Living in SoCal the rates for RV parks are rediculous! Ventura Beach RV Resort, regular $66.00 per day inc. tax. Holidays $77.00 per day inc tax. Lake Cachuma (no water contact allowed) $30.00 water/electric only. $2.00 per hour for pool usage. Lake Casitas $50.00 FHU per night plus $7.50 registration fee. California State Parks $25.00 no hookups.
Going up north, Yosemite KOA $66.00 per night, etc.....
This month I bought a second hand TT Platinum on Craigs list. The anual dues are $549.00 for unlimited nights. 21 days straight and then you can go to another park. Family courtesy cards.
So far I have stayed 9 nights at Rancho Oso, my 80 yr old dad got a card for $30.00 per year (I paid for it) and is staying 8 nights at Rancho Oso right now. For Labor Day which is too late to get reservations at any public campground, I just reserved 4 nights at Soledad Canyon. In September we are going to Oakzanita near Julian for 7 nights.
We are full time workers still, but average about 50-60 nights a year in the trailer. So far I or my Dad have used or have reserved 28 nights. At a conservative $35.00 per night FHU that would be $980.00 in camping fees. Or to put it another way, $549.00 plus the $30.00 Family card equals $579.00 divided by 28 nights equals about $20.00 per night. We will use more based upon my usual average current usage!
Having said all that, the best part is that my dad gets to go for free to his favorite Rancho Oso as much as he wants. As the add says, "PRICELESS"!!
Now wait until I full time in 4 years!
BTW, this would not have made sense for me a few years ago. And it would not have made sense if I had to pay full pop at a sales presentation.
Your millage may very, but for my family this is a bargain!
God Bless,
Brian
* This post was
edited 08/01/08 11:03am by huntram *
Brian
2004.5 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4-door CTD, Quadzilla ZXT, S&B intake, Aero Turbine 4040L muffler with 5" SS exhaust tip, HP Laramie Package, 4X4 Graphite 2 tone, 4.10 Auto, Nasta Nerf bars, Arma Coating bedliner.
One other thing, the gangs have discovered camping in SoCal. Everytime I go to public campgrounds, there seems to be latino and skinhead gang members at the cg. Music blasting, not caring about other, almost daring you to say anything! Rangers saying they cannot do anything about it unless the Sheriff comes in.
That does not seem to be the problem at the TT I just stayed at. In fact at about 9:30 the cg kinda went dark! No noise, very peacful at the campfire we had! SWEET!
Is it some type of weird cult?
God Bless,
Brian
I am always amazed at how people can purchase a membership and not understand (1) how to pick out a decent one and (2) how to use the system. Buying a membership in ONE park can be risky if you intend to use that park exclusively as the park may be sold, management changes, etc. If buying just to get into a major affiliation group, then you really don't care about any one specific park, just how C2C or whatever the group is responds to problems members have at individual parks.
If you don't know when your dues are due, whose problem is that? If you didn't read the contract and understand the terms, whose problem is that?
I'm not saying that there aren't problems, but to blame all membership programs is a little short sighted.
Barb
Barb & Dave - full-timing Traveling catpanions Kit (age 18) and Shadow (age 11) Figment II (2002 Alpine 36 MDDS) Mischief (2004 Subaru Forester Toad) FMCA - F337834, SKP #90761 http://homepage.mac.com/barbaraok/ Our blog
Dear Barbara I have the ability and understand the contract I am not stupid and I can see as well as any one. You don't even know what happen and you jump to your own conclusions.
They( my memberships) tend to do as they see fit. Contracts mean little to them and unless you have plenty of money to go to court. I am sure they may be
Fine for some people. This is not about right or wrong It's what happen to me
take it and learn or not your choice. AS for what I expected " what I expected
to"Steve
* This post was
edited 07/29/08 07:59am by Carolina N/S *
At the risk of wearing out my welcome on this subject, I would say that Barb and I appear to be in a minority here. We FT and love our memberships systems because we did our research and then travel accordingly.
Sure, there are bad parks, bad systems, bad management, etc., but done correctly, adding a system of affiliates that knowingly will be used, can be a valuable asset and save $$$ over the long haul.
I highly recommend anyone interested in membership CG, also read the ongoing thread in FT, as well as searching this entire database of pros & cons. Prior to this, I reread the OP's post, and while it did not appear he was seeking advice (just needing some space to rant!), I would say that we all could probably stand to learn more about RVing and the different ways and folks who do it.
I feel that brauneyz has summed it up well.
I feel that Ed has found himself in a bad membership deal ( which a lot of us are at Banjo Creek ), and it has left us all with a bad taste right now.
I am sure not all are bad as not all are good. Just that Ed has gotten bit more than the rest of us.
Thanks, mockybird, for your words of encouragement. I was starting to feel like maybe my experiences were falling on deaf ears. Granted, I am only one voice, but you oughtta see the mouth on me! And I'm happy to share my (lucky) tips via PM's if anyone wants more info, but prefers to stay out of the fray!
Membership camping is like any other business in America. If not run properly, they will go under. I just don't see the financial benefit of "pre-paying" $4K+ to be limited at certain campgrounds. On top of that pay yearly dues and possibly "special assessments". I think in the long run (given today's market) I could do better investing my money in low risk investments and using the proceeds to travel where ever I feel.
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