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06-20-2014, 06:09 AM
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#1
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New Member
Currently Looking...
Leavenworth
, Indiana
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3
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Good Sam Club vs. AAA?
I'm considering purchasing a travel assistance membership. I'm aware of Good Sam Club and AAA. Are there others anyone would recommend? Between these two, which do you prefer? Thanks (Airstream wannabe)
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06-20-2014, 06:14 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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I am with AAA and I have not needed assistance since we bought the Airstream, but I like the publications and routing available through AAA. When I had teenage drivers we relied on AAA assistance a number of times with good results.
I did try out Coach-net and their routing and documents were way inferior to AAA.
Larry
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06-20-2014, 06:22 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2012 30' International
Vintage Kin Owner
Bad Axe
, Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 564
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We had AAA and switched to Good Sam. We called them once for a flat on the trailer and once for a truck problem where the truck had to be towed. We were extremely happy with the fast, friendly service.
__________________
2012 30' International Serenity
1947 Spartan Manor
2005 28' Safari LS - traded
1977 31' International Sovereign - sold
2012 Ford F250 Superduty Crewcab
WBCCI# 1007 Air#2158
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06-20-2014, 06:40 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
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Thank goodness, we've not yet had to use one of these!
Know that if you are going to buy a new Airstream, it will come with one year of Coach-Net coverage which is very well regarded by those who have used it. The annual cost of Coach-Net ranges from $69 to $139 depending on the level of coverage you choose.
__________________
Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
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06-20-2014, 06:42 AM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
1988 25' Excella
Trumbull
, Connecticut
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 197
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Roadside Assistance
Hello fellow Streamers. I had AAA a few years back and was on the road on vacation when I lost all my oil due to a mechanics blunder. Called AAA and they would not deliver oil. They would deliver most anything else but not oil. Fortunately a fellow camper stopped and went to town and bought me 6qt of oil. I now have Good Sam, they will deliver oil.
I keep a basic AAA policy but use it for maps ect only.
Happy camping nm1oqrz
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06-20-2014, 07:40 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Currently Looking...
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,112
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I don't think that one is better than the other. I have AAA and used them several times for the AS and a motorhome. If you do a search here, the consensus is that location and travel routes have a lot to do with the level of service from GS or AAA.
__________________
If you don't go first class, your heirs will!
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06-20-2014, 07:41 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Davenport
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,146
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I have Good Sam. Last week I had a flat on the left rear my truck while towing my AS. I called Good Sam and an hour and 20 minutes later I was on the road. The service person escorted me to the nearest gas station as my spare was low. He also called to justify that the spare was sufficient to handle towing until I could get a replacement.
All paper work was done on his I-phone.
mike
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06-20-2014, 02:29 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2023 30' Globetrotter
Pleasanton
, California
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,905
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I've had both, prefer Good Sam to AAA. I am only a member of Good Sam because of the roadside assistance program. In my opinion and experience...it's that much better.
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06-20-2014, 02:58 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1970 23' Safari
2005 30' Classic
1986 31' Sovereign
Lorain
, Ohio
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,645
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I have Good Sam.
One trip I was on the Washington DC beltway, and my engine had a serious problem. Good sam dispathed a tow truck that came a disconnected my 4wd driveshaft, and double headed my truck and airstream to the nearest campground about 15+/- miles away. He backed me into the space and left me for the night.
After making arrangements for the repair, he came and got me, the wife and truck and took us to the garage. This was the next day.
No money other than tip was exchanged.
I suspect it will take a lot for me not to have Good Sam.
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06-20-2014, 03:41 PM
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#10
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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We have AAA, but I'm considering Good Sam when we switch. Sometimes it's better to deal with someone whose specialty is those with RV's and Travel Trailers.
On that note, I'm really surprised how many of you are still using AAA's routing and maps service. I would of thought that had died in this day and age of GPS and smart phones.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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06-20-2014, 06:31 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1996 34' Excella
Elberta
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 837
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We have Good Sam, and have used it a couple of times for flat tires. Usually service was good. Last summer, however, north of Las Vegas, heading to Reno, I had a left rear wheel bearing fail. We were out of cell phone range, Good Sam, couldn't find anyone within 75 miles of us to help deal with the problem.
This was an isolated incident, and I'll let it pass.
HOWEVER, during the past several years, I get very tired of the constant barrage of junk mail ads, with all of their insurance offers. We've been getting them almost weekly.
Prior to Marcus Lemonus, as president, the company was much better.
For whatever it's worth.
Larry
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06-20-2014, 06:47 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2000 19' Bambi
mt. Prospect
, Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 829
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I have AMA coverage - included for free with membership ($35) and auto-renew, and covers RVs as well as autos. Only used it once, for a jump start, but no hassle at all. They also offer trip routing. I once had AAA gold, but the camping guides were poor, with incomplete listings - seems only that paid listings were included.
Gives me just enough peace of mind.
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06-20-2014, 06:56 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Garden Valley
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,631
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The truth be known it's probably the fact that whatever service you use, Good Sam or AAA, the person coming out to assist you will be the same tow outfit. I actually have both. My worst experience was with Good Sam; had a flat on our AS 60 miles from Moab. I called and it took them 1 1/2 hours to get there. Then he couldn't fit his hydro bottle jack under the axle. Lucky I had a wood chuck that I used as a ramp, then he didn't have the right size socket for his air gun, so I lent him mine. In that process, the cheap SS cover on the lug nut stripped so we used my Visegrips to pry off the cover. The nut under was another size socket, so I lent him that too. Finally got away 3 hours after calling. The next day, I had another flat just outside Ozona, TX and I just changed it myself, in 20 minutes. That's when I decided to ditch ST tires and go to 16" wheels, Michelin LT's and changed out all my lug nuts to solid SS. Oh, and I also bought a Trailer Aid ramp in case I needed to rotate my tires.
__________________
2008 F-250 4X4 Lariat V-10
2002 Airstream Classic 30' w/SO #2074
2007 Kubota 900 RTV
1996 Ford Bronco
2007 Lincoln LT
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06-20-2014, 08:02 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,215
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Have both the top level AAA and top level Good Sam. One or the other is going to be around if needed. I also carry a Satellite phone for the remote areas where cell phones are useless.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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06-21-2014, 03:03 PM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
2004 16' International CCD
Chicagoland
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 265
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We have had AAA for more than 20 years. We've never had Good Sam's Club. A previous poster let the cat out of the bag when he revealed that it is likely that the same guy is going to be coming to your rescue no matter which company you call. I suspect that this is especially true the more off-the-grid that you wander.
I've personally called AAA many times for jump-starts, flat tires, and breakdown towing for my personal automobiles. I haven't yet needed to call them to help me get my AS out of trouble. The only thing I will complain about is how long it sometimes takes to get help after you've made the call. I've decided that it just makes more sense for me to change my own tires, but I'm thankful that my wife can use the service if she has a blowout while she if off driving in another vehicle.
The AAA TripTik and all of the mapping documentation is arguably the best part of AAA. If you join them give the TripTix a try before you take your next trip. It is a wonderful resource to have available during your adventures.
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