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RV Clubs - are you a joiner?
- By Janet H
- Published 09/24/2008
- Getting Started
Janet H
Janet lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family and one neurotic Border Collie.
View all articles by Janet H
Although campers have an independent streak many are finding that camping clubs offer desirable benefits that can enhance their recreational experience. Clubs come in all shapes and sizes and many RVers belong to more than one, but regardless specific focus, the central tenet of all these clubs is fun!
Brand Specific: While many RV manufacturers sponsor or run their own club, the brand specific choice for Airstream owners is the WBCCI - Wally Byam Caravan Club International. Named after the founder of Airstream Inc. the WBCCI is a member run non-profit with thousands of members. Local rallies, regional activities and caravans are offered year round as well as member services including some negotiated discounts at affiliated campgrounds.
Discounts and publications: Many RV club offer services to those owning any brand of RV. Negotiated discount rates, rallies, mail forwarding for full-timers, insurance and an online presence are just a few of the perks. Most also publish regular magazines full of information about great destinations, latest industry news and trip reports from members. Membership in most of these clubs requires an annual fee although a great deal of basic information can be found at their websites. Some of the larger national clubs include:
Joining a camping club can be a
fun way to enhance your recreational experience. When considering a membership club weigh what the club has to offer you, against your expectations. Consider joining an online discussion group and asking about others' experiences and ask within your circle of friends who may already belong to a club. If you find that a specific club doesn't match your expectations or needs after a year, consider trying a different one. Have fun camping!
Brand Specific: While many RV manufacturers sponsor or run their own club, the brand specific choice for Airstream owners is the WBCCI - Wally Byam Caravan Club International. Named after the founder of Airstream Inc. the WBCCI is a member run non-profit with thousands of members. Local rallies, regional activities and caravans are offered year round as well as member services including some negotiated discounts at affiliated campgrounds. Discounts and publications: Many RV club offer services to those owning any brand of RV. Negotiated discount rates, rallies, mail forwarding for full-timers, insurance and an online presence are just a few of the perks. Most also publish regular magazines full of information about great destinations, latest industry news and trip reports from members. Membership in most of these clubs requires an annual fee although a great deal of basic information can be found at their websites. Some of the larger national clubs include:
- Escapees Offering rallies, publications, specialty groups, and a lively discussion forum.
- Family Motor Coach Association The Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) is an international organization for families who own and enjoy the recreational use of motorhomes.
- Good Sam Club Discounts at 1700 campgrounds nationwide, emergency assistance on the road, publications, tech talk and travel advice.
- Passport America Deep discounts at many campgrounds, RV insurance, publications and a unique camping directory.
- Airstream forums The largest cyber community of Airstreamers on the planet. Repair and restoration info, discussion forums, camping info, rallies, classifieds, blogs and photo archives.
- Tin Can Tourists Catering to owners of unique, vintage and rare trailers. Classifieds, rallies, discussion forum.
- IRV2.com For all brands - including Airstream! Discussion forums, RV photos, RV forum, RV classifieds & information on RV'ing including maintenance advice, tips and much more!
Joining a camping club can be a
fun way to enhance your recreational experience. When considering a membership club weigh what the club has to offer you, against your expectations. Consider joining an online discussion group and asking about others' experiences and ask within your circle of friends who may already belong to a club. If you find that a specific club doesn't match your expectations or needs after a year, consider trying a different one. Have fun camping!Spread The Word
1 Response to "RV Clubs - are you a joiner?"
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said this on 29 Sep 2008 4:48:10 PM CDT
Janet... you score again with this article but while a lot of the groups used to cater to just their brand, as the airstream groups' track record shows, a lot of the older travelers faded away and the younger new one which couldn't afford the new prices don't buy airstreams. Instead they go with the box trailers (recently we did a article on what they were buying... most are going to the "toybox" types because of their utility and extra strength.
Airstream also knows this and has shown up at several of the shows with their so call "toystream" It is impressive but 34 ft of trailer behind a toyota just doesn't work. Again it is the 5th wheel versions of the toyboxes that seem to be the high end desirables. Thus, today if the group says its for brand members only (of there trailer brand) I am afraid that in todays users, they won't be around long or it will only be "the we few" As fer as discounts go. Yes group rates are special in areas of private useage. I don't know of any state or federal parks that give discounts to travel groups. When most are looking at the WalMart parking lot as overnight stands one clearly can see the caliber of the users as well as the branding of the vehicles. I recently overheard one lady (and I use the term loosly) whining to a group of dinner club members.... she is going to go down to city hall and see if they can't run all them trailer trash out of the city. (both you and I know that is attacking the RV'rs) She went on to say that they are only indegent trash that will steal you blind if you don't keep a eye on them. (To correct this lady (and I use the term loosy) one only feeds their fire... ) While we see the 2 and 300,000 dollar MH in RV parks, their is no doubt about it... the rich don't use RV's to enjoy the traveling today. Makes one wonder where it all went. Keep up the good writing. I enjoy and draw attention to your work. (I think some sort of password is needed here.. like camp on ... airstream america. Or something catchy that you can come up with. Just don't use the word Byambers'... too close to bombers.. and in todays political climate of being miss understood... well... you get my drift.) |
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