At the request of SDcampowneroperator, I am starting this new thread to discuss what we'd like to see in a TL/GS/Woodall's Directory. I will start:
1) Provide visual campground browsing on a map on the website. The website right now assumes that I know where I want to go. To do anything productive, I have to know a city name. That leaves out the overnight traveler during a trip somewhere. I will have no idea what town I want to stay in, but I will have a general idea of where I will be along the highway. I want to be able to browse 60 miles to each side of that location and see what my choices are. See http://www.epgsoft.com/CampgroundMap/index.html for an example.
2) Provide visual indication of campground rating on map. This could be accomplished using the mouse "hover over" procedure.
3) Consumer numeric ratings of campgrounds using the same criteria and same scoring method as the editorial site uses.
4) Ability to search campgrounds by numeric score, both editorial score and consumer score.
5) Ability to filter visual display of campgrounds on the map by numeric score and by selected amentities.
6) Ability for consumers to leave written comments using a login (not anonymous) system.
7) Restore trust in the rating system by making the scores quality based. (i.e., if they have a pool, don't just check a box that says "has pool." Provide a subjective quality opinion of the pool and have the score reflect that.)
8) Provide an estimated ratio of seasonal to overnight stays or otherwise describe how seasonals are segmented.
I would like to know if a park has a 'ten-year' RV age policy. I assume that the reason for them not mentioning it in the book is that they don't want to lose business from some, like me, who have newer-looking RVs that are more than ten years old.
Other than that, I think the TL Directories are pretty comprehensive regarding park directions, descriptions and amenities.
2000 Born Free 24RB Class C
6.8L Ford V-10 Engine, E450 Chassis
2002 Honda CR-V toad
Roadmaster Sterling A/T towbar
VIP braking system
Eddyline Merlin kayak
How about a street address that can be put into GPS. They frequently give directions for how to get to the CG but no address. Sometimes I have to go on the internet to get that address!
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
For digital version of directories, I would love to see photos linked to specific campsites on campground maps as well as photos of all over the parks. We often get to only see photos of holiday festivities, playgrounds, ponds and the like, however what interests me the most are the actual campsites.
Eric
2009 Holiday Rambler Admiral 33SFS (34' 3")
2008 Jeep Liberty - North Edition (4x4 auto)
FQCC/Camping Quebec, KOA, Good Sam, Coach-Net
To answer question about Trailer Life Directory, divide it into two volumes. It is too heavy. DO NOT eliminate state maps with little marks showing CG locations, we use that first always. We travel until we want to stop, and rarely make reservations, so when we are thinking of stopping, out comes TL. Best directory we have found.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
To answer question about Trailer Life Directory, divide it into two volumes. It is too heavy. DO NOT eliminate state maps with little marks showing CG locations, we use that first always. We travel until we want to stop, and rarely make reservations, so when we are thinking of stopping, out comes TL. Best directory we have found.
Thank you all, Keep ideas coming.
all will be on the table at the GSAdvisory council meeting in Dallas next Mon- Wed. I'll be there.
I'm no geek, actually prefer print in our winter walkabouts.
However as times change, so must we and our associations. Out with the old, in with ---etc.
Billy Joels song , ' the good old times were'nt always good, tomorrow isn't as bad as it seems' is a theme we should embrace.
Max
Some of what you want is included in the Roadtrip Navigator, the TL Directory on CD. To bad it has so many errors. I don't really care about bathrooms, except as a guide to overall CG maintenance. What I am interested in is the campsites and things that directly affect my stay there. Site size, levelness, table, hookups, WiFi, etc. Accuracy would be nice.
I don't have dependable internet access on the road so a web version of the TL Directory doesn't help. I have found that many CGs and RV parks are not in the directory. I guess they feel it is not worth what GS charges to be listed.
I agree with Chuck&Gail.
Class C, 2004/5 Four Winds Dutchman Express 28A, Chevy chassis
2010 Subaru Impreza Sedan
Camped in 45 states, 7 Provinces and 1 Territory
1) Provide visual campground browsing on a map on the website. The website right now assumes that I know where I want to go. To do anything productive, I have to know a city name. That leaves out the overnight traveler during a trip somewhere. I will have no idea what town I want to stay in, but I will have a general idea of where I will be along the highway. I want to be able to browse 60 miles to each side of that location.
I agree and have battled with the website for the same reasons. I have tried to plan a trip knowing my ultimate destination, which might be, say, 3 days away. Or we want to travel just a few hours starting out after work on the first afternoon of a trip. Trying to locate a campground a certain distance from your current location is really tough.
Steven
Faith
Abby and Sierra
2007 GMC Sierra 5.3L Crew Cab
2011 Keystone Passport 2850RL SE
http://shelbyrvblog.blogspot.com
I think that the RV Roadtrip Navigator software does a fine job of assisting with the kind of trip planning that you mention @Shelbs (and that I want as well). I am not sure that I expect that level of support within the online directory. But simply browsing campgrounds on a map, and the act of refreshing the map while I browse, is a must for a competitive product that will be re-engineered as we are hearing it will be.
I hope that Good Sam starts to consolidate all of these tools. You've got Good Sam Directory, TL Directory, Woodalls Directory, the Good Sam route planner, the RV Roadtrip Navigator software, etc. I'd like to see them do three things really well: An single online directory, a single printed directory and a single trip/itinerary planner.
Offline
