RV cliques?

kone · 03-22-2018, 09:30 AM

Complete newbies, wife and I, retired, healthy and active, mid 50s, contemplating RV purchase.

Just kinda wondering....are there cliques within the RV community? Do the folks in the big fancy class A’s look down on the TT crowd, for instance? Campgrounds and resorts separate the expensive and the not so?

Just seems like it from a newbie 50,000’ view. We owned boats our entire adult lives and thought it was case among boat owners. With RV folks living lives mixed together seems like a recipe for crappy experience.

Thx. Thanks!

Tucsontoy · 03-22-2018, 09:41 AM

In every basket of apples there are a few you may want to pass and ignore. I have been coast to coast several times and a majority of the travelers you meet will have the same mind set as you and will be glad to share routes, experiences, tips and tricks. Jump in with both feet and enjoy. Happy travels...

powercat_ras · 03-22-2018, 09:47 AM

You need to take the initiative to say hello and introduce yourself. Most will assume if you don't that you want to be left alone and not interact. If you are not full timing you can join a local RV club and camp together with them - many clubs camp together one long weekend a month at a different place each month. You can find local clubs via Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA), Escapees, Good Sam, and there also brand specific clubs such as the Winnebago International Travelers that also have local chapters.

Enjoy the RV life style.

powercat_ras · 03-22-2018, 09:52 AM

One more piece of advice - chances are your first RV will not be your last. Consider buying a used model as your first one. As you use the RV and see other RVs you will learn your likes and dis-likes and will be able to get closer to your "perfect" RV the second time around.

New RVs have HUGE depreciation like other vehicles do. Generally they lose at least 20% of your purchase price in value in the first full year of ownership. Also, new RVs have a number of problems that the first owner has to get fixed under warranty which involves time and loss of use of the RV while in a dealer's shop.

Personally RV #3 was the "perfect" one for me.

pyoots · 03-22-2018, 11:02 AM

Hello,
Join an RV club in your local area. Most members will be helpful in getting you the information needed to function reasonably well. Some will identify with their coaches, high dollar, while most others will go out of their way to be hospitable to owners of pop-ups, travel trailers, fifth wheels, class C's and vintage motor homes.

It's fairly easy to spot the blue noses. Avoid those. Your RV experience will be enhanced by warm-hearted, friendly travelers, whose mission is to spread positive experiences to everyone out there. That's most of us.

Phil

Wayne M · 03-22-2018, 11:08 AM

Attitude begets attitude. If you show open friendliness, say hi to your neighbors, wave at the passing vehicles driving in the RV Park you should not have a problem.

As stated, there will always be an exception. You will know when that is. Don't give up, just say hello in those instances and keep walking,

I'm in a park right now with a 5th wheel on one side and a TT on the other. Both are friendly as are 99% of the occupants.

Podivin · 03-22-2018, 01:58 PM

Will some people in the really expensive RVs look down on you - yep.
Will some tent campers shun you as 'one of THOSE people - yep.
Will some not talk to you because your hair is too long/short/grey/gone/whatever - yep.

People are people wherever you go. There will always be one or more that don't like you, even though they don't know you (or YOU may not like THEM...).
But for the most part folks are out to relax and have fun, and most day pay much attention to what you're using to have your fun it.

We used to be boaters, now we're RVrs.
It's the same thing, only different.

kone · 03-24-2018, 04:52 AM

Good responses, thank you.

CampingGator · 03-24-2018, 05:25 AM

I am on this forum because we want to get a Winnebago Vista when we retire. We currently have a Forest River travel trailer. The Forest River Forum has A LOT of folks on it. They own everything from pop ups and A-Frames to fifth wheels, travel trailers, toy haulers, and big class A’s. Everyone is friendly and very helpful, no matter your dollar value. The common denominator is an adventuresome spirit and a desire to get out and travel or spend time around others in a seasonal site. I host a rally every year and we have Rvs of all kinds. I have never encountered anyone being snobby because of their rig size or value. I agree with the poster above who said there are always going to be people who do not like you for one reason or another. Get out there and live the dream you have. You won’t be sorry.