I've had Coach-net for several years, but it's getting time to renew and I thought I'd get more current feedback on Good SAMs program...It's hard for me to compare since I've never even (knock on wood) had to use a roadside assistance with my fifth wheel.Comments?.Thanks, Larry

I ended up with both in a single year because GS unexpectedly gave me an additional year--Gratis. And I needed roadside service that year. In my opinion they are basically the same, that is local service where you are broken down depends on the quality of the local ERS contractor. Neither service owns any tow trucks, they just contract with tow truck services around the country.If you need help in an area where the local contractor is good, then you will praise whichever ERS you have. If the local guy is not so good or if he is just busy you will curse the ERS. So it's all in the luck of where you break down. I will say that the people who answer the phone for both ERS are awful. They cannot take GPS data to locate you. And they expect you to tell them the nearest town with one of their contractors. If you break down on some stretch of road in rural Arkansas(or insert your own remote local here) be prepared to pull out your hair before you are done on the phone.

As long as you never need them, Both are great. When you do need them, it will depend entirely on the contract station in your vicinity. Both will make the necessary calls. Both will connect you with a technician who will read to you the manual you probably have in your hand. Reading the many years of complaints posted about both, the rants were either about inefficient contract stations, or the ranter did not understand the limits of Emergency Roadside Assistance. Personally, I used Coachnet once and they couldn't find a provider in my location who would respond in less than 24 hours, and it was a weekday on highway 101 in Washington. I used Good Sam twice, the service was acceptable, both times in and around large cities. (that represents 3 calls in 24 years, closest about 2 years apart...not bad for luck).Anyway, Happy Trails, and my you never need ERA.

Click here to read the Good Sam roadside brochure which is essentially the contract.Read it thoroughly and understand what is covered. Print it out and carry it in vehicle to refer to.If the plan covers what you need then you will have no problems and you will probably be happy.It seems most rantings are about things which people thought are covered but are not. I have had good service from GSRA but they have only done what they are supposed to.If you are an impatient person you may also be unhappy because it may take the a while to get help to you. There are times where you are literally across the road from a place but another service miles away is dispatched. This is their prerogative and has to do with cost.If you do have to call for help. Keep notes and names in case there is a problem. It will save time should something not go right but this is true of all phone customer service

read the print on where GS will tow you and read CN , had a brake caliper freeze up one time ,and CN sent mobil repair to me, and helped pay the bill.

Thanks for the responses all. I have stayed with Coach-net for the last several years basically because of a the ratio of negative rants between the two services.

Roadside assistance-Coach-Net or Good Sam | Good Sam Community

rskeans
Explorer
Apr 21, 2016
agesilaus wrote:

I will say that the people who answer the phone for both ERS are awful. They cannot take GPS data to locate you. And they expect you to tell them the nearest town with one of their contractors. If you break down on some stretch of road in rural Arkansas(or insert your own remote local here) be prepared to pull out your hair before you are done on the phone.

That is not my experience with Good Sam. GS has an app for a smart phone. When I needed help I used the app to call Good Sam. The operator had my GPS location on her screen and she knew exactly where I was. I didn't need to know anything. Help arrived about 10 minutes later.
happycamper1942
Explorer
Apr 21, 2016
I have just used Good Sam and have been very happy. On the 3 times I have used them they have always been able to locate me even in the middle of the Mojave.
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
Neither one!!..:(

Why? There *are* better options!..:C

Explore these -

US Rider

Yep it's an equestrian ERS - that will tow any vehicle or trailer (whether you are hauling horses or not) as long as *you* are present.

No "hay burner" ownership required.

Administered by the Nation Motor Club Inc, DBA Nation Safe Drivers.
(Note: *Not* "National Motor Club)

The AMA - "American Motorcyclist Association"

Vehicles = Autos, trucks, RVs, and non-commercial trailers.

Inexpensive - nice "back-up" plan -*NO* motorcycle ownership required.

Note: Towing is limited to 35 miles.

Both of these programs result in very personalized response to your questions.
Can you receive an e-mail AND a phone call from the Motor Club's Director of Operations at GS or CN? (I did from US Rider).

AT the AMA - the gal answering questions, referred me directly to the Motor Club administering the plan, when I asked if they would tow a tandem (as in semi) HDT converted to MH.

Don't hesitate to call either one and ask...;)

~
blkdodge
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
I was told by two different service providers, that GS is very very SLOW to pay that's why it takes slow long to get service. Boy I have some stories but post them here and hijack the thread.
SH
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
We started with GS ERS but after they left us stranded on I405 near Renton, WA we changed to Coach.net.
RustyJC
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
We had GS for probably 15 years and used them twice. They couldn't find a tire change service on Interstate 45 between Houston and Dallas on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM. We have Coach Net now.

Rusty
ACZL
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
Have had GS ERS for past 13 years and have been very happy w/ them. Old truck got towed 3 or 4 times (once when it was -10 and 3am), lock-out, daughter's car **it the bed and finagled ERS to have to towed to nearest GM dealer w/o extra charge. What's nice too about GS ERS is that you can have multi vehicles on plan. AAA was only 2 and at time of decision, AAA wasn't or didn't do or well versed on the RV side of things. But like it was well said in another reply, when they work, they are great, when they don't biggest ***!!!@@@###$$$%%%^^^&&&((())).
Paul_Clancy
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
Had coach net for 4 years. Used twice one good -one bad experience with the phone reps. Got taken care of both times. One tow was long enough it made paying for the premium towable well worth it.
laknox
Nomad
Apr 20, 2016
What about AAA RV service? Never had any of them, so am curious.

Lyle
shadows4
Explorer III
Apr 20, 2016
We had Coach-net for several years. Used it a couple of times. The last time I needed a tire changed. August day 5:00 pm about 100 degrees. They said I wasn't in their normal service area but they found a guy to change it. It would be 2 hrs before he could get there. Thanks but no thanks, I changed it myself.

Got a great deal on Good Sam service. I used them 3 times in 12 days two years ago. I was in the same area as before. They told me the same thing, out of their normal service area. Difference was they kept me informed of what they were doing and got me taken care of. I still have them for ERS. Good luck, John