Anyone for "The America The Beautiful Passes"?

[MaraZen]

If your Military, you can get the Free pass to enter into National parks. Called, "The Military Lifetime pass". No charge for the card. Get at any open National Park with Military ID of any kind. Call them to make sure they can issue where you are going. If anyone not military goes, you can also get the other cards, different ones for different situations. Can save money for all sorts of things at parks depending on if parks let you use it there. If that makes any sense. Look up online "The America The Beautiful Passes".

 

[Wemustrv]

We have the Senior Pass which is similar other than no military access. It works great and is well worth the one time price

 

[MaraZen]

We have the Senior Pass which is similar other than no military access. It works great and is well worth the one time price

I was surprised no one talked about that pass with me being a hopefully soon fulltimer. For us newbies, I would like to know about any other helpful hints on gas cards, discounts anywhere, any kind of stuff like that are helpful, etc. Going to camping world today, taking my 'spread sheet" with me. Thank you for your advice on that. I think you guys were the one that told me, lol. Lots of people giving advice, lol. Love all the helpful hints.

 

[Neal]

I have it as well. There's so much to learn and so many options available in this lifestyle, it's hard to mention everything but search of the site can help. Thanks for bringing this up for other's to learn from and please continue to do so. This is how we learn...from each other.

 

[NWIP]

Hint #1 you can look at Camping World but don’t purchase through them

 

[Boat Bum]

I got the senior pass 3 years ago and haven't had the opportunity to use it once, it is not from lack of traveling.

 

[Underboss]

I got the senior pass a few years back and was recently glad to hear that Playalinda Beach accepts it. Otherwise there is a hefty fee to use the beach.

 

[team bradfield]

Senior Pass here, we use it often

 

[MaraZen]

Hint #1 you can look at Camping World but don’t purchase through them

Oh, Please tell me why, are they more expensive or crooked. I am going there today to look.

 

[Boat Bum]

Oh, Please tell me why, are they more expensive or crooked. I am going there today to look.

The internet is rife with horror stories.

 

[Dean Cook]

Mara some places have been known to have bad service. Or make promises that they can not keep. But this goes for all RV sellers. Ours here in Reno NV. has a few problems with getting your unit back to you in a timely manner. I found a RV repair place that has had there employees as long as thirty years. That say's allot about their business. Customers are always coming back. So when you do buy, find a good RV repair. You will find things do break. Batteries do need to be replaced ect. Some places also offer RV school. Take the course. It is well worth it for a beginner. Plus at this time of year everyone is very busy. Do not be in such a rush to buy. Fall is a good time to buy also when sales slow down.

 

[FLSteve]

Senior Pass here, we use it often

Same with me.

 

[Dean Cook]

OK, I got America the Beautiful Pass, Good Sam Card, KOA membership, Pass Port America, An upside app helps to cut down on cost for fuel and food. National Park Apps, Road Trippers is one I really like, Rest Stop locations app, All Stays camp & RV app plus the All Stays C-RV Military app, The Dyrt app, Plus any other RV camping app that is free to use. One app I really like though is Road Trippers. I put in where I want to go and the info on my RV and it plans my route I can even ask for places to stay attractions to go see ect. A very good app.

 

[Headhunter]

Hint #1 you can look at Camping World but don’t purchase through them

Mara Hint #2: Pay attention to what NWIP says..!!!! Search Camping World sales & service on the web. Bad JUJU.

HH

 

[Trav_lr]

I would like to know about any other helpful hints on gas cards, discounts anywhere, any kind of stuff like that are helpful, etc.

If you end up getting a diesel pusher motorhome, or even a diesel truck to tow a 5th wheel or travel trailer, look at Open Roads Open Roads for a diesel discount program where you can fill up at truck stops, not at retail gas stations where it's difficult, if not impossible, to navigate any oversized RV combination. There's no cost to sign up. I've had my card for 6 years and it's save me $1000's (cumulatively) since 2019! There's other diesel discount programs, but I like this one the best simply for ease of use.

FMCA Family Motor Coach Association | FRVA has a supplemental emergency medical/repatriation program included in the membership as well as other discounts. The semi monthly magazine (digital and paper) usually has a couple of good tech articles among other things.

KOA, for $30 annually gets you 10% off daily rates but AAA, Good Sam and FMCA will get the same 10% at many commercial RV parks. Or just identify yourself as a Vet and get the same 10% discount just for asking.

Escapees Escapees RV Club | Your Total Support Network on the Road is mostly a social club.

Any discount or membership has its pros and cons, they're all free to check out to see if any will work for your needs

 

[MaraZen]

Just to let all of you know I did go to the Camping World today in Spring.Texas..... You all are awesome RVers. You all hit it right on the nose. The desk lady very nice. I saw who the two guys were sitting in the area and said to myself I hope they do not help me, lol. I went to the bathroom then off I went to the back where she had told me to go for Class A. This was horrible only 3 and they looked horrible. Not even close to the ones I was looking for so I headed back to the front and the Nice lady at the front desk said so what do you think? I said is that all you have, do you have anything outside, she said let me get someone to help you, she turns around and says so and so can you help her. Please not him I thought, he can't be it. He barely makes it out of his seat and comes over huffing and puffing, I said to her are you sure he can handle being outside in this heat? She said to the guy, are you going to be able to be in the heat with her? He said a tiny bit. I looked at him and said are you sure? I can go by myself, he said, you are not going to make it in the heat in the RVs, I looked him straight in the face and said I lived in the heat, 140 degrees in Iraq for a year I think I can handle it and then some, he said what are you looking for, I told him.... He said there is nothing out there. Mind you I just drove around the parking lot where I saw several Before I came in. I said is there another RV store nearby, he said one of our stores are in Katy. I said Well that is too far for me right now, are there any other nearby from other RV stores, he said no. I left and found one online that was across the street from them????? what the.... But I was already on the way home, lol. Why would they hire someone that cannot make it out of his chair let alone go outside where a lot of the RVs are at. I felt like I was in a comedy show. No one came to me anywhere in the store when I went to the back... coming back to the front I saw 3 people walk by me didn't acknowledge me at all. Wow. Not going to sell anything that way. I called Katy store to see what's up buy I do not want to go there. I do not like there customer service except the front door lady, lol. Whew what a long drive for nothing, lol.

 

[MaraZen]

OK, I got America the Beautiful Pass, Good Sam Card, KOA membership, Pass Port America, An upside app helps to cut down on cost for fuel and food. National Park Apps, Road Trippers is one I really like, Rest Stop locations app, All Stays camp & RV app plus the All Stays C-RV Military app, The Dyrt app, Plus any other RV camping app that is free to use. One app I really like though is Road Trippers. I put in where I want to go and the info on my RV and it plans my route I can even ask for places to stay attractions to go see ect. A very good app.

I will definitely write all those down, lol. I need all the info I can get, very helpful. Thank you.

 

[MaraZen]

You made me laugh with the "OK"....and then all your tips. I can see it right now in my mind you said it in one breath. lol. thank you. I am almost tempted to get a tiny home built to suit my needs to pull along. I have done more research on those than RVs so far. I have even gone to some of the builders to see how they do it and gave them my ideas of what I want.... Pretty neat.

 

[MaraZen]

If you end up getting a diesel pusher motorhome, or even a diesel truck to tow a 5th wheel or travel trailer, look at Open Roads Open Roads for a diesel discount program where you can fill up at truck stops, not at retail gas stations where it's difficult, if not impossible, to navigate any oversized RV combination. There's no cost to sign up. I've had my card for 6 years and it's save me $1000's (cumulatively) since 2019! There's other diesel discount programs, but I like this one the best simply for ease of use.

FMCA Family Motor Coach Association | FRVA has a supplemental emergency medical/repatriation program included in the membership as well as other discounts. The semi monthly magazine (digital and paper) usually has a couple of good tech articles among other things.

KOA, for $30 annually gets you 10% off daily rates but AAA, Good Sam and FMCA will get the same 10% at many commercial RV parks. Or just identify yourself as a Vet and get the same 10% discount just for asking.

Escapees Escapees RV Club | Your Total Support Network on the Road is mostly a social club.

Any discount or membership has its pros and cons, they're all free to check out to see if any will work for your needs

Lots of good advice on what to get from all of you, so thankful

 

[MaraZen]

Mara Hint #2: Pay attention to what NWIP says..!!!! Search Camping World sales & service on the web. Bad JUJU.

HH

Sorry you guys, I did not buy from them of course because of what you said. I had to go down that way to pay on a bill so I dropped by, curious to go look at RVs....Wow bad juju is right, lol. Do I go through the builders for the RVs? or are there stores for each Make, like Thor, Winnebago, Fleetwood, Etc. I feel like I am hounding you all for info. Sorry. Whole new world for me. lol.