Thousand Trails
Reviews and Complaints

6/20/19
I purchased a "camping membership" in 1986 with Naco West (contract # [protected]) and became an alliance member when Naco West became TTNLT. I upgraded to a Platinum membership in 2002 which cost almost $3000.

"Privileges of Platinum Membership" part b. in the contact I signed with Thousand Trails says that...

"Platinum members shall have ….on an overnight basis for up to twenty-one (21) consecutive nights at one reserve."

I have been a member in good standing for 33 years. I own my own home, retired in October last year and am FINALLY able to use my membership to it's full potential. I recently was told by the staff at San Benito Thousand Trails that, since I am in a tent, the 21 consecutive days no longer applies. I can only stay 7 consecutive days. This explains why I was not able to make an online reservation for longer that 7 days. When I called member services to complain, their answer for me was to buy an RV in order to have the 21 consecutive days that I paid for in the Platinum membership. An oh, by the way, the RV cannot be over 10 years old or they have the option to refuse me overnight camping.

Nowhere in the contract does it ever mention that I must have an RV to get the 21 consecutive days benefit. This is so distressful to me as I feel it is a betrayal and violation of the contract that I signed and paid for. The 21 consecutive days at one place was the primary reason I bought the Platinum membership. I shouldn't have to buy an RV to get the benefits that I paid for.

I understand the members are subject to rules and rules change. However, you should not take money from people for a service or benefit and then make a rule to erase the exact benefit that was paid for. Another example of that is that I am just finding out many of the campgrounds do not allow tent campers. This greatly reduces the number of campgrounds available to me. Again, it was never mentioned in the contracts I signed that you must have an RV to overnight camp at Thousand Trails campgrounds. This is another rule that was made with no regard to the members who paid specifically to overnight at great places like Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and Florida. Now these places are only available to me if I spend more money for an RV or a cabin. I believe this was fraudulent at worst and misleading at best. It seems Thousand Trails discriminates against people who choose to camp and travel more simply. You don't mind taking the money of tent campers but you don't allow them to overnight in many of the campgrounds.

I would like you to ensure that I get the full Platinum benefits I paid for or I would like my $2995 returned to me. I am sure that you will make efforts to correct this situation in a timely and satisfactory way.

Mary Vought
[protected]@yahoo.com

I have visited all the Thousand trails in So California an have found the same issue in all the parks, no power at the box, no sewer hook ups because of problems, the park in Acton has the connector road washed out with half the park closed with trees down.
It's like the employees and management don't care how the park looks or if it is even functional.

I have seen pictures of TT parks in the mid west that look beautiful and well taken care of. This is what members except.

This email is request for the board, president, CFO to come out to visit these parks to see what is going on. I'm sure that they would be disgusted with these parks. I do understand that it takes money to maintain these parks, but the stock holders need to see there return in beautiful parks!

Yes, I would like a response from the president or chairman of the board
[protected]@sbcglobal.net

We reserved a 3 night stay(May 16, 17&18) at the Scotrun RV resort. We arrived to being told where we had to park and then plugging in and having our trailer start filling with smoke because the electric box was dangerously putting 50-75 volts into the neutral one which most likely damaged the life of our converter. (My Uncle is an electrician and was there checking all the boxes with a meter, he found many to be badly malfunctioning or not working at all!) Luckily we unplugged in time and no fire occurred. We had to use our in-laws 110 and an extension cord to have service, but couldn't use certain things for fear of using too much power. They in turn, had to use our cable because theirs didn't work. So then we go to hook up to sewer, and another camper, (not the campground staff) told us it wasn't hooked up and would run out in other sites below us. So we find out they wanted to charge us to have our tanks pumped out. They did agree, reluctantly, to do it once for free, which the front desk person acted like she was doing us the biggest favor ever and was kind of cocky about it. Never any apologies for them not informing us weeks ahead of time of all the issues going on and charging us for full hook up or at all for that matter. I believe we should have a full refund considering our camper will need to be checked out for electrical damage because of the shoddy service they supply for campers. Not ok. My Aunt and Uncle also had issues being told where they could park in the E section because they wouldn't fit in the B Section where we were. We asked to be all together. There were 3 units in our group and they put them far away from us. Also the entire E section had no water. Including the bathhouse and the dump station, which made dumping difficult and messy with no water to rinse the hose and flush out if we needed to. They seemed to be more focused on fixing up the pools than fixing the massive utility issues. People being able to send raw sewage down into other sites and having electrical hazards in densely wooded areas is ridiculously unsafe and unsanitary! This place needs to be shut down until all of these issues are taken care of. Or at the very least, be completely forthcoming and honest about these issues with people way in advance so they can make an informed decision if they want to deal with all of this crap on a vacation they very badly need. I'd appreciate if someone would contact me about this and show that someone cares about their campers. My contact information is:

Trisha Potts
[protected]
1918 Walnut St. Lebanon Pa 17042

I have been into see this assistant manger on several occasions and he is rude and condescending. He has called me a "white tornado" on several occasions because I go to see him with an agenda. I don't him and how about the situation and I micro manage everything due to the sub standard management currently in place. As an example, HE made me a reservation as per my request, not only did he enter it into the computer incorrectly (which I had no way of knowing until I went down to the rangers station to pay it) but he then proceeded to blame me for it! That's just one example. I've been here off and on since fall and the poor management skills are severe. I'm not sure what they require to become a manager, but if actions speak louder than words it's not much. Now let's talk about the customer service at the front gate. There are only three people that I can promise you are kind and helpful at the check in gate, the others are moody and come across as annoyed. The place is a mess and it's progressively getting worse, assistant management is rude and condescending and several of the front gate operators come across as annoyed. About the only thing I can say nice about operations is that the Manager Jeff seems like he has got it together. So if you have to deal with anyone in operations I think he's the only one with any customer service sense.
Oh I will say one last thing, the ladies cleaning the bathrooms really do keep them clean!

There seems to be a problem with the manager there, hard to get a hold of, never answers phone calls or emails.. Favoritism going on.. I also see the shack guy that seems to be involved with the front office and thinks he's running the show.. Behind the counter and in the cash register.. I been at this park for over 16yrs.. This is too shady.. Married guy that looks like he is also involved with the manager. He runs the shack. Some rangers suspect that he does not pay for ice and does not pay full price for renting the food shack because of his involvement with the manager.. And asking too much info on people coming into the park.. This needs to be looked at more closely.. And should be stopped before it's too late.. He needs the boot... Manager does nothing.. Thank you in advance for taking a closer look at this issue.

During my stay from April 3-17, 2019, I was told by a Ranger that I must take down my net popup after seven days. The manager said although the rules allow for approval for longer use, she said she was not allowed to do so.

The rules pertaining to this demand of popup removal were printed for me at my request from https://www.thousandtrails.com/rv-and-site-standards-guidelines. This information is not available on the membership access site. The Ranger highlighted guideline was "Tents and 'easy-up' type structures are for temporary use only, limited to seven days."

My membership is in the second year of a basic 2-week maximum stay. I have stayed at San Benito twice before this visit and at other California Thousand Trails campsites, none of which ever required the removal of the net popup for any reason or at some point in time. I have attached pictures to show the 6'x6' popup on the campsite at San Benito. I have a small 18' trailer that does not have an awning.

My concern is that this contradicts the actual consistent use of tents and other screened or sun shaded structures at San Benito as well as other Thousand Trails campsites for periods of time matching their length of stay.

I question the use of this guideline being applied to my 6'x6' popup, by suggesting it was a non-temporary structure. I believe this demand by the Ranger and Manager to be unreasonable and unsupportable.

I would appreciate official documentation indicating the use of tents and pop-ups for the length of stay.

I am hoping that I can continue to enjoy Thousand Trails membership. Thank you.

I did enjoy camping with my family when we purchased our membership that was 15 years ago I have since retired and having trouble affording it. It is getting to the point we are having marital problems. We have not used the property for the last 10 years plus. Iam at my whits end literally. I dont know what to do any more. Things will soon be over I just cant believe that you people are so hard up and and make it so impossible to take care of this. You should offer older people a way out other than life. This company is a disgrace. I guess I made the wrong discission years back and hope going forward people will read this and take note.

Two month of suspension was wrong when it was first time and making us get out of the park when we have kids within 4 hrs was wrong. And they still charge us when most of the false things that was said we did was lies no one would believe us because they believe people and employees over us I had all the lies against us dropped. We deserve a two month credit back to us or towards or membership credit which we would never see. Thanks for putting us through hell I hope use are happy with your selves we will never forget. I hope the right person gets this are names are eli lutz and shelby lutz have a nice day. [protected]. [protected]. To thousand Trails

I had made reservations for a 2 month stay at Orlando RV in July 2018. I had requested a 1 BR cottage with a loft from Jan 1, 2019 till Feb 28, 2019. The gentleman I talked to made the reservations and said I should buy the membership and save some money so I did. It cost me an extra $500. In Dec of 2018 we thought it would be better to arrive before Jan 1st so I called and was given 3 extra days added on to our reservation starting on Dec. 29th. On Dec 29th we arrived at Orlando RV and and checked in and paid in full for the 3 extra days plus Jan and Feb. We went into our cottage and were terribly disappointed. Instead of a 1 BR with loft we were in a 1BR, no loft, no dishwasher, 2 window air conditioners that were filthy and loud. The lake that they said was there was over a mile away. We had brought our kayaks thinking we would be close and could go to the lake. We asked at the desk if there was any way to get an upgrade and the people told us they would check. We checked daily with the front desk and all we ever got for an answer was we'll check. Someone said we could get an up grade if we upgraded our membership. So we talked to the salesman there and he was shocked that we had a membership since we don't own a camper. He said he would never have had us buy one with no camper. New Years Day at 10pm we get a knock on our door . My husband and I had both been asleep. When we went to the door a woman who said she was from Orlando RV said that we hadn't registered and that we had an outstanding balance due and we would have to come to the front desk and pay the outstanding balance. I told her we had come in on Dec 29th and had registered and paid in full. She said she didn't want to argue and for us to come to the front desk in the morning. We went up to the front the next morning and asked to talk to the manager. We talked to Silvia, the manager, and told her everything that had happened since we arrived including our visit from the employee the night before. We told her we hadn't gotten the cottage we asked for and she explained that they had been booked to capacity and hadn't had a cottage open. We told her how we thought we were going to be close to the lake so we brought our kayaks and we were at the other end of the campground. She said that they hadn't made our reservation and that it wasn't their fault. She told us no employee would come to the door at night and didn't understand who had done that. We asked if we could get an upgrade and she said she would check. I then asked if she couldn't upgrade us could we move to a different park. She said that would be fine. We left her office and went to Tropical Palms, another Thousand Trails park, and asked if we could transfer over there. They showed us different cottages and we picked one and said we would take it. We went back to Orlando RV and asked to talk to Silvia again and told her we would like to transfer and she said ok. She figured out that we would only get $2649. . transferred into the HOA account. I don't know where she got that number from. She charged us from Dec 29th thru Jan 2nd. She did not give us our $500. security deposit back either. We moved into Tropical Palms on Jan 2nd and paid for that night there also. Silvia said she had to charge me for Jan 2nd because it was after 11am when we left. We have the Thousand Trails membership but called the member services number when looking at the invoices couldn't see where our discount was applied on either invoice. Member services did give us back $264.91 from one park but said we would have to go to Orlando RV to get our 20% off from them. I would like some answers but don't know who to call.

This is in regards to the Pio Pico site located in Jamul CA. I want to stay annonymus because me and my family are members and the staff part takes in favoritism . We were on the list for cross over and due to the lack of communication among staff, our number on the list first got removed and put back on way down the list. The staff was extremely rude and they are unprofessional in handling these matters. We had a spot reserved and they allowed the current guest to extend even after we reserved ? How is this possible when I have attempted to extend and was forced out due to prior reservations? The structure of the rules is all over the place. Staff is unorganized and rude. They let their friends have first pick. This is extremely horrible. Please get some professional people to run this business.

I was at the TT Palm Springs resort which is quite a distance from Palm Springs in a town call Thousand Palms. Upon entering the facility we were told that there was a "Homeless" problem at the park and not to leave any items out overnight. On the third morning at approximately 7am 20ft from our motorhome there was a police shoot out with said Homeless people and we were interviewed by numerous Detectives throughout the day. We left to go to the Soledad Canyon TT park and found that the park was terrible in staffing and maintenance. We couldn't find a sight where the electricity was working or properly wired. After finding a site a few days went by and we noticed that the trash was piling up around the already full trash bins. Before we were able to make other arrangements to vacate the rodents ate the wiring in our vehicle. We asked the staff for help but no response at all. We emailed the customer service at corporate but still no response. This park is open to the public and the pools (Adult/Family) are terrible and filled with uncontrollable children whose parents aren't present. I went to the office to ask if a "Ranger" would come and enforce the simple rules so others could enjoy the pool area but nothing was done. A woman came into the office while I was there and wanted the jar of Marijuana back she spaced out and left poolside. She was refused and proceeded to yell and scream while destroying the maps and anything she could. I then saw her there poolside smoking marijuana at the family pool area in front of children. As expected I would not recommend TT to you.

We paid $5, 000 years ago to join Thousand Trails the only good site after joining was La Conner the others were nothing like the pictures I feel we were ripped off now when we go to La Conner it is been taken over by old run-down filthy dirty RVs it looks like a glorified homeless Camp don't feel safe anymore and we are no longer going to go there very unhappy with them letting these RVs take over and permanent spots are taken that were good spots for people that paid good money it's an absolutely disgusting experience staying at La Conner now filthy dirty RV next to us with this nasty clothes hanging on lines all over and we've also seen the police at one of the old RVs so we paid $5, 000 and $800 a year and now we don't even want to use it it's a disgusting experience and they do nothing about it it's not the staffs fault they're pretty nice but the company has ruined the high-paying customers that wanted to get away from ghetto now this place is absolutely ghetto on a beautiful piece of property

This manager Patty is unprofessional I went in to buy a membership and I was told the member specialist was either out to lunch or put that day so I was told to come back but I wanted a membership ASAP so I asked to talk with manager first of The manager patty didn't want to talk to me and when she finally gave in she took me in her office and told me if I wanted a membership I should call the number or go to a different park to get it from someone else she said that the member specialist at that park sucked at his Job in those words I believe that specialist name was mike Powell as posted in office. Why would a manager be bashing her employees so before I left I asked the ranger if the membership specialist had a number I could call I was given the number and when I called he helped me out as much as he possiable could and he came in on his day off to sign me up ... the manager patty was very hatefull and very disrespectful no only to me but to her employees what a shame

Member Name: Christina Sorge
Member # [protected]

On July 29, 2018 I traveled to the Morgan Hill Location for a brief stay. I had stayed at Lake Yosemite twice and Lake Minden once. Upon arriving to Morgan Hill I was greeted by aN employee who told me check in wasn't until noon. I asked if there was a place I could park until then. The other resorts I visited check in was 8am. After I pulled over I noticed a woman taking photos of my RV. I asked if there was something I could help her with. She never introduced herself or her position until I asked why she was taking photos because my RV was not acceptable for "her" Park. She admonished me expressing that she knew I couldn't have stayed at any of the other resorts in my RV. She also told me she was going to report the other resorts because they were not allowed to let me stay in my RV. I was dumbfounded by her suggestion that not only was I lying but the other parks were in trouble for allowing me to stay. I do need to add that the night before I arrived somebody tried to pry my side door open with me in the RV. I was forced to order a new door on line to have it sent to my brother's house in Fremont in order for him to install it. This Manager talked down to me. Which made me cry because I was still quite upset about my experience the night before. She was condiscending and rude to me. I told her I didn't like the way she was talking to me without rasing my voice however I was visaby upset. I called the Yosemite Resort who informed me I could come back there but the fire had made it impossible for me to be there. I had no place to go and was short on funds because I needed to replace the door. I received a letter which stated I was suspended until September 6. Kate the manager reported me for, abusive and distructive behavior. I did not scream, yell or curse. I was emotionally upset and felt worse because this representative was condescending and rude to me. I have called Thousand Trails to speak to a representative however I am told I need to speak to the person who I had issues with. What is that about. How is that a productive way to deal with the situation? I did make a call to speak to Kate the manager however that call was not returned. How am I to feel comfortable staying at Thousand Trails in the future?

I am writing to you to request a refund for my reservations that your kept after we had to cancel our plans coming your direction.

Conf # [protected] 6/4/18 Sun Valley $170.00
Conf# [protected] 6/16/18 Gateway to Cap Cod $25.00
Conf# [protected] Narrows Too 6/24/18 $25.00

We were so looking forward to coming into your area for our first time until my wife's accident happened. We were in Washington D C on a bus tour, and as we were approaching the Jefferson Monument, she went to go up the steps and tripped and broke her Humerus bone in 3 places in her shoulder. It was so serious that we had to cancel all our future plans your way and head back to our doctors in Iowa after visiting the emergency room in D.C. and a specialist in Annapolis, which highly recommended surgery or get back to our regular doctors in Iowa for surgery.
We were very disappointed under these circumstances that you would not refund my entire payment to you. It was not like we changed our minds to come there, we had no choice in the matter. We know you have your rules, but under certain circumstances, I would think you would have a little leniency due to illness. I have all documentations for all the doctors if you want proof of all this. This was a very expensive planned out trip that we were so looking forward to and now added doctor expenses.
So I am hoping you will have some way of working around your refund rules due to the accident.
We do hope in some future date to visit your area and continue our journey your direction.

Thank your for your time and consideration to my request.

Harlan Schafer
[protected]

Had to ask twice to have the bathroom cleaned. Went fishing and caught a lot of sludge. Nothing for the kids to do. Game room and activities were locked at 6:00pm . Pool party was suppose to start at 7:00 pm and never started till after 9:00 PM and was over by 9:30.Maintnece workers drove very fast through out campground . Kids were throwing rocks in the pool and no one watching. Mini golf course was in such bad shape you could not play. . Every excuse was : understaffed. Water sl;ides were constantly locked. Never again will I stay there. Regretting that I got a Thousand Trails membership. Campsites are to small and LARGE gravel through out.

I have been a member for over 18 years, and have had an annual site for over 5 years. This last weekend my wife and I went to the adult pool to find out that now it is a quite pool and kids are allowed in even though there is a family pool available.
The kids were not quite and were splashing being kids. Our campground has always allowed kids in the adult pool when the family pool has problems. I was told this was a corporate decision.
I feel that corporate should revisit this policy and at least have adult times or return them to adult pools. A third option would be hire s dedicated ranger to monitor the pool the insure the is such a thing as a quite pool.