Emergency Road Service

[ViewRVs]

What Emergency Road Service do you use? Comments?

[overlander64]

I have had AAA plus RV for the past eight years. So far I haven't had to use the service when towing my trailer, but have used is multiple times with my '75 Cadillac, and once for a flat tire on my Suburban. The only down side has been response time - - typically in excess of two hours for a tow, and in excess of an hour to change a flat (I was only 300 yards from the AAA station with the flat).

This may be typical of all Emergency Road Service providers, but I must remind the call center of the need for a heavy duty tow truck when my Cadillac must be towed - - AAA sent a 1-ton tow truck to tow my Cadiallc once and each time we hit a bumb the tow truck's front wheels would leave the ground momentarily.

Another issue that I have learned of that is of critical interest for Vintage Airstream Trailer owners is that the tow truck operator must be advised of ball size required for your trailer if the trailer is to be towed separately from the disabled tow vehicle. A friend encountered just such a situation but had assumed that the operator could read the stamping on the coupler "2" Marvel" and understand that a 2" ball was required. The ball size on the tow truck was incorrect and the trailer was lost on the highway when the coupler left the ball.

Kevin

[zduke4x]

I have AAA rv service and on my sob just prior to my current 310 motorhome, blew a 454 motor in Daytona , FL ..service was good even though late at night, towed 156 miles to my local dealer and gave me a ride home, I believe I paid nearly 3 bucks a mile for the 56 over 100 miles but it was good service and I was satisfied.

I recently paid $79 to Good Sams for more comprhensive coverage...haven't used it thankfully, has anyone else?

[Silvertwinkie]

I received a free membership from Thor when I bought the Bambi for road service. It is good for one year. After it expires, I am uncertain I will renew.

Eric

[ViewRVs]

I believe the factory road service is from Coach-Net.

[moporolo]

I have had Good Sam ERS for four years now and have used the service four times, so far.

Each time the service arrived within 30 minutes. Was done well.
(flat tires) and service people friendly and courteous.

And, Good Sam called back later the same day to determine whether work was done satisfactorily.

Couldn't ask for a better investment! I would certainly recommend them to RV users.

[jcanavera]

I use the towing option ($40 annually) from my trailer insurance from Foremost. It includes towing of both vehicles, a 800 number for service and trip interruption coverage.

Jack

[ViewRVs]

I asked this question since my ERS is up for renewal.

I originally went with Coach Net for the following reasons:

1) I heard that the toll-free call center response times were fairly long for Good Sam and Camping World (since they both go into the same Affinity call center). (from the Usenet RV group) If I'm on the side of the road on my cell phone, I don't want a long call.

2) Coach Net is the only one that requires RV training for their call center staff. I needed them on my first trip and they were very RV knowledgeable. I was educated about my electrical system by a technician. They did call me later to verify I was back up and running.

The coverages between Coach Net, Good Sam, and Camping World are very similar. Lots of happy users for all three and I don't think you can go wrong. Most complaints are due to local problems out of their control.

Bottom line: I'll probably renew my Coach Net

[RoadKingMoe]

I'm with Jack on using Foremost's towing on my insurance policy. I also use their total replacement value where in the first 5 years of a new trailer's life, they'll replace it with a current year model, and in years 6-10, they'll give you the original price of your year model (declared value).

Hopefully, it won't be much longer before we're using their full-timers policy.

[thenewkid64]

We have AAA RV plus.

The first time we used it it was great, first govenor died and we had a great tow to our location in the boonies of Idaho in 45 Min. Proper truck and he did an awesome job.

When we died in Dallas I spent 30 min. on the phone with the call center trying to explain I need a HD truck to tow me. Then when they finally found someone to take the call (2+hours later) I verified that they were going to send out the correct equiptment and was told they had it as a gooseneck trailer???? So they recalled the truck and dispached a HD, but it was going to be 3 more hours.

I spoke to AAA numerous times trying to get a better response, but it took close to 8 hours to get a tow truck to me and I was less than 20 miles outside of Dallas. I have not had a follow up call from AAA or any explainiation as to why in the boonies I get fantastic service and in the Metroplex it takes 8 hours for a truck and 11 hours from first call to get towed to a shop.

I have to chalk it up to the local operators, and the individual; state call centers. I have used AAA for my cars in Florida and have been very happy with the service.

[garry]

I have Good Sams and just renewed. The special was $20 gas coupon with the $89 renewal.
From what they tell me the Airstream trailer is covered but boats or utility trailers don't qualify ?? This is my third year and haven't had to use them yet. However; I have had at least three flats on my boat trailer.
Since I seem to be pulling one or the other all the time does anyone know who would cover all in a towing situation ??

garry

[TBKP's Overlander]

I don't have anything and feel good about it. Have a brand new truck and new axels on my trailer. I think the chances of needing to be towed is low. I"m pretty young, good at changing tires. If I had an older MH, I think I might get something.

[garry]

It's not the tires I worry about. I wouldn't wait for a tow truck to change a tire if I had a good spare, unless the weather was really bad. I have on one occasion had a spare blow out less than two miles after changing leaving me we no spare and I have lost the transmission while pulling a utility trailer that required a tow.

Garry

[moporolo]

There's a thousand things that can go wrong on the road..especially in strange territory where you don't know who's qualified or not. Not just tires but brakes, transmission, heating up, hitch problems..the list goes on.

It can happen late at night, on week-ends, on the back roads and on the supers.

I feel comfortable knowing that anytime, anywhere I can get help with just a phone call.

Peace of mind is worth the price + its year 'round on all vehicles.