Clubs? New Winnebago Owner

PackerPower · 01-09-2016, 07:19 PM

Hi All: We are new Winnebago owners as of today! Just bought a used 2011 Journey 34Y, looks to be in pristine condition. Before we pick it up in a week or so, wondering what advice some of you have for worthwhile clubs to join. We are in our early 50's and are planning to retire in 3 or four years - we will not be fulltiming until much further down the road. Our intent is to travel far and wide whenever possible (mostly Midwest and Western states), so will want to stay many places for short periods of time (read lots of 4 - 7 day trips). Some of the trips will include our three dogs, so any pet perspectives would also be helpful. I have read up on Escapees (Xscapers??), Good Sam, FMCA, KOA, and hoping to get some feedback on your experiences with discounts and perks. I am also planning on becoming a Coach-Net member, and will probably end up with Progressive for insurance.

We are so excited to get rolling and to be a part of the Winnebago family! Any and all comments welcome, thanks

Pusherman · 01-09-2016, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackerPower

Hi All: We are new Winnebago owners as of today! Just bought a used 2011 Journey 34Y, looks to be in pristine condition. Before we pick it up in a week or so, wondering what advice some of you have for worthwhile clubs to join. We are in our early 50's and are planning to retire in 3 or four years - we will not be fulltiming until much further down the road. Our intent is to travel far and wide whenever possible (mostly Midwest and Western states), so will want to stay many places for short periods of time (read lots of 4 - 7 day trips). Some of the trips will include our three dogs, so any pet perspectives would also be helpful. I have read up on Escapees (Xscapers??), Good Sam, FMCA, KOA, and hoping to get some feedback on your experiences with discounts and perks. I am also planning on becoming a Coach-Net member, and will probably end up with Progressive for insurance.

We are so excited to get rolling and to be a part of the Winnebago family! Any and all comments welcome, thanks

Please contact 'Petro' Don Morgan of this forum. He is an officer in the Wisconsin State WIT club. He can give you some good advice on how to proceed and who to contact. I have been an officer of both our local WIT chapter and our NYS WIT club. We have a great time camping together.

Gormleys · 01-09-2016, 08:04 PM

The WIT local clubs are great for local activities and camping trips. KO all has a fun group. Welcome to the family and have a great time using your coach!

ChasA · 01-10-2016, 08:07 AM

If you want to save money, join Passport America. Your cost will be recovered very quickly.

Robmat · 01-10-2016, 11:19 AM

Congratulations on being a new Winnebago owner. As far as the clubs go I find each one offers at least one thing that I can use and often will lead me to new ways to enjoy my motor home more, save me money doing maintenance, save me money through discounts and point me toward some great locations through articles. In terms of costs if you joined them all, as I have, it would be just over $12.00 a month. A small price to pay to save a headache or learn something new.

About the clubs -

WIT - focus is on socializing with other WIT members through State Clubs and local Chapters. The WIT Magazine covers the club and chapter events and WIT trips.

FMCA - probably only true membership driven RV Club. Magazine is much like Motorhome Magazine with articles on new coaches, places to visit, repairs, new products, help line questions plus association news and rally reports. Major benefits are the Magazine, FMCA Assist in case you become incapacitated they will get you home, and slew of discounts from tires, insurance to campgrounds.

Good Sam - Used to have a great magazine which is now four inserts in Motor Home Magazine. Corporate club with chapters and rallies. Major benefits is 10% camping discount, online Trip Planner, Pilot/Flying J Gas discount. Some other offerings is road service, RV insurance and extended warranty which if you read other posts on the forum reviews are all over the place.

Escapees - Recently joined. Major benefits include a good magazine and camping discounts. With 15 and 50% discounts a couple of uses will pay for it.

Passport America - 50% discount club usually end up hitting several PA campgrounds during the year and end up covering the membership cost. If you are thinking about joining PA get it through FMCA as after the first year the person who signs you up gets a percentage of your renewal fee.

KOA Value Kard - KOA's overnight rates generally cost a few dollars more so even with a discount you are not really saving anymore. In my travels I found a consistent level of service at a KOA that I am comfortable with. With that said I don't stay at KOAs exclusively I generally make my campground choice, if there is more than one, on reviews, then cost and many times it is not the KOA so some years I end up covering the value kard cost and other years it is close. One thing nice with KOA is the reservation system and cancellation policy. I broke down once and had to cancel at 5:30PM of the night of the reservation and I was only charged a $10 fee. Anyplace else it would have been the full fee for the night.

Re: Coachnet - Had it for many years and for me the few times I used them great service. I also use them for my personal vehicles and have cancelled the AAA road service I used have.
Re: Insurance - I have Blue Sky RV Insurance and am quite pleased.

Lastly - responses on this forum are plentiful and comprehensive but there is also a Winnebago Yahoo group that is very responsive to questions posted so you might want to consider joining that group also.

Petro · 01-10-2016, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackerPower

Hi All: We are new Winnebago owners as of today! Just bought a used 2011 Journey 34Y, looks to be in pristine condition. Before we pick it up in a week or so, wondering what advice some of you have for worthwhile clubs to join. We are in our early 50's and are planning to retire in 3 or four years - we will not be fulltiming until much further down the road. Our intent is to travel far and wide whenever possible (mostly Midwest and Western states), so will want to stay many places for short periods of time (read lots of 4 - 7 day trips). Some of the trips will include our three dogs, so any pet perspectives would also be helpful. I have read up on Escapees (Xscapers??), Good Sam, FMCA, KOA, and hoping to get some feedback on your experiences with discounts and perks. I am also planning on becoming a Coach-Net member, and will probably end up with Progressive for insurance.

We are so excited to get rolling and to be a part of the Winnebago family! Any and all comments welcome, thanks

John & Kathy

Congratulations on the purchase of your 2011 Journey. I would recommend you start by joining the WI State WIT Club. WI State WIT Club We also have a Southeast Wisconsin Chapter titled SEWIT. You should find names and phone numbers on this link. Welcome to the Winnebago family. We also have a Winnebago Chat every Tuesday night here on iRV2 at 9 PM EST. We would welcome you to join in when ever you wish.

Don

PackerPower · 01-10-2016, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robmat

Congratulations on being a new Winnebago owner. As far as the clubs go I find each one offers at least one thing that I can use and often will lead me to new ways to enjoy my motor home more, save me money doing maintenance, save me money through discounts and point me toward some great locations through articles. In terms of costs if you joined them all, as I have, it would be just over $12.00 a month. A small price to pay to save a headache or learn something new.

About the clubs -

WIT - focus is on socializing with other WIT members through State Clubs and local Chapters. The WIT Magazine covers the club and chapter events and WIT trips.

FMCA - probably only true membership driven RV Club. Magazine is much like Motorhome Magazine with articles on new coaches, places to visit, repairs, new products, help line questions plus association news and rally reports. Major benefits are the Magazine, FMCA Assist in case you become incapacitated they will get you home, and slew of discounts from tires, insurance to campgrounds.

Good Sam - Used to have a great magazine which is now four inserts in Motor Home Magazine. Corporate club with chapters and rallies. Major benefits is 10% camping discount, online Trip Planner, Pilot/Flying J Gas discount. Some other offerings is road service, RV insurance and extended warranty which if you read other posts on the forum reviews are all over the place.

Escapees - Recently joined. Major benefits include a good magazine and camping discounts. With 15 and 50% discounts a couple of uses will pay for it.

Passport America - 50% discount club usually end up hitting several PA campgrounds during the year and end up covering the membership cost. If you are thinking about joining PA get it through FMCA as after the first year the person who signs you up gets a percentage of your renewal fee.

KOA Value Kard - KOA's overnight rates generally cost a few dollars more so even with a discount you are not really saving anymore. In my travels I found a consistent level of service at a KOA that I am comfortable with. With that said I don't stay at KOAs exclusively I generally make my campground choice, if there is more than one, on reviews, then cost and many times it is not the KOA so some years I end up covering the value kard cost and other years it is close. One thing nice with KOA is the reservation system and cancellation policy. I broke down once and had to cancel at 5:30PM of the night of the reservation and I was only charged a $10 fee. Anyplace else it would have been the full fee for the night.

Re: Coachnet - Had it for many years and for me the few times I used them great service. I also use them for my personal vehicles and have cancelled the AAA road service I used have.
Re: Insurance - I have Blue Sky RV Insurance and am quite pleased.

Lastly - responses on this forum are plentiful and comprehensive but there is also a Winnebago Yahoo group that is very responsive to questions posted so you might want to consider joining that group also.

Thanks Robmat, great summary! Plus 1 on replacing AAA with Coach-net

PackerPower · 01-10-2016, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petro

John & Kathy

Congratulations on the purchase of your 2011 Journey. I would recommend you start by joining the WI State WIT Club. WI State WIT Club We also have a Southeast Wisconsin Chapter titled SEWIT. You should find names and phone numbers on this link. Welcome to the Winnebago family. We also have a Winnebago Chat every Tuesday night here on iRV2 at 9 PM EST. We would welcome you to join in when ever you wish.

Don

Thanks for the welcome Don, will do!