Forum Discussion

clayjohnson's avatar
clayjohnson
Explorer
Oct 25, 2015

Problem with Good Sam rating system?

Problem: Three times this past year we've encountered affiliated Good Sam campgrounds with high ratings that will not accept our Aliner (a hard-side popup). There is no mention of this restriction in the Good Sam Guide ...we have only found out when we show up, or by chance, during conversation with the campground before arrival. In each case, we were told that the restriction is arbitrary: "just something that Corporate decided".

Associated problem: Choices in the "RV TYPE" Good Sam website pull-down do not include a choice for hard-side popups (as compared to tent trailers), yet these two types differ considerably as to security, wind/water resistance, appearance, comfort, amenities, heating costs, etc.

Discussion: We carry Good Sam, Passport, & KOA cards, but have only encountered this problem at Good Sam campgrounds. Having camped in tents, tent trailers, travel trailers, and in hard-side popups like our current Aliner, I will state that, while tents and tent trailers are clearly different from more substantial units, any attempts to further divide the categories are just silly. There are now fifth wheel and travel trailers with tent-like slideouts, as well as more substantial slideouts. There are hard-side "travel trailers" smaller than our Aliner, in which the back end "pops up" but they are not considered to be "popups". Our Aliner has no canvas (or slideouts), and is fully equipped with standard connections for wastewater, culinary water, and electricity.

Suggested solutions:
1. The Good Sam website, and the campground inspections/rating system need to be altered to clearly separate hard side popup or extendable units from tent trailers.
2. Good Sam campground guides should include information about any restrictions about certain types of units, or only self-contained units, and those restriction should be posted clearly and prominently in the Guide.
3. Any such arbitrary/baseless restrictions should negatively affect the overall campground rating.
Good Sam Club

10 Replies

  • 1968mooney's avatar
    1968mooney
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2016
    clayjohnson wrote:
    Problem: Three times this past year we've encountered affiliated Good Sam campgrounds with high ratings that will not accept our Aliner (a hard-side popup). There is no mention of this restriction in the Good Sam Guide ...we have only found out when we show up, or by chance, during conversation with the campground before arrival. In each case, we were told that the restriction is arbitrary: "just something that Corporate decided".

    Associated problem: Choices in the "RV TYPE" Good Sam website pull-down do not include a choice for hard-side popups (as compared to tent trailers), yet these two types differ considerably as to security, wind/water resistance, appearance, comfort, amenities, heating costs, etc.

    Discussion: We carry Good Sam, Passport, & KOA cards, but have only encountered this problem at Good Sam campgrounds. Having camped in tents, tent trailers, travel trailers, and in hard-side popups like our current Aliner, I will state that, while tents and tent trailers are clearly different from more substantial units, any attempts to further divide the categories are just silly. There are now fifth wheel and travel trailers with tent-like slideouts, as well as more substantial slideouts. There are hard-side "travel trailers" smaller than our Aliner, in which the back end "pops up" but they are not considered to be "popups". Our Aliner has no canvas (or slideouts), and is fully equipped with standard connections for wastewater, culinary water, and electricity.

    Suggested solutions:
    1. The Good Sam website, and the campground inspections/rating system need to be altered to clearly separate hard side popup or extendable units from tent trailers.
    2. Good Sam campground guides should include information about any restrictions about certain types of units, or only self-contained units, and those restriction should be posted clearly and prominently in the Guide.
    3. Any such arbitrary/baseless restrictions should negatively affect the overall campground rating.


    I think after the 3rd time of being rejected, I would contact Campground and ask before arriving. :S
  • clayjohnson's avatar
    clayjohnson
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2016
    Thanks for the interested and thoughtful discussion, folks.

    I don't advocate preventing campgrounds from having "self-contained" restrictions...as long as those are clearly and prominently posted in Good Sam and other campground information sources...and it sounds like Good Sam is addressing this.

    On the "ten years old" restrictions, I've seen a lot of well-maintained & attractive rigs considerably more than 10 years old, and some quite recent models that were trashed...so if the goal is to keep out the "trashy element", then an age restriction does not really appear to be the solution.

    An aside to JohnBoyToo: They sure used to be a few years back; now there are about five manufacturers' brands,and they are quite common in RV campgrounds (never been to a rally, but I bet there are lots of them there, too.
  • JohnBoyToo's avatar
    JohnBoyToo
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2015
    the A-Liner is a pretty small segment of the rv population, isn't it?
    so it may take some time for parks to start recognizing it as 'different'...
    Realistically, how many A-liners do we see in parks now days (and we had one before so would notice them)

    ****
    I also don't think the age thing is about income level at ALL,
    I think it's because they do not want an old, decrepit, unkempt camper there...
    Just like I don't want to be parked next to one because I've worked hard keeping mine up!

    typically, not always, but typically, the run down camper is an indication of the individuals staying in it...
    Maybe not in all cases, but if you are honest and without an agenda, you will see that too...

    Is that 'profiling'? yes, and there is nothing wrong with that, it's done every day and should be,,,
    In a more positive definition for it, it's more like trend analysis !

    ***
    But, I too, have a problem with the good sam rating system in that the last three parks we stayed at were all rated very high and shouldn't be in our humble opinions (three motorhome couples)

    We are starting to wonder if the rating system is just a 'bought' rating...pay more and get a better rating ?????

    Good Sam - any response ?
  • 4X4Dodger's avatar
    4X4Dodger
    Explorer II
    Oct 30, 2015
    This is an interesting topic that goes deeper than it's surface appearance.

    Many parks have these "arbitrary" restrictions regarding the type and or age of your vehicle/camper. These restrictions seem arbitrary to most of us who are the customers of these parks,

    But the truth is that the restrictions have an Economic underpinning. For example; no rigs older than ten years is certainly discriminatory towards those RV'rs of a lesser income bracket.

    I believe a case can be made for the Aliner and it's more humble cousins the Pop-Up Tent Trailer. These are the most affordable RV's you can buy. Again it seems that the real target is the assumed income level of the owners.

    Money has always been our Class division in this country.

    So you have to ask yourselves this question: Why do parks want to discriminate within the RV community against those people who own low cost or older RV's? Do they then jump to the conclusion that those folks are "not the right sort?"

    This is a question that has been going around in my head for awhile since my trailer just turned 10 years old. I have been asked how old it is and I tell them its 9 years, which is technically correct since it wasn't registered in the year of it's manufacture. However because it is an aluminum sided "box" Gulfstream of the kind that are still being made today nobody can really tell how old it is unless they look at the Sticker.

    I would urge Good Sam Club to "encourage" their partner parks to have a Non-Discriminatory policy in this regard. I realize they are independent businesses but if they want to be part of the GS system they should give serious thought to being more open and inclusive of ALL RV'rs.

    After all we are all part of the same Economic Community and in my view parks should not restrict admittance by age or type of RV. Good Sam is the only entity that is in the position of influence to help parks become more inclusive and rethink these policies.
  • Good_Sam_Networ's avatar
    Good_Sam_Networ
    Explorer
    Oct 28, 2015
    Hello clayjohnson – thank you for your recent post on the forum. All Good Sam parks listed in the Good Sam RV Travel & Savings Guide are privately owned parks. Since they are privately owned, the policies/regulations a park enforces (such as RV restrictions) are at the discretion of the park; however, Good Sam has received emails from our members about parks with certain RV restrictions and due to the feedback we have received, Good Sam has begun to gather this data about parks. This information will be available online at www.GoodSamClub.com under the “Policies” section of a park’s listing. Since we are collecting the data this year, we are updating our website as the information becomes available.

    Your suggestion about adding “hard-side popups” to the pull down selections found on the Good Sam Club website has been forwarded to our website team for consideration.

    We appreciate your feedback and thank you for your post.

    May you have a wonderful day.

    Thank you,
    MaryEllen Foster
    Good Sam Park Network
    Good Sam RV Travel & Savings Guide
  • westernrvparkow's avatar
    westernrvparkow
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2015
    Not sure why a park would prohibit an A-liner type trailer specifically. Safety could be an issue with a soft sided rig in significant bear country, but that is not an issue with an A-liner. What I don't know is if the exclusion is because there can be a situation where all non self contained rigs are prohibited. Is the A-liner self contained? The reason for that exclusion is regulatory. In Montana, I would not have to build and maintain a restroom and shower facility if we restricted the park to self contained only and provided onsite dumping ability. This would allow a park to be built for much less money. Also, Montana law requires all non full hookup sites to be no more than 300 feet from the a restroom facility, so maybe that could be an issue. I don't know if that law is ever vigorously enforced, but it is on the books.
    I agree it should be noted in the Good Sam guidebook, since it is a major restriction.
  • Good_Sam_Care_T's avatar
    Good_Sam_Care_T
    Explorer II
    Oct 25, 2015
    Hello clayjohnson,

    Thank you for bringing this to our attention and my apologies for the trouble you experienced. I have forwarded your concerns onto our Parks division so they can take a look into this. Thank you and have a good day!

    Elizabeth
    Marcus Rapid Response Team

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