What a shame........

[Nick O.]

I've noticed a decline of forum posts as well, although I'm guilty as charged. In general forums are losing activity due to Facebook groups. It's quick and easy to post there, although information is lost the next day. I believe all the casual owners post quick questions on Facebook whereas serious build threads are posted on forums. There are many types of social media fighting for our limited time.

I believe the lack of group events and rides are correlated with the falling number of hobbyist owners. Back when everyone was traveling to Ledges, Humphrey, Mines n Meadows, Haspin, Copper Ridge, etc it was something to talk about. Members would tell their buddies about a great weekend in the 6x6, and soon enough the rides doubled and tippled. Ashtabula is one of the only major events which is why the "racing community" is tight-knit, and Busco is so far away that many of us haven't made the trip.

It would be cool if we collectively decided a couple of locations and dates for rides. A simple show up at X place at X time and have a blast. What fun is it having a 6x6 if you're not blasting down the trail with other owners?

[tbone9]

Nick, I couldn’t agree more. I posted 3 rides at Insane Terrain in one summer and got only one taker. I will continue to post when I’m going in hopes more will join in. After all it is centrally located for several of us. But I understand how short and busy the summer months can be. Especially up here. In summer there is a lot of obligations on weekends. As far as Facebook I’m kinda new to it but will also post on there when I’m going in hopes of reaching out to more people.
As far as welcoming new members goes I’ll continue to do better. Even if they open with a question I can’t field why not give em as warm of a welcome as I recieved my fist time to Ashtabula. Drove 12 hrs. Pulled in not knowing one single person and was greeted by everyone. Maybe if the new posters get a lot of feedback they will get more involved with the site.

[wheeler]

I'm still here Tbone. Even closer now. Not to far from MilleLacs.

[smudvapor]

I've noticed a decline of forum posts as well, although I'm guilty as charged. In general forums are losing activity due to Facebook groups. It's quick and easy to post there, although information is lost the next day. I believe all the casual owners post quick questions on Facebook whereas serious build threads are posted on forums. There are many types of social media fighting for our limited time.

I believe the lack of group events and rides are correlated with the falling number of hobbyist owners. Back when everyone was traveling to Ledges, Humphrey, Mines n Meadows, Haspin, Copper Ridge, etc it was something to talk about. Members would tell their buddies about a great weekend in the 6x6, and soon enough the rides doubled and tippled. Ashtabula is one of the only major events which is why the "racing community" is tight-knit, and Busco is so far away that many of us haven't made the trip.

It would be cool if we collectively decided a couple of locations and dates for rides. A simple show up at X place at X time and have a blast. What fun is it having a 6x6 if you're not blasting down the trail with other owners?

I'm in Nick! I may not be able to race yet but I can put around at a ride for a bit.

[wheeler]

I believe its a sign of the times. I dont feel guilty for reading and not posting. But I also understand group effort can keep good things going. I've been starting my involvement up again. There was always a southern feeling to this site. Get togethers way south of me. I felt like an outsider. I may have weaned myself because of that. Just my input.

[tbone9]

Welcome back wheeler. You’re about four hrs. from me. Hope to make the mud nationals up in in Hill City MN. Next year. It would be nice to get a few amphibs to make a showing there.

[ARGOJIM]

Hi Jim and smudvapor, For what its worth here is a little movie of some Argo people getting it done on our Canada Day in the marsh.

Good to see you guys out and about Warren.

[marauder]

I log in everyday and peruse the sight for things that interest me, I read them and post if I think I have something worthwhile to say, doesn't happen that much but I still enjoy visiting the sight. In general I am disappointed that there aren't more manufacturers of AATVs so we could get a better variety, would love to have the controls of the Argo and the engine placement of a Max, maybe if the Chinese enter the market they will bring their own twist to it and probably have machines at a lower cost. I also am disappointed that AATVs get so little exposure in TV and movies, the quads seem to dominate there. Finally, it would be nice if we had a catchy name for the AATVs, a single word to describe them similar to what the quads have for their All Terrain Vehicles, I usually refer to them as six wheelers and my family knows what I am talking about but that moniker doesn't come close to doing justice to what they can do in the water and the machines that have eight. So to sum up, I think more people would be interested in AATVs if there were more companies making them in different varieties, got better exposure from advertising by dealers and manufacturers, and were exposed to the public more through TV and movies, and a spiffy nick name wouldn't hurt when talking about them to friends and family. Just my $.02.

[john swenson]

i would drive up to 3 hrs. for a day ride with 3 or 4 other guys if there was a place that was about the same distance for each one. maybe if some ride places were posted in riders area...then atleast people could reply and say if it was close enough to join in and after that find a date that would work. i know it's tough to make that happen, but it may work. i'm about 1.5 hrs. east of d.c. i will check again to find any atv parks in this area. j.b.

[gus marrone]

Anthracite outdoor adventure area in Coal township PA is a pay by the day (25.00 )park . Its well marked and maintained, snack bar and porta pottie in parking area.look it up and maybe we could do a ride there , They are very 6x6 friendly. It's 2 plus hours for me and i'm 30 miles west of Philly.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Living in northwest Alaska I ride only during the summer months. The Max gets put away for the winter.
Thus, I have no questions to ask during the winter months, and have learned enough that I don't post as often as I used to.

[techfx]

I hate to think that disagreements and grudges are pulling our group apart, but I'm afraid that may be the case at least for some. There are a lot of great people in this hobby and even though many of us are far apart geographically, we're a pretty close knit bunch. I've been lax in welcoming new members to the group, but I will try and improve my people skills. Okay, I'll try to develop some people skills where none exist. We'll need new members just to replace some that fall away from the hobby.

This. It is difficult to keep anyone very active in any activity for 10+ years as well. If my father wasn't wasn't such a 6x6 maniac and able to help me out the past few years, I'm not sure how much of this I would be doing. I don't know if It's just being near 40 or if there's a generational shift, but it seems like there is less (or at least changing) involvement in other things I'm into as well. I'm hoping that the Pine Lake 50th will give some motivation to get more people together and maybe a bit more attention. There may be hundreds of machines still out there waiting to be fixed up and used and far more people who don't know they exist. One good "American Pickers" or Velocity rebuild show could get more people interested. On our end, we want to finally get the 3rd Tru Way racer back together for the 50th - and maybe someone else to run with us too, next year.

[Kfactor]

I found this site awhile ago and love it . I like going to forums we’re its all about the machines and the ppl who know a lot about them . I wish I had ppl to ride with everyone I know don’t ride and I go out by my self gets pretty boring . Coming here at least I can talk about the stuff I enjoy doing with ppl who love doing it

[Gtubby]

As a new member i am awed by the help and expertise offered by members here. all my questions have been answered by past posts or responses. I have learned what i did not know i needed to learn. It could be that the info covered is so complete that new requests are not really needed. This group is great, thank you.

[ARGOJIM]

As a new member i am awed by the help and expertise offered by members here. all my questions have been answered by past posts or responses. I have learned what i did not know i needed to learn. It could be that the info covered is so complete that new requests are not really needed. This group is great, thank you.

Glad you found what you didn't know.
Members like dirtdobber and tbone9 have really been helping quite a few with t20 and other related issues, Don is always the Attex answer man along with James Gerber.