Tony & Peggy Barthel - StressLess Campers

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We’re Tony & Peggy Barthel and we’re working to help you be a StressLess Camper.

RV Club Comparison

RV Club Comparison

Peggy Barthel

What’s the best RV organization to join?

I see a lot of questions about what RV membership is best. As with many topics, there is no one correct answer that meets all needs. Whether you want discounts on campgrounds, insurance, roadside or emergency assistance; or you are looking for local or like-minded campers to plan trips with, there are groups to meet every need. 

I spent a lot of time sorting through all this information, then at least as much time deciding how to present it in a digestible manner. I hope I’ve succeeded!

I linked to the membership main page in the descriptions below and in the cost section, unless noted. Links to specific other pages are added to make using this list as easy as possible.

While there are likely other memberships (see Special Interests), the ones listed here are the most well-known. Below are descriptions of each club, in their own words:

The Clubs

  • Family RV Association, formerly Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) aims to educate, equip, and empower RV owners in their journey to creating, experiencing, and benefiting from the outdoor lifestyle they dream of and deserve. Once an association for owners of motorized RVs, now owners of all types of RVs are invited to join. Pathfinder membership for those who don’t yet own an RV.

  • Since 1966 Good Sam, a subsidiary of Camping World since 2016, has delivered big savings, plus dependable services for millions of RVers. Today, Good Sam continues to provide a wide range of money-saving discounts and a range of services to help RVers enjoy their time on the road and focus on the fun!

  • The Escapees RV Club is a vibrant community of RVers, offering educational programs, and social events, where like-minded adventurers can come together. Escapees RV Club is more than a membership - it's a supportive community. Enjoy exclusive discounts, educational resources, and unforgettable events that make RV life better. Whether you're a part-time traveler or a full-time nomad, you'll find a place to belong. Escapees membership is managed by Harvest Hosts.

  • RVLife Journey with confidence and enjoy the wonders of RV travel with RV LIFE Pro. Their suite of tools, including an RV trip planner, RV-specific navigation, and RV maintenance tracker, will help you plan and execute the perfect adventures, making the most of every moment along the way.

  • Overnight RV Parking is part of Roadtrippers. Save money by finding over 16,000 free places to park your RV on your way to your destination. Get access to the largest, most accurate, and most authoritative database of free overnight RV parking locations in the US and Canada,

  • Passport America invented the 50% Discount Camping Club in 1992 and has continued to improve on that great concept. The idea has often been imitated, but Passport America is still the best value in Discount Camping. 

  • Allstate offers many types of insurance coverage and RV Services . 

  • AAA is committed to helping everyone stay safe on the road, whether you're behind the wheel or in the passenger seat. Use our safety tips, programs and resources for all ages to practice road safety. By working together, we can make our roads safer for everyone. 

  • Since 1987, Coach-Net has been providing peace of mind to members and supporting members with benefits that help them enjoy the RV lifestyle to the fullest.

  • Since 1969, Thousand Trails has welcomed generations of families at campgrounds across the country. Thousand Trails is one of the largest networks of RV resorts and campgrounds in North America, with over 80 locations in 22 states and British Columbia. We combine the beauty and relaxing atmosphere of a scenic nature preserve with the resort-style amenities and fun events and activities for the whole family to enjoy. 

  • KOA has been dedicated to creating the ultimate camping experience for more than 50 years, expanding to more than 500 locations in the United States and Canada. Whether it's a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, KOA will make your next camping trip unforgettable.

  • Boondockers Welcome is a Harvest Host membership program. Boondocking with hosts on their properties opens up a world of new camping opportunities. What you might lack in services will more than be made up for in experiences. Every RV is made to be able to boondock for at least a night or two at a time. Disconnect from the campground and connect with nature and our hosts instead.

  • Harvest Hosts is a membership program that provides access to a network of wineries, farms, breweries, museums and other unique attractions that invite self-contained RVers to visit and stay overnight. For a yearly membership fee, Harvest Hosts’ members are invited to stay at hundreds of interesting locations around North America, and experience new opportunities to explore and enjoy the RVing lifestyle. The company’s goal is to provide meaningful experiences for RVers and Hosts alike.

  • Hipcamp is a growing community of good-natured people and the most comprehensive resource for unique outdoor stays. By connecting people with the land and each other, Hipcamp works to support those who care for the land and get more people out under the stars. We do this because we believe humans in nature bring out the best of human nature.

Membership Fees

Campground Discounts

  • FRVA: private campground in Cincinnati

  • Good Sam: 10% discount at 2,400 parks

  • Good Sam Coast to Coast: $10 per night at affiliated resorts 

  • Passport America: 50% off regular prices; nearly 1900 campgrounds

  • Escapees: 15-50% on 1150+ parks; co-op

  • AAA: participating campgrounds offer AAA discounts

  • Overnight RV Parking: a list of free overnight sites (parking lots, etc) reported by users

  • Thousand Trails: free camping in member campgrounds, depending on zone

  • KOA: 500+ campgrounds; 10% discount

  • Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome: free overnight stays at public and private properties

Insurance Discounts

  • FRVA offers insurance discounts for RV, International Travel, Pet, and in some states also offers homeowners policies. Annual policy review is available.

  • Good Sam has an RV Insurance Agency. Also, Good Sam’s ehealthinsurance.com ties to AGIA Affinity to help you find the right medical insurance.

  • AAA offers auto, RV, business, life and other insurance policies.

  • RV Life is the parent company of rverinsurance.com which ties to rvinsurancebenefits.com to help you find the right medical insurance.

  • Happy Camper Club ties to Overland RV Insurance

Roadside Assistance

FMCA provides a comparison of coverage here. The chart was prepared in June 2019; I’ve updated information here if I found discrepancies.  

  • FMCA Roadside Rescue: $129 towable; $159 MH

  • Good Sam: $65 - $220

  • Allstate: $73/89

  • AAA Premier RV: Included in Membership; essentially this is what the membership is.

  • Coach-Net: Included in Membership; essentially this is what the membership is.

Our podcast about roadside assistance

Emergency Medical Evacuation

This type of coverage differs from medical insurance or roadside assistance in that it covers emergency medical evacuation and repatriation. FMCA provides a comparison of coverage here: https://www.fmca.com/fmca-assist 

Other Discounts

  • FMCA: tires, cellular wifi, fire suppression, diesel, Costco, UPS, office supplies; car rental; batteries; windshield replacement; mobile app

  • Good Sam: diesel and gas; Camping World and Gander, propane; extended service plan

  • AAA: auto, restaurant, shopping, prescription, pet insurance, rental car, prescription glasses, Dell

  • Escapees: Wholesale Warranties; batteries; tires; ebikes; mobile internet; Costco; Dish; RV Trader; WiFi; pet insurance

  • KOA: Goodyear, Allstate, Geico RV insurance, RV Loan Center, Dish TV

Travel Services

  • FMCA: mail forwarding; mobile internet; mobile app

  • Good Sam: trip planner; free dump at CW and Gander; mail service

  • Escapees: mail forwarding; trip planner

  • RV Life Pro: a bundle of three apps: RV-Safe GPS, RV Trip Wizard Planner, and Maintain My RV

  • Coach-Net: service agreement, tire & wheel protection

Rallies, Conventions, Socials

  • FMCA: Conventions, area rallies, chapter rallies; Fantasy Tours

  • Good Sam: Events, Rallies, RV Tours, RV Shows

  • Escapees: Escapade; HOPS, Hangouts, Xscapers Convergence

Other Great Stuff

  • FMCA: university, magazine, forums, chapters galore, advocacy

  • Good Sam: dining, shopping, entertainment; GS RV show discounts; consumer advocacy; 1200 chapters; forums

  • Escapees: chapters; online university, webinars, boot camp, smartweigh, magazine, forum, domicile assistance; Xscapers for working-aged RVers

  • Passport America: referral bonus; app; RVAmerica online mag; directory hard copy (pay shipping) +online; weekly newsletter; trip routing; monthly raffle ($50 gas card)

  • Coach-Net: gap coverage, surface protection, electronics and appliances

Special Interest Groups

Within those listed above, or in social media, or as individual groups there are many many ways to connect with people who share your interests. The list below is a sampling of groups and sub-groups. Check Facebook, Instagram, and the membership groups above to find your groups you want to join!

  • RV Brand

  • Newbies

  • RV Decor

  • Full-Time Families

  • Solos

  • Seniors

  • Women

  • Religion

  • Disabled

  • African-American

  • Rainbow


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