New Thousand Trails......deal???

[lduguay]

We are considering signing up for a TT membership. I have read some pretty bad stories about large up front (lifetime) membership fees that are in the thousands of $$$'s and TT changing the "rules".

The "new" deal, is $499 for 1 zone with no "enrollment" fee. This "deal" looks pretty good, but I am concerned about the TT "history"......

It seems to be easy finding "bad press" for just about anything out there!
Just want the unbiased opinions and SAGE wisdom of the HOF!!!!

Here is the link:

http://www.zonecampingpass.com/index.aspx

Looking forward to your thoughts!!

 

[jmgratz]

We are considering signing up for a TT membership. I have read some pretty bad stories about large up front (lifetime) membership fees that are in the thousands of $$$'s and TT changing the "rules".

The "new" deal, is $499 for 1 zone with no "enrollment" fee. This "deal" looks pretty good, but I am concerned about the TT "history"......

It seems to be easy finding "bad press" for just about anything out there!
Just want the unbiased opinions and SAGE wisdom of the HOF!!!!

Here is the link:

http://www.zonecampingpass.com/index.aspx

Looking forward to your thoughts!!

This "new" deal has been going on since this past Labor Day weekend. It really is a bargain deal if you want a TT membership. We are members and use Thousand Trails parks all of the time.

 

[robnmo]

Agree with Jim, we bought into TT several years ago, was offered their new "upgrade" 2 yrs ago, that had all the condo's, etc, but we turned it down, we camp not condo balcony sit. But TT is not for everyone, we use ours as much as possible, but since TT became involved or bought out by ELS properties, it's opened up many more campgrounds for us via TT although they're not free camping we get a discount of 50% plus. We just reserved a site in NC for 2 weeks at the end of this month in a resort and reserved our site for $17.00 per night. TT works for some others it doesn't fit as well, you just have to research it and see if it's a fit for you and your plans. Good luck

 

[wyleyrabbit]

We too are seriously considering a membership to Thousand Trails, specifically for the NorthWest region. Anyone out there stayed at any of the Thousand Trails campgrounds in the Washington and Oregon area?

 

[TandT]

Never stayed at TT, but have driven by the one on I-10 near Palm Springs for 40 years. It's 50 yds from the fwy and looks like a parking lot. No real desire to stay at that one particular location anyway. Don't know what too many of the others look like.

 

[jmgratz]

You have to remember the Thousand Trails parks are called Preserves and not campgrounds or resorts. They keep their Preserves mostly natural and most do not have concrete roads and concrete sites. Most sites are gravel or grass and the roads gravel or asphalt. The sites are usually large with plenty of trees. There are exceptions such as TT Hershey which is mostly asphalt with fewer trees. In many we have visited there are so many trees and bushes between the sites you cannot see your neighbor and feel like you are alone in the woods. We like the rustic woody feel. If you are not sure you like it you can visit a preserve on a trial basis by contacting the one you want to visit and either pay for the site or stay and listen to the sales pitch. But you have to contact the park directly.

 

[robnmo]

Jim that's a great point to make, we're the same way in liking the more rustic feel of TT preserves although it's not for everyone. Also something to remember if one chooses the TT network, many of their preserves have been around a long time, and even though they're upgrading their properties sometimes alot of sites have issues accommodating the longer RV's made today. All in all we really enjoy our membership and use them whenever we can. Also since becoming a part of ELS/Encore properties, it gives us more access to other ELS campgrounds at a highly reduced rate. Heading to NC at the end of this month for couple weeks and received about 70% off their normal rates.

 

[jmgratz]

Thousand Trails Horseshoe Lakes, Indiana (north of Terre Haute

 

[wyleyrabbit]

After much humming and hawing, we did pull the trigger and purchase a one year TT membership. So far, we've only stayed a weekend, but were pleasantly surprised. Certainly, it had it's pros and cons, but overall we were happy and look forward to staying there again.

 

[krg]

We have been to all the parks in Oregon and two in Washington , so far all but the one in Blaine WA we have enjoyed. Our favorite TT are Pacific City and Sun River in OR , Chahalis WA park is really nice with an adult rec room and pool seperate from the family rec and pool, and plenty of large sites.

 

[Larryheadhunter]

We have stayed at a few TT Preserves and Jim makes a good point. Where we stayed sites were small, and mostly back ins. If u r lazy like me, we prefer pull thrus. Also noticed rough roads, clothes drying on wires, and long term campers.We preferred RPI, Coast to Coast, Colorado River Adventures, etc. All in one are available for under $1K plus yearly dues.

 

[lduguay]

Wrap up review........

Well, I started this thread and since have purchased the Southeast Zone Pass. Jim is right, they are "Preserves". Having been tent campers for the last "many" years, the "rustic" has not bothered us a bit and we have enjoyed the 2 TT campgrounds that we have stayed in numerous times. (Forest Lake & Green Mountain) It is easy to get spoiled by some of the other CG's we have visited but the price is right for us!

We primarily use the membership for these 2 campgrounds for our quicky get-a-way weekends as they are only 1 1/2 hours from Charlotte. Our plan is to attempt to reserve a week down in Orlando in the near future at the TT CG that is 9 miles from Disney.......that week will just about pay for the annual membership!!

So is TT perfect?? No, BUT we will be renewing the membership next year!

Lance