Breakdown while towing
So on out way out west my truck broke down(water pump failed causing a lot of other damage when it did). Luckly we had already dropped the fifth wheel off at the park and we're on the way to get some ...
Forum Discussion
So I called AAA. In addition to the trailer package I had also upgraded it the the "Silver" or some such that provides for up to 100 miles free towing for each incident and $5 a mile afterwards. They limit the service calls to 5 a year, however since my wife is a member also that provides 10 service calls for us. I've used 2 this year so far. God I hope I don't need all of them, lol.
The service is of course nationwide. My plan is based in Georgia and when the truck broke down I was in Oregon and they had someone out in 30 minutes. It was completely free of course. I also used google on my phone to find a shop that had good reviews. Obviously that only works in areas with reception or areas with more than one shop, lol. I have previously used the drivers recommendation successfully also(in my other car).
From what I understand as long is it is within the 100 miles I can have the trailer towed to a park and the truck to the shop at no additional cost. The lady I spoke with clearly wasn't knowledgeable about how it works with the trailer package. She said depending on the area they may count that as two tows if they need two trucks. However I think she is incorrect from what I have read, as long as it's under that 100 mile radius, your good. I would certainly pitch a sh!t fit if they tried to count that as two tows, I can guarantee that, lol. I called the 800 number, I probably should have called the office that holds my membership. I think I would have got someone more knowledgeable.
I should also mention the other service call I had. My wife had locked the door from the outside when she took the dog out and then I opened the door for her to come back in. A little while later we went out for some reason. Well guess what, when the door is locked from the outside, it will open from the inside but not the OUTSIDE. So we were locked out, without a phone, without my wallet, without keys to the truck, and in my pajamas at like 7 am.
Thankfully our neighbor had a smart phone he let us borrow and I was able to look up AAA's number and they sent someone out even though I didn't have my membership card(in the trailer, in my wallet, lol). I forgot the reason but it took them about an hour this time and we were right in New Orleans. Well the pop-a-lock guy had that door open in all of 15 seconds. This was of course entirely free. Now I have a key hidden for the truck and the trailer so that hopefully can't happen again.
Needless to say the membership already paid for itself and has numerous times in the past over the years. Thanks for every ones input.
Anyone here had power steering/brakes fail while towing? Or a tire blowout for that matter? It seems like it could really be life or death at highway speeds. I at least know what it's like but my wife would be clueless.
Tim Czarkowski
TotalTravelers.com
The service is of course nationwide. My plan is based in Georgia and when the truck broke down I was in Oregon and they had someone out in 30 minutes. It was completely free of course. I also used google on my phone to find a shop that had good reviews. Obviously that only works in areas with reception or areas with more than one shop, lol. I have previously used the drivers recommendation successfully also(in my other car).
From what I understand as long is it is within the 100 miles I can have the trailer towed to a park and the truck to the shop at no additional cost. The lady I spoke with clearly wasn't knowledgeable about how it works with the trailer package. She said depending on the area they may count that as two tows if they need two trucks. However I think she is incorrect from what I have read, as long as it's under that 100 mile radius, your good. I would certainly pitch a sh!t fit if they tried to count that as two tows, I can guarantee that, lol. I called the 800 number, I probably should have called the office that holds my membership. I think I would have got someone more knowledgeable.
I should also mention the other service call I had. My wife had locked the door from the outside when she took the dog out and then I opened the door for her to come back in. A little while later we went out for some reason. Well guess what, when the door is locked from the outside, it will open from the inside but not the OUTSIDE. So we were locked out, without a phone, without my wallet, without keys to the truck, and in my pajamas at like 7 am.
Thankfully our neighbor had a smart phone he let us borrow and I was able to look up AAA's number and they sent someone out even though I didn't have my membership card(in the trailer, in my wallet, lol). I forgot the reason but it took them about an hour this time and we were right in New Orleans. Well the pop-a-lock guy had that door open in all of 15 seconds. This was of course entirely free. Now I have a key hidden for the truck and the trailer so that hopefully can't happen again.
Needless to say the membership already paid for itself and has numerous times in the past over the years. Thanks for every ones input.
Anyone here had power steering/brakes fail while towing? Or a tire blowout for that matter? It seems like it could really be life or death at highway speeds. I at least know what it's like but my wife would be clueless.
Tim Czarkowski
TotalTravelers.com
