Best Thousand Trails Deals
I'll be going to the Hershey RV show, and think it might be a good opportunity to buy a Thousand Trails pass. Over the years I've heard many people suggest that they got special deals or extras "throw...
Forum Discussion
The most important thing about TT is to understand that there are literally dozens of versions of membership.
And to also ignore all the 'experts' who have not been members.
Plenty of TT members can tell you that negative aspects.
First - you are never guaranteed a specific spot. You are not guaranteed a spot with sewer or a spot with 50 amp power. You are not even guaranteed a spot large enough for your rig. When you check in at a TT campground, you are told to drive around the CG and pick your spot. They can usually give you an indication of which spots are 50 amp and which have sewer. And the likelihood of one being open. Some campgrounds charge members an extra fee for 50 amp power. The six CG with 50 amp in Texas do charge $3 per night extra. Las Vegas charges $5 per night. San Benito in CA charges $5 per night. I've stayed at many in CA, OR and WA that do not charge extra for 50 amp.
Second costs - TT is always running specials on the zone pass. Picking up a two zones for one zone price is easy. The cost is going to run $400 to $500. The lower cost zone pass almost always requires a four year commitment. The higher cost may be only a one year commitment. Just make sure to ask if the price is for one year only or requires a multi-year commitment.
Third - the campgrounds - TT is a large company which includes campgrounds built by at least five different companies over a 40+ year period. Some are parking lot style with rigs very close together, some are open woodlands, some have very private sites. Most have pools and an activity center. They are not latest and newest five star RV resorts. The company sets budgets for each campground. Some need a lot of maintenance, some are in great shape. There is less consistency in their campgrounds across the country than KOA.
One issue TT has with upgrading campgrounds is local laws. I know of two campgrounds which cannot upgrade their number of sewer sites because the campgrounds are on water supply lakes. Current laws/ regulations would require them to run 12 miles of sewer lines (the other CG 18 miles) with pump stations and tie into a municipal sewer system. A multi-million dollar project. Chehalis in Washington is trying to gain approval for a new water supply well. Local farmers are opposing the project, and any other new wells, because it might possibly impact their farming/ irrigation.
We find TT works for us. It opens up camping possibilities in many parts of the country that we could not afford otherwise. We bought a zone pass, used it and d coded we wanted a full membership. Purchased a resale membership. It is NOT free camping. Including dues and 50 amp surcharges our cost per night is between 5 and 6 dollars per night. We use TT campgrounds at least 100 nights per year. Most of our winter in Texas is at TT campgrounds.
Make sure you understand the details of any zone pass / membership offer.
Also be aware that almost every membership available for resale has different provisions and only TT member services can explain those.
And to also ignore all the 'experts' who have not been members.
Plenty of TT members can tell you that negative aspects.
First - you are never guaranteed a specific spot. You are not guaranteed a spot with sewer or a spot with 50 amp power. You are not even guaranteed a spot large enough for your rig. When you check in at a TT campground, you are told to drive around the CG and pick your spot. They can usually give you an indication of which spots are 50 amp and which have sewer. And the likelihood of one being open. Some campgrounds charge members an extra fee for 50 amp power. The six CG with 50 amp in Texas do charge $3 per night extra. Las Vegas charges $5 per night. San Benito in CA charges $5 per night. I've stayed at many in CA, OR and WA that do not charge extra for 50 amp.
Second costs - TT is always running specials on the zone pass. Picking up a two zones for one zone price is easy. The cost is going to run $400 to $500. The lower cost zone pass almost always requires a four year commitment. The higher cost may be only a one year commitment. Just make sure to ask if the price is for one year only or requires a multi-year commitment.
Third - the campgrounds - TT is a large company which includes campgrounds built by at least five different companies over a 40+ year period. Some are parking lot style with rigs very close together, some are open woodlands, some have very private sites. Most have pools and an activity center. They are not latest and newest five star RV resorts. The company sets budgets for each campground. Some need a lot of maintenance, some are in great shape. There is less consistency in their campgrounds across the country than KOA.
One issue TT has with upgrading campgrounds is local laws. I know of two campgrounds which cannot upgrade their number of sewer sites because the campgrounds are on water supply lakes. Current laws/ regulations would require them to run 12 miles of sewer lines (the other CG 18 miles) with pump stations and tie into a municipal sewer system. A multi-million dollar project. Chehalis in Washington is trying to gain approval for a new water supply well. Local farmers are opposing the project, and any other new wells, because it might possibly impact their farming/ irrigation.
We find TT works for us. It opens up camping possibilities in many parts of the country that we could not afford otherwise. We bought a zone pass, used it and d coded we wanted a full membership. Purchased a resale membership. It is NOT free camping. Including dues and 50 amp surcharges our cost per night is between 5 and 6 dollars per night. We use TT campgrounds at least 100 nights per year. Most of our winter in Texas is at TT campgrounds.
Make sure you understand the details of any zone pass / membership offer.
Also be aware that almost every membership available for resale has different provisions and only TT member services can explain those.
