Thousand Trails

[Steve Hoover]

We are full time RVrs and we are considering joining the Thousand Trails explore campgrounds group. If you are a member I would certainly enjoy hearing your comments about the organization before I join. Particularly interested in the question "is it easy to get into the parks during July and August in the Northwest?" Of course, any input concerning Thousand Trails would be greatly appreciated.

[traveler of california]

We have been members for over 30 years and we love the system. My experience has been great in using the Northwest during the summer AS LONG AS YOU MAKE RESERVATIONS. Some parks get busy during Jul/Aug but if you reserve when your contract permits, you will get a site.

We find most parks to have friendly staff and members and are in good repair. If I have a major complaint it would be the power is some parks is poor if everyone is using their AC. Be aware, buy a volt meter and monitor your systems.

If you have a specific question, ask away.

Nick

[wa8yxm]

Joined TT in 2007.. Sitting in one of the parks now.. TT has changed a bit since, they now sell the Zone Pass which I consider to be one of the best ideas in the membership camping business.. HERE is why:

It is a 1 year renewable pass.. You get most of the same benefits I get, at now about 1/5 of the system, for one year.. If you do not like it you send them a "Thanks but no Thanks" letter and you are done.. ME, I'm stuck paying dues.. In fact another system NOT THOUSAND TRAILS. Is dunning me for dues even though they no longer have any campgrounds. Can you beat that?.. (They are not getting paid either, I feel they owe me more than I owe them).

I agree with the other poster about the power.. Most of the TT sites are older, they were built back when a 30 amp rig was "BIG" some of the sites are small and/or hard to get into, the CG Im at now has nice steep hills (Some of which you wont get a big rig down,, marked "NO LARGE RVs" so you know not to go there. And they really do need a cash infusion for maintenance.. but that said, the staff is fantastic and does a great job with what they have.

I also belong to another park.. More modern, nicer facilities, bigger sites, New 50 amp on most of 'em.. And I still like Thousand Trails better.. IF I had to choose between 'em.. I'd stick with Thousand Trails.

[vsheetz]

Welcome!

Many threads here regarding TT to be found via the search feature.

I am a new TT member as of December. Zone pass for SW and NW areas. If the CG's geographically work for you, and you use them, its very worthwhile.

[Doggy Daddy]

At Thousand Trails, there are different packages besides Zone Pass. If you want to stay up to 3 weeks in a park and be able to go directly into another park for another 3 weeks, a Zone Pass will not work. You would need to be a TT Member. New memberships sold at $4-7K are good for 10 years. If you want to save money and have a life time membership, you can get one cheaper buying from a private party (check Craigs List) or thru a Camping Membership Broker such as: Discount RV Clubs and Memberships

[SeeTheUSA]

We have been TT members since 2005. Our membership is one of the lifetime contracts, Platinum Plus, and we like it very much. 21 days in park, can go directly park-to-park, 120 day reservation lead time. Could spend 365 days/year in the system, but have never come anywhere close to that!

I think resale is probably the way to go, but be sure you have an idea what you'll do with it and understand the annual maintenance fee. There are many different versions and contracts, so be sure you know what you want and what you are getting.

[deSanford]

I have the"ZONE" pass for 3 areas and pay $499.00 a year until I decide not to belong anymore. The last 3 summers we camped for 4 nites in different TT CGs up in the Northwest with NO days out of the system. NO problems with reservations and I really enjoy the facilities. deSanford

[wa8yxm]

I will say this about any membership contract...


Read the fine print.

But as noted above, I'm very happy with TT and have no reservations about recommending them.. Well, I explained why in the prior post.

Membership camping is not for everyone and I'd rather find out before I'm stuck with dues for life.

[deSanford]

ZONE passes are NOT for life only one year. deSanford Call TT now and get one ZONE free with your first years dues...........then you will have TWO zones of your choice. deSanford

[CampDaven]

TT will let anyone in. I know cuz they let me in.
Went to 2 of them. Both were tired places. Not a level site anywhere.
Some say they are adjusting practices to gain capital for improvements.
Membership clubs work for some folks, and PA and GS and such work well for regular RVers. But the TT limited locations and time-outs are not favorable to me as a fulltimer, but may be okay for young families.
Just sayin.....

[bdpreece]

Something else that TT is doing is leasing sites by the year. I am aware of at least one park (Bend-Sunriver) where the 50 amp sites are all leased out and you have to settle for 30 amp if just visiting.

[traveler of california]

TT will let anyone in. I know cuz they let me in.
"Went to 2 of them. Both were tired places. Not a level site anywhere.
Some say they are adjusting practices to gain capital for improvements.
Membership clubs work for some folks, and PA and GS and such work well for regular RVers. But the TT limited locations and time-outs are not favorable to me as a fulltimer, but may be okay for young families.
Just sayin..... "

Care to share which parks you visited? We spend a great deal of time on the road and TTN works perfectly for us, more so than the other memberships you mention.

Nick
Currently in Las Vegas at a TTN

[wa8yxm]

Saint Clair Preserve (MI), Las Vegas, Currently in Carolina Landing, I've been to a few others but frankly forget which ones.

This one (Carolina Landing) is .. Well they have a few level sites, I'm on one. But they are rare, Many 50's are free, they cost and extra 3 or 4 per night though. Which is why I'm on a 30. I'm using park Wi-Fi.

Most TT parks the Park Wi-Fi is Verizion 2-way Satellite,, Or to put it another way, It is faster watching grass grow.. But hey, if you don't like it they refund your Free Wi-Fi Fee (Ur, Free) so do not complain. This park it's AT&T DSL but only a desktop wi-fi router, No outdoor antenna so.. Well.. i got good hardware and thus you can read this.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by traveler of california

TT will let anyone in. I know cuz they let me in. "Went to 2 of them. Both were tired places. Not a level site anywhere. Some say they are adjusting practices to gain capital for improvements. Membership clubs work for some folks, and PA and GS and such work well for regular RVers. But the TT limited locations and time-outs are not favorable to me as a fulltimer, but may be okay for young families. Just sayin..... " Care to share which parks you visited? We spend a great deal of time on the road and TTN works perfectly for us, more so than the other memberships you mention. Nick Currently in Las Vegas at a TTN

Circle M, Lancaster, PA.
Timothy Lake North, East Stroudsburg, PA.