Categories: Opinion and Editorial

Review of the Good Sam Club: 1 Million RV Good-Samaritans

Last year, after sleeping on the beach, in my rental car and on gym floors for my 6 month’s deployments to the hurricane disaster sites, I decided to remedy the situation and buy my first RV. Having never even slept in one, much less pulled one behind a truck, I was completely at odds on which make and model would best fit my needs as a single woman. Sitting down at my computer with a cup of coffee, it was just a couple of search clicks later that I was routed to the Good Sam Club’s online website. It was clearly obvious, after reading the first few paragraphs, that I had stumbled onto the world’s most comprehensive networking community of RV enthusiast.

Club Background

This 1 million member-strong organization was born 40 years ago, when a few RV friends had “Good Samaritan” bumper stickers printed for their RV’s so those in need of help and advice would know who they could count on. Even after 40 years and a growth into one of the world’s largest organizations, their primary goals remain the same. I joined the group that night, even before I started looking for my RV. Their membership fee was the best financial expenditure and peace-of-mind decision I would ever make.

The ” Standby Sams”

Several weeks later, after much research and many exhausting trips to dealerships all across the state, I fell in love with a 5th wheel located 2 hours from my home. After signing the initial offer to purchase, I was told the RV would not be ready to close on for another 2 weeks. That was OK with me, because frankly, I was out of my element and needed the time to figure out what to do next! Not even knowing the questions, much less the answers, I again turned to the Good Sam Club website for answers.

And boy did I get answers…in the form of a group of Good Sam members called “Standby Sams“. These are volunteer members who agree to be on standby to provide advice and emergency assistance to other members in their area. Sam’s website has a complete lists of theses volunteers listed by state and community. A few minutes later and I was emailing the TN State Director with my dilemma. Unbeknown to me, he forwarded my request for help to several area participants, and within an hour, I had received a phone call from two folks who would become my guardian angels from here on out. George and Rebecca Martin are retired RV’s and Good Sam TN State Chapter Officers who have devoted their whole life to this worthy mission.

My Leap of Faith

Two weeks later, the Martins agreed to met me at the dealership, 2 hours away from my home, and hand-hold me through the process. When they arrived, and we met face to face, the peace-that-surpasses-all-understanding came over me as these great folks took on the task of support/mentoring a perfect stranger that needed their help. They spent the afternoon shopping for all of the set-up gear I would need and then played host to me by taking me to their home to spend the night when the closing did not go through. The following day, after closing, they gave me my first driving lesson…a two hour nail-biting trip back to my home. Rebecca followed in her car and George road with me for my solo flight, as I pulled a full capacity 10,000 pound 30′ 5^th wheel over the hilly terrain back to Knoxville.

See also Baked Muffin Gift Baskets

Our friendship has transcended the passage of time…all made possible by the accidental discovery of The Good Sam Club. I can not emphasize enough what my membership in this Club has meant to me or my successful first year as a single female RVer! I have financially and personally benefited from the Club’s magazines, on line support, mentoring forums, trip planning features, gas and camp site discounts and Emergency Road Protection services. Because there are too many benefits to discuss in length, I have included a comprehensive list of their services. If I were to begin describing them, this Review could easily become 10 pages. Of all the products and/or services I have bought in the last few years, I can not recall one that has been more financially beneficial or personally satisfying to me. My Top Recommendation of the Year, the club is a god-send for both seasoned veterans and those wanting to get started in the fascinating world of RV travel!

Top Member Benefits:

10% Discount at the network of more than 1,700 Good Sam Parks
Subscription to Highways Magazine, official publication of Good Sam Club
Product Testing Privileges – test and keep free RV products
RV Emergency Road Service Enrollment Discount
On line RV Trip Routing with access to RV-specific travel details
Members-only rates on RV and Auto Insurance (saves $312.50 annually)
Mentoring and Support from the “Standby Sam” volunteers
Discounts on Trailer Life Directory and RV related books & publications
Good Sam Continued Service Plan saves you thousands on RV repairs
Access to fun-filled Samboree Rallies/Caraventures throughout the year
On line Mall with Bonus Points earned for purchases
Sam Alert Recalls Warnings,Tech News and Safety Tips
rvSearch.com website; best source to Buy or Sell your RV
Updates on Litigation affecting RV users
Golfing Club, Women’s camp-cook recipe Club and Kid’s Corner
Support Forum for peer interaction with 1 million plus Members
And….many, many more benefits not listed here.