thousand trails explained

http://www.rvonline.com/campgrounds/camplocate.htmlHere is a link, price starts at $250.00

There will be transfer fees on top of this

Thanks Dennis

sflabrkr wrote:

Executive wrote:
That said, the OP is in Florida.......Dennis

Yes that's true, but we're looking to full time in about 2 years
Stefan

Thanks for that info..for what it's worth, we're now in our sixth year full timing and use TT about 30 days per year...we use RPI and sometimes Passport America..but many of the parks we visit only offer 10% GS or FMCA. We do shop for weekly rates vs daily and take advantage of whatever specials they're running at the time. For instance, we were going to Hilton Head Island and it's $65/night but only $45/night weekly rate. Being retired has it's advantages...:B...also check into the geezer card (America the Beautiful) it offers half off COE parks....lots of inexpensive parks that offset those more expensive ones....good luck with your decision....Dennis

Executive wrote:
That said, the OP is in Florida.......Dennis

Yes that's true, but we're looking to full time in about 2 years
Stefan

Verde Valley is an excellent campground. Their rangers are very tough on following rules. It's also the only TT campground in Az altho there are Encore resorts. Most of the West Coast facilities are excellent also, with Little Diamond near Spokane teaming up with KOA to enhance their facility.

That said, the OP is in Florida. We've found most of the East Coast parks to be more run down and full of permanents which take up the best spots in the park. For instance, the Indian Lakes CG in Indiana. There are zero decent spots left along the lakes. In fact, one whole loop consists of only permanents. Harlingen in Texas has a segregated section for TT members. They cannot be integrated with the 'regular' members. Sites are small for a large rig. We could not put our toad in our site with our coach unless it was parked blocking the front door. No additional parking except at the clubhouse which is at the other end of the park.

Buy a cheap membership and use if for a year to see if any of the parks you may visit are up to your standards. If not, sell it..buy it cheaply enough and you won't be out too much $$$...if you like it, upgrade via internet......Dennis

I bought mine used over 20 yrs. ago. I have traveled from west to East and Canada resorts. When I sell it, it will be as good as the day I bought it. Buy used and get the Gold or Platinum. Not really up to date on the new memberships.
Best thing I ever did. But one thing to keep in mind. You have to use it to make it worthwhile.
I figure a 10 day use a year is the break even point compared to paying other rv park, KOA etc. at my locked in rates.
Some parks are better than others and you learn your favorites.
I love my yearly early spring 2 week stay in Verde valley, AZ. every year.

No penalties...you're buying the original contract from the seller.....Dennis

Are there any penalties at all for buying used versus buying from TT? For example I bought a Marriott Time Share on the resale market. Because I bought it as a resale there are some things that I'm not allowed to do that people who bought directly from Marriott can do. I don't even recall now what those were other than there was a huge charge if I wanted to convert to a points based system that people who bought direct didn't have to pay.

Thousand Trails have been around for a long long time...because of the way the ORIGINAL business was run, unfortunately there are probably as many 'plans' out there as Carter has liver pills. The very high pressure salesmen could 'adjust' their basic plans to fit the customer, within reason of course. Therefore many plans are unique. Since you said you're going to buy used, which is by far, the best choice, you'll have to call TT with the membership number and the owner's name. They will tell you what is included in that particular membership. Ours, bought used, includes all TT parks nationwide, along with most NACO and Leisure Time resorts. That said, we discovered there are a few LT resorts that are not included in our membership. They were added later and were not grandfathered in. Most TT memberships allow you to go from park to park with no out time, IF you only stay 4 nights at each campground. Ours lets us camp for two weeks and out one week. All memberships can be 'upgraded' from basic to premier to gold to platinum to elite....all come with substantial cash outlays, so beware.

Finally, some offer fixed dues if you reach a certain age but not all do. TT can raise most dues 10%/yr, so it can be substantial over time. Also, some memberships DO NOT allow you to cancel. Make sure any membership you purchase allows you to cancel with a 30 day written notice. There are many more campgrounds on the west coast than there are on the east coast. There are very few in the heartland.

Not all cgs are exciting. Equity Lifestyles, (parent company) is a little tight with the purse strings so a lot of the TT cgs struggle to do upgrades etc. Also, TT has started offering long term stays, (one year or more) some for as little as $2000/yr. You can judge for yourself what quality of 'resident' they get for $165/mo. To add salt to the wound, many of the 'best' sites are offered to long term tenants. So, with this in mind, my advice would be this:

TT memberships are available for little or nothing on Craigslist, Ebay and others. BEFORE purchasing, you'll want to get the membership number and owner's name and call TT to know what you're buying. I would buy the basic membership as cheaply as possible...there will be a transfer fee of course and the dues must be current before the membership can be transferred. By buying the basic membership, you can try it out with very little cash outlay. If you like it, you can either upgrade or sell it and buy the one you want.....good luck....Dennis

sflabrkr wrote:
I saw a post a long time ago that describes the different plans.
Can somebody please post this again?
Thanks
BTW I don't care if you like membership's or not I'm just looking for info

Read ALL the fine print, then talk to some people who are and have been members. There is quite a bit of information that is not in the paperwork.