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06-07-2020, 03:30 PM
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#1
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: Minnesota
Posts: 30
THOR #19097
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What clubs are worth joining??
AAA? Good Sam? Others... What are worth joining if I plan to travel most of the country in the next year?
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06-07-2020, 03:52 PM
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#2
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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06-07-2020, 03:52 PM
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#3
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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I can't answer this one as we only belong to two "clubs": KOA and Harvest Hosts. Both are used as stops along the way. KOA's are pretty good as they all are about the same so you know what you're going to get even if you have to make an emergency overnight stop for whatever reason.
Harvest Hosts are for a bit more relaxed type of travel. Stop early enjoy the stop, hang with the hosts, etc.
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06-07-2020, 03:55 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,781
THOR #1469
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First define what you mean by clubs. Are you looking for discounted rates on RV parks, are you looking for RV roadside assistance, are you looking for clubs that have chapters that rally together? Every one of these categories has numerous options with some being better than others.
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Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
FMCA - F432054
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06-07-2020, 04:47 PM
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#5
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: Minnesota
Posts: 30
THOR #19097
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Good one Bob! Thanks all!
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06-07-2020, 04:50 PM
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#6
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: Minnesota
Posts: 30
THOR #19097
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EA37TS - clubs that offer discounts or perks that actually have some value and not just “5% off at this gas station” type of clubs. Camping discounts especially. Thanks!
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06-07-2020, 04:59 PM
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#7
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake-n-Marty
Good one Bob! Thanks all!
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I'm here all week. Try the veal, and don't forget to tip your waiter...
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06-07-2020, 05:03 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,781
THOR #1469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake-n-Marty
EA37TS - clubs that offer discounts or perks that actually have some value and not just “5% off at this gas station” type of clubs. Camping discounts especially. Thanks!
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For park discounts we use (in order by useage)
FMCA (multi use/purpose)
Good Sam
Escapees
KOA
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06-07-2020, 06:10 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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it really depends on 'how' you expect to overnight, meaning, are you looking for every night's stop to be at a 'resort', with pool and amenities for the kids and such, or are you going to be mainly just looking to 'park' for the night with electricity?
PassportAmerica is a great 'membership' that gives you HALF off all their parks, and there are MANY, MANY of them around the country. You can find night stops at $10 and $15 in some areas, and half off the 'normal' resort prices for even higher-end parks that normally I'd never stop for.
Good Sam and some others basically give you a 'discount', like AARP and the Military, but these are simply a small amount off of sometimes overpriced places to just stop for the night.
There are limitations to both, as every park doesn't give discounts for GoodSam and others, and every PassportAmerica park can limit when they provide the HALF off discount, such as during weekdays only, or not offered during peak seasons, and some for only a single night, while others allow it to apply for many consecutive nights, etc.
We found that our 'around the country' tour back in 2014 the PassportAmerica made WAY more financial sense for us. They have a terrific app, and because there are so many parks under the PassportAmerica umbrella, you have one just about anywhere and everywhere you go, with rare exception.k
By the way, in our 5 1/2 years and over 105,000 miles along the way, we've found that some of the BEST and financially low-cost parks are city parks, county parks, or regional parks, where there might not be much 'advertising' for them, otherwise. While they are designed to provide camping and RVing for locals, they are open to everyone. We've even found some that are FREE! You just have to really 'look' at google maps and the area you are traveling to and zoom in to find these. Sometimes you just find them accidentally!
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the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
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06-07-2020, 11:39 PM
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#10
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: Minnesota
Posts: 30
THOR #19097
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Wow it’s great how helpful you all are! Thanks!
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06-08-2020, 04:03 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: DRV
Model: 38 RSB3
State: South Dakota
Posts: 2,280
THOR #1658
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It all depends on how you are going to travel. Passport America is a no brainer for $44 a year for 1/2 camping. After 4 years of full timing I did a TT zone pass as I was on the West Coast. And camped about 3 months in the system, so it well paid for it’s self.
Campgrounds have weekly and monthly rates which are usually a low price. Do you need amenities or just basic FHU? There is not a one membership fits all. I belong to:
1. Passport America
2. Escapees, which also offers discounts and access to there parks that you have to be a member.
3. GoodSams, going to drop it, but it pays for it’s self in a short period of time.
4. I became an Elk member as the offer great locations at a very reasonable price.
5 There are even places that offer free camping with hook ups.
__________________
2016 DRV38RSB3
2015 Ram 3500 Regular Cab DRW CTD Asian trans 410 rear
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06-08-2020, 04:05 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: DRV
Model: 38 RSB3
State: South Dakota
Posts: 2,280
THOR #1658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurnerFam
it really depends on 'how' you expect to overnight, meaning, are you looking for every night's stop to be at a 'resort', with pool and amenities for the kids and such, or are you going to be mainly just looking to 'park' for the night with electricity?
PassportAmerica is a great 'membership' that gives you HALF off all their parks, and there are MANY, MANY of them around the country. You can find night stops at $10 and $15 in some areas, and half off the 'normal' resort prices for even higher-end parks that normally I'd never stop for.
Good Sam and some others basically give you a 'discount', like AARP and the Military, but these are simply a small amount off of sometimes overpriced places to just stop for the night.
There are limitations to both, as every park doesn't give discounts for GoodSam and others, and every PassportAmerica park can limit when they provide the HALF off discount, such as during weekdays only, or not offered during peak seasons, and some for only a single night, while others allow it to apply for many consecutive nights, etc.
We found that our 'around the country' tour back in 2014 the PassportAmerica made WAY more financial sense for us. They have a terrific app, and because there are so many parks under the PassportAmerica umbrella, you have one just about anywhere and everywhere you go, with rare exception.k
By the way, in our 5 1/2 years and over 105,000 miles along the way, we've found that some of the BEST and financially low-cost parks are city parks, county parks, or regional parks, where there might not be much 'advertising' for them, otherwise. While they are designed to provide camping and RVing for locals, they are open to everyone. We've even found some that are FREE! You just have to really 'look' at google maps and the area you are traveling to and zoom in to find these. Sometimes you just find them accidentally!
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Thanks for reminding me about city parks. I love those.
__________________
2016 DRV38RSB3
2015 Ram 3500 Regular Cab DRW CTD Asian trans 410 rear
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06-08-2020, 11:31 AM
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#13
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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06-08-2020, 01:36 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 576
THOR #12830
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Harvest Host
__________________
2017 Mercedes Chateau Citation 24SR, flat towing at times a 2013 Honda CRV or two Rad Power electric bikes depending on the trip.
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06-13-2020, 06:42 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 29X
State: Washington
Posts: 24
THOR #1191
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We enjoyed Resort Parks International (RPI) as they are affiliated with a lot of other membership clubs and will give a discount. You will need to have a home base park before you can join. We used them when we went full time for 3 1/2 years. Enjoy!
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06-13-2020, 07:35 PM
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#16
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Florida
Posts: 58
THOR #4064
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rynosback
It all depends on how you are going to travel. Passport America is a no brainer for $44 a year for 1/2 camping. After 4 years of full timing I did a TT zone pass as I was on the West Coast. And camped about 3 months in the system, so it well paid for it’s self.
Campgrounds have weekly and monthly rates which are usually a low price. Do you need amenities or just basic FHU? There is not a one membership fits all. I belong to:
1. Passport America
2. Escapees, which also offers discounts and access to there parks that you have to be a member.
3. GoodSams, going to drop it, but it pays for it’s self in a short period of time.
4. I became an Elk member as the offer great locations at a very reasonable price.
5 There are even places that offer free camping with hook ups.
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Don't forget Moose lodges. I've stayed at many for a night or two and they are usually free. At everyone I've stayed when I've introduced my self they have given a free round or two of drinks. Many also have some very good meals at a great price. The Pensacola Moose has a Friday night prime rib dinner that is out of this world. It's open to the public for dinner.
I also joined the VFW. They have some campgrounds.
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06-13-2020, 10:39 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 37.1
State: California
Posts: 2,497
THOR #12698
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I currently have a KOA Membership and Thousand Trails Membership. KOA offers a minor discount but adds points that you can use to offset the price on future stays. The Thousand Trails I have is on the West Coast. I use it on a monthly basis to go out for quick 2-3 night trips. I have a Good Sam Membership to buy items and they also get a small camping discount at some campsites.
Paul
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06-14-2020, 03:14 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 899
THOR #17478
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You can join an Elks Lodge. Most have RV slots with power. My dad's friends did this and enjoyed many nights at them. Not fancy, but a place to stay for free. Some are in major cities where you my want to visit as well.
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06-14-2020, 08:11 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: DRV
Model: 38 RSB3
State: South Dakota
Posts: 2,280
THOR #1658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MLP
You can join an Elks Lodge. Most have RV slots with power. My dad's friends did this and enjoyed many nights at them. Not fancy, but a place to stay for free. Some are in major cities where you my want to visit as well.
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What Lodges offered hook-ups for free? I have stayed at about 40 lodges so far and all had recommendations for the nightly donation. Which is there rate, but because it is a donation, I would think they do not pay taxes on it. Not all lodges have RV parking and they ones that do run from just a lot to full hook-ups,
__________________
2016 DRV38RSB3
2015 Ram 3500 Regular Cab DRW CTD Asian trans 410 rear
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06-15-2020, 03:57 AM
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#20
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 27R
State: Alabama
Posts: 9
THOR #17652
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Hi there! We belong to Good Sam and Harvet Hosts. Harvest Hosts works out well for one night stays. You can book them short notice, but you can only stay for one night. Once you pay for the annual membership ( about $80 I think) you can stay at a host site for free. WAY better than stopping along the highway at a Walmart or Cracker Barrel for a break. Worth a gander at their web site for more details. Good luck and happy travels!
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