Thousand Trails

[TANDDANDBIGE]

Have read both good and not. What do you fine folks have to say? Planning a 2 month trip to Cal. and other Southwest areas. The price seems too good; how are the parks in that region? How is getting a site? Reservations? Suitability for a 40' coach? Any and all info is appreciated. THX TB

[mileshuff]

My only experience was at Thousand Trails near Cottonwood, AZ. Did not like it at all. Most decent spots were taken by permanents. Just not a nice place compared to other parks we've been too.

[Acampingwewillg]

What are the two Texas Parks that are in Good shape? I'm headed that way in July! Two terrible ones?

As to Thousand Trails....I'm a full member and live in So Cali......we have some pretty good Parks in and around most of Calif. As stated, the issue with the Zone Pass is your limited to two weeks in then a week out of the TT system. You can spend as many as 4 nights at any TT and still be able to directly travel to another TT Park.

WE are not full time but we do use our membership quite extensively....have fun on your trip!!!

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

As mentioned - there are two very different types of Thousand Trails plans.

The base zone pass is the cheapest - and a good buy if (1) you will use 40+ days in the first year; (2) you are unsure if you will like TT parks - many do not have FHU available for busy periods - some are mostly 30 amp; (3) there are parks in the area where you want to camp. Be aware that the Zone Pass has a 14/7 restriction. You can stay up to 14 days at a TT park, then you must stay out of the system for 7 days before you can go to another TT park.

The full membership option is only if you are willing to commit several thousand dollars up front for a lifetime membership. One which will require a few hundred dollars annual dues. You should only consider that if (1) you have camped at TT parks and know that you like their systems; (2) parks in your chosen camping area have the facilities that you want.

Always purchase a full membership option thru a resale broker. Specialist who make their living by helping people sell their memberships.

Each and every TT full membership is DIFFERENT from all the other memberships. You would be buying a one-time special contract between that person and TT. You need to know which parks are included. Purchasing a newer membership could possibly not include some of the older parks. Purchasing an older membership could possibly not include some of the newer parks.

I've sat down with two very happy TT premium membership RV friends, and they were surprised at the differences between their two individual contracts. One did not have access to the NACO campgrounds.

Do your research. Your info indicates you are in Washington State which has many TT parks. Have you visited some of them, even for just a drive-thru? Do you like what you see?

Be aware of the 'gaps' in TT parks across the country.

The Northwest Zone includes Washington and mainly costal Oregon. There are no parks in the other seven states in the zone.

The Southwest Zone is California - one park near Las Vegas and one park in Arizona near Sedona/Cottonwood. Nothing in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico.

The Southeast Zone is seven parks in Texas, and a few in other east coast states. I will tell you from personal experience that two of the Texas parks are in very poor general condition, two are first class and the others vary.

Etc.

[aslakson]

Ditto on the full membership comment. As fulltimers, we typically stay upwards of half the year at various 1000 trails parks for just the cost of our annual dues (272 nights last year). And parks are being upgraded - we've seen upgrades happening at several parks since the economy improved a couple years ago.

al

[rv2go]

Are you wanting a Zone Pass or a regular membership?
I have a TT membership and being fulltime, I use it a lot. TT Parks vary a lot. Like lots of membership parks, they should be upgraded. More 50 amp sites and sewer.
Reservation windows vary with the membership. 60, 90, 120, 150 and more.
TT parks has sites for all sizes of RV. From tents to 45 footers.

If you are wanting a full membership, buy a resale. Save a bundle.

[darsben]

WE love fiesta Grande in Casa Grande, Az which is a thousand trails affiliate Before we had a year round 5ver here the membership more than paid for itself.
They have anothher park here Casita verde which is nice as well.