This entire post is just my opinion, and not based on any cold hard facts. But here it is:
We used to field a lot more nuts-n-bolts type questions from newbies....how to wire up batteries and solar panels and charge controllers, what gauge wire to use, fridge questions, etc. Also, questions about how to downsize and minimize, change residency, and where to go, when to go there, and who to camp with....etc.
This was primarily due, I think, to the fact that most of the new and incoming people knew they could come on board here and ask those questions and we had a lot of members who would step up and try to help. We also had a lot of Bob's fans and of course, we have lost some of those. And the RTR just hit a peak of attendance a few years ago and then POOF...government regs and POOF...covid.
And now, a lot of this type of nomad/vanlife content for newbies is splashed all over youtube and other places....its not a narrow fringe of people doing the nomad thing, its now a much larger and broader percent of the population...what with digital nomads, caravans, a zillion youtube channels, and of course, other forums and vanlife social networks and websites...and dont forget all the nomad and vanlife rallies and van builds and such. So...if you are new and have questions....youtube is your friend.
Now it seems to me that our little corner of the nomad universe is mainly a group of us old-timers with a lifetime of knowledge and experience and we are standing in line to jump on any topic that will keep us occupied. I'm guilty of that one for sure.
I'd love to see some 'new blood' in here...and especially those who are out there successfully 'living the dream'...its just that many of those nomads and RVers are actually 'living the dream'...and are not on this forum seeking answers. Or so it seems to me.
So....we will ride the wave as long as we can and who knows what the future has in store.
