Question:
We would like to hear about RV and Camper clubs you belong to that will help
to save money on camping while traveling. Since the purchase of our new 5th
wheel we have been contacted by three of these organizations. We have turned
down one on the phone due to distance, visited one yesterday, and have an
appointment at another next weekend. So far, although we are impressed with
the campground and the number of affiliated campgrounds around the country,
we were shocked at the price. It sounded wonderful during the whole tour (we
kept hearing $297 a year), till the end when we heard membership was $5000
PLUS $297 a year after that.
We are not retired and can only camp about 30 days or so a year. This could
be more days per year now, with our new purchase, but it would be mostly
weekends added onto that. We could see something like the place we visited
yesterday if we were retired and we could really use it. But at this point,
we are wondering about other organizations that may be helpful to us now.
What are the costs involved? Are there good locations? Etc...?
We would also like to hear about those groups that would be nice when we do
retire. Any information on these clubs would be appreciated. The
manufacturer of the camper we bought also has a club, which we do plan to
join. It sounds like it could be fun. We love to meet people and know we
would enjoy belonging to a group. But we would also like to know about
organizations that offer discounted camping around the country.
Answer:
-http://www.camppassportamerica.com/
http://www.escapees.com/website/index2.htm
Membership campgrounds, as a general rule are not a good investment,
unless you use them far more than the average person does. Be very
careful regarding how long you are stuck with those yearly fees, and
shop around. There are many ways to buy memberships second hand at
drastically reduced prices.
You might also find that you end up avoiding nicer campgrounds in favor
of using the member campgrounds so you can justify your purchase.
-Ignoring the $5000 initial cost (which of course you really can't and you can
buy resales much cheaper anyway, for almost all systems), the $297 makes your
per night cost $10, based on your 30 nite limit. Not worth it. Most of the other
membership deals are not worth it in your situation either. If you tried real
hard, you might make financial sense out of some of the low membership fee
programs, such as Passport America. But I wouldn't do it simply because in your
situation, the focus should be on enjoying the variety of RV campgrounds. Try
some nights in state park, National Forest, National Park or Corps of Engineer
campgrounds. Go to some remote CG that gives you access to some great hiking or
fishing. Do not be constrained by the locations of membership system's
campground. Later on, when you have more time to be on the road, the Thousand
Trails (for which we derive both a great financial advantage due to very high
usage and great campground quality), Camp Coast to Coast and the like, might be
of benefit to you.
