Motorhome Towing Costs

[Michigander]

Last night I was reviewing my MH insurance coverage. My towing expenses are covered up to $250.00 per incident. I am covered by Homeowners Insurance Co.

I would like to hear from those of you who have had the unfortunate experience of having your MH towed, or have had to use any form of roadside assistance.

How much did it cost to be towed, how far were you towed?

How much did it cost for a roadside call?

How much of the expense did your insurance cover?

I just want to be certain that I have realistic coverage.

Thank you.

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Michigander

Last night I was reviewing my MH insurance coverage. My towing expenses are covered up to $250.00 per incident. I am covered by Homeowners Insurance Co.

I would like to hear from those of you who have had the unfortunate experience of having your MH towed, or have had to use any form of roadside assistance.

How much did it cost to be towed, how far were you towed?

How much did it cost for a roadside call?

How much of the expense did your insurance cover?

I just want to be certain that I have realistic coverage.

Thank you.

If you need it $250 won't cover it. The larger tow trucks start at about $250 an hour starting from when they leave their yard. I use AAA and many others use Good Sam. Hopefully you never need it but if you do it's good to have something you can depend on.

I did have a tow in New York. AAA in New York does not offer RV towing. My home state AAA said get the tow I need and send them the bill. The bill was $1098 and I received a check witnin a week with a letter of apology for the inconvience.

[Mike Leary]

Most tow companies will not put any coach over 31' on the hook because of the possible damage to the rear end. That's where you got to see what your policy includes, because if it's going on a low-boy, talk spendy, big time.

[92landyacht]

Good Sams is the best way to go. They're policies are specific to motor home towing.

[Michigander]

Thanks everyone, I guess I need to shop around.

[92landyacht]

If you go the AAA route, just make sure that the policy specifically states it covers RV towing of your size. Regular AAA policies don't cover all types.

[Michigander]

Will do, thanks again.

BTW, I searched the forums for "roadside assistance". One entry said that his towing bill was more than $400.00!

The $250 coverage I have is definitely not enough.

[92landyacht]

$400 would be getting off cheap. I had to have my LY towed to my house when I first bought it becuase of a brake issue. Total distance was only 25 miles but cost me just over $450, and that was a good deal since many towing companies that I called wouldn’t even touch it. My LY is 36’ in length and that seemed to be the big issues with some companies. Since yours is only 30' it may not be as big an issue.

Something else to consider, you need to have a tow truck and driver that's able to safely pick up your ride. AAA won’t tow some of the larger rigs in some areas. Good Sam will have carriers in most areas that are capable and experienced to do the job right. If they don't they'll find one for you.

[Paul Dobbin]

We've been RVing in a Class A for over 20 years and have AAA towing coverage. Got towed once in our GMC.
Once in the Airstream Land Yacht it wouldn't shift into drive and AAA sent two trucks to try to tow me and neither one could lift the thing, because their wheel pickers were to short. In the two hours I waited, I got it going and drove it to the repair shop.
This all happened in my driveway. I kept the towing coverage but disputed the two calls on my record of the event with AAA and they agreed they messed up. I still have the coverage and know that they are just another source trying to help me when I get in trouble someplace else. I think anybody you get towing coverage from is going to have problems understanding specific problems towing a 35 foot Airstream. At least they have an obligation to help.

[morgandc]

Coach-Net. I had way too much experience getting towed in my old diesel Pusher. I found my insurance company just wanted to reimburse me, I was supposed to find a tow truck willing to haul my DP. Coach-net will find you help 24x7x365. Don't be surprised if the come from a couple hours away depending on your location.

-Dwight

[DaveFL]

Originally Posted by 92landyacht

If you go the AAA route, just make sure that the policy specifically states it covers RV towing of your size. Regular AAA policies don't cover all types.

Unless it is a RV policy it doesn't cover, called when I had a van camper sent tow vehicle and he said it was too big, 20 ft, he left and never heard from AAA or anybody else, switched to Good Sam. Called when I had a brake problem they sent a mechanic as I was in a CG, I had diagnosed, bled system and by the time he showed up but he double checked by rebleeding and said all was well and left, no charge to me.
I also have $500 no cost on AARP Hartford Auto and MH insurance policy.

[92landyacht]

Heard good things about Coach-Net as well but I think Good Sam is more cost effective if you have anything other then a monster DP.

[blkmagikca]

I used to have CAA (the Canadian equivalent of AAA) and when I had my 34-ft '94LY it was all too often on the hook. CAA paid for them all, but there was a mileage limit. The LY I had was on a Spartan chassis, and in order to tow it the tow truck operator had to disconnect the driveshaft and connect his air line to release the emergency brake. After looking into emergency tow options, I have concluded that the best option is the Good Sam one, and I have sign on to theirs and dropped CAA.

[Paul Dobbin]

[QUOTE=blkmagikca;1261882]I The LY I had was on a Spartan chassis, and in order to tow it the tow truck operator had to disconnect the driveshaft and connect his air line to release the emergency brake. QUOTE]

Can you explain how the driveshaft gets disconnected in the DP Land Yacht. I too have AAA at a cost of $88.00 a year and the one time I called them, they couldn't pick me up. Therefore I have not had the experience you did.
Other Diesel Pusher Land Yachts had this problem or advice?

[92landyacht]

In virtually all cases where the drive wheels must turn during a tow and you have an automatic transmission you must disconnect the driveshaft in order to provent damage to the transmission. When they towed my gas driven P30 LY they had to disconect the DS as well.

[Smartstream]

[QUOTE=Paul Dobbin;1261983]

Originally Posted by blkmagikca

I The LY I had was on a Spartan chassis, and in order to tow it the tow truck operator had to disconnect the driveshaft and connect his air line to release the emergency brake. QUOTE]

Can you explain how the driveshaft gets disconnected in the DP Land Yacht. I too have AAA at a cost of $88.00 a year and the one time I called them, they couldn't pick me up. Therefore I have not had the experience you did.
Other Diesel Pusher Land Yachts had this problem or advice?

It's pretty much standard procedure to remove the driveshaft when towing an automatic. Unless it is a very short tow or it's on a roll back bed or trailer where the rear wheels are off the ground they need to pull the shaft. It only takes a few minutes. If the driver gives you a hard time call his dispatcher or your tow provider. I've never even had to ask, they just do it as part of the service. They usually just remove the u-joint bearing cap retaining straps, separate the yolk from the u-joint and pull the driveshaft out of the slip joint on the other end.

[au_ee]

We've used Allstate's RV Roadhelp for the past 15 years. This is specific to RV needs. We've used their towing service a couple of times with a Motorhome we used to own. Very pleased with their service and response. We've also used them for flat tires, etc. when towing trailers.