After 40 years of growing, the Good Sam Club is over 1 million families strong. This RV club remains a resource for everything motorhome travelers need on the road.
The story behind The Good Sam Club is 4 decades in the making. A group of RVers began placing a Good Samaritan sticker on the bumper of their trailer while on the road to let fellow RV families know that they were there to help. This idea spread through RV parks and campgrounds across the US and Canada until the club developed into what it is today. Members still display a smiling face on their bumpers, but the club is much more than emergency help on the road. Today, membership to the club will bring you a variety of discounts, services, a members only site, RV related publications and regional groups and activities to link you to other RV families in your area.
Member Benefits
The members only website gives you 24 hour a day access to trip routing, member forums, product reviews as well as destination information. This site is a way to connect with other travelers through the forums and also get the up to date RV information you need before your next trip.
A 10% discount is available for members at more than 1700 Good Sam affiliated RV parks and campgrounds throughout the US and Canada.
Highways magazine delivers advice, tips and information, as well as reviews on all things RV related. A free subscription in included with membership to the club.
RV trip routing services are available through the club website. This services organizes each trip with rest stops, the best driving routes for RVs, Good Sam discount affiliates and RV maintenance locations. A service such as this makes directions tailored to an RVers specific needs while on the road.
A 2 cent per gallon gas and diesel discount is offered to members at all Petro Shopping Centers. Petro has more than 60 locations across the continental US along major highways. The centers cater to professional drivers offering a well stocked travel store, 24 hour Iron Skillet restaraunt, laundry facilities, private showers, and plenty of space to park even the largest Motorhome.
Privileges of being a member include product testing new RV accessories and tools. Members test and review new products and get to keep the products after the assessment. Not only will you be up to date on the latest developments in the RV industry through these reviews, you will also be able benefit from the experience in new gear for your rig.
Lower rates are presented to members for services such as emergency roadside assistance, financing and insurance needs.
Discounts on RV related publications such as Trailer Life Campground Directory are obtainable for all those associated with the club.
Smaller regional clubs are prevalent in the States and Canada. Examples of these include the Georgia Good Sam Club, Ontario Good Sam Club, and the West Virginia Good Sam Club. These chapters offer rallies and fun on a local level, making it easier to connect with RV families near you. An example of Good Sam Club events include "Samborees". This event was started by the Good Sam founder, Art Rouse in the 60s. Each state in the US or Canadian Province host at least one of these events each year. Included in this weekend experience are vendors or dealers, daily programs and nightly entertainment to enjoy with fellow members camping along side of you. The club magazine includes a listing of these events, and the website offers more information for registration.
With all that The Good Sam Club has to offer, it's no surprise why over a million families are enjoying the benefits. Members in the club enjoy saving money on travel expenses and staying up to date on the latest products. RV travel is an easy way to meet new people with interests like your family and connect with others around the country. With the number of members in The Good Sam Club, you can feel closer to the community of RVers before you ever hit the road. Knowing that there are people driving and camping along side you who are willing to help out fellow RV travelers can give RVers new to the life, or experienced, piece of mind.
For more information on joining, benefit details and the history of the Good Sam Club visit their website.
The copyright of the article The Good Sam RV Club: US & Canada in RV Culture is owned by Elizabeth Borer. Permission to republish The Good Sam RV Club: US & Canada must be granted by the author in writing.