As new RVers, we were in uncharted territory with no experienced RVer friends or family to help us learn the ropes. The learning curve was steep but when you join the right clubs and stay connected you can get up to speed pretty fast. Short and Long-term travelers alike will get countless benefits and cost savings from clubs like Harvest Hosts, Escapees, Thousand Trails and countless others. With so many options, you might be wondering: What are the best choices?

 

What are the 5 Best RV memberships?

To make the most of our adventures, here are the five best RV memberships to keep in mind - ranked according to our usage frequency.

 

#1: Thousand Trails [RJ's Top Pick!]

Thousand Trails Membership Club provides a unique opportunity - with just one annual payment, you can camp without any additional fee for 2 weeks on and two weeks off, Thousand Trails Campgrounds. If you were full time this would cover 1/2 of your lodging for the year and the other 1/2 you could boondock, moochdock or stay at other campgrounds in the area. Sounds enticing, right?

 

Cost

• Base Plan: $630 annually for 1 of the 5 zones (~$515 during promotional sales)

• Optional: $90 for each additional zone which will likely be just 1 more zone beyond the base, at most. 

• Optional: $330 for adding in The Trails Collection which expands your camping options across key states such as Florida, Texas, Arizona and California. 

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Benefits

• 80+ campgrounds in 5 zones across the country

• free camping in your selected zone

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The problem with Thousand Trails

You can stay for up to 2 weeks at a Thousand Trails Camp ground and then you'll need to spend 2 weeks some other place outside of the system before you can stay another 2 weeks. This creates a logistical challenge but you could still stay longer at the same campground but beyond your two weeks that are covered with this membership you'll just have to pay for the additional nights you're staying. Opinions of Thousand Trails seem to be in two camps: you either love them or hate them, and there is no middle ground. Thousand Trails parks have a notorious reputation for being convoluted and complex to maneuver, accompanied by dreadful customer service. Unfortunately, in the past Thousand Trails have had a reputation for lackluster conditions. However, over recent years they've made incredible strides to revamp their properties- an exciting prospect for families considering vacationing there!

 

Is it worth investing in a Thousand Trails membership?

Families have been known to save thousands on lodging fees year after year by joining the Thousand Trails Membership program. However, some people have had negative experiences with the parks they visit and request refunds after a month of being part of this membership. The concept is brilliant: you pay an annual fee to stay at their locations for free or lower costs than typical accommodation prices; it's almost like having your own camping ground without all that research! We can vouch for its success - every single experience we've had has been positive and we are excited about our upcoming stay in the Orlando, Florida Thousand Trails Park.

 

#2: Harvest Hosts [RJ's Top Pick!] 

If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind RV experience, Harvest Hosts is the perfect membership to join! With this service, campers can enjoy free overnight camping in breathtaking locations such as wineries, vineyards, breweries, farms, outdoor attractions, museums and golf course(453 to be exact!!!).

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Cost:

• $99 annually

 

Pros:

• One Free night of camping

• A good way to meet locals

The options for places to stay are expansive.

• 771 Wineries

• 1,596 Farms

• 1,231 Attractions

• 550 Breweries & Distilleries

• 3,139 Community Hosts (AKA, "Boondockers Welcome" which is free camping on private property)

• 453 Golf Courses

Approximately 80% of the Hosts can accept vehicles of any length.

 

Cons:

When you're stopping at Harvest Host sites, it is likely that there won't be any electric connectors available. You must prepare to boondock for the entire evening with your own power source. Although technically you are only allowed one night of stay, I have noticed from personal experience that if you make a great impression (and buy some wine or beer), then most hosts would gladly allow an extra day or two - especially during weekdays and off-season periods! We once had the pleasure of spending four consecutive nights in one location!

 

Is it worth investing in Harvest Hosts?

Absolutely! The cost of a Harvest Host membership will pay for itself in no time. But the key benefit to using these types of services is that you can camp at one of their many locations and support local businesses like wineries, breweries, or farms - so it's really an immersive way to experience all the unique flavors your destination has to offer while still saving some money on lodging costs.

If you're looking to make some new friends and enjoy the culture of a place while savoring delicious meals and cocktails, then there's no better way than this! With camping experiences like these, it's no wonder why Harvest Host has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list for 2022 as one of the Fastest Growing Companies in the country. This is a huge win for them and for all small businesses they support around the USA!

 

#3: Passport America

Unlock the savings and explore America with your Passport! Get an incredible 50% discount on camping fees at over 1,800 participating campgrounds across the US, Canada and Mexico. With such unbeatable offers available, this is certainly a great way to save time and money so you can enjoy more of those precious trips. From private RV parks to state park stays - wherever you're looking for accommodation - Passport America has got it sorted!

Cost:

$45 annually, $79 for two years, $109 for three years

 

Pros:

Take advantage of our amazing opportunity to receive 50% off camping fees at nearly 2,000 participating campgrounds! Plus, an easy-to-use mobile app and an affiliate program.

 

Cons:

Passport America parks have a poor reputation, with some dismal $15 parking lots claiming to be RV resorts. But don't let this scare you away! We've also stayed at incredibly luxurious RV resorts that included all the amenities: pools and hot tubs, awesome Wi-Fi connections, game rooms--you name it! What's even better is that Passport America makes it easy for visitors to view its long list of facilities; however searching reviews won’t help as there are none available on their app. The trick? Check out other the RV park's reviews on google, so you can find an accurate review before booking your stay.

 

Is investing in a Passport America membership worth it?

Joining Passport America is an amazing way to save money. In California, just one night's stay will cover the cost of your membership! We are lifetime members and have saved hundreds of dollars when traveling in our RV. Don't look back - join Passport America today and start saving right away!

 

#4: Escapees

Connecting with other RVers while traveling can be tough. If you're looking for a way to meet up and combat the feeling of loneliness on the road, we hear you—we've been asked this many times before!

For RVers looking to connect with other like-minded individuals, Escapees provides an abundance of meet ups and rallies across the country. Over 13 events are available this month alone - some free for members while others may incur a fee. Plus, their website is stocked full of hundreds of in-depth articles and videos that guarantee any RV questions you have will be answered!

When you're in need of reliable maintenance advice and guidance, this is especially beneficial.

Additionally, they feature events especially for younger RVers like my wife and I. If you're under 50 years old this provides a great opportunity to connect with other working-age RVers who aren't retired yet. No disrespect meant to retirees of course; it's simply nice to meet people on a similar page as yourself!

 

#5: Good Sam

The Good Sam Club is an exclusive reward program offered by Good Sam, separate from their insurance and roadside assistance services. It should not be confused with a membership to the discount retailer, Sam's Club.

 

Cost:

• $29 annually

• $50 for two years

• $79 for three years

 

Pros:

• 10% off camping fees at participating campgrounds

• Over 2,400 participating campgrounds

• Up to 10% savings at Camping World

• Up to 8 cents off the gallon at select Pilot Flying J locations.

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The challenge with Good Sam is...

With Good Sam's campground discount being a mere few dollars per night, you must use the membership frequently to make your money back. In addition, most campsites offer discounts for staying 1 week or more and will not give discounted rates with Good Sam on top of that.

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Are the rewards and advantages of becoming a member of the Good Sam Club worth it?

While we aren't interested in renewing our membership, some travelers may benefit from the camping and fuel savings associated with it. Staying at an affiliated campground and filling up your tank at one of their select Pilot Flying J locations is all that's needed for this to pay off! However, I would suggest researching the standard Flying J rewards program as well since it might be more lucrative from a fuel standpoint.