Community Forums

StStg1 · 11-23-2010, 09:12 AM

We are members of 2 camping cubs. Coachmen and Good Sam. Both have monthly camp outs and are very different. The Coachmen group always camps in RV type parks with a building for use by club members. Our Good Sam chapter always camps in State and Corps of Engineers' parks. We prefer the GS group because we believe camping should be with trees and nature vs the paved parking experience. However, both have great people and we enjoy their company.

ralper · 11-23-2010, 02:37 PM

After 4.9 years of full timing I have found that Golden Age Pass, Passport America and Good Sam Emergency Road Service is all you need. If you wish, the regular Good Sam Club is nice to join also.
Passport America gives you 50% off camping fees. Golden Age gives you 50% off in most government run CGs. Good Sam gives you 10% off at Good Sam afiliated CGs. You can re-coop your yearly fees quick if you are a full timer.

Noelj · 11-23-2010, 04:56 PM

A local Good Sams chapter is a good place to meet with other local RVrs, and enjoy the fellowship of grout outings and friendship. Advise meeting with a group, and maybe attending a few local camping trips with the group to see if interests and activities agree with your ideas. The nationwide Good Sams doesn;t do much for individuals, but the local chapters and rallys are fun for many folks. If you like camping with a group, then a local chapter can be a lot of fun. Other than that, Passport America is one of the best for getting discount prices at average to above campgrounds. Typically, you can save the sign-up costs with only a few stays. Tow 3-4 night stays will more than pay for your registration.

Bob and Inga · 11-24-2010, 06:56 AM

I agree with all the Passport America recommendations, PA and the Golden Age pass are our top two by far. We are full time and PA pays for itself 10 times a year. We use campgroundreviews.com to check park reviews, there are good parks and bad ones.

We had Escapees for a year and dropped them, there was always a PA park nearby.

Good Sam is also a good bet, but we hardly ever use it for park discounts, but the discount on GMAC insurance far exceeds the dues. We dropped Good Sam roadside and went with Coach-net, much better in our opinion. They provide 24x7 tech service in addition to towing (there towing includes both the drive shaft disconnect AND reconnect). Tec service would be for problems like your jacks or slide won't retract. They also have a messanger service in the event of an emergency (say someone dies while your in Big Bend NP and they need to get ahold of you).

We also have FMCA, BOA and FMA as we enjoy attending Rallies and catching up with friends that we have met on our travels.

We also do not belong to any of the membership camp club. Too expensive and limiting for us.

Happy travels,

Bob
06 Bounder 35E

RustyJC · 11-24-2010, 07:00 AM

If you're looking for social clubs as opposed to discount campsite or brand-related clubs, there are organizations around like the Texas Boomers (see link in my signature) that you might consider. No rules, no dues, any type of RV welcome - we just get together to enjoy each others' company, have fun and, oh yeah, EAT.

In fact, we've been told that we're an eating club with an RVing disorder.

Rusty

Half Dimes · 11-24-2010, 08:28 AM

I was wondering if anyone was going to mention the iRV2 regional groups. Adding to what Rusty said, click here and look for the region closest to where you're at and read away!

GaryKD · 11-24-2010, 04:51 PM

Hi 4Fun,
My assumption is you are looking for a social encounter of like minded RVers. The bottom line is part of the adventure is attending rallies, as a guest, of the organizations you think match your needs. That is the only way to determine if an organization has what you desire. It is the people that make the organization fun.