Community Forums

doolinguy · 03-30-2016, 07:08 PM

I'm brand new to RVing and wondered about which club like Good Sam, Passport America or others is the b St for saving money at campgrounds.

I'm already a member of Good Sam thanks to buying my RV at Camping World, but have seen others advertised.

Thanks,

Mr_D · 03-30-2016, 07:12 PM

We have Good Sam, FMCA and Escapees. So far the GS has been the best since most don't take FMCA. Escapees isn't a camping club anyway.

MrBelvedere · 03-30-2016, 07:35 PM

I'd also look into Passport America. For an annual cost of 44.00 per year, it's one of the cheapest things you can buy for your RV'ing experience!

Welcome aboard and hope to see you down the road.

rkresge · 03-30-2016, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBelvedere

I'd also look into Passport America. For an annual cost of 44.00 per year, it's one of the cheapest things you can buy for your RV'ing experience!.

X2

I've booked one night each coming and going at a campground that takes Passport America, on our trip to Maine in June. Those 2 nights have already saved me the total cost of the PA membership, and I expect more savings later on future trips.

And we get a Good Sam discount at the campground where we'll be staying in Maine for 8 nights. Again, it has more than saved the cost of the membership. Yay! Good Sam also gets you $.03 a gallon discount at Flying J/Pilot.

Roger

**TonyDi** · 03-30-2016, 09:03 PM

Passport America, and Good Sam are my favs.

tedgard01 · 03-30-2016, 09:14 PM

Are you 62 or over, or handicap, get the NP Senior Pass or Access Pass... They will pay for themselves for life in one night.... You will get 50% off... I frequent USACOE parks, and with 50% off, you will be at $11 to $13 per night...

Btw, Welcome to iRV2!

Enjoy.

FaithBowls · 03-30-2016, 09:16 PM

I also got both. PA is great - half price discount can't be beat. Good Sam has more parks, but GS only gives a few dollars off. GS smartphone app is great whether you're a member or not. I see a lot of koa's but seems they have a bad reputation?

vsheetz · 03-30-2016, 09:54 PM

Passport America is kind of a no brainer. Use it a couple nights a year and you break even. We use the PA website to find locations for overnight stops as well as longer stays. There are sometimes restrictions as to dates or days of the week. But I have found if outside the published restrictions, just ask as often waived. As they would rather have half money than no money.

vsheetz · 03-30-2016, 09:56 PM

We are also Thousand Trails members. Not for everybody. But if they have locations where you will use them it can be a good deal. There is the zone memberships from TT as well as individuals reselling their no longer used memberships.

FaithBowls · 03-30-2016, 10:50 PM

How do you like thousand trails and what region? I was looking into it but the reviews / complaints are terrible - really bad reviews online. I'd love to hear from someone who uses their parks in the southwest / northwest.

vsheetz · 03-31-2016, 02:46 AM

Have used several in California and Las Vegas. The preserves as they are called are often not not fancy, but they are quite serviceable. Some of the facilities are aged, while several are recentLy renovated. Many are in rustic areas, which we like. As the access is controlled, security is good.

Bruce C · 03-31-2016, 03:48 AM

Search them all and see what one will work the best for you. Many will not offer what you may want in your travels. Others may work better depending on your travels. All are good, it's a choice you'll find where one seems to be better than the other and works best for you. Good luck and safe travels.

doolinguy · 03-31-2016, 04:40 AM

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll get Passport America and NP senior pass to go with GS.

Kend51 · 03-31-2016, 07:54 AM

Escapees membership does offer discount camping at some parks. I would definitely check out Escapees membership. It is not expensive and has other benefits also. We have reservations this summer at a campground in the South Dakota Black Hills for a week at 1/2 price of normal.