Rally in Pueblo

[Texas Clodhopper]

Neal, as bad as I hate to say this, you're correct. There is one row that is constantly having the same issue. NKK has put out messages daily to turn off electricity use diesel to heat water and run only two a/c units. The response was, "I paid for electricity so I'm going to use it". You just can't cure hardheadedness.

 

[bpaikman]

The power issues I'm also reading about on FB are yet another indication that RVers really don't know their coaches as I tried to point out to Casey Tubman at Newmar, you know, that guy, and how Newmar should consider YouTube videos for training. I've seen other companies have a tech channel that helps people understand how to use and maintain their "things" and this would be great for Newmar.

In the case of this situation at Pueblo, if everyone would turn off their AC I/II (electric heating elements) and only use diesel burner, they would tremendously alleviate the power situation. But people just don't understand it unfortunately, in my opinion. 400 coaches (however many it is) at 22A reduced per coach, helps.

Hoping things have stabilized.

We had to be moved today. Kept losing power. We have 2 ACs but trying to use only one. Using propane for everything we could - fridge and hot water especially. But we were surrounded by 43 to 45 footers. I know they have three ACs and probably all electric. I was told by one of the directors that originally this had been scheduled for Michigan, but when they checked out that site they found it was 10 times as bad as this one. I think he said there’s only one building that even had concrete floors!? so this was the best they could do with the sudden change.
It’s been tough all around, but I will comment that a mere $50 price difference between the full hookups (sold out before we even knew about the Rally) is a bit unfair in these circumstances.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

We rafted the Bighorn Sheep Canyon this morning and yes, I'm the only one paddling.

 

[bpaikman]

we left early, but we managed to get the repairs that we wanted and a few other things that we wanted, but didn't need. However, on this trip, we have been sold on the need for magna shade. I didn't realize you could see out the front of them.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

we left early, but we managed to get the repairs that we wanted and a few other things that we wanted, but didn't need. However, on this trip, we have been sold on the need for magna shade. I didn't realize you could see out the front of them.

Our Magna Shades helped make it bearable in the heat. I highly recommend the tire covers also.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Magna shade is in our future as well.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Regarding this Rally, learned a lot of “didn’t know what I didn’t know “!
On the wait list for the Oct 4 day Spartan chassis seminar.
At this Rally we met several industry folks, Doug, GM of Spartan RV chassis. Great guy. Several of the Spartan chassis Techs and sales guys.
Had some last minute fixes that occurred on the trip. The tech that comes to mind is Mikey Kamp of Spartan, formerly Newmar retired.
He is a wealth of info and has very deep technical knowledge. He has the experience of years of troubleshooting Newmar coaches.
100 degree + Fahrenheit even dry heat is still damn hot! In the sun it was like an oven.
Luckily we did not have any power issues to speak of but others did.
Everyone was running AC full blast.

Had a good discussion with Riverpark tech and a Xite engineer from Germany. Fixed some of the oddity with the Xite map system.

Also learned from the Newmar grapevine that they are in discussion with Garmin in an attempt to solve the GPS issues in the dash.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

My biggest disappointments were the lack of vendors, the catered food, and the number of items stolen. The occasional gunshots from the surrounding neighborhood at night were a little freaky. It's
too bad the Grupio app became so undependable.

The Newmar techs are unbelievable and the Newmar Parts Store was even stocked with some of the oddball parts I needed.

The wash and wax crew did a great job on my coach. I don't know how they managed to complete 90 attendees plus all the show coaches in just 5 days.

 

[Neal]

Have not read much if anything good other than the Newmar techs and getting things fixed. Sad. Read about ebikes getting stolen, and all of the other nonsense. Maybe NKK will learn in the future if you're going to have a big event maybe coordinate security.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Have not read much if anything good other than the Newmar techs and getting things fixed. Sad. Read about ebikes getting stolen, and all of the other nonsense. Maybe NKK will learn in the future if you're going to have a big event maybe coordinate security.

Even after they brought in "security", a 3-wheel electric bike was stolen and a golf cart. I've seen better "security" at a Wal-Mart.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

I did have a nice visit with Casey and brought up the Andrew Steele interview. He said he didn't want to do it originally but marketing convinced him. He states, "it has proven to be positive", whatever that means. He was a little perturbed that Steele emphasized the downsizing of the fuel tank in the King Air.

 

[Neemer]

Given the amount of apparent security issues, is it beyond the realm of possibility for owners to create a neighborhood watch in that setting?

 

[Joe Hogan]

Unfortunately Pueblo like other cities in Colorado Front Range have an indigent population problem. There were folks camping in a small section of woods just outside the Fair Grounds perimeter. The police seem powerless to control them for any number of reasons.
This causes manifold issues.
The running gun battles at night are a concern for all and has become far too “normal “.
Welcome to the Third World.

All that said, there are only a small number of facilities nationwide that can accommodate 500 resource intense RVs and have adequate meeting rooms and dining facilities for the daily activities,

The catering did improve over time but was still subpar, especially for a group that has the resources to travel in large very expensive vehicles.

Speaking with the NKK staff, the number of adequate venues is very small considering the size of this country.
Consequently the repeat visits to sites like Pueblo.

Just my $0.02

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

They may not need 500 sites for the upcoming rallies. There were 380 at this one and with the number of people commenting that Puebloe would be their last, they may get by with a much smaller venue. This year, the vendor area could have been on a basketball court, and most meetings had fewer than 25-30 people, some with fewer than 15. The caterer had no excuse to run out of food before everyone was served. They ran out Friday night and that was with many many of us not going.

My burning question is, why do we have these rallies in the middle of summer when it requires us to air conditioning in our coaches?

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Unfortunately Pueblo like other cities in Colorado Front Range have an indigent population problem. There were folks camping in a small section of woods just outside the Fair Grounds perimeter. The police seem powerless to control them for any number of reasons.
This causes manifold issues.
The running gun battles at night are a concern for all and has become far too “normal “.
Welcome to the Third World.

All that said, there are only a small number of facilities nationwide that can accommodate 500 resource intense RVs and have adequate meeting rooms and dining facilities for the daily activities,

The catering did improve over time but was still subpar, especially for a group that has the resources to travel in large very expensive vehicles.

Speaking with the NKK staff, the number of adequate venues is very small considering the size of this country.
Consequently the repeat visits to sites like Pueblo.

Just my $0.02

Joe I am slightly offended! Well maybe more than slightly.

When I look around me! Yes to some I appear to be indigent. I see many that live the way I do! You know? Cargo trailer trash, school buses, tent campers, oh yes! One 1983 obsolete Alpenlite 26ft fifth wheel! I wander around the public lands, traveling, and spending My time. I and my comrades all do the same. Very very few amongst us covet your stuff. To us it would just be something to own us! You might say stuff taught us, we didn't want any part of your world!

I like most around me don't lock our doors! If what we have,you need, ask, and soon it will be yours!!!

There are many in the lower elements of your society that steal! Think guns are toys! And covet your stuff!!! I say "your", because "our", represents people who have rejected your norm, for a more spiritual goal!!!

It might serve to explore, before you judge!!!

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Kevin, tell that to the couple whose $9000.00 electric tricycle and bicycle were stolen or the couple whose gold cart was stolen.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

My guess would be that you All went to a well advertised event where a lot of people advertised their toys on social media.

Those are things not easily hid in a normal camp. Rather easy if the thief came from a local community! Or for that matter a reasonable distance.

I would liken this scenario to the man on a sidewalk looking for his contact lense. When asked by someone wanting to help where he was when it fell out. The man replied by the desk! When the bystander asked what desk? The man responded, oh inside the building!

But why are you looking out here? The bystander replied.

Well said the man,the light is better!!!

 

[Neemer]

They may not need 500 sites for the upcoming rallies. There were 380 at this one and with the number of people commenting that Puebloe would be their last, they may get by with a much smaller venue. This year, the vendor area could have been on a basketball court, and most meetings had fewer than 25-30 people, some with fewer than 15. The caterer had no excuse to run out of food before everyone was served. They ran out Friday night and that was with many many of us not going.

My burning question is, why do we have these rallies in the middle of summer when it requires us to air conditioning in our coaches?

That’s disheartening. I have every intention of attending next years’ since it’s practically next door to me. I hope that trend reverses.

 

[sheridany]

They may not need 500 sites for the upcoming rallies. There were 380 at this one and with the number of people commenting that Puebloe would be their last, they may get by with a much smaller venue. This year, the vendor area could have been on a basketball court, and most meetings had fewer than 25-30 people, some with fewer than 15. The caterer had no excuse to run out of food before everyone was served. They ran out Friday night and that was with many many of us not going.

My burning question is, why do we have these rallies in the middle of summer when it requires us to air conditioning in our coaches?

I have been wanting to ask that same question but I did not want to offend by asking Why? 99% of you know your coaches well so is there more information to be had? Just reading the thread kept making me keep asking why. Heat , bad power, marginal food, indigents, gunfire the list goes on. Why don’t they beak it up into regions or maybe they do. Maybe it’s the draw of meeting and seeing fellow coach owners. I am sure there are good answers so help me understand.

 

[osuallen]

I was somewhat disappointed in the vendor's participation at the rally. I was pleasantly surprised when the Newmar techs showed up this afternoon to take a look at my remote door operation. I guess it helped that I signed up several months ago.

As usual, meeting and making new friends is the best part of any rally.

A few weeks ago they published the next 4 years dates and locations. They are hoping that will help improve the vendor numbers.