Good Sams and Rand McNally GPS

Good Sam has announced a partnership with Rand McNally to introduce new products for the RV lifestyle

Good Sam GPS, powered by Rand McNally, provides custom navigation on suitable routes, taking into account the vehicle and any trailers being pulled. Good Sams GPS will provide routes based on the users specific vehicle or vehicle/trailer combination. By entering their vehicle attributes, including length of towed trailers, if propane is being carried and vehicle and trailer height, the device provides navigation on roads suitable for the customer's specific vehicle configuration.

The Good Sam GPS also provides information and navigation to more than 2,000 Good Sam affiliated campgrounds where members receive discounts, as well as 12,000 additional parks and campgrounds. It also include sites of interest including NASCAR track locations.

The Good Sam GPS, available in May 2013, will be the first product released through the Good Sam and Rand McNally partnership.

Good Sam's Announces Rallies for 2013

The Good Sam Club has released dates and locations for two of its major rallies in 2013.

The early spring RV rally will be held on April 11-14 on the Balloon Fiesta Field in Albuquerque New Mexico.

 The early summer rally will be held June 13 to 16 in Syracuse, New York, at the New York State Fair grounds.

Good Sams hopes to repeat the successes of the Phoenix rally early this spring and the Louisville rally last month. 

The last rally of 2012 will be held at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Florida. Reservations are still being accepted for this November 2-4 rally. Entertainment includes country superstar Reba McEntire and American Idol’s Katharine McPhee.

“With an exciting location like the Daytona International Speedway, the outstanding entertainment, not to mention all of the great rally activities, we are expecting a big turnout and a great time for all of our guests,”  said Marcus Lemonis, chairman and CEO of the Good Sam Club and Camping World Inc.

Celebrity Apprentice Good Sam Challenge

“The Celebrity Apprentice” took on the challenge of marketing Good Sam's Roadside Assistance on the April 29th episode.

THE TASK: Write, produce and perform a 90-second jingle for Good Sams about its roadside assistance program. The teams were judged on the jingle, brand message, and performance.

Good Sam himself made a
 cameo appearance during
the jingle presentation portion
 of the episode.

THE WINNER: Team Unanimous, led by late night talk show host Arsenio Hall won the $45,000, plus 100 percent from sales of the proceeds of the Good Sam bobblehead mascot, which could be, Trumps says, hundreds of thousands of dollars. Or a couple of hundred.

Celebrity contestants on the show vie for the title of Celebrity Apprentice along with sizable donations to their designated charities. The contestant chosen as Celebrity Apprentice receives a $250,000 bonus check to donate to their chosen charity. Good Sam was chosen along with several Fortune 500 companies to be a featured task sponsor on a 2012 segment of the popular reality series.

Good Sams Rally in Louisville

Make your plans now for the Good Sams Rally in Louisville Kentucky this June 21 to June 24.  Early birds can arrive June 19.

More details to come.

The Good Sam Club RV Emergency Road Service - Frequently Asked Questions

Q:   Why do I need Good Sam RV ERS?
A:   Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service is designed to help you - the RVer - when you are in need of roadside assistance and towing. They contract with the best, most efficient and professional RV towing and repair companies in the US and Canada to ensure that your vehicles are handled properly and safely.

Q:   Who is protected under the Emergency Road Service program?
A:   The Good Sam Emergency Road Service member, the member's spouse, and any dependent children 25 or younger living at home or attending college.

Q:   How long will it take for Emergency Road Service dispatch to arrive?
A:   Emergency roadside assistance averages between 45 - 60 minutes. However, when you call for roadside assistance, a service representative will be able to give you an accurate estimated time of arrival. Good Sam RV ERS guarantees quality, on-time service when you need it most.

Q:   How do I use my Good Sam Club Emergency Road Service membership?
A:   Simply call the dispatch phone number that has been provided to you. This number can be found on the back of your membership card and on your member benefits brochure.

Learn more about the Good Sam Emergency Roadside Service Program.

Good Sam Rally in Phoenix March 22 to 25

Martina McBride, country music’s 4-time winner of Female Vocalist of the Year, and Bill Cosby, will headline the entertainment at the Good Sam Rally in Phoenix.

As always there will be hundreds of RV lifestyle seminars and exhibits selling RV accessories, travel destinitions and more. Of course, all of the latest models of motorhomes, and travel trailers.  There will be opportunities for prizes; optional tours of great Arizona destinations; and the chance to find new RV friends!

While you are there be sure to stop by the Cummins Onan Generator booth.

Learn more at www.therally.com.

Tips For Helping Your RV Weather The Winter

Author - Lynn Laymon and Linda Lee Walden for the Good Sam Club

As the days get shorter and temperatures cool, snowbirds in North America’s cold regions head south in search of warmer climates. But not everybody has the luxury of chasing the sun during winter. Some of us store our rigs away for the season, and that entails emptying the holding tanks, draining the water system and possibly adding RV antifreeze to the water lines. Of course, doing the job right is a little more involved.

Here, then, are a few tips to help your recreational vehicle make the transition from winter to spring without suffering damage that low temperatures and long storage periods can bring.

Location, Location, Location
The mercury hasn’t plummeted yet, but it’s never too early to plan for year-end storage. The first step in preparing your rig for low temperatures is finding a suitable winter home. At the top of the list is an indoor climate-controlled structure. If you’re lucky enough to have access to this type of facility and can afford the fee, jump at it. Parking your rig in a heated, sheltered environment eliminates many of the tasks that are required for winter storage.