RV Club membership

Sounds like subscribing to a couple lifestyle blogs and bookmarking articles for when you travel there is what you're after

My intention with this thread wasn't to search for best discounts or most campsites what i really want is to get a feeling as to what is worth to invest in and what is not.

Its about the benefits it brings, be it good prices in CG, social meetings or activities at our destination.

We have now spend couple of years sailing in Med and every destination marina was different, we always found some local entertainment and we got if not best then better than usual through local sailing clubs, or our partner charters and thats what i would like to do while RV'ing. Do this local discovering, with ppl in the know.

Bottom line is there is no free (or discounted) lunch. Passport America is great for the 1 to 2 night stopover while going to a destination. We are members. Good Sam will get you 10%, not a big deal in my opinion. We are members.

Coast to Coast you are required to join a membership campground, the price of which can be quite high. We are members of C2C and we do use it but again, participating parks may not be anywhere near where you wish to go visit. C2C parks tend to be resort parks and have more amenities than the usual RV park with planned activities, snack bar/restaurant, putt putt golf and nice indoor and outdoor swimming pools. They will have more children as they are marketed to families.

In our travels we take advantage of what we come across when we come across it. I research all available options before hand of course. We never make reservations for just over night stays but always need and make them for our destination. It is what it is. In general, businesses are not in busines to give their product away. I don't begrudge them that.

rockhillmanor wrote:


Passport America - Every CG I was near had restrictions up the wazoo. Had to be the second Monday of the month, the forth Wednesday of the month or when the moon was in the rising phase etc. and NEVER during any holiday, to get the discount.
I couldn't fathom a weekend RV'er ever benefiting from all their restrictions. Unless you like staying a Tuesday and Wednesday anywhere

hyper nonsense. I never had big issues, but you have to read the book for specific restrictions at each campground. and I have had some campgrounds extending the stay for over the 2 or three day limit.
and two stays a year pays for the dues.
bumpy

When I first started out as a full timer I joined 'all' of them. And found that 'none' of them offered any real benefits.

Good Sam - 70% of the GS C's I stopped at said they no longer offered GS discounts yet the GS sign was still out front.

Good Sam - Then there was the GS CG's that claimed the discount was already in the posted rate. :R And you will NEVER EVER be able to stop all their junk mail until you die...and then I suspect it will still keep coming.

Passport America - Every CG I was near had restrictions up the wazoo. Had to be the second Monday of the month, the forth Wednesday of the month or when the moon was in the rising phase etc. and NEVER during any holiday, to get the discount.
I couldn't fathom a weekend RV'er ever benefiting from all their restrictions. Unless you like staying a Tuesday and Wednesday anywhere

Escapee's - Good for the full timer that needs a domicle. But as far as discounts go they have but a couple of their CG's across the US and many are resorts at high CG rates. Certainly not worth it to the weekend RV'er.

Never renewed any of them. Threw out the woodalls book too. I get to a town I want to stay over night at and google the CG's in the area.

Over the years I have always found wonderful CG's at great rates this way and over half of them where not listed on any 'official RV site'. :C

Sounds like you are looking for a group where you can have social interaction rather than an RV club / group that specializes in product purchases.

There are lots of specific RV clubs, but you'll find most of them are RV specific based on the brand or model you have (for example AirStream or Jayco only). And of course, their "socializing" occurs when camping. So, usually, over the internet, they inform their members when and where their next gathering is, and then take reservations. Outside of the actual campground, there isn't a whole lot of interaction. Now, granted, there are some exceptions I'm sure. But mostly, that's the way they work.

One of those exceptions is an RV club specifically for women. No men, no kids, no pets.... But oh my goodness, are they a fantastic group with groups that gather all over the USA. They are called, Sisters on the fly If nothing else, take a look at their website and browse through their photos of vintage "girlie" painted campers! They are absolutely awesome! I really love this organization. They are so unique. But I can never join ... I'm a guy!

Dutch_12078 wrote:
The Escapees RV Club has other benefits beyond the mail and domicile services. The club magazine alone is well worth the cost, and the 15% discount (a few parks offer 50%) at affiliate parks is a nice plus as are the 7 low cost club owned parks and 11 member owned co-op parks. A full hook up site in Florida during peak snowbird season for $22/night (~$13 @ monthly rate!) is hard to beat other than the Senior pass rates at the limited stay COE/NFS/NPS parks. There are also Escapees chapters throughout the country, and "Birds of a Feather" groups for members with similar hobby and other interests. The Escapees has a new emergency roadside assistance program serviced by SafeRide for $99/year that covers all of your immediate family's vehicles in the US and Canada with unlimited mileage and incidents. The Escapees organization also has a very active RV'ing advocacy program that monitors legislation and other legal issues affecting us, lobbying for changes where needed.

Thanks this is kind of info i am after jsut to put all this in one place so one can choose

The Escapees RV Club has other benefits beyond the mail and domicile services. The club magazine alone is well worth the cost, and the 15% discount (a few parks offer 50%) at affiliate parks is a nice plus as are the 7 low cost club owned parks and 11 member owned co-op parks. A full hook up site in Florida during peak snowbird season for $22/night (~$13 @ monthly rate!) is hard to beat other than the Senior pass rates at the limited stay COE/NFS/NPS parks. There are also Escapees chapters throughout the country, and "Birds of a Feather" groups for members with similar hobby and other interests. The Escapees has a new emergency roadside assistance program serviced by SafeRide for $99/year that covers all of your immediate family's vehicles in the US and Canada with unlimited mileage and incidents. The Escapees organization also has a very active RV'ing advocacy program that monitors legislation and other legal issues affecting us, lobbying for changes where needed.

mikebreeze wrote:
I have joined the following RV clubs/organizations to save money and meet other RV'ers:

Good Sam (and I've joined a local Good Sam Club Chapter. Nice people to camp with. And the 10% off camping and 50% off admission at their RV shows is a plus.

Passport America- It pays for itself after 2 or 3 uses.

KOA VKR- You get some discounts at various merchants, 10% off at KOA's and you accumulate points that get you free nights.

I have also gotten 10% off camping using AAA and AARP.

I have also joined other RV clubs started by individuals in the past in order to meet other RV'ers.

I guess the "LOCAL" bit is the one thats difficult for us as we are technically local everywhere :-)

jplante4 wrote:
......Unlike Passport America, they all honor the program........

can you elaborate on this ?