RV Organizations....

[TucsonStan]

Hi Everybody,
I just introduced myself over at the newbie forum and I'm here now to ask a question. Being a newbie, I hope this is the right place to ask.

My question is.......What organizations have people joined that they've found to be beneficial? The ones I'm thinking of are ones like.....Good Sam Club, Escapees, PassportAmerica.

In advance, thanks.

Stan

[reeves99]

Well Stan,
I joined Escapees and think it was a complete waste of money
Phil
ps, welcome here!

[Donna D.]

I joined Escapees and unlike Phil think it's worth every cent.

[cpaharley2008]

I like Passport America and KOA and Good Sam Road service in lieu of AAA

[Darwin Maring]

Good Sam, KOA and we like AAA Plus (AAA+) because of the distance they will tow. (Not just to the next available dealer)

Did not like Passport or Camp USA.

Make sure the camp club you join does not have Limited camp grounds and discounts sparse during the actual camping season.

Many camp grounds give discounts for both Good Sam and AAA Membership.

[honda03842]

If you're considering full timing you definitely want to consider Escapees. Many benefits for full timers.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by reeves99

I joined Escapees and think it was a complete waste of money

I considered Escapees for a while, but decided my style of traveling didn't fit well with their program. I think it is a wonderful organization for full-timers, but that's not me.

I have AAA, and bought their "RV" endorsement to the regular membership, but didn't pop for the top of the line AAA+. BIG MISTAKE. I did well with them while within my home geographic area (Southern California) but was left high and dry during a breakdown in the middle of Kansas. Apparently each region is a separate club which has the right to pick and choose what services they will honor, and what they can void. They never told the Tow truck that I was towing a travel trailer, even though I said it 4 times on the phone.

I dropped the "RV" endorsement, and use AAA for the car only. Their middle name is "Automobile" and that's all they seem to know.

I also have a Good Sam Membership with their separately billed standard Emergency Roadside Assistance service. These people know RVs, and I have been very satisfied with how we were treated when we had troubles while towing on the Interstate. BUT when I had a flat in my Dr's parking lot in San Diego with just he Odyssey, their vendor tow-truck never showed up. After an 1-1/2 hours waiting I had to carry my doughnut spare up the street to a service station to fill it with air, and carry it back and put it on the minivan myself.

Check your spare every time you check your other tires air pressure !!! The air from the factory doesn't last for 7 years!

I now use the Good Sam's ERS only when towing.

[BCDave]

Until this last month-long trip, I had never had any form of 'roadside assistance' club membership. For this trip (traveling 1200 miles one way to pick up a trailer I had never seen) I got the Good Sam platinum package.

Never needed it.

Any and all issues I had ( my alternator crapped out just outside of Roswell, NM, blew up a trailer tire in Idaho taking the black & gray plumbing with it, my brake controller failed in Flagstaff, taking nearly all of my under-dash wiring with it) I fixed myself

[Keith Williams]

I love Passport America and it pays for itself every year. It depends a lot on your travel area and travel style, like Brother Simson said. But above all, check your Auto / RV towing policy. I'm totally Good Sam Roadside and won't leave home without it.

Regards,

Keith W.

[rgrugg]

Good Sam Platinum. Have used it several times in different states with complete satisfaction. One use required an 80 mile tow. Passport America. Three nights usually gets us to the cost break even point. Joined Escapees for one year and dropped it as it didn't fit us.

[Robin G]

Good Sam, has it's place. Probably more recognized than any camping organization. But they have issues, just as all of them do. Good Sam is cheap enough and you get a discount. Good Sam is good for the campers, it's the campgrounds and Rv parks that they screw over.


Escapees, terrific if your a full timer. Mainly for their mailing services!


Passport America, I hear their getting better. For the longest time they tended to have only the campgrounds/rvparks that were iffy........ I prefer to stay in nicer campgrounds and rv parks. But I have been told over the last 5 years they are getting the nicer parks to join. Only issue is the time slot they allow the discount. If it works for you, then it's a great discount.


Personally you have to make up your own mind as to which membership benefits your camping needs best.