I would like to hear from the Full timers or anyone else that has a Campground membership. The likes and dislikes.
I'm asking because we are going fulltime next year and are thinking about purchasing one.
I come to this forums a lot because, there seems to be a lot of traffic on here, plus there is so much information on here that I have use and past on to others.
We fulltime. We have Thousand Trails, not the zone pass, but a membership that allows park to park with no time out in between.
A zone pass allows 2 weeks in, one week out of system, and various zones across the country (can only use a zone you buy a pass for). Actual memberships allow 3 weeks in (4 weeks with some contracts), and park to park nation wide. We bought ours pre-owned 9 years ago. We use the system on average 1/4 to 1/2 of the year.
Some of the parks have high season restrictions of 2 weeks versus 3 week stays.
Good info here:
https://rvlove.com/start-here/camping-options/thousand-trails/
https://rvlove.com/2019/03/07/thousand-trails-zone-pass-explained/
campground membership outlet has pre-owned memberships much less $$ than buying new. Buying new you get some perks that do not transfer buying used.
Thousand Trails Parks were built long ago, when rigs were smaller, and electric amp needs lower. Many sites are 30 amp not 50. Many sites have no sewer connection on the site. The parks are gated, with entry code. Many are in rural locations, many have lots of vegetation and trees. More privacy than in many than commercial parks. Park roads are often pot holed, and many sites are not level.
Upsides and downsides. We enjoy our membership. Look at maps of locations to see if the locations would work for you.
We also have Passport America. We use that mainly for one and two day stays when traveling across the country. They are /12 price camping, "usually" mom and pop places that need some upgrades. Restrictions on dates available, and sometimes nickel and dime upcharges. "Usually" only 1/2 price for 1 - 4 day stays.
We find it worthwhile when traveling across the country.
We also have the National Park pass - good for free day use entry, and 1/2 price camping in National Parks and NFS. Good for 1/2 price camping at Corps Of Engineers parks as well - which we really like to use.
Look for age related low price lifetime pass, or free disabled veteran pass with this one.
We used to have Coast to Coast and Resort Parks International. You only need one or the other - most overlap on parks available.
We dropped these as we did not use them enough.
We are members of Escapees. We like their parks a great deal. Limited locations across the country. Look for a map of locations.
Highly recommend this one.
As retired military, we also use military campgrounds a lot. Changes coming in 2020 where for the first time any disabled service connected veteran can use them.
Veterans need VHIC for in-person Commissary, Military Exchange, MWR access -... (https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/68479/veterans-need-vhic-for-in-person-commissary-military-exchange-and-mwr-access/)
Thanks AC7880 for all that. I do have the National lift time Park pass. I'm trying to learn how the camping at Corps Of Engineers parks work. Like making reservation or just showing up? We are looking into Escapees and Thousand Trails campground membership outlet.
I prefer to reserve COE parks in advance. You can also just show up and see if space is available.
The hardest part of COE parks is finding where they are. Not the best on line resources for them. We have a book (very old book) that lists them, then knowing park name and location we do on line research of the ones we are interested in.
I have just about all that Dan has, except I am not a retired veteran. We purchase a used Thousand Trails Elite membership from a fellow member on this site and have been very happy for the most part with it. Remember the key words, USED! You save lots of $$$, but you need to do your homework on what each offers. There is more than likely hundreds of memberships out there from TT. I just depended on what the sale person needed to add to entice a buyer! There is also a transfer fee of $750 to TT for any used membership, so calculate that cost in as well. We also purchased the Trails Collection, which is a separate contract, for $214 for a year. It has to be renewed each year if you wish to continue with it. This is a no brainer if you are full time. It payed for itself the first 2 weeks we used it in Vero Beach, Fl this year and then a second 2 weeks in Ft. Lauderdale. There are restrictions and again, you need to understand what you are getting for your money. Passport America is another no brainer! We also just joined Boondockers Welcome and will most likely drop Harvest Host when it comes up for renewal. The link that Dan provided on RV Love is a great read on the ins and outs of TT parks, Trails Collection and Zone Pass. Since we went full time again in June, we have paid ZERO dollars for RV parks and have found all the parks we have stayed at, acceptable. If you are thinking you are coming into a RV resort with paved roads, concrete pad, gazebo, etc., in most cases, you will be greatly disappointed. We have stayed for the 21 days and made daily trips to museums, national monuments, historical sites, etc. The park is a place to come back to and relax and sleep. Yes, they are for the most part, out in the boonies, but you won't be parked along side a freeway or train station, etc. If you have any other questions, feel free to call.
To locate COE camp grounds, or any other specific camp ground "category" I recommend ALLSTAYS. They have a free web site that is very good. I prefer to subscribe to the AllStays Pro web app because it is a "cleaner" presentation and because I believe the author of the program should be fairly compensated for his labors. We use AllStays Pro on
every trip we take, short or long.
Allstays | Campgrounds | RV Parks (https://www.allstays.com)
Thanks for your replies. This will be helpful. ^.^d
Wait. wait & wait some more before buying. Experience your style of full timing for a year before spending big bucks for something you may not use.
Why plan your travels around where your membership campsites are. Let the serendipity of the moment guide you.
Also read and double read any contracts. In the past many contracts would not let you stop paying annual fees. You had to sell or give away the contract to someone, also something hard to do. Many an estate was dinged with past due claims for memberships long ago stopped being paid.
Consider joining Elks Lodge and Passport America for inexpensive camping.
We went a year (in a smaller rig) without membership or even reservations and LOVED that life. Weight became an issue, so we got a Foretravel and not long after got Thousand Trails Elite. We bought new and it paid for itself in less than a year in the East. We will use it about 1/2 the year next year and probably about like that the year after. We look at Thousand Trails as "Base Camp" and we don't spend tons of time in the parks ourselves... great place to shower, cook and sleep. The fun stuff happens outside the park!
We also use:
Old Folks National Park Pass (love COE parks) :-)
Harvest Host
Boondockers Welcome
Escapees
Passport America
And good ole Boondocking
Ultimately, it all depends on the type of camper you are and the amount of money you are willing to spend. Take a bit of time and figure that out!