Help - Anyone familiar with Thousand Trails?????

[dfchelbay]

Is anyone a member or know anything about a membership to Thousand Trails? I will post this in the camping forum here too. The deal seems too good to be true, so I am leery of hidden extras. I am interested in just one zone....Florida. If I buy a membership it costs $499 and I get 30 days free camping, then it costs $3 a day to camp after the first thirty days. I spoke with a salesperson from Thousand Trails and they say that there are no other fees...then, really pressure you to buy right over the phone. I don't operate like that. I do not respond well to sales pressure. I will just decline all together. Plus, in reading over the website, it appears that people were charged a $3 daily fee too within that first 30 days are free period. So, there is conflicting information.

We are looking to stay for long stretches over the winter, so staying at the Disney Campground will cost way too much money. So, we are looking into other options. Most RV places charge $500 or more, plus utilities per month and require a 3-6 month commitment, which we cannot give. This Thousand Trails deal seems too good to be true.

Any information, comments, suggesting, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to know what experience anyone has had with them. Even if you've stayed at one, I'd like to know how it was for you. We've never stayed at one before. Thanks.

 

[Racemom17]

I would say be very careful. My in-laws joined several years ago. I am pretty sure they have some kind of annual fee they pay. They have not camped in atleast 8 years and have had nothing but headache trying to sell their "share". My mother-in-law has tried many times (Dad died last year) and is met with nothing but pushy agents trying to get her to an owners meeting, etc...she is 76-she isn't camping anymore. I am going to have to intervene for her...because she is too nice.

You might look into work camping...you can work as a host for a portion of your time in exchange for a site and utilities...there are many opportunities there. We camp quite a bit and met a camp worker last Spring who moved every 6 months. He seemed to really enjoy it. We also spoke with a camp worker in August at our annual WV site...and he was very happy with his set up.

 

[bumbershoot]

It seems to be different now than it was. FIL had a membership with a long-term share; it could be passed to a child and then to a grandchild. It had an initial buy-in, and a yearly fee. When FIL died just before the dues were due, we had to just sort of hand it back to the company, as none of the adult children were in a position to cover the dues (we actually REALLY wanted it, but it was impossible at that time).

Now, though, it seems to be a no-strings-attached plan with just a yearly fee.



racemom, has she asked if she can just turn it in? Rather than selling it? Or do you know if timesharestore (a sponsor of the dis) takes 1000Trails memberships at all?

 

[dfchelbay]

It seems to be different now than it was. FIL had a membership with a long-term share; it could be passed to a child and then to a grandchild. It had an initial buy-in, and a yearly fee. When FIL died just before the dues were due, we had to just sort of hand it back to the company, as none of the adult children were in a position to cover the dues (we actually REALLY wanted it, but it was impossible at that time).

Now, though, it seems to be a no-strings-attached plan with just a yearly fee.



racemom, has she asked if she can just turn it in? Rather than selling it? Or do you know if timesharestore (a sponsor of the dis) takes 1000Trails memberships at all?

Yeah I remember talking to a person about ten years ago that owned a time share at Thousand Trails and it was a buy in only at that time. I vaguely recall it was like 30 or 40 thousand...or something outrageous. We never looked any further into it. Now, it seems to be a campground for anyone. That's why I was wondering if anyone had any current info. The pricing just seems too good to be true. For $499 that makes those thirty free days come out to $16.67 a night. No where can you RV camp for that price with full hook up. I think the cheapest we've ever gotten was $35 a night at a KOA, many years ago.

I just really know nothing about this company, and any information I do find online is from many years ago. I just don't know what to make of it. I'd like more info that's for sure.

 

[*Flower*]

You might want to check around the BBB to see if anyone has lodged any complaints about them.

Just a thought........

 

[Racemom17]

She has asked to transfer the membership to my husband...since we still camp and they won't allow it...and nobody can use the membership unless she or my FIL is with them...not very versatile.

Everytime she calls to try to do something with it they give her the run around and insist she should come to a Owners Meeting to see all the great new perks/campgrounds, etc....but again she is 76- no interest in camping.

Now that you brought it up it just reminds me I need to try to help her get rid of it. I know she pays an annual fee of some sort because that is when it always gets brought up.

 

[bearloch]

HI Ya I am a member to thousand trails and a former employee I can answer some questions for ya!!

1 30 days camping is correct except that you cannot use it at one time max is 14 days then you have to leave for 7 then u can come back in for rest!

you will not be guaranteed a full hook up some sites at some resorts are 20 amp water no sewerl. these are mosly northern resorts if you are looking at strictly FL where ar in FL Peace river perserve in wachucula and Orlando in clearmont both have 6 month deals where you pay a fee and " rent yr site" u would then pay your own electric the cost varies at each place. IF you are in Fl now go in person to the camp you are thinkging of and have a tour and get the 411 in WRiting ITs a nice park and the pools are nice they have activies during winter but it also sells out FAST you may actually be too late for this yr in orlando.

DO NOT BUY a new membership to them there are many used for sale that can be upgraded etc.

call other camps and see how much for a season and compare the costs to them to see It is a very cheap way to go it u will use it!!


to the lady who was trying to sell membership you can still sell and transfer u have to pay a transfer fee. good luck!
or I think you can still " opt out" which is u get nothing back but stop paying dues!

 

[dfchelbay]

HI Ya I am a member to thousand trails and a former employee I can answer some questions for ya!!

1 30 days camping is correct except that you cannot use it at one time max is 14 days then you have to leave for 7 then u can come back in for rest!

you will not be guaranteed a full hook up some sites at some resorts are 20 amp water no sewerl. these are mosly northern resorts if you are looking at strictly FL where ar in FL Peace river perserve in wachucula and Orlando in clearmont both have 6 month deals where you pay a fee and " rent yr site" u would then pay your own electric the cost varies at each place. IF you are in Fl now go in person to the camp you are thinkging of and have a tour and get the 411 in WRiting ITs a nice park and the pools are nice they have activies during winter but it also sells out FAST you may actually be too late for this yr in orlando.

DO NOT BUY a new membership to them there are many used for sale that can be upgraded etc.

call other camps and see how much for a season and compare the costs to them to see It is a very cheap way to go it u will use it!!


to the lady who was trying to sell membership you can still sell and transfer u have to pay a transfer fee. good luck!
or I think you can still " opt out" which is u get nothing back but stop paying dues!

Thanks for all this info. I was NEVER told you could not use all thirty days at once...thank you for that detail. Have you worked there under the "newer" memberships? It costs $499. I was not aware those are transferable. Or, are you speaking of before when it was a buy in type membership? I would only be interested in the Florida campgrounds, so I'm assuming it would be full hookup at all RV sites. Is that correct for Florida? I was never told there was a six month option either. They provide no in depth info online and the same when speaking to them on the phone. I was told I could pick a spot and rent it for an entire year for around four thousand dollars, plus my own utilities. That was the only other option they gave me.