your batteries will be waiting there for you when (if) you get there:thumb:

 

[slobadoberbob]

There I wass thinking JIM had a direct link upstairs

Bob! as there is no direct way of delivering from the man upstairs? your batteries will be waiting there for you when (if) you get there:thumb:

Blast, there i was Chis thinking Jim had a direct link to him up there and could make my wish list come true... seems I will have to buy them off ebay after all.. mind you £20 odd cheaper than some direct battery suppliers and £50 cheaper than the trade price I get from the supplier.

I suppose I will have to stick to requests for sun and no wind.


Bob:thumb:

 

[Wildman]

Themed meets rather than shows might be an answer.
When I find someone interested in running them my two for next year could be a bring and fix it for those odd repairs and include rudimentary tuition in the use of a multi meter and 12v wiring with practical work. My workshop facilities are excellent and I will repair whatever I can free of charge subject to materials being available.
Second idea is for an air gun meet and I am in the process of making targets to set up a safe range. Tuition could well be available for that as well as a bit of a competition. Rifles would be available for those without their own. I don't envisage any fees extra to my standard rally fee. I have no fixed dates and they are not in the rally calendar, only ideas at the moment.

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[John & Joan]

I was sitting here looking at my wall planner for next year.. having entered all the various shows /meets on same, I then decided to get a rough idea of what it was going to cost me in fuel, pitch etc., Now I know I tend to spend to much at Malvern each year. I started to give some serious consideration to what to do. I have already decided to not do one or two shows for various reasons but I worked out that if I cut back just 3 or 4 shows given that living in Tunbridge Wells in Kent every show is 150 miles or more away from us and one is in fact over 250 miles each way. I could do another run in to France for 3 weeks. No differance to costs given we are less tha 50 miles from the Tunnel. If we did a ship say out of Newhaven in Sussex we would be only 30 miles from the destination area we go to. Not sure how Ezzie would cope with a 4 hours ship crossing, but it could be possible.

As shows have become very stale of late, same dealers, same over priced items, and sorry to say same old faces in the same old motorhomes... it is not that hard to consider going in to France instead.

After being stuck up in the corner at Malvern last year, miles from the show I do have my concerns about even doing my favorite show next year. I have recently cancelled my MMM subscription after many years.. just not good value to me any more.

So I am re-thinking the way I want to use my RV for next season. I have now got a full size trailer to haul the car and where as due to disability I was trapped on a site or show ground I now have more freedom ... been many a year since I took an American RV in to Cornwall.. who knows may be that will be on the cards.

But, I think a lot of the shows will go from my wall planner next year.. so what's your views? any of you thinking out side the box next year?

Bob

Went to Peterborough once and that was enough for us so it's a no brainer as far as we can see. Head for France. You are fortunate to live so near the ports. It costs us a tank of diesel just to get to Kent from the north east.

 

[buttons]

I have been camping in one form or another for more years than I care to remember. Three kids from birth to their thirties. Through marriage and divorce yet still enjoying the pastime.
I’m now on my third pop top and still enjoying it, but possibly more for short stay unplanned trips, with the occasional long run. I still use the van more or less every day and away in it mast weekends.
There have been times when I have gone off a particular type of camping I’m doing, ie tents, caravans and large motorhomes, but managed to return in a different form and start to enjoy the hobby once again.
I can now see the folly in keeping a very expensive lump in your garden for 9/10 of the year but each to their own.

At 650 miles to the tank, Fuel costs are no longer a problem. Rallies, never fancied them and never attended one so can’t comment but the thought of meeting the same people at every venue would not be my choice.
Perhaps a change could be as good as a rest

 

[Snowbird]

Hi Roger, I think the bring and fix it meet is an excellent idea. Cant understand why someone has not thought of it before. We all have small problems that need sorting and though there are many experts on fun I can understand that they don't want to be rolling around under someones MH at a show, am sure that if it was specifically a meet for repairs they would be more geared up for it.
By the way...Can we have one this week to sort my Truma heater.

 

[old-mo]

I have been camping in one form or another for more years than I care to remember. Three kids from birth to their thirties. Through marriage and divorce yet still enjoying the pastime.
I’m now on my third pop top and still enjoying it, but possibly more for short stay unplanned trips, with the occasional long run. I still use the van more or less every day and away in it mast weekends.
There have been times when I have gone off a particular type of camping I’m doing, ie tents, caravans and large motorhomes, but managed to return in a different form and start to enjoy the hobby once again.
I can now see the folly in keeping a very expensive lump in your garden for 9/10 of the year but each to their own.

At 650 miles to the tank, Fuel costs are no longer a problem. Rallies, never fancied them and never attended one so can’t comment but the thought of meeting the same people at every venue would not be my choice.
Perhaps a change could be as good as a rest

Ah.... Buttons I`m one up on you there..

I get about 800 miles to the tank out of mine...


















But I do have a 100 gallon tank...

And if we dont use the onboard shower... I can get 8 X 48 packs of toilet roll in there as well.. :thumb:

Sorry... :Blush:

 

[Popeye]

Ah.... Buttons I`m one up on you there..

[HI]I get about 800 miles to the tank out of mine...[/HI]

But I do have a 100 gallon tank...

Well, Mine uses absolutely no fuel whatsoever

















It only goes downhill admittedly ..............

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[novawight]

I have been camping in one form or another for more years than I care to remember. Three kids from birth to their thirties. Through marriage and divorce yet still enjoying the pastime.
I’m now on my third pop top and still enjoying it, but possibly more for short stay unplanned trips, with the occasional long run. I still use the van more or less every day and away in it mast weekends.
There have been times when I have gone off a particular type of camping I’m doing, ie tents, caravans and large motorhomes, but managed to return in a different form and start to enjoy the hobby once again.
I can now see the folly in keeping a very expensive lump in your garden for 9/10 of the year but each to their own.

At 650 miles to the tank, Fuel costs are no longer a problem. Rallies, never fancied them and never attended one so can’t comment but the thought of meeting the same people at every venue would not be my choice.
Perhaps a change could be as good as a rest

Well buttons , I don.nt get 650 per tank, but I am nearer to 575-600 for my 90 ltr tank, well pleased, but there again the ole Topaz is knocking on a bit, and has a high roof, keep on Truck in

 

[buttons]

Ah.... Buttons I`m one up on you there..

I get about 800 miles to the tank out of mine...
But I do have a 100 gallon tank...

And if we dont use the onboard shower... I can get 8 X 48 packs of toilet roll in there as well.. :thumb:
Sorry... :Blush:

100 galsoh:.....with 100gals on board I would be like a nuclear sub. Only ever having to surface to replenish the larder.

Toilet rolls? I thought large vans came fitted with bidets.

 

[old-mo]

100 galsoh:.....with 100gals on board I would be like a nuclear sub. Only ever having to surface to replenish the larder.

Toilet rolls? I thought large vans came fitted with bidets.

Most Yanks do come with "Bidets"... But when I want to use it...


The wife has usualy got it full of dirty dishes and pot`s..

Plus at my age I find it a bit hard to get up to use it.. and I feel a right fool with my little hairy legs dangling over the edge. :Cool:

 

[eddie]

I thought large vans came fitted with bidets.

I assumed that we all had bidets and jacuzzi's


Clean Eddie

 

[slobadoberbob]

Yes Eddie but.....

I assumed that we all had bidets and jacuzzi's


Clean Eddie

Yes Eddie we do in the yaanks.. but Buttons has to use the washing up bowl being he is so small with thosse big fuel tanks

Bob:thumb:

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[buttons]

I assumed that we all had bidets and jacuzzi's


Clean Eddie

We do indeed eddi:Cool:

 

[bobandjanie]

Next time Chris I will remember to give Jim a list... no rain, no wind and[HI] no cow dung piles (Malvern)...[/HI]. while Jim is talking to him up stairs, can you ask him to get me for Christmas and set of batteries for my RV

Bob:thumb:

Well if I remember right Bob, being the marshal for Malvern and my assistant Jim will back me up, you were never parked next to the dung heap and asked to move up there ! And it was you that saved Bill ( Landy Lover ) the space right next to it, saying he wont mind as he is a bit agricultural.

Carry on worrying about it Bob, and we will see next year at the shows. :thumb: Bob.

 

[slobadoberbob]

Not me guv

Well if I remember right Bob, being the marshal for Malvern and my assistant Jim will back me up, you were never parked next to the dung heap and asked to move up there ! And it was you that saved Bill ( Landy Lover ) the space right next to it, saying he wont mind as he is a bit agricultural.

Carry on worrying about it Bob, and we will see next year at the shows. :thumb: Bob.

Not me guv.. my mate Rick (Motor Romin) played moving the funishings about... I had alread leveled up when we moved up high in the field.... Yes I admit I did save Bill (Landy Lover) the place next to the dung heap.. and yes I did say he was used to it because he was agricultural :Blush:.. funny it did not smell.. but Jim add the insult of the entertainment tent next to us.. I still recall that big hammer he had also...

yes next year Bob.. will it ever come I wonder.. been a bit wet and nasty in this part of the world today and last night.


Bob:thumb:

 

[bobandjanie]

We put the marquees there so all the other poor sods could not hear you lot singing! Bob.

 

[Larrynwin]

100 galsoh:.....with 100gals on board I would be like a nuclear sub. Only ever having to surface to replenish the larder.

Toilet rolls? I thought large vans came fitted with bidets.

WOW Buttons

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