Special clubs keep RV enthusiasts rolling along
There are literally hundreds of RV clubs and organizations. Whatever your special interest, lifestyle or type of RV, there is a group or two out there waiting for you.
In fact, many RVers, including Dennis Nay of Spokane, have joined several RV groups.
“I am a member of Good Sam, Family Motorhome Coach Association, Bounders United and Fleetwood RV clubs,” said Nay in an e-mail.
“I highly recommend Good Sam and Family Motorhome Coach Association,” he said, they “offer the most programs to their members. The other two clubs go with the type of motor home that my wife, Kitty, and I own.”
Good Sam Club
The Good Sam Club is the grandpapa of all RV clubs and the world’s largest with about 1.5 million members.
The club offers state and national rallies, a monthly publication and discounts on a variety of products including camping fees at a number of RV parks.
The basic membership is less than $20 a year. Contact the Good Sam Club at (800) 234-3450 or go to www.goodsamclub.com.
Good Sam customer service representative Kevin Cahn said he receives a lot of calls asking about the RV Emergency Road Service from Affinity Road and Travel Club. He said the first year rate for new members runs $79.95.
• An Inland Northwest contact for the Good Sam Club is the “Get Along Sams” chapter. “We are actively nestled in the Spokane area,” said Betty Higley, publicity and past president. Interested persons can e-mail her at tbhigley@comcast.net.
Family Motor Coach Association
Another national organization, with several hundred thousand members, is the Family Motor Coach Association. Membership is limited to owners of motor homes.
In addition to a string of benefits, FMCA holds numerous rallies, including the 72nd International Convention, “Cascade Mountain Magic,” set for the week of Aug. 16, in Redmond, Ore.
The basic family membership is $45 for the first year and $35 thereafter. Call (800) 543-3622 or go to www.fmca.com.
Escapees Club
Known as the premier club for fulltime RVers, the Escapees Club has more than 34,000 member families.
The group, headquartered in Livingston, Tex., offers many valuable resources for a mobile population including a free lifetime e-mail account.
Other services are low-cost mail-forwarding, telephone calling card, voice-messaging, a system of member parks and discounts on affiliated services.
The basic cost for new members is $70, renewal is $60. Call (888) 757-2582 or go to www.escapees.com.
Loners on Wheels
The most popular group for single RVers, Loners on Wheels weights in with about 3,000 members — 25 percent of whom live in their rigs full time.
Loners on Wheels states that it is “not a matchmaking or dating service.” It is a club “of single men and women who enjoy traveling, camping, RV caravanning and the camaraderie and lifestyle of singles.”
The basic membership is $50 a year. Write to LoW, P.O. Box 1060-WB, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702 or go to www.lonersonwheels.com.
• The Pacific Northwest chapter, Nor’West LoWs, is having a campout Aug. 6, 7 and 8 at the King County Fairgrounds in Enumclaw, Wash. For more information go to www.geocities.com/nor_westlows/ or e-mail nor_westlows@yahoo.com.
National African American RVers Association
A little more than 10 years old, the National African American RVers Association was formed to promote camping in recreational vehicles as a way of life and as another means for African American families to have fun.
This year’s annual rally is the first week of August in Houston, Tex. Membership is $25. Contact the national headquarters at 1426 W. 29th St., Suite 201, Indianapolis, IN 46208 or visit www.naara.com.
• For information about chapters in the Washington state, contact the Rain City Travelers in Seattle at jerrytrv@aol.com.
RVing Women
RVing Women, an association of 3,000 female RVers of all ages, offers services, friendship, a magazine and rallies for its members.
Its Web site states that the group is “dedicated to sharing knowledge and support with other women. The only requirement for joining is that you are a woman and that you are interested in RVing…you do not have to own an RV to join.”
Annual dues are $45 and are pro-rated. Call toll-free (888) 55-RVING (888.557-8464) or visit www.RVingWomen.com
• The Washington and British Columbia chapter has around 200 members with events scheduled between March and October. Write to Cascadia Chapter, 4725 S. 284th Place, Auburn, WA 98001.
Manufacturer sponsored clubs
Most RV manufacturers sponsor clubs. Whatever the group, they all hold rallies and campouts. Here are a couple of groups from the Inland Northwest area:
• Don VanLeuven wrote in about the Inland Empire Explorers Chapter of Winnebago/Itasca Travelers (WIT). To be a member you must own a Winnebago Industries manufactured motor home.
The group meets monthly from April through November at various campgrounds and fairgrounds including Cashmere, Wash.; Pasco, Hope, Idaho; Hope, B.C.; Lynden, Wash.; Leavenworth, Wash.; and Spokane.
“Most, but not all, of our members are retired from many different occupations,” said VanLeuven. Anyone interested can contact him at 448-5262.
• The River City Ramblers are folks who have Coachman RVs. This group has a great lineup of monthly summer RV trips planned. For more information call Al or Bev Adams in Spokane at 466-6181 or Clem LaShaw in Rockford at (509) 291-5985. Or e-mail Dick Richardson at rrichwilma@aol.com.
Wheel question
If you belong to RV clubs that you really enjoy, write in and we’ll post information on the on-line Wheel Life blog. Please include your full name and local telephone number.