You did not say anything about the 21/7 plan and the Elite and Platinum plans. No days out and $3 a nite plus add’l $3 if you are 50 amps. Those cover all zones and can be financed under $150 per month. Also what about the Encore system which you can use if no TT Campground is available for $10 per night. Seems there is a lot more to this program.
You both make a great video! We've been on the road full-time little over 2 years now. But I'm purposely not making any TT videos, to improve my chances of getting a reservation. Safe Travels!
That's great that you have been full timing for 2 years! We are almost at a year and a half. What do you mean by improving chances of getting a reservation?
I recently got the SE Zone Pass for $460 after the discount and also got the Trails Collection a month later as Florida only has 3 actual Thousand Trails parks. Now I have 32 parks total to choose from. I started with the nearest TT park which is lovely and stayed 14 nights for free. On the 7 days out I boondocked at Walmart and restocked. Next 4 nights at Silver Springs State Park for 12.00 plus tx and fee ( Senior Citizen half price) and loved it. Another two nights at Walmart (very friendly) and went back into the same TT park for another 14 days. Getting some work done on the RV so needed to be in the area awhile. I asked the mgr and return visits to the RT park are no problem after the 7 days out of the system. This may vary with individual parks as I am new and have only been to one park so far. At $50 per night, I covered the cost on my TT purchased in just 11 days. Now I am camping free for 3 weeks out if every month and outside camping is about $50 a month plus some boondocking. For a full timer like me it is a Winner. Love it so far, especially the pool.
Buying the SE zone pass plus the Trails Collection, giving you 32 parks to choose from, during the winter months would there be in your opinion availability to move to a different park every 4 days?
7 ปีที่แล้ว +4
Great video guys! Glad you’re enjoying the TT system! Can’t believe the roads didn’t make your cons list. You must not have lost your rig in a pothole yet 😂😂😂 Looks like you’re enjoying your journey and that’s fantastic!!! Hope we can meet up down the road again sometime soon :)
Hahaha... We haven’t had horrible luck with the roads yet. But maybe we will have to do an update video later on. Heck yes we should meet up again! Where you guys at now?
7 ปีที่แล้ว
The Chick's Life we are in VA, but headed to FL in January. Then probably Louisiana for a bit and then it’s still up in the air.
Thank you for the informative video. We too are full-timing with Thousand Trails. I have only one criticism. You spoke only of the zone pass. TT has other upgraded memberships offering more parks, longer stays and longer booking windows ( mine is 210 days) as well as some other fringe benefits. If you are unaware of these options, speak with a membership manager at your next TT stop. I would then hope you would do an addendum so your viewers would be fully informed.
Thanks for the video. So now two years on from this video, are you still happy. Specifically have you had trouble finding campgrounds with the 60 day booking window? I'm retired about to go fulltime and have watched many horror story videos about being unable to book because TT has gotten so big, unless you have the 120 or 180 booking window you get shut out. If I buy I want it to work and this is the issue holding me back. TIA and happy trails.
You can still purchase a Thousand Trails Membership through 'Campground Membership Outlet'. They have the Platinum, Platinum Plus, VIP, and Full Elite Plans. Best is to purchase a VIP ($2,900) and a Trails Collection ($199) for the best value. I've been a Thousand Trails Member since 2000, my parents joined in 1974 (it was called NACO back then). We LOVE Thousand Trails Campgrounds. There's nothing wrong with joining more than one brand park. Membership
Actually, They have not done away with the multitude of plans. We just upgraded the Ultimate Odyssey for a little over $10k and we can stay 28 days park to park to park. and we can book 180 days in advance. I agree that Vegas was my worst TT experience, but otherwise I have really enjoyed my membership, and the dozens of parks we've stayed at.
I am so jealous of your 180 day window. With our 60 day window I have been struggling trying to book a reservation in the Florida Keys! But other than that we have loved and continue to use the Camping Pass!
My friend in central FL had the base plan for 2 years, now he got the ultimate odyssey plan cuz he saw all the benefits like extended reservation time etc... he loves it!
I'm so glad I found your channel. I recently came across the Thousand Trails Camping Pass and was trying to do some research. I haven't started my RV life yet, but like James, I'm a planner. I have to be able to do this on a very limited budget. My best friend posed the question "is it a flat fee or do you also have to pay for each night?" Until I found your video, I wasn't sure. Now I am. I also wasn't sure how the 14/7 thing worked. But I absolutely don't mind moving ever 4 days if it keeps things cheap. Thank you so much for your vid and maybe I'll see you on the road someday.
If you leave every 4 days you have to consider how much gas your using too. many rigs dont get good MPG at all... Thats the one thing i worry about when on a tight budget
If you are driving down the road and just feel like stopping by a TT that is close to you at that particular time, can you just pull in and get a site, or do you have to call ahead? Also, If you own a Class C, and decide to leave the park and take your Class C to town (because it's the only thing you have to drive) is that considered leaving or checking out for that particular stay, or can you come back later in the day and get your same spot back?
very well done, maybe the best thousand trails youtube video..............and you guys are great together...........nice comment about the baby boomers as well
C S I agree! I used to listen to podcasts about RV travel and they would talk about TT a lot, but this video really helped me to understand exactly how they work.
Love the honesty from both of you on all of this. Buy Ashley an Instapot & Airfryer. Once you come here I'll show her some tips & tricks for quick & easy meals using them! 😉👍
I am looking into doing this combo this fall but getting the zone pass + 2nd zone +$199 connection and it still looks way cheaper then the average daily costs for a park. I know not every rv park is a gem but I have yet to see that with any club (KOA northeast has a few bad parks).
FYI - South Dakota residents (and 2 other states, I don’t remember right now) cannot have TT memberships because they don’t have licenses for those states. Since so many full-timers have established SD addresses, residencies and registered their RVs there, I find it really odd they don’t do more to allow SD residents. Think of the money they’re missing out on. And we all know, TT is all about the money! So needless to say, I will not get a TT membership, being a SD resident!
Whenever we go on our adventure days that he is not allowed, he stays back at home. Unfortunately, a lot of places like national parks, monuments and museums don't allow animals.
The Chick's Life - RV Travel gotcha! I get terrified at the thought of leaving my dog in the RV especially if we’re out hiking, likely because it would break my heart if someone broke in and stole him!
Great video, thanks! Sorry if I missed it in the video, but do you get unlimited days free with the pass or is there a limit? If a limit, then what are the fees per day?
No additional fees! You can stay year round if you limit your duration to 4 days at a single park. Or you can stay up to 14 days at one park and then be out of the system for 7 before staying at a 1000 trails again. Make sense? Hope that did! 😃
That system ended in 2016 and now it is unlimited 14 in and 7 out all year long. Or 4 + 4 + 4 all year long. Totally free camping. Some parks charge $3 per night if you are 50 amp but not all.
Weird question... So if I had this plan with whatever zone I wanted.. And let say my wife wanted to by a whole new package too.. So we pay for two of these... Do you think they would let us.. Only reason I would do this tho would be to stay at one place for 14 days.. One day out then she can use her own package she got and stay 14 days.. And so on.... Just a thought. Lol.. We don't like to move as offen.. Only like every two weeks
TwitchRadio that’s a really interesting loophole. I would assume that it would be ok, since you would be paying for it. Might wanna talk with someone at TT first though just to be on the safe side.
You can do the 14 days at one place and then be out for 7 days and back in for 14 days all year long for free. Two people are on the Membership. I went to a state park for the off days and it was lovely.. Hookups and $1 laundry. Half price for seniors. Then you could go back into the same park ( ask mgr if ok) again or move on to a different park for 14 days all year long. I am on my .4th time in same park. I got the SE Zone as it is Va down to Fl and over into Texas. Plenty for now but additional zones are only $49. Also got the Trails Collection for a total of 32 parks in Florida to choose from. If you want to spend the 7 days out in s private Campground you could get a Passport America card for 50% off at $44 a year. Camped 56 nights at TT and at $50 per night, my two TT purchased were covered in 11 nights of free camping. Now the rest of the year is totally free. As a new member I have camped in only one park so far, but I am thrilled with being able to camp for free I parks that I would not be able to afford any other way. Ps. Love the pool and friendly management.
TwitchRadio I did hear that you can skip the 7 days out and go directly to an Encore park (if you have the Trails Collection) because they have separate recordkeeping and do not track whether you have been out for the 7 days. Then back to a TT park for 14 days.. However, have not verified this info.
TwitchRadio - it appears your questions hasn’t really been answered in these comments. As I understand you want to stay in the same park for 28 days using two different memberships (one for you and one for your wife). Have you gotten a solid answer yet if this will work as you want to do it?
@@TheChicksLife do you ever find no availability when trying to reserve a spot? I'm seeing some videos saying that 60 days is not enough advanced reservation?
@@jeffosborn7821 Very rarely. The Florida Keys is one we are having troubles with, but other than that 60 days has been more than enough for everywhere we go.
If they have openings you can drive up, or you can call or go online to make reservations. Many times we have called day of or just a day before to get reservations and have only ever not gotten a spot once or twice.
The Chick's Life - RV Travel sweet! That is good to know. We r going to get a one year plan for the north west now and may upgrade in the future. Thank you for your reply!
@@TheChicksLife I think as this lifestyle catches fire (which it def has already) you will want to upgrade to the more expensive plans that give you longer lead times to make reservations
Theoretically, yes. But they have higher level plans if you want to stay in one place longer and not have to move every four days. Or be out of the system for a week. This plan was just the most affordable and best for us sense we are always traveling.
If you become a lifetime member you can stay 21 days alot of places and don't have to be out for ANY days between park hopping. So for full timers that's nice, and get electric and water and sewer usually.
@@TheChicksLife the more expensive plans give you longer time to make reservations than the base plan, thats important if your trying to get into the better campgrounds in busy time of year
After you pay for the membership and you park your rv at a spot is their still a monthly rent you have to pay or is it just the membership and the annual fee??????
Just the annual fee. But there are limitations as we discussed. Maximum stay of two weeks and then out of the system for a week. Or stay four nights and the you can directly to another park.
Hi guys! Brand new to your channel - love this information. We tried a few of the Thousand Trail campgrounds on our west coast route, but for the same reason you mentioned with the zones and locations, decided it wasn’t a fit for us as we are trying to see all 50 states and move a little quickly. I’ll look forward to following along with your journey and would love for you to check out our channel!
Ok so, decent video for sure and I am hoping that "Goose and Maverick" are stage names for the kiddos privacy lol....(horrible names for kids...yup! lol) and your youtube channel name.....yikes! Chicks Life? lol shm....
➡️RV Travel Map 🗺 Bonus Videos 📹 LIVE Hangouts 💻REAL-TIME UPDATES: www.patreon.com/TheChicksLife
Want Our News Letter? - bit.ly/NewsLetterTCL
RV STUFF, DIRT BIKE GEAR & CAMERA GEAR: www.amazon.com/shop/thechickslife
You did not say anything about the 21/7 plan and the Elite and Platinum plans. No days out and $3 a nite plus add’l $3 if you are 50 amps. Those cover all zones and can be financed under $150 per month.
Also what about the Encore system which you can use if no TT Campground is available for $10 per night.
Seems there is a lot more to this program.
You both make a great video! We've been on the road full-time little over 2 years now. But I'm purposely not making any TT videos, to improve my chances of getting a reservation. Safe Travels!
That's great that you have been full timing for 2 years! We are almost at a year and a half. What do you mean by improving chances of getting a reservation?
I recently got the SE Zone Pass for $460 after the discount and also got the Trails Collection a month later as Florida only has 3 actual Thousand Trails parks. Now I have 32 parks total to choose from.
I started with the nearest TT park which is lovely and stayed 14 nights for free. On the 7 days out I boondocked at Walmart and restocked. Next 4 nights at Silver Springs State Park for 12.00 plus tx and fee ( Senior Citizen half price) and loved it. Another two nights at Walmart (very friendly) and went back into the same TT park for another 14 days.
Getting some work done on the RV so needed to be in the area awhile. I asked the mgr and return visits to the RT park are no problem after the 7 days out of the system.
This may vary with individual parks as I am new and have only been to one park so far.
At $50 per night, I covered the cost on my TT purchased in just 11 days. Now I am camping free for 3 weeks out if every month and outside camping is about $50 a month plus some boondocking.
For a full timer like me it is a Winner. Love it so far, especially the pool.
"On the 7 days out I boondocked at Walmart"......really?
Buying the SE zone pass plus the Trails Collection, giving you 32 parks to choose from, during the winter months would there be in your opinion availability to move to a different park every 4 days?
Great video guys! Glad you’re enjoying the TT system! Can’t believe the roads didn’t make your cons list. You must not have lost your rig in a pothole yet 😂😂😂 Looks like you’re enjoying your journey and that’s fantastic!!! Hope we can meet up down the road again sometime soon :)
Hahaha... We haven’t had horrible luck with the roads yet. But maybe we will have to do an update video later on.
Heck yes we should meet up again! Where you guys at now?
The Chick's Life we are in VA, but headed to FL in January. Then probably Louisiana for a bit and then it’s still up in the air.
Thank you for the informative video. We too are full-timing with Thousand Trails. I have only one criticism. You spoke only of the zone pass. TT has other upgraded memberships offering more parks, longer stays and longer booking windows ( mine is 210 days) as well as some other fringe benefits. If you are unaware of these options, speak with a membership manager at your next TT stop. I would then hope you would do an addendum so your viewers would be fully informed.
TrainguyNCL thanks for this info. I didn’t realize this either!
There is one Thousand Trails Park in Canada as far as I know. It is in BC about one hr from the US border close to, but not on a lake.
Thanks for the video. So now two years on from this video, are you still happy. Specifically have you had trouble finding campgrounds with the 60 day booking window? I'm retired about to go fulltime and have watched many horror story videos about being unable to book because TT has gotten so big, unless you have the 120 or 180 booking window you get shut out. If I buy I want it to work and this is the issue holding me back. TIA and happy trails.
You can still purchase a Thousand Trails Membership through 'Campground Membership Outlet'.
They have the Platinum, Platinum Plus, VIP, and Full Elite Plans.
Best is to purchase a VIP ($2,900)
and a Trails Collection ($199) for the best value.
I've been a Thousand Trails Member since 2000, my parents joined in 1974 (it was called NACO back then).
We LOVE Thousand Trails Campgrounds.
There's nothing wrong with joining more than one brand park. Membership
Great job on the vid. "Just" found you guys after watching Trent & Siobhán. Excited to follow your travels and adventures. Blessings. ❤❤❤
That’s awesome! Thank you so much! We loved hanging out with those guys. We are going to have to meet up again now that we are both full time RVing.
Actually, They have not done away with the multitude of plans. We just upgraded the Ultimate Odyssey for a little over $10k and we can stay 28 days park to park to park. and we can book 180 days in advance. I agree that Vegas was my worst TT experience, but otherwise I have really enjoyed my membership, and the dozens of parks we've stayed at.
I am so jealous of your 180 day window. With our 60 day window I have been struggling trying to book a reservation in the Florida Keys! But other than that we have loved and continue to use the Camping Pass!
My friend in central FL had the base plan for 2 years, now he got the ultimate odyssey plan cuz he saw all the benefits like extended reservation time etc... he loves it!
I like that they finance & dont do a credit check. It will pay for itself over time. The more expensive packages are for lifetime camping.
I'm so glad I found your channel. I recently came across the Thousand Trails Camping Pass and was trying to do some research. I haven't started my RV life yet, but like James, I'm a planner. I have to be able to do this on a very limited budget. My best friend posed the question "is it a flat fee or do you also have to pay for each night?" Until I found your video, I wasn't sure. Now I am. I also wasn't sure how the 14/7 thing worked. But I absolutely don't mind moving ever 4 days if it keeps things cheap. Thank you so much for your vid and maybe I'll see you on the road someday.
If you leave every 4 days you have to consider how much gas your using too. many rigs dont get good MPG at all... Thats the one thing i worry about when on a tight budget
If you are driving down the road and just feel like stopping by a TT that is close to you at that particular time, can you just pull in and get a site, or do you have to call ahead? Also, If you own a Class C, and decide to leave the park and take your Class C to town (because it's the only thing you have to drive) is that considered leaving or checking out for that particular stay, or can you come back later in the day and get your same spot back?
So wish they would add one or two more parks in Canada, there is only one now🙁
Are there any parks in Canada?
very well done, maybe the best thousand trails youtube video..............and you guys are great together...........nice comment about the baby boomers as well
Thanks Casey! Hopefully we answered all your questions.
C S I agree! I used to listen to podcasts about RV travel and they would talk about TT a lot, but this video really helped me to understand exactly how they work.
Love the honesty from both of you on all of this.
Buy Ashley an Instapot & Airfryer. Once you come here I'll show her some tips & tricks for quick & easy meals using them! 😉👍
Dazzling Dee instapot is amazing! My wife got one for Christmas and it’s so good! Love the recipes she cooks in there!
Well done explanation. They should hire you to represent them - you do a good job providing what seems like a very fair review.
That would be awesome, but I don't think that will happen any time soon.
Sounds like combining a Thousand Trails membership with Passport America (for those 7 days out) is a huge money saver.
That’s what we have done and so far it’s working great!
I am looking into doing this combo this fall but getting the zone pass + 2nd zone +$199 connection and it still looks way cheaper then the average daily costs for a park. I know not every rv park is a gem but I have yet to see that with any club (KOA northeast has a few bad parks).
Thank you for the nice review. Crazy to sell your home and become gypsies.
Can you pull in without a reservation and book on the spot?
Have to tried to go from a "Thousand Trails" (after more than 4 days) straight to an "Encore" Resort?
I live in Vegas. I hope you visited Fremont street experience.
nintendolunchbox I’ve been there! The slotzilla zip line is pretty fun!
not a place for kids
FYI - South Dakota residents (and 2 other states, I don’t remember right now) cannot have TT memberships because they don’t have licenses for those states. Since so many full-timers have established SD addresses, residencies and registered their RVs there, I find it really odd they don’t do more to allow SD residents. Think of the money they’re missing out on. And we all know, TT is all about the money!
So needless to say, I will not get a TT membership, being a SD resident!
Sounds like you've had pretty good success with Thousand Trails. I can't wait to see you visit Chri--stmasy Las Vegas. 😳😳 Ya, that's what I meant.
We actually have something fun planned for Christmas! Im🎄👍🏻😁
The Chick's Life That doesn't surprise me one bit. 😜 I can't wait to see what you've come up with. Give me best to Ash, the girls, and Apollo.
What did u do with ur dog when u went to Hoover damn?
Whenever we go on our adventure days that he is not allowed, he stays back at home. Unfortunately, a lot of places like national parks, monuments and museums don't allow animals.
The Chick's Life - RV Travel gotcha! I get terrified at the thought of leaving my dog in the RV especially if we’re out hiking, likely because it would break my heart if someone broke in and stole him!
Is there an initial cost to join or just buy zones
Great video, thanks! Sorry if I missed it in the video, but do you get unlimited days free with the pass or is there a limit? If a limit, then what are the fees per day?
No additional fees! You can stay year round if you limit your duration to 4 days at a single park. Or you can stay up to 14 days at one park and then be out of the system for 7 before staying at a 1000 trails again. Make sense? Hope that did! 😃
The Chick's Life I heard you got like 50 days free then it was like $4 a day after
chris myers I’ve never heard of this. Is it a new rule?
That system ended in 2016 and now it is unlimited 14 in and 7 out all year long. Or 4 + 4 + 4 all year long. Totally free camping. Some parks charge $3 per night if you are 50 amp but not all.
U guys should go to mono village in California
What is it?
Weird question... So if I had this plan with whatever zone I wanted.. And let say my wife wanted to by a whole new package too.. So we pay for two of these... Do you think they would let us.. Only reason I would do this tho would be to stay at one place for 14 days.. One day out then she can use her own package she got and stay 14 days.. And so on.... Just a thought. Lol.. We don't like to move as offen.. Only like every two weeks
TwitchRadio that’s a really interesting loophole. I would assume that it would be ok, since you would be paying for it. Might wanna talk with someone at TT first though just to be on the safe side.
You can do the 14 days at one place and then be out for 7 days and back in for 14 days all year long for free. Two people are on the Membership.
I went to a state park for the off days and it was lovely.. Hookups and $1 laundry. Half price for seniors.
Then you could go back into the same park ( ask mgr if ok) again or move on to a different park for 14 days all year long. I am on my .4th time in same park.
I got the SE Zone as it is Va down to Fl and over into Texas. Plenty for now but additional zones are only $49. Also got the Trails Collection for a total of 32 parks in Florida to choose from.
If you want to spend the 7 days out in s private Campground you could get a Passport America card for 50% off at $44 a year.
Camped 56 nights at TT and at $50 per night, my two TT purchased were covered in 11 nights of free camping. Now the rest of the year is totally free.
As a new member I have camped in only one park so far, but I am thrilled with being able to camp for free I parks that I would not be able to afford any other way. Ps. Love the pool and friendly management.
TwitchRadio I did hear that you can skip the 7 days out and go directly to an Encore park (if you have the Trails Collection) because they have separate recordkeeping and do not track whether you have been out for the 7 days. Then back to a TT park for 14 days.. However, have not verified this info.
TwitchRadio - it appears your questions hasn’t really been answered in these comments. As I understand you want to stay in the same park for 28 days using two different memberships (one for you and one for your wife). Have you gotten a solid answer yet if this will work as you want to do it?
Just saw this...do you have to buy a membership to get your camp pass?
Nope. The camping pass IS there lowest form of membership. Ans it is a year by year contract. Hope this helps!
@@TheChicksLife do you ever find no availability when trying to reserve a spot? I'm seeing some videos saying that 60 days is not enough advanced reservation?
@@jeffosborn7821 Very rarely. The Florida Keys is one we are having troubles with, but other than that 60 days has been more than enough for everywhere we go.
With your camping pass, do you have to pay for any other things like dumping your tanks, electric, anything else?
Can you just drive up and get a spot in thousand trails or do you have to book way ahead?
If they have openings you can drive up, or you can call or go online to make reservations. Many times we have called day of or just a day before to get reservations and have only ever not gotten a spot once or twice.
The Chick's Life - RV Travel sweet! That is good to know. We r going to get a one year plan for the north west now and may upgrade in the future. Thank you for your reply!
@@TheChicksLife I think as this lifestyle catches fire (which it def has already) you will want to upgrade to the more expensive plans that give you longer lead times to make reservations
So can you bounce between 2 different parks in the same area indefinitely? In other words full time?
Theoretically, yes. But they have higher level plans if you want to stay in one place longer and not have to move every four days. Or be out of the system for a week. This plan was just the most affordable and best for us sense we are always traveling.
If you become a lifetime member you can stay 21 days alot of places and don't have to be out for ANY days between park hopping. So for full timers that's nice, and get electric and water and sewer usually.
@@TheChicksLife the more expensive plans give you longer time to make reservations than the base plan, thats important if your trying to get into the better campgrounds in busy time of year
Get a park to park membership with zero nights out.
After you pay for the membership and you park your rv at a spot is their still a monthly rent you have to pay or is it just the membership and the annual fee??????
Just the annual fee. But there are limitations as we discussed. Maximum stay of two weeks and then out of the system for a week. Or stay four nights and the you can directly to another park.
can buy the more expensive packages that are for lifetime camping, that includes all hook ups free too
Hi guys! Brand new to your channel - love this information. We tried a few of the Thousand Trail campgrounds on our west coast route, but for the same reason you mentioned with the zones and locations, decided it wasn’t a fit for us as we are trying to see all 50 states and move a little quickly. I’ll look forward to following along with your journey and would love for you to check out our channel!
What about your dog?
Most campgrounds we have gone to are pet friendly, but you just have to check to be sure before hand.
Put a BIG X out of the over 55 only sites...those do not exist on that map.
Can't watch the video with the red glasses
Who r they hiding from ? Why are they too afraid to take off their glasses in all videos 🤔
They are glancing over to their monitor. Many youtubers wear sunglasses so you don't see them looking away.
Ok so, decent video for sure and I am hoping that "Goose and Maverick" are stage names for the kiddos privacy lol....(horrible names for kids...yup! lol) and your youtube channel name.....yikes! Chicks Life? lol shm....
Hahahaha... Yes, those are their internet names. Our channel is called The Chicks Life because Chick is our last name.