Okay, so you’re an RV enthusiast looking forward to your next adventure. If you’ve heard of an organization called the FMCA and are wondering what this group is all about, we’ve got you covered.
Contents
The Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) has an interesting history and continues to provide opportunities for RVers of all ages today. The question of whether or not the FMCA is right for you, though, is legitimate.
There’s no doubt that any motorhome traveler needs a membership organization – after all, that’s part of the bread and butter of travel. These membership organizations offer discounts on products, services, and even campgrounds for an avid adventurer. However, it’s not always easy to decide which is ideal.
There are plenty of different things to consider – from the benefits to the price and even the potential additional fees and features (that we’ll get into later in the article). For now, though, let’s get back to the basics and delve into what the FMCA Membership even is.
What Is FMCA Membership?
So you’re an RV lover who’s just heard of the FMCA, and you’re wondering what all the fuss is about. It’s a good question to ask!
The FMCA, or Family Motor Coach Association, has a long and interesting history. It was first founded in 1963 when only 12 motorhome owners got together to exchange information about their vehicles – and would you believe it, that original meeting led to the FMCA of today!
These days they have over 100,000 members all over the globe. Members are mostly American
but are also spread across Canada, Australia, England, and New Zealand (and other places).
Even if you’re not a member, it’s those FMCA stickers that are black with the red bird on the back of motorhomes that will probably tell you it belongs to an Association member. If a motorhome has one of these black and red stickers on its side or back, then there’s also a good chance they have membership in this group. You’ll see these all over America!
How Many Campgrounds Does FMCA Have?
Now that we understand the membership in a general sense, it’s time to dive right in and talk about everything you need to know.
First things first, how many campgrounds does FMCA have? The answer is not too many! That’s right; the FMCA only has a few campgrounds that are actually in its name. This may come as a surprise since they’re such an enormous RV organization (as we’ll discuss later), but it doesn’t change the fact that this group has only a handful of its campgrounds.
FMCA does provide discounts on campgrounds around the world. In fact, their list of participating facilities is quite impressive, with over 1,700 locations! These include RV Parks in countries like Canada and England (among other places), but most are in America.
Some of these parks are owned by corporations or separate organizations since FMCA only has a few of its facilities; others may be known as ‘passport parks’ because they offer discounts to members who aren’t FMCA members.
Most of these participating campgrounds are in the United States, but there is also a significant number throughout Canada and Australia. You can even find some facilities in England if you’re willing to look!
These discounts range from 10-20% depending on the location and site type that you book, so it’s pretty easy to save when using these benefits. Just make sure you have your membership card with you when you book your location, or call ahead and let them know who you are so they can apply the discount!
How Does FMCA Membership Work?
It’s time for the boring part – the part where we go into detail with the camping rules, policies, and regulations. So what exactly are the membership requirements in FMCA? Here’s everything you need to know.
To join this group, you must own an RV such as a motorhome or travel trailer. Beyond this, you don’t need to meet any other requirements. They accept RVers of all ages and from all walks of life!
Can You Stay at FMCAs Without a Membership?
No, you are not allowed to stay at FMCAs without a membership. However, exceptions have been made in cases of emergencies where a participating driver is assisting. Otherwise, everyone is required to be a member of FMCA.
How Much Does FMCA Membership Cost?
Now for the most important question, how much does a Family Motor Coach Association membership cost? The first-year membership will set you back about $60. This price decreases for all the years after that, though, so you’ll only pay $50 for every consecutive year you stay with the group.
This means that after your first year of being a member, it’ll cost you $500 in total over 10 years (which isn’t too bad compared to other memberships). If we break down all the costs, this comes out as approximately $5 per month, which is pretty reasonable if you think about it! Even average monthly cell phone bills are now way above this price point.
What Do You Get With FMCA Membership?
Now that we know the cost, let’s take a look at what exactly you get for your hard-earned cash. This will give us an idea of whether or not it’s worth it to pay those fees each year and continue being part of the group!
Aside from the membership card itself, some of the benefits include discounts on WiFi services, discounts on tires, access to the largest RV buying program in America, and even a chance to save money on dental work. You can also get discounts on some of your favorite RV products, services (including insurance plans), and much more.
Are There Any Additional Costs?
We’ve already covered the annual renewal fees and everything you get for your hard-earned cash. Still, are there any hidden costs or additional charges when it comes to Family Motor Coach Association membership?
Well, it depends entirely on whether or not you want the FMCA Roadside Rescue service. Some members choose to subscribe to this while others don’t, so it depends on your situation and needs!
The truth is that there are plenty of roadside assistance companies available – some more reliable than others – but the FMCA version has a good reputation for customer satisfaction. Many people who have subscribed also report being happy with the service they’ve received, which goes to show how dependable it is.
Starting at $129 for towable RVs and $159 for motorized RVs, the Roadside Rescue service is pretty affordable – especially when you consider everything it includes. Just remember that this cost should be taken into account if you’re considering becoming a member of this group.
How To Join FMCA
Now that we’ve covered the cost, benefits, and additional services of being an FMCA member, it’s time to go over how you can join the group! Luckily it’s pretty simple – all you need to do is head over to their website.
Fill in your personal information, including your name and address in the online form provided (don’t worry; this is secure). You’ll then be asked for a little bit more about your RV – the make and model, year of manufacture. You’ll also be asked a few questions about your family, such as how many people you have and whether or not they live at home with you.
Once that’s all done, simply click ‘Submit’ to complete the application! The process is simple, straightforward, and doesn’t take too long either; it should only take a few minutes before everything is completed. Once that’s all done, you can pay the fee and become an official member! Your card will arrive in the mail a few weeks later.
Overall, it’s clear that the application and process to join the FMCA are incredibly simple and straightforward – two things that anybody who travels will love. Keep in mind that any complex membership application is going to take away from the time you can spend planning your next trip. Because of this, it’s much easier when a company or organization streamlines the process and makes it easy for you to join.
The FMCA easily fits the bill when it comes to this aspect – after all, it only takes minutes to apply.
Is FMCA Membership Worth It?
Now’s the time to sum up everything and figure out whether or not receiving that FMCA card in the mail is worth it. So how does it all stack up? Let’s find out!
Firstly, remember that there are plenty of benefits included with this group. You can get discounts on tires and save money at pharmacies for example – plus, you can also take advantage of their massive discount list when booking your next camping vacation!
Secondly, the annual renewal fees aren’t too bad. You’ll only have to pay $50 a year after your first 12 months with the group and can save quite a bit of money each time you renew. If that’s not enough, it also pays off in just ten years!
After this point, you’d be paying far more if you joined another similar organization where membership doesn’t last forever (especially since many require additional charges as well).
Ultimately, the fees for the FMCA Membership are incredibly reasonable and, without question, a great deal for any traveler looking to get some much-needed discounts on WiFi service, campgrounds, and the like.
Finally, the Roadside Rescue service can be handy – especially for those who travel a lot. Because this is optional, you always have the option of whether or not to subscribe and pay the additional costs (which aren’t too bad anyway!) – this means that everything should be manageable and fit within your budget. It all comes down to how often you use it.
Ultimately, this membership could either be great – or it could be worthless to you. It all depends on what benefits you want the most and how much savings each year is worth it to you. Sometimes people collect memberships simply because they like the little card, while others don’t think they need one and save that $50 a year – making them far better off in financial terms!
While there are some downsides, there are also plenty of upsides to being an FMCA member. It all depends on how much you plan on using those benefits each year and whether or not it’s worth paying for another organization when there are so many already out there! If you’re already part of another motorhome or RV organization, it’s probably not the best idea to sign up for the FMCA as well.
How To Cancel FMCA Membership
Okay, so let’s say you’ve purchased a membership and aren’t satisfied. How do you cancel the service and unsubscribe from the group?
Well, it’s pretty simple. All you need to do is call the customer support number and cancel your membership. Alternatively, you can cancel through your online dashboard. In the end, though, why would you want to cancel?
So long as you’re an avid RVer, there’s no question that FMCA membership is worth it. If you’re not planning on using any of those benefits in the future, though, then maybe it’s time to unsubscribe!
FAQs
Here are the most commonly asked questions regarding the FMCA membership.
Who can join FMCA?
Absolutely anyone can join FMCA. It’s even international, so there are no border restrictions.
How to contact FMCA?
You can call FMCA at 800-543-3622 or find them through their website or social media.
How much does FMCA save on tires?
Depending on the tires and the participating location, an member could save upward of 100 dollars per tire.
How can you check your FMCA status?
You can check your status by logging into your account or contacting FMCA.
Are there FMCA membership promo discounts?
Yes, alongside the participating tire savings program, there are regular discounts around holidays, and FMCA participates with Costco in their membership program.
Does FMCA have a lifetime membership?
There used to be, but the lifetime membership was discontinued for new members. There are only regular memberships available now.