Community Forums

fxdave · 09-20-2010, 06:54 PM

we just got back from a great 2 weeks of rving ! am seriously going to look int thousand trails membership they have a new one out now 499 per zone im contemplating that or buying someones lifetime membership wondering which way is better ? plser help me out if you can with any valuable info !

Rick Long · 09-20-2010, 07:09 PM

Buying the zone is much better... I have an Elite membership... half the places I've never been to and probably won't... they're to far off the beaten path if your going somewhere. Plus.. I pay more than that for yearly maintenance dues PLUS the one time $5,000 for Elite.

Doc Mark · 09-20-2010, 08:00 PM

FXDave - you don't say how big your rig is, but be aware that TT has minimal 50 amp sites and they are ALWAYS first come first served AND they are always taken.

We were members for 6 years and finally dropped them in disgust; 30 amps in FL in the summer is unacceptable (the 50's were all gone), you have to drive around to find a site, hit or miss, and they constantly want more money so you can get access to newly acquired 'parks'. Plus most of the parks on the East coast are minimally maintained; they aren't putting much money back into them.

PS - any damage to your coach while in a TT park is YOUR responsibility. Let me explain. We were camped at the TT in Orlando and a mowing crew ran into our tailpipe on the MH & bent it. Called the park manager & he came, took pictures of pent pipe etc. Gave me a number to call corporate and said wait a few days for the paperwork to get there. When I called corporate they explained that - per the fine print in your contract - you park in all TT parks at your own risk. All damage is your responsibility, regardless of fault.

Needless to say we are no longer members of TT.

fxdave · 09-21-2010, 07:16 AM

thanks ! im sorry its a 37ft 50 amp holiday rambler ! im really trying to figure out the best way to stay like in all the Encore sites ! thats what i just stayed in ! but i used passport of America it saved me money but afterwards i realized i could save more ! was talking to some ft about how they stay for free and they use the tt membership an an out door world membership ! so im just weighing it out might be best for me to buy the zone then pay the additional weekly fee for encore

traveler of california · 09-21-2010, 11:15 AM

I have been a TTN member for over 30 years and find it an important part of our camping activities. Yes, there are some problems with the system as there are in every system, but it is generally well run and offers many camping opportunities in many areas of the country.

If I were to join today, I would pick up an older membership and then begin to enjoy. I find that with the cost of camping today that a TTN membership saves us a lot of money. BTW I also have a 50 amp rig and never had a problem finding such a site if I need one.

Nick

homerbw · 09-21-2010, 02:25 PM

Take into consideration the dues and fine print. Once in, is there a way out clause.

Gary RVRoamer · 09-21-2010, 02:59 PM

We've had a TT membership for 3 years now - a nationwide Alliance membership (57 parks) with a variety of perks. We have found some parks we like and some we don't like at all and a number in between. Shortage of 50A sites is indeed one drawback, though we have generally found one when we needed it. It's not for overnights stays - TT parks are intended to be destinations where you stay awhile. Our membership works out to be about $11/night if we use all 50 nights each year. Pretty good deal if you use it, but expensive if you do not. This year we only managed 30 nights because of some health issues, so it did not work out so good.

If you want to try it out, but a resale rather than a new one direct from TT. You can pick them up for a song, but there is a transfer fee of around $800 (varies with the type of membership). There are always some on ebay, but I preferred to deal with a broker, who acts as a escrow agent to be sure I got the papers after forking over my money. Here is one such:
Camground Memberships For Sale, Naco Thousand Trails, Coast to Coast For Sale

bdpreece · 09-21-2010, 03:00 PM

If you want to use the Encore parks look into the Ready Camp Go membership that ELS is offering.

B Bob · 09-26-2010, 09:29 PM

If you live in your motor home full time TT membership can be a very good deal. If you live in your motor home 5 months of the year and stay at TT parks it is a very good deal. But if you use your RV 4 weeks a year then it is hard to justify TT. There are some very nice TT parks and some so-so ones. 30amps is kind of a PITA, but our coach is really well insulated and we only need to use the middle of the three airs. We have some very nice TT parks around where we live and for us the membership makes sense. So we will keep it.

Gary RVRoamer · 09-27-2010, 02:23 PM

Good summary, Bob & Barbara. That pretty well nets it out.

fxdave · 09-29-2010, 06:50 AM

Thanks for the info ! i believe i will look for one that i can pick up for a song ! lol we just joined the c2c and rpi for 240 plus dues of 99 hopefully we wont be disappointed

RCtime · 10-18-2010, 10:27 AM

By far one of my best purchases. We bought used, the only way too go, Get the Gold member ship or better yet the platinum, we have Gold, have use of all the parks coast to coast.
I figure if I use it between 15 to 17 times a year I am at the break even point vs paying at a private or KOA type.
It is very secure, yes mostly 30 amps, but they seem to be adding more 50 amps.
very friendly and super clean, pools, spas, club house activities. Some are better than other and you will soon get your favorites.
Wouldnt miss Verde Valley TT/N for a couple weeks each Spring.

ralper · 10-19-2010, 03:46 PM

Maby I am wrong, but I equate Thousand Trails and all like plans to the time share plans. I feel that they are not worth the money and are next door to a scam. I have analyzed them and found no real savings or convenience. Some people were roped into memberships that they could not even sell. READ THE FINE PRINT CAREFULLY.

RCtime, you mentioned KOA. For the life of me, I can't understand why people stay in those over priced dumps.

Gary RVRoamer · 10-20-2010, 07:35 AM

If any of you decide to buy into Thousand Trails (or a similar chain of resorts), buy a resale rather than a new membership. It will cost far less and often an older one has perks the new ones do not offer.