FMCA Gillette, WY - The Good, Bad and really really bad.

When we first got our RV Four Years Ago I thought FMCA was the be all of RV clubs. For years I've seen the plates on the back of RV's and was proud when we got our numbers to display. Fast forward to today and it's a really disapointing organization. In this video we discuss our recent visit to FMCA in Gillette, Wyoming and tell you about our disapointments.
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[@jimmartinson4280]

I attended the FMCA rally in Gillette and noted the smaller number of attendees this year versus the number of attendees at the FMCA rally at Tucson last year. The classes were quite good and the nightly entertainment was excellent. In addition, I joined several FMCA chapters and find the camaraderie between members of the chapters to be quite good. I agree with you that FMCA needs to be aware of the quality of the RVs displayed at the show because I am certain attendees are not looking for RVs that are falling apart and in need of repairs. Hopefully, FMC will take your comments to mind when planning future rallies.

[@RVIntoRetirement]

Good feedback Jim glad to hear the other events were worth it. My overall feeling is that FMCA needs to step up their advocacy in every area of RVing. Some other examples are during the Hight of COVID there were many full timers stranded looking for a place to go, also they should have played a bigger part in the DEF issue lobbying for relaxed regulations that didn't leave folks stranded in limp mode. Unfortunately I feel they are not independent and beholden to their advertisers and vendors more than their members.

[@jimmartinson4280]

You are probably right.

[@WILDEBILL308]

I think it is funny you blame FMCA for the coaches that some dealer brought to the event. You don’t know the limits put on by not only the dealer but manufacturing organizations. I bet they didn’t sell any. I also don’t consider the main purpose of going to an FMCA event to look at/buy coaches. For looking at coaches you go to Hershey or Florida supper show. The condition of the coaches you showed is a prime example of why you need to have a certified inspector look at any coach you might think of buying. Yes, I think that show was under attended. I was told they had 884+ coaches. I didn’t make it this year either. In 2021 they had 1335 coaches (this doesn’t count walk ins) yet in March of this year they had 1932 in Georgia. You talk bad about FMCA and the show, yet you bought something in the vender area and thought you got a deal. How can that be? You didn’t take advantage of any of the seminars or training events or some of the service opportunities. Did you take part in any of the chapters and group event/parties? Did you visit the AIM tent?

[@RVIntoRetirement]

I blame FMCA for NOT being aware of what their vendors are representing to their membership. The buck stops with FMCA. As I said in the video - FMCA says they are and advocate for RVers and yet they allow RV dealers to rip off their membership.

[@WILDEBILL308]

How do you know what FMCA was aware of? Did you talk to anyone in charge of venders? I would bet that they were happy to get a vender to bring some used coaches out considering they had such a low turn out. If you have been paying attention you would know that coaches of that vintage have problems with the seat covering. You negotiate that repair in when you make a deal. "FMCA says they are and advocate for RVers" Yes they do a lot of work in state and local governments. They are not involved in watching dealers. They expect you to be smart enough to handel that.

[@lorrainegehring9856]

This isn't a review of FMCA. This is a review of the vendors. How many vendors are in the Wyoming area? Really, man.

[@RVIntoRetirement]

So you are saying just anyone can be an RV dealer at FMCA shows or do they need to be approved vendors where FMCA reviews the quality of the vendors and the product they are selling. Has nothing to do with Wyoming BTW

[@Lescqe3uj]

There is very limited good clean used Class A stock available these days. However dealers should put a little investment into these units prior to presenting them at a FMCA rally.

[@ToddM452]

It’s the dealers that are bring junk rv’s to the shows. It’s a poor representation of their name and brand. They must think people are stupid.

[@RVIntoRetirement]

We need FMCA to pay attention to their vendors

[@miketomas8564]

I agree with you. I think the dealers are bringing these neglected motorcoaches and keeping the prices up in an effort of getting a sweet deal from brand new and unaware RVers by showing stock they can't seem to sell and slapping a higher price tag on it.

[@miketomas8564]

Thank you for your frank interpretation of the gathering. I would have thought it would have had more traffic than what you had seen. Currently, as the FMCA renewal period approaches, I'm considering dropping this club for Xscapers. Although I would be loosing my connection with my manufacturer owner's group, I have not really been able to get "connected with my Tribe" there. I'm starting to think my "Tribe" would reside within Xscapers and their more organized "Birds of a Feather (BOF)" Groups. They appear to have much more diversity with these groups than the FMCA..

[@RVIntoRetirement]

We were members of Escapees and the Boomer group. Back in 2020 the Boomers invited a group to lecture us on and got political. Dropped them in a heart beat, we RV to avoid politcs. Besides that we didn't find value there but maybe you will tieh the Xscapers part of the group.

[@marychristie6194]

We attended the FMCA In Gillette-I didn’t like that fairgrounds or the city itself and probably will never go back-However, we will always go to Tucson FMCA -We are also members of ESCAPEES-They also had GARBAGE RV’s at their rally and I let the dealership know that I didn’t appreciate their garbage-Beyond the Miss Steps, we do enjoy meeting our fellow RVers and the seminars 🤷‍♀️🇺🇸🇺🇸⭐️

[@RVIntoRetirement]

I agree meeting fellow RVer is the best part of RV gatherings.

[@barryholiday8998]

The condition of those rv’s is disrespectful to the fmca members.

[@RVIntoRetirement]

Yes it is. I hope FMCA pays attention

[@miketomas8564]

And// If it looks that bad inside, imagine what condition the important and expensive undercarriage systems are in.

[@BobCollins42]

Do you think this may be a general comment on the community who are attracted to huge RVs? I am almost your age and I don't identify with the McMansion on wheels aesthetic.

[@RVIntoRetirement]

Well the market is in a weird place right now but these are far from mansions they are abused and not well maintained class A RVs. If they had wider selection I would and touted those also

[@HelloWorldRobnLisa]

Interesting perspective, thank you for that. We are looking at possibly joining one of the national RV clubs (Xscapers, FMCA, Good Sam's). Running into exactly what you described while trying to research FMCA. They "appear" to be very out of touch with the younger "older crowd". We are 58/59 for reference. What I'm seeing, via KZbin videos like yours, is a lifestyle organization that my Parents would have enjoyed. Plus their own FMCA branded website is laughable for non-members. A few pictures and a few bullet points and I'm expected to just click join?? Just feels very lazy to me personally based on being a digital consumer (honestly, FMCA needs to hire a digital branding team if they want to survive). Also, we are not primarily cement pad RV'ers and enjoy exploring more into the open spaces within Canada and the US. Don't really see that lifestyle represented in the Video's I have found. I was initially attracted to FMCA because their benefits are useful in both countries which might still be worth the $$$. Verdict is still out. Appreciate the honest perspective again.

[@NavyAviationVeteranRVer]

Those rv dealers rvcountry? They do that at the Quartzsite show too.

[@RVIntoRetirement]

I don't recall the dealer and wouldn't out them anyway.

[@NavyAviationVeteranRVer]

@@RVIntoRetirement that's because you're professional, I respect that.

[@NavyAviationVeteranRVer]

BTW, I love Motorhomes of Texas. I wish that they listed if the used Foretravel units had the bulkhead fix or not for the years affected by it.

[@kevinbohn2024]

You have a very bad attitude. FMCA has zero to say about the vendors quality of merchandise. You have no idea how hard it is to even get camper dealers to sign up .If FMCA can't guarantee a 1000 or 2000 people to sign up the dealers will just back out. I give your web site a thumbs down.

[@RVIntoRetirement]

I don't understand your logic. That was my whole point, FMCA should have a say in what vendors bring. How do you expect more people to continue to attend FMCA rallies when they have inferior dealer products? They would have been better off without the dealers.

[@taitial.elliott9201]

Wow, those looked terrible. I’m sure the manufacturers would be embarrassed being represented like that. I’ve watched KZbin videos from Doug Sewell @sewellmotorcoach and am very impressed. He has an amazing inventory and fantastic pricing. When we’re ready to buy a newer rig, he’s our first stop. Also, Brad Twait @TheMotorCoachStore has some nice rigs. Thanks for the video.

[@RVIntoRetirement]

Thanks for the additional tips.