Community Forums

tipaulfla · 08-14-2012, 05:29 PM

We have been RV'ing for almost 2 years now and we have never gone to any kind of rally. Good Sam is sponsoring one in november at Daytona Speedway. We live in florida and figured this may be a good time to check out one of these.
Does anyone have any pros or cons on attending a rally. Is it worth going and the price to dry camp is $219 vs hookup for $49(30amp).

Thanks,
Tipaulfla
2008 Itasca Sunova 34ft.
2008 Jeep Liberty toad

chasmatt · 08-15-2012, 09:17 AM

We went to a State Samboree and were quite unimpressed. We met a lot of really nice people, and learned a lot. But, we were turned off by all the Pomp and Circumstance. We felt that it was almost like a cult. Too much hoopla and talk about being a "family". We won't go again.

We also attended a rally for a sub chapter of the FMCA. Much more fun, and no hoopla. We are attending an Escapees event later this month to see what that group is all about.

RickO · 08-15-2012, 09:25 AM

We were full time for nearly four years and attended only one... The Rally in Louisville last year. I guess I'd describe the experience as "OK".

We liked seeing all the new rigs and the vendor booths. Several of the seminars were good too but rallies probably aren't something we'll be planning on attending regularly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasmatt

We went to a State Samboree and were quite unimpressed. We met a lot of really nice people, and learned a lot. But, we were turned off by all the Pomp and Circumstance. We felt that it was almost like a cult. Too much hoopla and talk about being a "family". We won't go again.

We also attended a rally for a sub chapter of the FMCA. Much more fun, and no hoopla. We are attending an Escapees event later this month to see what that group is all about.

It'll be interesting to see how you feel about the Escappes rally if you felt the Good Sam folks were too "family" centric. SKPs are famous for hugging each other.

Rick

Not a Clue · 08-15-2012, 04:14 PM

We went to the Rally in Phoenix this year and had a great time. Lots of things to look at the buy and the seminars where great so was the entertainment. Parking lot parking for the RV and close but worth it. We had electric hookups. We would go again if we get the chance.

jhlady · 08-15-2012, 04:38 PM

Tipaulfla,

We have been to two now, Redmond, Oregon last year and Phoenix, AZ this spring. Both were excellent and worth the money in my mind. Each had it's problems and you have to overlook some of the small things, like crowds, noise etc. There are a lot of people in attendance, in close quarters, but overall it was a good experience. Waiting to see if they have another one on the West coast this year and if so might consider going again. The entertainment is usually top notch as well.

Get out and participate in a Good Sam Rally or one of the others. Try them all until you find one you like. We also found it much better to attend with a small group of people you already know. That way you won't feel so alone. We split up during the day, attended vendors, seminars etc. and then re-grouped in the evenings to compare notes.

Have fun and hope this helps!

John

**NLOVNIT** · 08-15-2012, 05:37 PM

We attended the Louisville 2010 rally (i.e. THE RALLY). Lots of vendors, seminars, decent entertainment (ours was Bob Newhart & Tanya Tucker) & most all the mfr's had coaches on display. I probably wouldn't drive more than half a day to attend one, but since the one in 2010 was just 4hrs away, we went for it. Spent more money than I should've with the vendors, but we had a good time.

Lori-

Sightseer33 · 08-15-2012, 06:16 PM

Do you reserve a spot ahead? And if you do where do you go? Are u on site or will you need a car?

HabitatGuy · 08-15-2012, 06:40 PM

We went to the most recent rally in Louisville for a day only as we are only 2 hours away. Work kept us from thaking the coach for the whole thing. We enjoyed the vendor area and new motorhome looking. Will probably go again. Would attend the Indy FMCA gig(only 30 minutes from home) except we are going camping that weekend. Try it! Bet you will enjoy it.

**NLOVNIT** · 08-15-2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sightseer33

Do you reserve a spot ahead? And if you do where do you go? Are u on site or will you need a car?

When you make your reservations, you'll be assigned a site when you get to the rally. They'll escort you to your parking spot. We toad'd our Jeep at Louisville because we wanted to sightsee in the area. Although if all you wanted to do was attend what goes on at a rally, they have busses or trollies that'll shuttle you from your parking spot to any venues. I wasn't impressed with the food vendors at the 2010 Louisville, so I was glad we had our Jeep to wander off-site.

Lori-

TheArnolds · 08-15-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tipaulfla

We have been RV'ing for almost 2 years now and we have never gone to any kind of rally. Good Sam is sponsoring one in november at Daytona Speedway. We live in florida and figured this may be a good time to check out one of these.
Does anyone have any pros or cons on attending a rally. Is it worth going and the price to dry camp is $219 vs hookup for $49(30amp).

Thanks,
Tipaulfla
2008 Itasca Sunova 34ft.
2008 Jeep Liberty toad

We attended the 2012 GS Rally in Louisville and we spent a lot of money, traded in our RV on our current one. This was our first GS Rally and we had a good time, we did not have a TOAD so we ate in our RV or picked up something at one of the food vendors. We had electric, 30 amp and was happy to have the a/c, no gensets after 10 pm.

If it fit my schedule I would go again but it is not something I would arrange my year around.

Sightseer33 · 08-15-2012, 07:26 PM

Where do you signal?

nbounder · 08-16-2012, 08:25 PM

Been to a small number of various rallyes. Absolute top on my list is FMCA, even though they have some real corny parades. I recommend you take the toad, drive to the site, and buy a day pass. If you need, you can buy another. This allows you to browse the vendors and maybe even some of the new MHs on display.

Meandering Retiree · 08-18-2012, 08:37 PM

We winter in Tucson and drove up to the GS Rally in Phoenix. I had purchased a three day pass for the two of us and did not use the last two days. We walked through the event and through the new MHs, tried to attend a seminar (too hot to stay) and were not that impressed. I would not go out of my way to attend another one.

Mr_D · 08-18-2012, 08:55 PM

Been to both FMCA and Good Sam rallies. Was at the Good Sam rally in Phoenix this year and the FMCA in Albany OR too.
MUCH prefer the FMCA ones, they're usually cheaper and include at least a meal or two.