Archive for February, 2008

The Happy Camper Club's directory lists more than 700 RV parks where RVers can enjoy 50% off at RV Parks Reviewed by none other than "Mr. RV" himself, Chuck Woodbury, this one seems to be the real deal. After reviewing many so-called discount camping clubs, when he came across the Happy Camper Half-Price Club he declared it a winner. The club is a family-owned and operated business that owns two private campgrounds. Just like savvy hotels, they realized that most of their fellow campgrounds owners would rather fill their extra campsites (rooms) at discounted rates than have them go vacant.

RVers joining the club can choose from nearly 1,000 private campgrounds including dozens in Canada. In most cases, a full-hookup space is less than $10, and sometimes even as little as $6! A one-year membership is $49.95 plus $5.95 for postage and handling of the comprehensive directory they send you. Members receive a membership card, plus an informative 270-page directory Campground Locations List that shows each participating half-price campground, its amenities, driving directions and even its rules about pets. Most of these quality campgrounds are operated by their owners, are in popular locations, many even lakeside or within sight of the ocean.

Memberships come with an unconditional 30-day money-back guarantee and unlike other membership campgrounds like Coast to Coast and Thousand Trails, no contracts are required. And believe it or not with this club there are no hidden fees! The annual $49.95 membership is the total dollar commitment except for the (discounted) nightly camping fees.

The club is doing well these days partly owing to high fuel and RV park prices. People on a fixed retirement income will appreciate any legitimate discounts they can get, not just those where you might run into Clark Griswold and his family (remember the 1983 movie, National Lampoon's Vacation?) Clark pays a fortune to a guy spitting watermelon seeds (Brian Doyle Murray) host at Kamp Komfort.

Members of the club can camp at participating parks as often as they want and can enjoy half-price camping that very day! Campgrounds are located all across America and Canada.

Baby boomers launch RV Boom

Whether you realize it or not us baby boomers are right smack in the middle of an RV boom! Travel trailers like the McKenzie Lakota (Native American word meaning dialect of the Sioux tribe) pictured here are selling like crazy to those of us baby boomers who want to venture out and discover the world - one mile at a time. And thanks to RV manufacturers like the folks at McKenzie you can have all the comforts of home - on the road!

RV growing popularity with baby boomers no surprise 

Why it would surprise anyone, especially baby boomers, that RV travel is growing in popularity, is beyond me. After all it's the number one thing a boomer wants to do when they retire. You can read the article by Sharon OBrien in the Senior Living Section of About.com that inspired this commentary. It was written in July 2007 so it is relevant news that reinforces my views about a trend that I believe will not be too much affected by the current economic climate and/or the price of gas. I can only speak for myself as a soon-to-be-retired baby boomer that I have been looking forward to the purchase of my RV for a long time. I am less than four years away from retirement at age 62 (fingers crossed). After retiring I will not have an extravagant lifestyle, spending my days in a private golf club community, not that there is anything wrong with that, it's just not my style. An RV of some kind is in those plans and it's going to be fun and challenging to find it, negotiate the price, and drive it off the lot.

Full time RVers or bust? 

Whether our RV turns out to be the kind where we sell the house and seriously downsize our knick-knacks, spending the rest of our days on the open road or a just a three-month romp with family and friends when the mood strikes, has yet to be determined. This is the one thing you need to figure out pretty quickly before you jump into any RV purchase. Is this case bigger is not necessarily better!

But even if I was retiring tomorrow I still wouldn't let the price of gas dictate where I go or how I do it. I am a baby boomer for pete's sake, I not only have money for gas to take me where I want to go but I like to eat out occasionally too! I don't intend to spend my money foolishly but I am not going the cheap route either. Am I going to be irrational like my mom and dad and do without so that I can save, save, save, and my kids can fight over it after I'm gone? No way, not this boomer! (more…)