RV Park Membership Has It's Benefits
by Rose Shawlee

Much like a country club, RV Park Memberships are a system whereby you pay an initial fee together with an annual membership fee. What you get for that fee varies widely with each membership. Memberships are essentially contracts, so the contents of the membership agreement will dictate what you receive and, just as importantly, what you don’t.

There are a number of pros and cons, and whether a membership is right for you will require some research. One of the benefits is that many of the membership-based parks are exclusive to members and therefore offer some security. Another feature is that many memberships cover a number of different parks, which gives a member the flexibility to travel while still maximizing value that can be derived from the membership.

For those who enjoy reliable amenities or access to certain outdoor activities, such as fishing or horseback riding, membership can give you access to these features and activities. Many parks have detailed and varied services ranging from tennis courts to laundry. Others have carefully selected the grounds on which they established their park in order to provide proximity to outdoor activities. Additionally, some memberships may provide discounts for activities that are located nearby the park; it can be like having an Auto Club membership in that it can carry unexpected benefits for related activities.

Because there are so many different types of RV Park membership, carefully investigate what you’re signing on for. There are key items upon which you should have a clear understanding before entering into a membership agreement:

o What services and amenities are included in the fees? Many amenities may be listed on a website or brochure, but there may be additional fees for each use, or the percs may only come with a different level of membership.
o When and how do the fees change? Are you entitled to notice of any fee change? Are there any price guarantees over a specific period of time?
o Which parks does your membership permit you to access? Is there a user fee for each park for each use? How much is it? If the RV Park has an affiliation with other parks, your membership may extend to those parks, subject to certain fees.
o Are you guaranteed access to the park/s when you are likely to use them?
o What kind of notice are you entitled to when there are changes affecting the coverage of your membership?
o How do you terminate your membership?

If you decide that an RV Park Membership is for you, fully investigate what your membership covers and that it will be practical for the kind of travel you have in mind. Keep in mind that a membership is simply a contract, so always read the fine print.

If you have questions or if there are topics you’d like addressed in future columns please contact Rose Shawlee at Baker Newby LLP at rshawlee@bakernewby.com

Important Note: The information contained in this column should not be treated by readers as legal advice and should not be relied on without detailed legal counsel being first sought.