Community Forums

WVWilley · 06-08-2016, 05:01 PM

Just bought our first TT. I've seen several RV clubs with discounts on campgrounds, etc. Any advice to join/not join and who to join, if recommended? Thanks from a newbie!

MSHappyCampers · 06-08-2016, 05:13 PM

#1 would be Passport America. You get 50% off from participating campgrounds, but there are lots of limitations. Most campgrounds will only let you use it for one or two nights, and usually not on weekends. The cost is about $44 per year, which pays off for us very quickly!

#2 is Escapees. They own eight parks around the country where you can stay for around $20 per night or $325 per month! They also have "co-op" parks that are owned by members that offer fantastic rates. Last, many independent campgrounds will give you 15% discount.

#3 is Good Sam. You'll find tons of campgrounds that give you a 10% discount for being GS members!

We have all three, and they all pay off for us!

There are several more expensive options, but those are mostly used by fulltimers or at least folks traveling for several months a year.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

dennis45 · 06-08-2016, 05:26 PM

I agree with Joe on the top three. But,

There's one that pops up on various sites with a picture of a nice old grey haired guy and his lovely wife that offers real good discounts on campgrounds.
I cannot remember the name but if you see this typical nice old couple offering good deals, RUN. They are as crooked as a snake, despite their innocent look.

twogypsies · 06-08-2016, 06:24 PM

If you're a weekender or will do short trips because you're still working, I don't suggest you get into any 'club'. We liked Passport America but we were retired and traveled mid-week. Passport has many restrictions. Check out their web site and read about some parks you might go to see if it would be worthwhile to you. A few nights camping a year pays for the Passport membership so it's very worthwhile but is it for you?

What kind of RVing will you be doing?

Are you 62+? If so, get the Senior Pass for national parks, national forests, etc. It gives you free entry for your lifetime and 1/2 off on camping.

Mr_D · 06-08-2016, 07:07 PM

For us the "best" has been Good Sam. We're Charter Lifetime Members and it's paid for itself several times over now.
We also belong to FMCA and Escapees, neither of which have many places that give discounts.

**CountryFit** · 06-08-2016, 08:12 PM

i remember i read a "wheeling it" blog that she does not think any rv club worth ordering. i do not use any, as i am mostly doing dry camping. if you really want one, and primarily move from park to park, get the passport of america...

good luck, and have fun!

1bigmess · 06-08-2016, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

What kind of RVing will you be doing?

Are you 62+?

I agree that if you answer these two questions, you can get tailored better for you answers.

I like Escapees. I've saved nearly ten times the membership fee already with discounts alone.

If you'll be staying somewhere for nearly a full month, make sure to check if their monthly rate is better than any daily or weekly club discounts.

Nana25K · 06-08-2016, 08:50 PM

[COLOR="Blue"]
Are you 62+? If so, get the Senior Pass for national parks, national forests, etc. It gives you free entry for your lifetime and 1/2 off on camping.[/QUOTE]
[/COLOR

Camping is 1/2 off at agency managed campgrounds but not at the ones that are managed by a concessionaire so always check. So that being said it works at National
Parks, Army Corp of Engineer, National Forest
It is available here:
http://www.store.usgs.gov
Or can be purchased in person at a park or a National Wildlife Refuge

twogypsies · 06-08-2016, 09:11 PM

Nana25K: We have received the 1/2 price from concessionaire campgrounds at the ones we've used in the West. Perhaps not all of them do it but obviously some do.

I'm trying to recall which ones and I'm thinking a couple were Haviland Lake and Taylor Park, both in Colorado.

WVWilley · 06-08-2016, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

If you're a weekender or will do short trips because you're still working, I don't suggest you get into any 'club'. We liked Passport America but we were retired and traveled mid-week. Passport has many restrictions. Check out their web site and read about some parks you might go to see if it would be worthwhile to you. A few nights camping a year pays for the Passport membership so it's very worthwhile but is it for you?

What kind of RVing will you be doing?

Are you 62+? If so, get the Senior Pass for national parks, national forests, etc. It gives you free entry for your lifetime and 1/2 off on camping.

We are weekenders and are in our 50's

Gary RVRoamer · 06-10-2016, 09:56 AM

What are you looking for in an RV club? Discount camping? Club rallies? Social gatherings?

Passport is all about steep discounts, but not always available on weekends and typically not at all in popular areas. Good Sam is a more comprehensive set of services, with local clubs, rallies, Camping World discount, etc, but the amount of the discount is small (10%), so not a big deal.

Other "clubs" are actually membership campgrounds, giving access to a particular set of campgrounds for an annual fee. Those mostly involve a long term commitment, so I would not join any of those until you have some experience and a better idea where you like to go and how often. You can always join later, and often for less money (no matter what a sales person may tell you).

twogypsies · 06-10-2016, 11:48 AM

The above post by Gary RVRoamer is right on. Test out your RVing first and find out what kind of park you enjoy and how far you'll drive on weekends. We love public parks are rarely stayed in RV parks - mainly inbetween destinations.

Also think about having to return to the same parks time after time. The fun of RVing is to visit different areas and exploring, not sitting in a RV park for the whole weekend.

I really recommend waiting and do some general RVing first.

Patti Brown · 06-10-2016, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Also think about having to return to the same parks time after time. The fun of RVing is to visit different areas and exploring, not sitting in a RV park for the whole weekend.

We have the opposite philosophy. But then we traveled extensively when we were younger, so exploring has dropped off our bucket list. We do not even bring a toad. For us the RV is about getting away from it all while still keeping all the comforts of home. To sit and simply relax "away" is priceless to us. Which is why we bought a lot in a fabulous to us RV resort (Hilton Head Island Motorcoach Resort). We have visited other areas as well, but nothing seems to compare, so we very much look forward to going back "to the same park time after time".

CampDaven · 06-10-2016, 05:18 PM

If you get out there and get your feet wet on RVing, talk to folks for thoughts and ideas, and decide your preference, the clubs that fit you will obvious.
My Mom raised an adventurer, and going to the same parks too much gets tedious. I can't imagine being in the same place every winter. So, although we may be near the same city for 2 seasons, it is always in a different park.
We are full time. When we worked and only had vacations, checking the weather and driving in a favorable direction for a while was enough. There was always something exciting and new that filled our time and curiosity quite nicely.
May the Journey also be Your Destination