We celebrated starting full time RV living by purchasing all the memberships we had heard about on RV YouTube channels and Facebook groups. Now that we’ve been on the road for a while, we’re excited to share the best RV memberships
With the RV industry booming, the number of memberships for RVers is quickly following suit. Not all memberships are worth joining, but there are a few that add huge value to living the RV lifestyle. The best RV memberships make full time RV living easier and more exciting!
What are the best RV memberships?
The best RV memberships provide value, can be used across the nation, are easy to use, and save you money.
Here are our top 5 memberships for full time RV life:
1. Passport America
Passport America is an annual membership that offers half price stays on more than 1,400 campgrounds and RV parks throughout the US. It’s only $44/year, and it pays for itself quickly. This is an especially great membership if you’re primarily a boondocker and want to stay at RV parks/campgrounds with amenities like washer/dryer, showers, and laundry from time to time.
- Why we like it: 50% off campgrounds and RV parks throughout the country, great for east coast RVing, can usually find last-minute spots, pays for itself quickly
- Why you might not like it: not as many high end RV parks, limit to number of nights you can stay or time of year you can stay with the discounted price
- Use code home3 for a discounted membership
2. Harvest Host
Harvest Host is a fun way to boondock throughout the country. Your membership gives you access to spend a night or more at local vineyards, breweries, farms, golf courses, and attractions. In exchange for your ‘free’ stay, you’re expected to support the local business in some way. We usually buy a round of golf or do a wine tasting at our favorite Harvest Hosts.
- Why we like it: unique way to boondock, support local businesses, great pit stops on longer journeys, use it as a way to treat ourselves on the road
- Why you might not like it: it’s easy to spend more than the cost of a campsite when buying alcohol, must be self-contained, areas throughout the country with fewer HH
Use this link to get 15% off your membership!
2 (b). Boondockers Welcome
Think of this site as the couch surfer for boondocking. Your membership gives you access to hosts throughout the country that will welcome you to stay on their property. Boondockers Welcome is part of Harvest Hosts and can be added on or used as a standalone membership.
- Why we like it: even more options for boondocking, budget friendly ($50/year), great addition to Harvest Hosts
- Why you might not like it: you must be self-contained, usually more like urban camping, generators are usually not allowed
3. Good Sam
You’ll need to know what Good Sam is if you have an RV. Good Sam is a powerhouse when it comes to RV services – they offer club memberships, roadside assistance, mail services, RV insurance, and more. The membership starts at just $29/year and usually pays for itself after just one Camping World shopping trip. You get 10% off at Camping World and Gander, 10% off over 2,000 RV parks/campgrounds, free dumps, and more.
- Why we like it: inexpensive, save 10% off RV parks, discounts on gas and diesel at select stations, higher-end RV parks available
- Why you might not like it: discounts are on already higher-priced RV parks (so it’s still pricey), not as much availability as Passport America, may not use the membership if you boondock
4. Wandering Individuals Network
WIN is a great membership for solo RVers. As a member, you get access to their private Facebook group, caravan trips, and discounted stays at RV parks/campgrounds. Most WIN members travel together in a caravan and have daily get-togethers throughout their stay. We were around the WINs for about three weeks and learned so much about RVs just by talking to other members.
- Why we like it: meet like-minded RVers, over 80 caravan circuits per year, discounted rates at campgrounds, great for solo travelers
- Why you might not like it: for solo travelers only, traveling in a caravan (if you like to be more secluded)
5. Xscapers
Xscapers is a group for working-age RVers. They have several meetups per year and are great opportunities to meet young, like-minded road warriors while building your community on the road.
Xscapers is unique in that it’s a subgroup of escapees, another popular RV group that also offers mail services.
Some of the fun meetup locations include: Mexico, Las Vegas, and Lake Havasu. You can learn a lot from this group and make new friends easily. We’ve met several people through Xscapers, and we end up sharing so many tips together!
- Why we like it: exposes us to new destinations, easy way to meet friends on the road, tons of opportunities for meet ups
- Why you might not like it: not for retired-age RVers, may be too people-y for life on the road
There’s one membership that comes up pretty often but doesn’t fall into our list of the best RV memberships: KOA. KOA and Good Sam are pretty similar with most people choosing one over the other.
Is KOA or Good Sam better?
Based on the overall benefits, Good Sam. They are comparable price points but Good Sam offers discounts on more than 2,000 sites while KOA has just over 500.
The truth is, they are both good memberships. If you already stay at KOA campgrounds, you should get the KOA membership. If you don’t stay at KOAs, then wait and see if you want the membership next time you book a campground. KOA isn’t in our list of the best RV memberships, but it does deserve an honorable mention.
Having the best RV memberships opens your RV route to even more choices and beautiful sites. For more RV and remote income tips, subscribe here!
