Which RV clubs/associations to join? So many to choose from!

[deleted]

Just wondering which RV clubs and associations people have used successfully for traveling when you only need to stay in a location for a single night. I'm leaning towards joining Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome. Anyone have any insights to share about the organizations they feel are most useful? This article was my crash course on the subject: http://www.frugal-rv-travel.com/RV-Membership-Clubs.html

ETA: Here are the links to two I mentioned:

http://www.boondockerswelcome.com/

http://harvesthosts.com/

[grant whipp]

Hi, Stacie!

Kay & I are members of Boondockers ... so far, our experiences have been quite positive! We'll have plenty of opportunity to really "test the waters", as it were, in July & August when we drive cross-country & back with our Caveman Camper, using them as a primary source of overnight accommodations.

Another source might be TearJerkers ... we're finding that a lot of our Members are quite willing & happy to host an overnighter passing through ... ...!

Good Luck, and as always ...

CHEERS!

[deleted]

Thanks for the insights Grant. Would it be possible to post a link to the Boondockers you mentioned? I went to Boondockers.com but that wasn't it.

I think I joined the Tearjerkers website last year. I'll have to double check. I know I met some Jefferson State Tearjerkers at a mini teardrop rally I went to on Treasure Island. Looking forward to meeting more of the community at upcoming events.

[GerryS]

I wouldn't be a member of a club that would have me as a member

[Lgboro]

+1 on Boondockers -- I have a Canadian family dropping by my place in July. This group seems very well organized and growing by leaps and bounds. I often camp with tearjerkers groups in the Southeast and have found this group to very accommodating in every way.

[deleted]

Thanks for the feedback Lgboro.

LOL Gerry, I often feel that way.

[GerryS]

Thanks for the feedback Lgboro.

LOL Gerry, I often feel that way.

Wish it was an original thought. I think it was Groucho Marx who said it...

[nevadatear]

Harvest host sounds really interesting and unique.

[deleted]

I know! I'd rather spend some dollars and in return receive a bottle of wine or fresh produce, and a place to stay while supporting a local small business. I do like KOA's but often they offer amenities I won't use or need. I'm definitely going to join HH. I'll be sure to update this thread with how things worked out after the trip.

[Shadow Catcher]

Just Tearjerkers.

[Roly Nelson]

Beware, I joined Coast to Coast Campgrounds many years ago, with the promise that there would always be a place for me to camp, even if they were full..........Big Lie! Most of their parks were so far off of the interstate, that the cost of gas to get to one, would have paid for a nearby campground. Also, the yearly dues kept going up and some of their locations were bankrupt when we got there.

As an aside, our experience with camping next to the "Big Boys" and their rolling palaces, was less than friendly. Most pulled their shades closed, cranked up the satelite dish, watched TV inside and never left their rigs to chat with a little guy, like me. Also, at 6 in the morning, they fired up their diesel engines next to me, warmed it up for 20 minutes and drove off, and gee, I never even got to meet them, as I lay there wide awake.
Roly ~~

[MarkD]

The Elks Club can be a good deal deal depending on your circumstances. We have some friends who belong and they have gotten some very good use out of it.

[deleted]

Ah, I hadn't ever considered joining an Elks Club. Do they let women in? For some reason I always thought it was a men's club, like the Masons.

Roly both Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome make it clear that space may be limited so at least they're up front about the possibility of being turned away. I'm hoping that in some instances that my trailer is so tiny will mean they can find a little space for me to squeak in where a 30' rig couldn't go.

Shadow Catcher it sounds like Tear Jerkers is pretty popular. Will have to look into them.

For now I joined Harvest Hosts and am happy to see there are plenty of locations along my planned routes to and from Michigan. Not sure if I want to join BW right now or wait to see how HH works out first. In any case I'll be sure to come back and update this thread after my trip. There are also plenty of locations I can try out at home in Northern CA so it'll make it fun to take the trailer out more often for overnight stays.

[Roly Nelson]

Stacie, my standard comment when I am told that there is no site available, goes like this. "If President Obama were to show up tonight, would you find a place for him to stay? Well, he is out of the country and won't be coming by, so I'll take the place you would have given him". This usually works, even if have to slip in between the trash dumpster and the back fence. All I need is a level spot, no hook ups. Oh by the way, after chatting with the person behind the counter for a little while, and pointing out my little trailer, right outside of the door, I offer to pay for my site in cash, and that usually works as well. No reciept required, you're welcome.
Roly, the So Calif woody guy ~~

[Vedette]

All good suggestions Roly!
Good to see you on the Forum....we have not talked for a while. Hope is all well with you!
And hope to see you in a month.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi