Escapees?

[agesilaus]

I did a search and didn't find anything much about the Escapees. For some reason I assumed that the group was a Class A bunch and never paid much attention to them. But I was reading a blog post on groups to join like KOA or Passport America and the author had quite a section on Escapees. Since he generally agreed with my opinions: only Passport America and SAMS are worth joining I took his opinions seriously and he really liked the Escapees. Only $40/yr to join and they provide a lot of services.

So what do you people think, worth joining? Any members out there?

[agesilaus]

I joined the day before yesterday and got my signin info yesterday.

[georgelesley]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
As said, the thousand or so campground discounts (15% with a few 50%) alone is probably not worth the dues cost, but the overall package is more than worth it. Beyond the discount parks, there's also the club owned parks and member owned co-op parks, both with very reasonable rates, plus the excellent magazine and the other available services such as mail forwarding and roadside service also at reasonable rates. And the topper is the Escapees non-profit CARE (Continuing Assistance for Retired Escapees) center that offers specialized facilities near Livingston, TX to assist fulltimers with illness or injury recovery either short term or long term as needed. No other RV club offers anything like it that I'm aware of.

Escapees C.A.R.E.

When we fulltimed that was our backup plan.

[Dutch_12078]

As said, the thousand or so campground discounts (15% with a few 50%) alone is probably not worth the dues cost, but the overall package is more than worth it. Beyond the discount parks, there's also the club owned parks and member owned co-op parks, both with very reasonable rates, plus the excellent magazine and the other available services such as mail forwarding and roadside service also at reasonable rates. And the topper is the Escapees non-profit CARE (Continuing Assistance for Retired Escapees) center that offers specialized facilities near Livingston, TX to assist fulltimers with illness or injury recovery either short term or long term as needed. No other RV club offers anything like it that I'm aware of.

Escapees C.A.R.E.

[bobsallyh]

Been members for 17 years plus the mail service. Excellent outfit, but if looking for campground discounts only, probably not worth it.

[georgelesley]

If you are looking for the campground discounts only, not worth joining. We belong because of all the many other benefits, groups, unique rally’s, etc. the new programs called “Hangouts” just started this year all previous and future scheduled ones have sold out. The newest one in TX sold out in 5 hours. I know this because we got the last slot. Many other benefits and discounts plus information and lobbying for RV interests. Well worth supporting.

They also offer a veteran discount I have never bothered to get because I believe in what they do and don’t mind supporting them. We met Kay Peterson, the cofounder, years ago and loved her at first sight. Unfortunately she has left us but her legacy lives on.

[agesilaus]

I'm going to sign up this morning.

[harley-dave]

We've been members for years in our class C. Like their parks, plus they do 4 corner weights at 3 locations and the escapades. Makes it easy to get the RV weighed and balanced. their Road side service seems to be good also.

Dave

[beemerphile1]

Great club, far better than the current Good Sam Club. Escapees are run for the members, Good Sam is run for the benefit of the corporation.

We've stayed at most of the Escapee parks, you will see all kinds of camping, tents, vans, trailers, and MH.

The Escapees also offer lots of services that are beneficial to the membership.

Great magazine also.

Just join for a year, if you don't like them, don't renew.

[TechWriter]

Their magazine alone is worth the price of admission.

Here's their public website: www.rvnetwork.com

. . .and their "business" side: www.escapees.com

[Dennis_M_M]

Escapees is a good group, not just MHs. Large percentage of retirees, but they have added a group for the younger crowd. Lots of sub-groups that cover every interest imaginable. The annual Escapades are well worth attending if for nothing more than the seminars and marketplace. We've been members for years, use the parks occasionally when they are in the right areas. They also do a lot of advocacy work for the RV community.

[agesilaus]

Yeah I looked at their site list and saw several that we might have used this summer. I saw a couple that we did use in the past. They are thin on the ground in the mountain west. PPA we've found the same thing as you, but I'm going to look again since it's been 3 or 4 years since we had a subscription and our camping style has changed a bit.

Their other benefits look more interesting tho.

[Rolin]

We are also considering the Escapees. They have 800 associate rv sites that you can use. My main reason is not the RV sites but the other services they provide.

We joined Passport America for one year. During our cross country trip we did not find one on our route that provided a discount during the season or day of the week that fit our schedule. So we dropped it.

Rolin

[agesilaus]

The key question is the location of all the Escapees RV parks. Are they located in the areas you want you want to stay at.
--------------------------------------------------

That's true that is always the question with these organizations. Reason that I've never considered Thousand Trails.

[MarkTwain]

agesilaus wrote:
I did a search and didn't find anything much about the Escapees. For some reason I assumed that the group was a Class A bunch and never paid much attention to them. But I was reading a blog post on groups to join like KOA or Passport America and the author had quite a section on Escapees. Since he generally agreed with my opinions: only Passport America and SAMS are worth joining I took his opinions seriously and he really liked the Escapees. Only $40/yr to join and they provide a lot of services.

So what do you people think, worth joining? Any members out there?

The key question is the location of all the Escapees RV parks. Are they located in the areas you want you want to stay at.