Camping memberships

[King Richard]

We are soon to be traveling around the western states, possibly become adventurious to go to the east coast. next summer. Have seen a few comments about the memberships. Any personal input would be appreciated.
Any recommendations? Pro or Con.

[Grimesy]

We use Passport America, although many of the camp grounds are off the beaten path. The initial cost is modest compared to the more elaborate plans like Thousand Trails Etc. but just a couple of uses will pay for the cost. They are usually not your high line campgrounds but in most cases are adequate. We also travel with a Trailer Life Guide and are members of the Elks. Many Elks Lodges have camping facilities. I am sure you will get a lot of ideas from our contributors.

Don

[Chuck 1935]

I have Camp Club USA. Most if not all the campgrounds are way off the beaten path. For the $39 we gave it a try but have only found one campground that we were able to stay at. We use Trailer life CD on our laptop when on the road .

[Madrona]

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Richard We are soon to be traveling around the western states, possibly become adventurious to go to the east coast. next summer. Have seen a few comments about the memberships. Any personal input would be appreciated. Any recommendations? Pro or Con.

Since you will just be traveling, which is what we do, I recommend no memberships and almost never a campground. Sure, if you're going to be in an area for more than a couple nights, a campground my be useful, but with a large self-contained RV, we just don't see the value in them. We use pull-outs along highways, maybe a nice spot by a river. Many truck stops will allow you to spend the night. If you are feeling deprived of reading material, you might want to read some of this thread:
Walmart's Parking Lots of good (and not so good) information contained in the over 2,500 posts, there. Most importantly, enjoy yourselves, there is no better way to travel.

[WheelingIt]

The only one I've ever found useful is Passport America.

Most of the time we camp in public campgrounds (forest service, state parks, COE etc.) so we don't use memberships much.

[Doggy Daddy]

Thousand Trails has a new program where one can purchase an Annual (12 month) Zone Camping Pass for $499 ($42 a month) with a limitation to certain geographical areas, example (18 NorthWest camp or 18 SouthWest That is thousands cheaper than a life time membership which is 4-8 $K. If you stay in a thousand Trails Park 20 days in one year and private RV parks charge $30+ per day, you get you investment back rather quick. Check out: Zone Camping Pass | Discount Camping | Best RV Resorts

[Lukeaa]

Join overnightrvparking.com

It is about $25 per year and has a comprehensive list of free parking sites all over the US. It is kept constantly up to date.

[wa8yxm]

Membership camping is not everybody's cup of tea,, I will give you some info, both pro and con.

First: I have TWO memberships, one in Thousand Trails (nation wide) and one in Outdoor Adventure Inc. (Michigan only 5 camp grounds as I recall plus a few sister parks also in Mich)

Now when I bought in Membership was 2-3 thousand and my dues are about 3 month in OIA and 40 in TT, I understand TT now "Sells" a zone membership for like so much a yqar (Dues only) this however only works in a portion of the US. (My membership I can go to ny TT park anywhere in the US)

both come with "Time Share Swap" services, Coast to Coast, is an example. TT just dis-affilated with one of them (RPI I think might be ROD)

There is a local KOA, For a full 50 amp hook up site for my class A with internet I woudl pay over, OVER 80 dollars a night.. My dues for the two parks combined are less than 75 a month.. and I can spend 2 weeks in either park, then I have to move out for at least a week.. (Which is what I do with the OTHER park)

Winters I skip Michigan and go south. I spend my 2 weeks in a TT park and then have to find other parking for the week out (Government operated parks)

Summers I'm paying less per month than I'd pay for ONE NIGHT in that KOA
Winters it runs about 2 nights in the KOA per month.

We full time.

Also I find the members are often "Regulars" and thus we have formed friendships, what's more many do cross camp the same as I.. yesterday a couple of women stopped by our site.. A year or two ago, (I am in an outdoor adventure park just now) We were at a TT park in Indiana,, they had an issue.. I got them in hot water (A good thing, the issue was no hot water) and what's more the 'Fix' did not cost anything (THANK YOU FORUMS) They are parked a few hundred yards from me.

With the time-share swap feature (Coast to coast, RPI, ROD et-al) you can also use other membership parks.. Normally for less than 20 per night.

Now the downside:

You have to pay the piper efen if you don't dance dance (that is you must pay your dues no matter if you camp or not) and you can not always find a membership park to park where you need to be. For example in about month I'll be in Southern GA and there are no membership parks there.. We are working on a discount or perhaps my daughter's future Father-in-Law might have space.. (in case you wonder why ineed to be there.... Well when I leave he won't be the FUTURE F-I-L any more)

So the downsides are the 2 or 3 week limit, and the lack of parks in some areas you might wish to visit. And the fact you are stuck paying dues even if you do not use the park.

I will say this about Thousand Trails: The parks I have visited I've been very happy with the staff and other members.. I do have a friend (here in this forum in fact) who has complained.. (There is really only one park I've ever been in I had serious complaints about,, It might be Hershey PA, which is the one he is currently griping about, I do know it was PA, not sure if Hershey but think not) .

Most membership camping chains are short on money.. I understand the reasons for this but most are not far from bankruptcy.. Outdoor Adventures Inc is an exception here.

But all in all, I'm pleased with my memberships.. If you decide to join either OIA or Thousand Trails pleas PM me for additional info. Thanks.