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jkwilson
Indiana
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Joined: 06/14/2010
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Bowti wrote:Just wondering what your experience has been. I have a RV rider on my policy, but they just say save your receipts and turn them in for reimbursement. I am curious as to how you even know who to call when you are broke down in the middle of no where. It can be even worse if no cell phone service and its after closing time. Not looking for horror stores, just how did you get taken care of. I know many have AAA or Good Sam, is that the best way to go?
If you don't have cell service, it doesn't matter what you have. You'll have to rely on a passerby to send help.
There are 24 hour towing places, and the police will generally help you get in touch with them. And they won't steer you to somebody willing to accept a lowball price for towing.
John & Kathy
2014 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS
2014 F250 SBCC 6.2L 3.73
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TexasShadow
Spring Branch, TX USA
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Joined: 10/12/2003
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we use Coach Net.
One time several years ago, we had a blow out on one the rear tires, 30 miles from nearest town. we just pulled off the road a bit, onto a ranch gate drive and waited. They came and changed out the tire.
another time, we wanted to buy new batteries and called to find out where we could get some nearby.
and last time, a few years ago, we had a serious breakdown and needed a tow to a service that could fix the problem. we were about 200 miles from nearest place.
So the tow driver got his first directions mixed up and didn't show up until dark on the highway west of Riverton, WY...anyway, very interesting op... and he hauled us to Riverton and parked us and the next day, another driver from Casper came and hauled us to Casper and a place that could fix the rig. We stayed in the truck parking lot until the final day when they pulled the rig into their garage and did the final work. All very interesting. We explored Casper in our toad, etc.
All paid for.
TexasShadow
Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE/ 3126B Cat
Sometimes BMW K75 on Rear Carrier
Jeep Grand Cherokee or 2016 Ford XLT 4x4 super cab with 8 ft bed
M&G aux brake system
854 Watts of Solar Power
Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.
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rk911
DuPage County
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Joined: 05/30/2004
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Bowti wrote:Just wondering what your experience has been. I have a RV rider on my policy, but they just say save your receipts and turn them in for reimbursement. I am curious as to how you even know who to call when you are broke down in the middle of no where. It can be even worse if no cell phone service and its after closing time. Not looking for horror stores, just how did you get taken care of. I know many have AAA or Good Sam, is that the best way to go?
we've had GoodSam ERS for 30+years and that should tell you that we are pleased with it. But...we haven't had to use it for 7 or 8-years. when we have used it is has been good. no cell coverage? that's one reason we has a toad.
Rich
Ham Radio, Sport Pilot, Retired 9-1-1 Call Center Administrator
_________________________________
2016 Itasca Suncruiser 38Q
'46 Willys CJ2A
'23 Jeep Wrangler JL
'10 Jeep Liberty KK
& MaggieThe Wonder Beagle
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SDcampowneroperator
South Dakota
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Joined: 01/25/2011
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We have never bought any extended service plan or warranty. We bring tools, such as wrenches, our common sense and awareness.
Broke down 3 times, 1st. in '74, on us 281 at 2AM so. of O'neill Ne. Capacitor went ( remember them, the thing by the breaker points? ) went. A good samaritan drove me into St. Marys, woke the gas station owner for the parts then drove me back to my car and helped get it going. I made it to Dodge City from Manitoba on time for the wedding. cost $20 for parts and atip to the good samaritan. ( 1974 $ )
2 nd time an oil line from the block to the turbo on my 93 chevy 6.5 diesel truck blew out at 11pm feb. 97 30km east of Kenora, On. First passer by sent a tow truck. All fixed the next day, for a couple hundred bucks. ( $240 cdn 1997 $)
3 rd time , 9AM. in jan. 2020 50 mi. west of Albuquerque, we btoke a main spring on our 5er. Trurk stop recommended mechanic arrived in an hour, began repairs while we drove back to the city for parts. All fixed in 4 hours. (450 $ us )
Those samaritans and honest businesses are becoming rare. Vetting becomes a before trip exercise.
My moral of the story is its exceedingly rare for a warranty to pay up for the problem, they may pay for the emergency tow but then to their approved facility which then may have inflated rates.
Our insurance is to buy informed and be prepared Its a lot cheaper and much quicker in the long run.
Put those warrany payments into a savings account.
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Matt_Colie
Southeast Michigan
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Joined: 10/09/2011
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Bowti,
Fyrflie was actually optimistic. Yes, the answers will be all over the map. This is because who ever your carrier is, they don't have anything that they own. They may not even have knowledgeable connections in the state or province you happen to be in at the time. The actual carrier of the plan almost does not matter. Some are better than others, we have been with AAA for years and not always used their service, but we did save the receipts.
We have only required road service a very few times (for 17 years on a now 49yo coach), and none have been really bad as far as the service. by the picture in your profile, you have a 4dr, SRW PU and a 3X' 5er. If you do break down on the road, the important part is getting you and the rig to safety. Be very ready to explain in detail to the clerk level person at the other end of the phone what you need. If all you need is a tire service for either, that is not a tough one, but be sure you can tell them what things weigh and how much room there is (like under the axle of the 5er with a flat). Know what you will need.
Many years ago we cracked a wheel (old wheel with a radial tire) in Ohio. Even though I explained to the AAA person that we needed a 3 ton floor jack (like the one in my barn) to lift the front so the wheel could be changed for the spare, what finally arrived was not capable. I know my gear and was able to lift things at the expense of the broken wheel....
If you take a hit that stops the TV, a heavy duty wheel lift can probably do you. If you take a hit that is to the running gear of the 5er, I don't have any idea how you could manage that. I hope someone with experience can help you there.
The real answer here is two fold:
1- Be sure you know what you will need. The person on the other end may have no clue, but said can go to their sources and ask specifics for you. If what shows up is not capable, be ready to call them back.
2- No matter what you have been told by anybody, get itemized receipts for everything. Even if it is written in crayon on the back side of a gas slip, that may have to do.
Be very ready to be firm but not unpleasant to the poor person on the other end of the phone. If you can, write out what will be needed so your wife can hang on the phone while you deal with the emergency.
Remember, collisions with stopped vehicles are not all that uncommon. (Jokes about the boxer got that way by chasing parked cars are not that far off.) So, if you are on the edge of any fast road, get people and pets out of the line of fire first and keep them away. Set flares and light as you can and don't feel foolish.
Remember to be safe first.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie
A sailor, his bride and their black dogs (one dear dog is waiting for us at the bridge) going to see some dry places that have Geocaches in a coach made the year we married.
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Walaby
Georgia
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Joined: 11/10/2014
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toedtoes wrote:Honestly, they all have their pros and cons.
1. Good Sam and Coachnet will FIRST find a shop willing and able to take your rig. THEN, only after they confirm that, will they then locate a tow truck to get you there. This can cause delays.
My breakdown was at night, in the rain. Coachnet towed me home. That said, I was probably 70 miles from home, and they said the nearest repair shop was in my town, so I had them take me home vice the shop. They did tell me that they would have to charge me if there was a difference. They did use the nearest shop policy, but the dealership was already closed, so there was no way for them to get a confirmation that they would accept my truck. I was out in the middle of absolute nowhere, and fortunately did still have cell service.
I got the impression they would have towed me anywhere I wanted to go, as long as I was willing to pay the difference. Good thing there wasn't a shop closer.
Mike
Im Mike Willoughby, and I approve this message.
2017 Ram 3500 CTD (aka FRAM)
2019 GrandDesign Reflection 367BHS
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toedtoes
California
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Joined: 05/17/2014
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They will all tow you anywhere if you are willing to pay the difference.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)
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IDman
Oklahoma
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Joined: 07/19/2010
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Woke up on a Sunday morning near Rawlins, Wyo. with a flat tire on my pickup. Called Coachnet, nice lady took info, called me back in 10 minutes and told me who was coming to fix me up. He didn't even have me unhitch the TT and asked if I wanted the spare put on or if I wanted him to FIX the flat.
He fixed it and he was gone in under an hour. Coachnet called the right guy!
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time2roll
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Twice in 20+ years I have needed assistance. Called a local and paid cash. That is the end of it.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675w Solar pictures back up
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mgirardo
Brunswick, GA
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Joined: 05/04/2007
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We had a positive experience with AAA Plus with RV. We've had AAA for 25+ years and the RV add-on for about 10 years. We got rid of the RV add-on when we started camping seasonally and the TT stayed at the campground. There were a couple times where we had to wait up to a few hours, only once more than 2 hours. That one long wait time was because the only driver AAA could find that could handle a family of 4 (with a booster seat and a car seat) was at the Jersey Shore and we were outside Philadelphia, after coming down the Commodore Barry Bridge. After calling AAA we contacted Coachnet as it came free for 1 year with the HTT we just recently bought and they found the same exact guy, but Coachnet would only take us to the nearest Chevy dealer. AAA took us the 80 miles or so to Hershey's High Meadow Campground, which was our destination, then he took the van to the Chevy Dealer in town. Only cost us $20 for a tip to the driver.
On the East Coast, AAA is pretty good. We've broken down outside of our AAA Region and did not have trouble getting towed. With AAA Plus or better, the tow truck driver will go off-road if he is comfortable doing so. Outside of the East Coast, I have no experience with AAA.
-Michael
Michael Girardo
2017 Jayco Jayflight Bungalow 40BHQS Destination Trailer
2009 Jayco Greyhawk 31FS Class C Motorhome (previously owned)
2006 Rockwood Roo 233 Hybrid Travel Trailer (previously owned)
1995 Jayco Eagle 12KB pop-up (previously owned)
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