THESE NEW RULES could change EVERYTHING for Thousand Trails | RV LIFE

These new rules could change everything for Thousand Trails Members! These changes are either great or horrible depending on how you live RV life.
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Bob & Karri
5753 Highway 85 North
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[@liferedesigned]

What are YOUR thoughts about these changes? While your here, let us know what your favorite Thousand Trails park is! Shopping on Amazon? Use our link first www.amazon.com/shop/liferedesigned (doesn't cost you anything) It helps support our channel

[@Life.After.Retirement]

We love the First Come First Served Options, and have moved after being in a site we did not like. I think that change will alter our experience and not for the good. We also have moved a reserveraton. Just last week, we did not like the campground we had and could not get level in the two site we tried, the office closed and we had to move on so we call TT and they accommodated us with a different campground near by. I think that is also a great policy that I appriciate. The $32 a day rule has been in effect for a while, I don't think they have the man power to check everyone in order to enforce it, I think it''s probably a reasonable policy.

[@PauloFilho-e9g]

How this 32 dollar overnight fee works ? What happens if someone park, work during the day and come back to sleep at night ?

[@yvettewinters3689]

Hi Bob and Karri , we just seen you at st Clair TT in michigan. You were walking by and we asked if you were bob and karri from KZbin 😊. Omgsh yes the misquotes were brutal when we were there ! We also go to Indian trails often bc it’s so close to home. We have noticed that the campers are leaving their campers for several days. I hope they put a stop to that.

[@liferedesigned]

Hello 👋 hopefully we did not come across as we didn’t like it there 🤣🤣 we had a blast! Now in Texas 97 degrees 🔥🔥 BUT no bugs so far!

[@sandranorris6542]

Benefits of fcfs…. If you have issues with neighbor or site you can move to another if they are not full. You can also extend your stay. These will be less likely options if they go to a site assigned system.

[@roy.mclean]

I'm giving you a thumbs up just for getting TT to answer their phone. We've literally spent hours on hold with them.

[@liferedesigned]

Not sure which number you are calling but that has NEVER been our experience. At most we called, left a call back number on the automated service and received a call back no later than 20 minutes. We make changes all the time and call often and never had a problem. Sometimes it can be difficult getting hold of an individual park directly though

[@73freebyrd]

That is one of the reasons I like TT is I want to choose my own site. Freedom. I want to be close to a shower house and away from playgrounds. So no, I don't like it. And just so you understand, just because someone is parked in a FHU space without the hose doesn't mean we aren't using the sewer. I have a cassette toilet in my rig, so I don't use a hose. I think the freedom to choose your spot is good business. You may change your mind when they put you next to smokey Steve, and you no longer have the CHOICE to move. And if the assigned spot goes into affect, you will no longer be able to have the FREEDOM to change your reservation at the last minute because someone may have been assigned in your next assigned spot... so you may just be stuck with all the mosquitos. I had to have my rig serviced (I am full time) and had to extend my stay. I would not have been able to do that if that assigned space rule was in place. Something for you to think about... and for those who work remotely and need open sky, and are assigned a spot that is all trees... it won't work. I think they will find out that it will be way too much to keep up with. I hope so. The same reason I will never live in an HOA community with that niece you talk about that makes everyone miserable is the same reason I chose this lifestyle. FREEDOM. FREEDOM TO CHOOSE.

[@liferedesigned]

Points well taken. To that We will say that we have hardly stayed in a TT over the past year. Everywhere we have stayed had assigned spots and have NEVER had a problem. In fact just the opposite. Safe Travels.

[@lindaballard6387]

I like picking my own site, trees, no trees, neighbors, no neighbors my choice. If I don't like my neighbors I move, that's part of the lifestyle. I'm fine with reserved spots only if I get to choose it, not if it's assigned. Repeat visitors may know which sites they like so let them reserve it. Not being on site for 24 hours can be justified and necessary sometimes: working campers, or touring an area an hour away you may use a hotel for a night, shouldn't have to pack up and move. If everyone is just considerate of others it'll all be good. If not... then I move. That freedom to move is the best part of the lifestyle for me. New places, people and experiences.

[@garykrissteiner1004]

I figured out you had a KZbin channel when I saw you filming and then saw your front license plate. (We were next to you at Timothy Lakes South.) We like the first-come-first-serve because when we are assigned sites, we are always put where we can't use our Starlink. When we choose our site, we can find the best site that suits what we need. Enjoy Missouri, its my home state. 🙂

[@liferedesigned]

Missouri has been great! Safe Travels, Bob & Karri

[@rvnut1133]

Your reasons and a million others are why I do not do RV Parks unless it is absolutely necessary, boondocking all the way.

[@liferedesigned]

Love to do that but my extension cord won’t reach to shore power 🤣🤣

[@rvnut1133]

😂

[@eastofindy]

We just watched the video. We apparently missed you here at Indian Lakes. We agree that the enforcement of parking an rv and leaving for days needs to be done. We are full time for a year now and this is our third stay here. The first stay, they actually escorted us to a nice site in section 4b. The past couple of times it has been “good hunting but, there’s nothing available except section 2 (2000,s)”. We have even seen a group “circle the wagons” to form their own party compound. They then left for the week and returned for the weekend. This time, when we arrived, there was even a solitary car parked in one of the longer pull through sites. We like it here too but, find the first come and rv parking/abandonment issues to be detrimental to the experience.

[@liferedesigned]

Well said!

[@rickb1387]

I think it’s good. The changes.

[@liferedesigned]

We agree!

[@itsjustthatez4275]

If your beside someone you don't wish to be, can you just up and move if there is an available site at the same campground? I understand if it's full, but does a thousand Trails allow that? Great videos.

[@liferedesigned]

Would depend on what is available. We have done that before without a problem. Great question!

[@striderz69]

We were at St Clair around the end of August. I tried to walk down to the river and check it out and almost had to run back to the camper to hide from the mosquitos. Our site had hookups, but was very strangely shaped and in a pretty moist spot. We had to hang out inside the camper. The road to our section, the back campgrounds, flooded while we were there too, and they had people leaving through the maintenance area mud bog. Luckily they got the road open the next morning, but we would have stayed weeks rather than take our class A anywhere near any mud. We also shortened our plans and we won't be going back there. Luckily we have family an hour north and their property up on the lake is divine! We love Thousand Trails, but this park underwhelmed for sure. As far as cigars...that's strange, we rarely have that issue.

[@NymsView]

How do you find out more about Thousand Trails-we got a free year, when we bought our rv-no one explained how to use it. So we haven’t even tried it.

[@liferedesigned]

Oh wow! It’s definitely a lot to take in. Call or email Britney Hoft. She is a membership specialist in Texas (Lake Texoma). She is extremely helpful and answered questions we had. Her email is [e-mail] Phone # [phone]

[@NymsView]

@@liferedesigned thank you!!

[@Elizabeth-vs8xw]

Hi Bob and Kerri just finished watching your video... It's Liz and Greg from TT St. Clair, (it's ok I forget my husband's name too) I agree with you both about the Michigan State bird (the mosquito) we had to pack up and go home. Sorry we missed the opportunity to chat with you again, we would love one of your stickers. By the way.... I think we are parked near your cigar smoking neighbors cousin... a big fatty that smells like skunk is always stinking up the surrounding sites, so we keep our windows closed too. Safe travels, and hope to see you both if you make it back this way.

[@liferedesigned]

HELLO! email us your address and we will ship that out asap! [e-mail]

[@NomadicLiving]

Not happy about the assigned sites. I like being able to choose which site I stay in.

[@lindabarcia9764]

Hi Bob and Keri…we got a thousand trails camping pass for the northeast region and we are currently on our first trip using it at Moody Beach in Maine. just did the info session yesterday and are considering an Elite Basic since it increases the booking window to 120 days (we are not FT yet). I asked about changes I was hearing rumors about and they sort of said the same thing about having assigned spots but also said they need to find a way to police it as we were in the 50 amp area for large rigs and they sometimes get people in teardrops who want to be in this section who feel they paid for their membership as well so they should be able to go wherever they want. I would definitely LOVE the assigned spot thing as it is frustrating to have to be 1st in line and drive all night to accomplish that. BTW Moody Beach in Maine is fabulous but we have been trying since May to get in here. I don’t think you will ever fix the stinky cigar issue. Some people just live in a bubble and forget they have neighbors who may not like their habits!

[@liferedesigned]

perfect time of year for Maine - enjoy!

[@barackmycat9448]

I think you have to take the good with the bad when RV`ing. I`m happy by myself in NH. It is quiet and peaceful. I was going to build a van but everything got so expensive I changed my mind.

[@cinerose88]

I love FCFS. I hope TT doesn't change it. It works fine for me and my 13' scamp. I dont need a sewer hookup and I can camp almost everywhere. Maybe people with oversized rigs should have thought about that before they bought their rigs and their TT membership.

[@liferedesigned]

Well, since you can camp almost everywhere- assigned spots shouldn’t matter to you at all then. Assigned spots are coming this year company wide - enjoy your stay

[@josephharrell5724]

I personally like the idea of site reservations at Thousand Trails. I think it will make check in less chaotic without many RVs running around searching for the best site. Stogies are the worst. You can smell them 100 yards away. What a stench. I didn't know that TT would charge you for not occupying a site. Don't think I would do that but good to know. Also canceling a reservation if you leave early as a requirement is also a good idea. Not fair to take up a site that you do not intend to use just because didn't have to pay a nightly fee.

[@joepirakjr5962]

Just curious, is it just the type of cigar he’s smoking and the smell of it or you just don’t like cigars

[@liferedesigned]

We had done a poll years back of over a thousand RVer’s and what their biggest complaint was and it was people with cigars - it was just something that stuck

[@_LYD]

That would be awesome if they started signing sites instead of the first come first serve. We were thousand trails members for 5 years and the first come first serve is why we canceled our membership.

[@liferedesigned]

We are excited about this change also!

[@MikeWitzenburg-fb9tn]

Meant to say I like it better when you can reserve… didn’t proofread before I clicked

[@mikelauro9391]

Didn't like negative comment of cigar smoker. unnecessary

[@liferedesigned]

Sorry you took offense. Just our opinion

[@stephenhall5421]

I've never been impressed with Thousand Trails (we full timed with three kids and a dog for over 7 yrs (2011-2019) and are getting back on the road as a couple (+ 2 dogs). Definitely, won't stay at a Thousand Trails with these new rules and such...

[@liferedesigned]

Congratulations on getting back on the road! To each their own with camping preferences, but I (Karri) welcome the changes! Safe travels!😀

[@alan_whoneedstiedye]

Sounds like good fair charges. I'm an occasional cigar smoker but I'd not do it anywhwre near others. Take a walk, find a nice view away from others and enjoy the smoke.

[@liferedesigned]

Well done! Most of the time we are “live and let live” about it BUT sometimes OMG There are some stinky ones 🤣🤣

[@InspiredByBrad]

Thanks for sharing these insights! We’re Canadians excited to tour the USA and are curious about this system in real life.

[@liferedesigned]

It is great as long as you have realistic expectations 😀 safe travels and enjoy the US

[@victoriamoberg1220]

Love it! No more closer in slides taking up spots we would like to use. Also Someone smoked near me last week at TT Orlando and I had a hard time breathing for 2 days! Just hate that!!!

[@liferedesigned]

We were in TTO and there were a couple guys chain smoking cigars- stunk up the whole loop 🤣🤣

[@johnlynch5221]

maybe they were from Michigan and that's how you deal with mosquitos.

[@liferedesigned]

Quite possibly 🤣🤣

[@evergreenecho79]

I can't believe there aren't more complaints in St. Clair about the mosquitos and mud, yuck. We toughed-it out and only went outside when we were going somewhere. My son and I went to the pool a few times and there weren't any mosquito issues there. I am excited about the new site assignment with TT! We're at our third TT stay and one of the things that can be difficult, is not knowing if you will have 50 amp, let alone W/S when you show up.

[@liferedesigned]

Well here is the thing - Mosquitoes in the north are extremely common as are black flies, not much that TT can do about nature. Same can be said about the mud. It’s on par with most state parks, except it has a pool! St. Clair is perfectly fine for what it is. Just have to time it right in Michigan. The site assignment will be a HUGE win for people requiring 50amp service!

[@jenand99]

Thanks for the info on T.T., once we are ready to full-time RV, we definitely will, buy T.T membership, otherwise we can't afford to full-time at normal RV Park rates, no way! Any plans for Quartzsite? Jen & Kurt, MN

[@liferedesigned]

We have talked about it but not really our scene.

[@Nivasi]

Not a member of thousand trails, I'm more of a Hipcamp gal

[@liferedesigned]

Best part about this lifestyle- you can do it your way!

[@EddieWoodruff-m4z]

Setting reservations with designated sites is a great idea. I haven’t seen any news about this. Do you know when implementation is planned?

[@liferedesigned]

We are being told mid-2024 is the projected date if not sooner.

[@RickandDarcirvadventures]

If I want to go on a cruise and be gone for a week does thousand trails have a place for me to park my motorhome in a storage area?

[@liferedesigned]

There are some that do offer a storage area. usual costs is around $32 per day. I highly recommend calling first to confirm etc

[@deanschanzenbach7506]

I love the honesty

[@liferedesigned]

Thank You ❤️

[@paulczapar9544]

I just bought my coach from there.

[@bobhagman6474]

I my self like the assigned spaces and i like the idea of charging extra for those who leave their rv in a sight and not come back for three four days or longer

[@liferedesigned]

Same here!

[@jnorris6210]

I love that you move around.. I get so see everything!

[@liferedesigned]

Thank You 🤣🤣🤣

[@adammeredith18]

Here's my take on leaving my camper/home and being gone throughout the day. I'm a Mobil RV Tech. I'm typically gone throughout the day working on other people's rigs and don't get back until late'ish. I'm sure other people are off doing whatever. But I hear ya about the cigar smoking. Maybe try buying them some Cohiba's and don't forget some quality Bourbon to wash it down 😃👍

[@liferedesigned]

Being gone for the day is not the issue…it’s being gone for multiple days…. It’s also disgusting in my (Karri) opinion to have things like cigars, etc. stink up nature…🤷‍♀️

[@adammeredith18]

@liferedesigned I hear ya about any type of smoked out substance. It always has me doing this gaging thing 🤣 I don't try and be rude about it, but it's an uncontrollable reflex. Not sure how I used tolerate it, back in the day as a bartender.

[@RandomStuff-zt6qf]

tell me more about the first come first serve stuff... just bought the basic camping pass but having a hard time getting online reservations

[@liferedesigned]

Meaning sites are not assigned, they give you a general area and you pick one and generally call or text the office with the site number you chose. As far as the not being able to get online reservation, I’d call Thousand Trails directly.

[@RandomStuff-zt6qf]

@@liferedesigned thanks!

[@kitrodrigues5052]

That was the whole reason, I never joined.

[@liferedesigned]

The whole experience is what you make of it. Full hook up sites all over the country for $3-$5 a night - Sign me up again! 🤣

[@MikeWitzenburg-fb9tn]

I don’t like it better when you have to reserve the spot in advance. Also it’s nice when some of the websites list the length of the spot, level etc. We drive a 41 ft motorhome. Look forward to hear your thoughts on Branson. We used to camp there a lot when I was young, there is so much to do, people don’t realize how huge the place is.

[@liferedesigned]

Branson was absolutely beautiful! Totally not what we expected. We did spend most of our time in the downtown section (Branson Landing) etc as it was more our speed. Turkey Creek RV park which is an Escapees park, was amazing!

[@MikeWitzenburg-fb9tn]

We’ll have to check turkey creek rv park out. Yeah downtown Branson is more our speed 2. Look forward to seeing a video on it 👍

[@EdwardBeltz]

keep up the good work and show the love you 2 have keep going forward!

[@liferedesigned]

Thank you!

[@jmichael6323]

I love a good crap and seaweed filled cigar. lol

[@liferedesigned]

STEVE!! Is that you? 🤣🤣

[@mikewadams1]

I always when given the opportunity to tell someone smoking a cigar. “ Hey you’re supposed to flush that!”

[@paulczapar9544]

You’re probably super fun at a party

[@mikewadams1]

@@paulczapar9544 Oh I am a hoot! 😆

[@desertdaveadv404]

we dont hook up our sewer until we are leaving .just saying

[@liferedesigned]

Which is fine, BUT you are with your rig during your stay. These people were not for at least 48 hours

[@bmcgorrin]

If you don’t use the sewer until you leave why do you need a full hook up site? Why not just use the dump station?

[@douggardner1274]

Thank you for the heads up. We are in the process of deciding what to join. Harvest host, Sams, Million trails etc. Not sure what they were smoking, But I think it is one big family from, oh never mind lol.🙃

[@liferedesigned]

Lmao - we firmly believe all “Steve’s” are related

[@douggardner1274]

Like Larry, and his brother Larry? @@liferedesigned

[@liferedesigned]

@@douggardner1274 finally someone gets it! 🤣

[@douggardner1274]

I hope that is a good thing?😇@@liferedesigned

[@fredfleming8905]

Thousand Trails is to expensive….unless you have deep pockets.

[@liferedesigned]

We must have deep pockets then 🤷‍♂️ we have the top package - pay $4 per night on average

[@fredfleming8905]

@@liferedesigned I don’t remember the exact amounts but the one time payment of $11K on the basic then the premium package had a one time payment of $17K then the Camping Pass was $600+ a year after that. The Camping Pass was not the problem. The premium packages with the one time payment for retired couples on Social Security and a pension was a real problem.

[@liferedesigned]

the premium package cost us $13k initial and then $1200 annually for dues. Best deal we have found for full timers so far. That all aside, financially this lifestyle isn't cheap, so may not be for everyone

[@fredfleming8905]

@@liferedesigned We understand cheap. We never intended to be full timers although it has tempted us a time or two to sell everything. With our home value 4 times what we paid for it we decided to keep it in case RV life was too much for us at our age. Since I had open heart surgery I realized the need to hold on to the cash money to have some in case one of us passed on unexpectedly. We did realize quickly after we bought the trailer it cost money to participate in this lifestyle so being frugal came on fast. Thanks for your KZbin videos. We have watched dozens of videos to help us with being RV Newbie’s. 🙏

[@danrambow7721]

I am very concerned about the change in reservations. Many of the parks we travel to, are crowded, and our concern is getting a site that has the hookups we need, but also clear skies for our satellite dish. Many sites will work, but some just will not. At least with the first come, first served we can pick the site that is best for us. And 50amp is always good too.

[@liferedesigned]

Just because we are always curious with this type of response, wouldn't it be better to know ahead of time what site was assigned and have the ability to move it rather than have to hope you can find a spot that is suitable and wonder if you are going to get 50amp etc. Every other RV park / Resort we have been to does assigned sites and we have never had a problem.

[@johnpeddicord4932]

❤❤

[@ronedee]

My friends an I, used to call cigar smoking, "chewing goatshit"....until they started smoking it! LOL! I remind them all the time!

[@liferedesigned]

I used to smoke cigars and thought the same way I do now that I don’t smoke. Never was inconsiderate of others - lol

[@JimmyN48]

Sounds like the whole 1000 Trails experience has not changed much in the past 30 years.

[@liferedesigned]

Neither have most state or national parks. Experience is what you make of it. Full hookup sites all over the country for $3 - $5 a night? Sign me up again! 🤣🤣

[@rFifthWheeling]

Long over due

[@liferedesigned]

We feel the same way!

[@rFifthWheeling]

As long as all the parks follow the same rules and enforce them

[@judyross182]

I am reading between the lines. Does that mean you don't normally PAY a nightly fee for TT stays? It would make sense to me to reserve a site especially if you want sewer. It does not make sense to me that folks could store their RVs and just take off as you say that they do and it is especially rude if they do have sewer and are not using it, taking up a space from someone who needs it. I think specific site reservations might be helpful but don't see how that stops these people from still taking a sewer site, paying their $32/night, and taking off. I live in a completely isolated area on 10 acres and NO ONE is allowed to smoke anything on my property. I don't know how you control people smoking on either side of you but when I stay in a hotel and someone tries to smoke too near the entrance, I ask them to snuff it out and I go complain to the management. In your situation, moving elsewhere seems to be your only option. (I can think of a few things to retaliate but I won't mention them here.)

[@liferedesigned]

With TT once you buy your membership there is no per nite cost 😀 Bob has a few ways he deals with the smokers lol but won’t say here!

[@judyross182]

@@liferedesigned That, in itself, might be useful to know as well as unruly dogs, kids (and even drunk or stoned adults.) I'm sure it is an issue and so far, no one has mentioned how to handle it. Just sayin'......

[@hollynauss6359]

I wonder how sites would be assigned. Would they show a park map then a grid of availability as well as have a chart of site photos, length, etc like some state parks do? Its not just about site length. Site positioning matters since our tiny camper opens to the rear like a truck camper. Some people need shade, some need an open site, or wifi, or close to a bath house, or close to amenities, etc. We prefer the hunt to pick our own site!

[@liferedesigned]

They are assigning just like the KOA system

[@hollynauss6359]

Never camped at a KOA. How do they assign sites?

[@liferedesigned]

They assign based on stay time etc.

[@hollynauss6359]

Not on rig size, hookups needed, area preference (view)? Just length of stay? Seems odd.

[@hollynauss6359]

A better system is what recreation gov does for reserving sites like at Corps of engineer campgrounds. You reserve a specific site. Period. Of course, they have fees for cancelling, no-shows, changing reservation times - one TT perk is none of those fees.

[@Feribrat99]

Well I find that if you do not abuse others rudely then they welcome your trade and remember that you did not give them any crap. Thus you form a good relationship. There are so many entitled idiots out there that if you are not a jerk you stand out in the crowd and they remember you. It pays to be calm cool and collected when dealing with someone who could make your stay a miserable experience and visa versa. Hard to get good customers and hard to get rid of the rotten ones. Not enough holes in the woods to bury them all, LOL. gotta be in Florida or Alabama for enough gators to eat the evidence.