Emergency Road Service Recommendation?

[Nikfour]

Hi!
We were on our way back from the Fort on Sunday when we popped a tire on our RV!
We have AAA RV but they said they were NOT able to tow us b/c it was a blown back tire. They were not even able to change the tire. I felt like what is the point in having AAA???? Anyways. We had to have a tire service come out and $400 later....we were on the road again.

We would really like to look into Emergency Services other than AAA for our future use.
Does anybody have any recommendations?

Thank You!

Nikki

[2goofycampers]

Lots of people use the Good Sam Road Side program.

[LarryJ]

Hi!
We were on our way back from the Fort on Sunday when we popped a tire on our RV!
We have AAA RV but they said they were NOT able to tow us b/c it was a blown back tire. They were not even able to change the tire. I felt like what is the point in having AAA???? Anyways. We had to have a tire service come out and $400 later....we were on the road again.

We would really like to look into Emergency Services other than AAA for our future use.
Does anybody have any recommendations?

Thank You!

Nikki

Over the years I've had AAA (both the plus and RV plus), GS, and CoachNet. Our new trailer came with 1 year of CoachNet which I just renewed.

For all around coverage especially with an RV based on what I have read over the last several months I will be keeping CoachNet and I have already dropped the AAA RV plus and will drop that down to just the basic AAA for me only before I renew my AAA again. Keeping AAA basically for WDW discount since this year it saved us over $300 on CG fees.

Larry

[des1954]

Over the years I've had AAA (both the plus and RV plus), GS, and CoachNet. Our new trailer came with 1 year of CoachNet which I just renewed.

For all around coverage especially with an RV based on what I have read over the last several months I will be keeping CoachNet and I have already dropped the AAA RV plus and will drop that down to just the basic AAA for me only before I renew my AAA again. Keeping AAA basically for WDW discount since this year it saved us over $300 on CG fees.

Larry

Larry- I know this is a "questionable" question (:confused: ), but I've had good luck here in Florida with AAA for the RV. Thankfully, I've only used it twice in about 10 years. Does CoachNet have as large a network at AAA for RV's??

[bigdisneydaddy]

Hi!
We were on our way back from the Fort on Sunday when we popped a tire on our RV!
We have AAA RV but they said they were NOT able to tow us b/c it was a blown back tire. They were not even able to change the tire. I felt like what is the point in having AAA???? Anyways. We had to have a tire service come out and $400 later....we were on the road again.

We would really like to look into Emergency Services other than AAA for our future use.
Does anybody have any recommendations?

Thank You!

Nikki

What the heck is the point of having RV road service if they cant work on an RV. I think I would make some phone calls on that one. I can see where a standard road service vehicle wouldnt be able to handle a larger tire replacement but it sounds to me like they didnt want to pony up for the appropriate service. Did the $400 include a new tire ? Typically around here we pay $75 for a service call and then about $40 labor for each mount/dismount, then of course the price of the tire.

Scott

[Shaun and Amy]

We have Good Sam. Luckily I've never had to use it, but I have several friends who have used it and said it worked out great. Plus I read many positive things about Good Sam on some of the RV forums. For that small fee a year it sure does beat a $600 or more towing bill.

Good luck with your research.

[auntie]

Hi!
We were on our way back from the Fort on Sunday when we popped a tire on our RV!
We have AAA RV but they said they were NOT able to tow us b/c it was a blown back tire. They were not even able to change the tire. I felt like what is the point in having AAA???? Anyways. We had to have a tire service come out and $400 later....we were on the road again.

We would really like to look into Emergency Services other than AAA for our future use.
Does anybody have any recommendations?

Thank You!

Nikki

I have to agree what exactly is the point of paying for AAA RV..and then they can't help you out?..
We have AAA ..the regular service for your car.
We are insured with Progressive for the RV, and they say they provide road service for it as well, now I'm wondering just what they really cover.:confused3

[dvm4]

Wow, I use AAA rv for the discount at fort wilderness and roadside coverage. Maybe I go back to Sams rv

[Disney John]

We use Allstate RV roadside assistance through KOA. First year fees are $74.96 for your RV and all of your cars. Only had to used it once, but they were very fast and efficient. Here is a link that I found:

http://www.koa.com/rvroadhelp/

You also get a 1 year membership to KOA's Value Kard program (discounts)

Hope this helps!

[loveDmouse]

We have AAA RV Plus too. We got a nail in our tire. Luckily we made it home ok (it wasn't leaking much air at all) and I called them. They could come and change the tire for us as long as we had a spare but it sounded like only if we were still on the road they wouldn't come to the house (they were a little confusing to me). Well, at the time we didn't. Just didn't think about it yet. (Really ticks me off that when you spend all that money on a motorhome they can't give you a spare tire:mad: :mad: )

We ended up finding a tire place that could take care of changing the tire for us. We also got another rim and tire so now we have a spare. Hopefully we won't ever have this problem again. This was close to $800 bucks later. :mad:

We didn't really get to see how AAA would handle things because we didn't have the spare but it seems like they would have/could have if we had one but if we were on the road probably not since we had made it home but maybe. :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

We also have a road side assistance that came with our motorhome through Ford which I have heard from others is very nice.

[ynottony99]

I am confused after reading the posts. Has anyone ever had road side assistance for a flat or any other TT or Motorhome repair. I had a 'situation' and I called one number after another from Yellowpages that advertised Emergency RV service and Roadside assistance. Nobody would come out and help me with my TT sitting on the Interstate. All of them told me to have it towed in by a wrecker service and then they would make the repair in the shop.:confused3

[LarryJ]

Larry- I know this is a "questionable" question (:confused: ), but I've had good luck here in Florida with AAA for the RV. Thankfully, I've only used it twice in about 10 years. Does CoachNet have as large a network at AAA for RV's??

Well I believe they do and only time will tell as I have never over the years had to use anything for the TT so I'm basing my decisions on having read many, many threads asking about which is the best and also the horror stories from both AAA and GS with very few if any about CoachNet. From everything I've heard CoachNet seems to get it right the first time as to what to send and they even have an RV tech line you can use on the road and IIRC even cover you in Canada. I've read stories where AAA has refused to tow dually pickups and the RV Plus is a regional thing, etc., etc. Also, the CoachNet is around $100/year (you have to belong to one of the many clubs, mine being the HR one to get that price) and my last AAA RV Plus for the two us was close to $175.

Now I've probably gone and jinxed myself and will break down going back to Va and have a bad experience with CoachNet :lmao:

Larry

[rapriebe]

We had a flat tire on our RV when we pulled into FW on our last trip. At the time we had Good Sam Roadside service. They were very good. They immediately dispatched a tire company to come out and fix the tire. It had a bad tire valve stem which had caused all the air to leak out. We just signed up for AAA because of the discount on the campsite but will switch back to Good Sam when this expires.

[gmflanigan]

Hi!
We were on our way back from the Fort on Sunday when we popped a tire on our RV!
We have AAA RV but they said they were NOT able to tow us b/c it was a blown back tire. They were not even able to change the tire. I felt like what is the point in having AAA???? Anyways. We had to have a tire service come out and $400 later....we were on the road again.

We would really like to look into Emergency Services other than AAA for our future use.
Does anybody have any recommendations?

Thank You!

Nikki


We have Good Sam Club RV Emergency Road Service. We've had a tire changed and been towed when a belt broke. I think it costs us $119 or $129/year. One year they actually towed us to a campground because it was a Sunday and no repair shops were open. We have a MH so when they tow they use the big tow trucks.

[LarryJ]

Larry- I know this is a "questionable" question (:confused: ), but I've had good luck here in Florida with AAA for the RV. Thankfully, I've only used it twice in about 10 years. Does CoachNet have as large a network at AAA for RV's??

As a followup ....

As an example scroll down to page 4 in THIS THREAD (http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21920664/srt/pa/pging/1/page/4.cfm) (hopefully the link will take you to page 4 and read forward from the post by jsikora on 10/27/08 at 8:33PM and this type of thing with AAA from my reading is all too common.

GS is sort of a hit or miss kind of thing just as you can see if you read that entire thread linked above.

As far as CoachNet goes THIS THREAD (http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21997024/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm) is what I see typically when CoachNet is discussed.

Larry

[wrongagain]

Coach-net is my service, towing, road service, fuel, etc.

[Nikfour]

What the heck is the point of having RV road service if they cant work on an RV. I think I would make some phone calls on that one. I can see where a standard road service vehicle wouldnt be able to handle a larger tire replacement but it sounds to me like they didnt want to pony up for the appropriate service. Did the $400 include a new tire ? Typically around here we pay $75 for a service call and then about $40 labor for each mount/dismount, then of course the price of the tire.

Scott

Yes! It did include the tire. I guess we are so fortunate (ha ha) to have special tires that are only made by Michelin that cost 350.00. I think we need to replace 5 more b/c the one that blew was 8 yrs old. That will be quite pricey!

Nikki

[Shan-man]

I agree that GS ERS is hit and miss. I have had numerous occasions to use them (sadly). Sometimes the service is flawless other than the slow response (which is universal). Other times it has been down-right infuriating. I have twice requested a tow by a big-rig tow and they sent a flatbed tow truck! The last guy actually tried to pick the front end with his flatbad and lifted his tow truck off the ground... nothing like waiting 4 hours for the WRONG TRUCK! I am still a subscriber, but I may look into CoachNet when it is up.

[des1954]

Well I believe they do and only time will tell as I have never over the years had to use anything for the TT so I'm basing my decisions on having read many, many threads asking about which is the best and also the horror stories from both AAA and GS with very few if any about CoachNet. From everything I've heard CoachNet seems to get it right the first time as to what to send and they even have an RV tech line you can use on the road and IIRC even cover you in Canada. I've read stories where AAA has refused to tow dually pickups and the RV Plus is a regional thing, etc., etc. Also, the CoachNet is around $100/year (you have to belong to one of the many clubs, mine being the HR one to get that price) and my last AAA RV Plus for the two us was close to $175.

Now I've probably gone and jinxed myself and will break down going back to Va and have a bad experience with CoachNet :lmao:

Larry

That sounds pretty good, and pretty reasonable. We've never had a flat http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12_3_46.gif (*******************************************ZSzeb0 01_ZSYYYYYYOCUS) , but did break down twice in 2 older RV's & had no problem w/AAA towing us. I have heard other horror stories about AAA not having the equipment necessary to tow a MH however. I may look into CoachNet when we start going places other than FW (50 miles round trip).:rotfl2:







http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb112&pp=ZSYYYYYYOCUS (http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb112_ZSYYYYYYOCUS&utm_id=7920)

[DogDawg]

I agree that GS ERS is hit and miss. I have had numerous occasions to use them (sadly). Sometimes the service is flawless other than the slow response (which is universal). Other times it has been down-right infuriating. I have twice requested a tow by a big-rig tow and they sent a flatbed tow truck! The last guy actually tried to pick the front end with his flatbad and lifted his tow truck off the ground... nothing like waiting 4 hours for the WRONG TRUCK! I am still a subscriber, but I may look into CoachNet when it is up.

My experience with GS exactly, sad to say. DD

[Nikfour]

Thank You for all the valuable input. I guess sometimes you have to find out the hard way! Well, we took our losses and do not want to go through that again. I am glad so many of you have shared your stories. It has really helped to hear about all of your experiences.
We will have to sign up for something BESIDES AAA. They really did not help us. Coachnet seems to be a reputable resource. I will have to look in to that service.

Thanks Again!

Nikki

[kristytru]

I read this thread before we left on our first "longer than an hour" trip from NJ to VA. I kept bugging DH about checking the tires, but we all know how well some men listen. I told him, "If we blow a tire, you are getting a huge I told you so". Well, he laughed and guess what..2 hours from our destination (6 hours in), the tire blows! :scared1: Our roadside service is called extra ride. They said they would be there in 45 minutes and actually got there in 45 minutes:cool1: Changed the tire and at my urging DH asked hom to check the others. When he sent to check the other back tire, the valve stem broke!:eek: He patched it for us and we were on our way 2 hours from the time of the blowout. Needless to say, DH was very quiet:rolleyes1

[dfg02790]

We have had Coach Net and have used them for the motor home and for one of our cars. Not only have they given us prompt service if need be you can speak to a technician who is familiar with your particular motor home. They also follow up after to call to make sure everything was taken care of.
Don

[clkelley]

We have Good Sam and have had nothing but exemplary service from them. On my way home from Indiana, I had a radiator hose bust on my truck while towing my camper. It was a Sunday evening, so they towed my truck to the repair shop and carried me and my camper to a campground. On Monday morning, the repair shop got my truck fixed and picked me up at the campground. Good Sam kept in constant contact with me to make sure everything was going smoothly.

Locally, my son's car lost a brake line, and they towed it to my husband's shop. The tow driver was supposed to charge us extra because the shop was further than the "closest" shop, but since my DH knows just about every tow driver in town, we weren't charged the extra. Once again Good Sam called us back on a followup to make sure we were taken care of.

[rox]

We have carried AAA rv plus for years. Fortunately only had to use once or twice. One time we had just unhooked the Travel Trailer at our storage facility and the dually wouldn't start. We called AAA and they sent a huge wrecker to the storage facility. They pulled the dually up onto a flatbed and then offered to tow the travel trailer too. We didn't need the TT towed as we had just finished our camping trip. All five of us rode in the wrecker home. We have one of those steep driveways that some homes in the Shenandoah Valey have. They backed it up the driveway and unloaded the dually. Never got a bill, it was all covered by AAA. My husband made the repairs himself. So we have had a good experience with AAA RV. Was a few years ago though.:confused3

[Shan-man]

Thought I would give this thread a bump because I need to sign up for roadside emergency service. I have been a Good Sam's ERS subscriber for years but am quite hesitant to sign up again with them (and the whole Affinity Group) teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. I am tempted to go with AAA Plus RV, but have heard a fair number of denial of service complaints. The other option is CoachNet, which seems to get good reviews. Anybody have opinions? I do need to act soon.

TIA
:santa:

[Donna]

i am curious about this as well. It's my sign up time and I didn't know about any problems with the good sam group.

[Shan-man]

Yes, the whole Affinity Group is in trouble. Which means Good Sam, Camping World, Motorhome Magazine, and Trailer Life Magazine, and Woodalls. If they go under they will leave an ENORMOUS void in the RV community. But, naturally, I'm just concerned about the void in my pocket if I can't get roadside service... no, I'm not! JK

:santa:

[Brumeiser]

we have had both good sam and Allstate and have good luck with both. We have Allstate just for the fact that they can take the 80 dollar first year fees and charge it to my credit card in 12 monthly payments. It is much easier in times like this to be able to stretch it out. Allstate is very prompt and they make follow up phone calls to make sure you auto has been fixed and you are on your way.

[BradyBz12]

Yes, the whole Affinity Group is in trouble. Which means Good Sam, Camping World, Motorhome Magazine, and Trailer Life Magazine, and Woodalls.

yikes :headache:

Thanks for bumping this Shan - it effects us too and I hadn't even thought about it.

I'd be curious to know what kinds of "glitches" people have encountered with the AAA RV plan. We have the AAA Plus service for our cars and have been really happy with that, but given how many miles we spend on the road with our TT each year, we definitely need something that's going to be useful and reliable.

Anyone got any info to share on the AAA RV plan?

[Shan-man]

I have read several posts (both here and at RVnet) where people have reported calling AAA with RV problems and were denied service, saying they could not be towed or a tire would not be changed... despite having the Plus RV plan. I have to imagine most of these must to be due to a communication breakdown, else wise WTH are you paying for? I would have been bumped to a manager then a supervisor then VP then CEO before I let them off the phone without getting service!

[BradyBz12]

I have to imagine most of these must to be due to a communication breakdown, else wise WTH are you paying for? I would have been bumped to a manager then a supervisor then VP then CEO before I let them off the phone without getting service!

Agreed!!

[Minnie&Mickey]

Does AAA still have the RV Plus membership? I have tried to find information about it on their website and haven't been able to find anything.

[dtum]

just renewed GS a few months back, but given their current problems, may give Coach-net a try. Their website looks like they offer a lot for the price.

https://www.coach-net.com/Default.aspx

[Disney John]

Shan-man,

We have had Allstate RV Roadhelp plan for 3 years and so far so good. We have only used it once but they were VERY fast and efficient. As someone else stated, I received a "follow up" phone call also, asking me about our service.

IMO they are much better than AAA. Plus, you also get 1 year membership in the KOA value kard program which gives you 10% off camping at KOA. I think it's about $80 a year for everything.

Here is a link for you to look at.

http://www.koa.com/rvroadhelp/

[Shan-man]

Well, I may have made a foolish decision, but I signed up for AAA Plus RV today. Mainly because I was hoping for the AAA discounts at the Fort, and I needed to make a decision quickly since we are taking the moho out tomorrow (and GS ERS expired May 1). Chances are, in the next year I will make at least a few ERS calls, so I should be able to give y'all some practical evaluations! LOL (ah, the advantages of an older motorhome!).

:santa:

[Minnie&Mickey]

Well, I may have made a foolish decision, but I signed up for AAA Plus RV today. Mainly because I was hoping for the AAA discounts at the Fort, and I needed to make a decision quickly since we are taking the moho out tomorrow (and GS ERS expired May 1). Chances are, in the next year I will make at least a few ERS calls, so I should be able to give y'all some practical evaluations! LOL (ah, the advantages of an older motorhome!).

:santa:

Were you able to find information about AAA Plus RV online, or did you have to call AAA to get it? I have never been very lucky with our local AAA office (they never call back when I try to use them for travel reservations), so I was hoping to get their RV coverage online.

[Shan-man]

Yes, I was able to find good information online before signing up. Just search Google for "AAA Plus RV" and you will find the info. Also, you can begin a membership application and one of the steps will be picking the level of service you want to subscribe to. All the details about each plan are linked on that page.

HIH
:santa:

[Tigger1966]

We ran into trouble several years ago just trying to find a machanic on a Saturday evening. Found out when the sign says service 24/7 that doesn't mean Saturday evening.
When I purchased my MH it had one rear wheel stud missing on the right rear. No big deal there were still 7 more:thumbsup2
After leaving the Cracker Barrel near the Eagles roost heading for FW DW hears a strange noise. When I pulled the wheel cover there was a lugnut and stud broken off rolling around in there. Now I have 6:eek:
Went to FW and everything was ok headed back home by Clearwater beach and lost another one now I have 5. Now I am worried I stop at several auto parts stores to collect new nuts and studs. Now I need some one to install them. We stopped at several shops in clearwater none could help so we hit the interstate thinking a truck repair shop. We drove (slowley) all the way to Ocala stopping at every truck repair shop no help but still loosing studs. Got to a shop near Ocala and had 2 left:scared1::scared1::scared1:
They gave me a guy's card that did mobile repairs and I called him. He would only come out if I paid him cash. It cost me $80 to simply borrow his hub socket I allready had the wheel and axle off when he got there.
Now I am not allowed to leave home without that socket(Haven't Needed it Again)
When I got home I put all new studs on that wheel:thumbsup2

[Minnie&Mickey]

Yes, I was able to find good information online before signing up. Just search Google for "AAA Plus RV" and you will find the info. Also, you can begin a membership application and one of the steps will be picking the level of service you want to subscribe to. All the details about each plan are linked on that page.

HIH
:santa:

I'm starting to think that maybe AAA Plus RV is a regional thing. I googled AAA Plus RV and found a link, but when I go to that page, there is absolutely no information on the RV plan. It asks for my zip code and when I type that in, it takes me to another page that doesn't have any information on AAA Plus RV. I guess I'm just going to have to call them. :(

[Disney John]

Minnie&Mickey,

I think that any AAA office will let you add RV to AAA Plus plan for about $40 a year extra. I found that when I put in my zip code, it doesn't show RV plus either, but when I called they said it was available.

Try this link for a description of the service: ( it's the Hoosier AAA office)

http://www.aaa.com/aaa/023/hmc/members/basic_vs_plus.htm

Hope it helps.

John

[Shan-man]

That link worked for me John. I noticed something interesting in the copy there:

The AAA Plus RV program provides reimbursement per occurrence at commercial rates when the AAA ERS RV contractor is not available.

So, perhaps coverage is regional and if you are out-of-market you must file for reimbursement. That might account for some of the denial of service claims I've read about.

[Minnie&Mickey]

Minnie&Mickey,

I think that any AAA office will let you add RV to AAA Plus plan for about $40 a year extra. I found that when I put in my zip code, it doesn't show RV plus either, but when I called they said it was available.

Try this link for a description of the service: ( it's the Hoosier AAA office)

http://www.aaa.com/aaa/023/hmc/members/basic_vs_plus.htm

Hope it helps.

John

Thanks for the link, John. That is exactly what I was looking for.

[aldebnj]

A few years ago I researched GS ERS and AAA RV Plus. GS ERS is truly nationwide while with AAA RV Plus, you can only get service if that AAA region provides RV services. If that AAA region doesn't, they can't help you. We went with GS ERS but will look at CoachNet next time.

Happy Camping,
Al

[ynottony99]

I have been looking into GS. Then I got a coupon for some pretty good deals on some packages from Camping World. The roadside service is called 'Camping World RoadCare'. With coupon it is $89.95-99.95 depending on the add on perks. Is this 'Camping World RoadCare' the same as GS??? GS membership is on the reverse of the coupon for $12.

I would like to have AAA for the family car, and the discounts and parking at Disney. But would really like to have roadside service for the truck and TT.

[Donna]

I have been looking into GS. Then I got a coupon for some pretty good deals on some packages from Camping World. The roadside service is called 'Camping World RoadCare'. With coupon it is $89.95-99.95 depending on the add on perks. Is this 'Camping World RoadCare' the same as GS??? GS membership is on the reverse of the coupon for $12.

I would like to have AAA for the family car, and the discounts and parking at Disney. But would really like to have roadside service for the truck and TT.

but i think it was posted that camping world was part of the affinity group going under, so not sure i'd want to be a part of that. the GS $12 membership is just for the club itself, not the roadcare service. i DO like that magazine that comes with the membership though, but i can never find a good sam campground when we travel.