RV Clubs: Are They Worth The Cost?

Tackling the RV lifestyle by yourself can be tough and isolating. If you feel this way, you’re not alone. Over the long history of RVing, organizations and communities have formed to deal with the ups and downs of RV life. Nowadays, these are known as RV clubs, and they can be a major pillar of support for anyone who wants to join.

Of course, if these clubs are so great, why doesn’t everybody sign up? Like everything, there are pros and cons to joining an RV club. You need to pay recurring fees in order to gain the benefits, and sometimes it just seems like you’re getting enough bang for your buck. However, most people find that it’s a worthwhile investment.

The main thing you need to do is identify what type of RVer you are and select a club that provides worthwhile benefits. There are lots of options, and some people even join multiple clubs instead of just one. Today, we want to explore the potential perks and drawbacks of RV clubs as well as some of the best ones you could join.

Perks of RV Clubs

Community and Social Connections

One of the best parts about joining an RV club is the sense of community. It can get lonely to travel the country by yourself. Even if you have a partner, friends, or family members, you’ll still spend plenty of time without a permanent community.

RV clubs can help solve this issue. Many clubs host meetups, parties, rallies, and other get-togethers throughout the year. This is a fun opportunity to meet other RVers and make friends.

Even if you can’t attend in person, visit the online forums and groups so you can network with others. Chat and make friends no matter where you are. After all, you’re part of the same club!

Discounts and Rewards

Many people join clubs so they can gain access to exclusive discounts and rewards. RV clubs offer a wide variety of perks. They do their best to reward members as much as possible. The specific deals vary from one organization to another, but you can often get discounts on the following things:

• Fuel refills
• Oil changes
• Tires
• Golf courses
• Campground sites
• Hotel reservations
• Participating businesses (restaurants, camping stores, etc.)

RVing can be expensive, so anything that saves you money is a big incentive. No matter what you need, there’s a club membership that can help mitigate the cost.

RV Services

In addition to discounts and rewards, most clubs also offer some valuable services. If you want to fully enjoy the RV lifestyle, you need to ensure that your basic needs are covered. For example, many organizations offer a mail forwarding service so you can receive letters and packages anywhere across the country.

Some clubs also have roadside assistance plans. This can be a lifesaver if you lock yourself out, need a jumpstart, or have an unexpected breakdown.

You can even get free or discounted magazine subscriptions for the RV lifestyle. Stay up to date with industry news, travel stories, and helpful tips. These services can really elevate your RVing experience.

Easier Trip Planning and Campsite Reservation

Planning an RV trip can be stressful. You have to do extra work to plot your course, find the right parks, reserve a spot, and get there on time. If you’re part of an RV club, this whole process is smoother.

Not only do you get discounted prices on RV sites, but you can create a whole trip itinerary and get priority reservation for select campgrounds.

Access to Member-Exclusive Parks

Speaking of campground reservations, did you know that you can also get access to member-exclusive parks? Some clubs own an entire network of resorts, parks, and campgrounds. In some cases, these locations are only available to paying members (or at least you can stay for free/very cheap).

These parks are usually quite appealing as well. Some of them have special attractions like golf courses, amusement parks, historical sites, etc.

Referral Rewards and Guest Discounts

RV clubs are always trying to gain new members, so they’ll reward you and your fellow travelers if you get them on board. You can qualify for special referral rewards if a friend joins because of you.

Additionally, your guests can take advantage of your benefits to get discounted campsites and other perks. So joining a club is good for you and your friends!

Different Membership Levels

Finally, there are a variety of different membership levels you can sign up for. Most clubs are fairly budget-friendly, and they will pay for themselves within 1–2 trips. The more you pay, the more benefits you unlock, so you can find the best balance for your individual situation.

Drawbacks of RV Clubs

Recurring Fees

Of course, in order to be part of an RV club, you need to pay the fees. These can add up, especially if you don’t use the discounts often enough to cover the cost. Some fees are as low as $30 per year, while others cost $600 or more. If you’re on a tight budget, these recurring fees could become a real pain point.

Part-time RVers May Not Get Their Money’s Worth

Speaking of money, a club membership isn’t a worthwhile investment for every RVer. Some people only use their campers on the weekends or for a few trips each year. In this case, you probably won’t get enough value out of a club to justify the fees.

Carefully track your spending and savings so you can determine if the club is actually helping you or just costing more money. Be sure to cancel your membership before the next billing period if this is the case.

Limited Locations/Discount Application

Location matters when it comes to your RV club. Some clubs have hundreds of affiliated campgrounds across the country, while others have a much smaller network. The same thing is true of discounts. If you’re in an area that the club doesn’t cover, you’ll miss out on the extra savings and convenience.

Hit or Miss Customer Service

Sometimes you’ll need to contact a club representative to get help or find the answer to a question. In this case, you’ll need to go through the customer service department.

Some representatives are very helpful, while others can leave you feeling frustrated and unsatisfied. Many members have reported subpar customer service over the years, so you need to be prepared for that possibility. It’s a recipe for disaster if you urgently need help/advice and you get an unhelpful person on the other end of the line.

Lots of Unnecessary Mail

Mail programs and magazine subscriptions are great, but some RV clubs send a ton of spam mail. This can be annoying, regardless of if it’s physical letters or excessive emails. It’s not the end of the world, but it is an issue that plenty of members have to deal with.

Fine Print Limitations

Finally, you’ll need to sign contracts and paperwork if you want to join an RV club. These sometimes have specific rules and limitations hidden in the fine print. If you miss these details, you might run afoul of rules you didn’t even know about!

For instance, some clubs place limitations on the size of RVs they will allow, limit the number of days you can stay at a campsite, or restrict the number of guests they will cover. Carefully read all the paperwork before you sign up!

Best RV Clubs to Join

Now that you know the pros and cons, you might be interested in joining a club. There are lots of options, but some of the best options for RVers are:

• Escapees: Good for full-timers and retirees. Great online community and lots of benefits. Now a member of the Harvest Hosts family.
• Good Sam: Good for snowbirds and long-distance travelers. Roadside assistance and nationwide coverage.
• Family Motor Coach Association: Good for families and those who want to socialize. Community-focused. Recently announced a rebranding to Family RV Association; the timeline for the change has yet to be unveiled).
• Harvest Hosts: Good for travelers and explorers. Access to unique campgrounds and boondocking opportunities.
• Kampgrounds of America (KOA): The famous campground organization offers a loyalty program that nets members a 10% discount on daily campground fees, a free night of camping (on select KOA Rewards Weekends), and exclusive offers and discounts from partners.
• Passport America: Good for seasonal travelers and weekend warriors. Budget-friendly but still worthwhile.
• RV LIFE: OK, RV LIFE isn’t technically a club, but members of RV LIFE Pro enjoy unrivaled benefits, including trip-planning with an RV Safe GPS, access to an unmatched database of real-world campground reviews, offline maps and navigation, and so much more!.

Related Articles:

• Get The Most Out Of RVing By Joining The Escapees RV Club
• Making Life on the Road a Breeze with RV Clubs and Apps
• 9 Excellent RV Meetup Groups in the USA

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