Thousand Trails membership

[simsfmly]

Need some opinions from those who have had, or still have a Thousand Trails membership. We're thinking of doing the summer in the NW & SW regions. Our biggest concern is the 60 day window to make a reservation. We'll be out on the road in May/June needing to make reservations in July & August. How often have you gotten shut out of a park? What other underlying costs or issues should we be aware of? I can get a region for $550 and a 2nd for $110. $660 would go a long ways towards making the summer affordable, but we're still leery of the too good to be true scenario. Give us your opinions of what to expect? Thanks in advance.

 

[dwcfish]

First, we are fulltime, and TT has been a huge money saver for us. Outside of TT we try and avoid RV parks. TT parks are a real mix. Some are great and others not so much. If you are all about having a lot of high-quality amenities, then you might want to look elsewhere. We purchased a membership from https://www.campgroundmembershipoutlet.com and have more than recovered the $4,000 cost. Our membership allows us to book 210 days in advance and we can go park to park. Still have the yearly dues, but we more than cover that in savings. I have never gone the zone pass route so I cannot speak to the 60 days booking window, you might want to also look at the issue of going park to park. I know that with some memberships you can spend 14 days at a park but then need to be out of the TT system for a week or two. I do know that last summer we were on the Oregon and WA coasts and most of the TT seemed to be full. We also have added on the Trails Collection membership. This one only allows us to book 60 days in advance and while we do not use it a lot, we have not had any issues.

 

[justdee]

I've been researching TT as our local Alliance dealer, Blue Compass, includes a one year membership to TT. Problem for us in Texas, there are only 7 locations in Texas and none in the surrounding states, so we would be limited to just a limited selection. Either way, it is 'free' and included, so why not use it.

 

[Lantley]

TT parks are a real mix. Some are great and others not so much.

That sales it all.
If your at a decent place. TT is a bargain however if you are at a dump its no bargain at any cost.
If you full time or at least 3/4 time I imagine TT is of great value.
But if you are not a full time camper than you are always are looking a for a great to fantastic spot vs. poor to mediocre.
TT can be a good deal but you must camp a lot and be willing to accept a substandard site every now and then.

 

[justdee]

We will focus on state parks, especially here in Texas as we are very familiar with them, but the option to go to a TT location is a 'nice to have' and since it's free for a year, we can try it and see if it's worth it for us in the long run.
I realize they have some issues, especially with the roads from what I've seen in YouTube videos from the Texas locations, but again, we can check it out and if it's not for us, we'll not renew the membership.
As always, I appreciate the input.

 

[Midnight Rider]

I have had a free membership since I bought my alliance.
They Just are not very nice? IMHO
- Very Little Park up keep, I have found to be the norm? The parks never improve, where is the membership money going? Not to upkeep?
- Mostly 30 AMP, not all even have full hook up?
- Locations are not great? City may be good but location of TT is sketchy?
- I do not see the value in paying for what they offer?

 

[justdee]

There are two TT locations within a two hours drive from us and from the videos I've watched, the roads are sketchy for sure and the pads are not paved, but we plan on going to them just because they are included in the package deal.
We will be part timers, so an expensive membership will not benefit us for the time being, maybe at some point in the future if we hit the road for longer periods of time.

 

[The Fowler's]

We have been full time for a little over two years. We've been TT members for about half that. I've found their parks to be hit or miss. Some were really very nice and they were actively building new sites. Some were just poop holes. Stayed in one on the Russian River in California that was horrible. All sites were 30 amp, and water only. I found out their well had been down months and they were trucking water in. You had to pay extra for the honey wagon to come around. A big problem I see is folks who live there permanently, TT sells them use of their sight for a year or more. With first come, first served it can get hard to find a site.
We're also members of Coast to Coast and RPI. Between the three of these we can usually find a place we want to go. With a 10 year old, we usually have to pick our stays based on the quality of their playground.