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beaglebiz's avatar
beaglebiz
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014

friends need help! Billings Montana

Hi all! I was hoping for any suggestions for good friends of mine that took their RV cross country for a trip to the Grand Canyon. Im asking here, because I think you all might have more info I can pass along with your FT lifestyle...
Heres the story in a nutshell...gotten from scraps of information from our friends...
Family of 4, 2 teen boys, mom and dad...set out from Eastern PA to travel to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. We got word from them yesterday that their rv broke down on the highway in Billings MT. Tow truck operator broke the door off the rv, and another tow truck had to come and get the other tow truck and rv to a shop. The woman and her son would not fit in the cab of the tow truck, so they had to hitch hike into town. (I dont think there was cell service). It does not look like the part needed can be found anywhere. the garage is willing to drive 3 or 4 hours to find what they need. The family could not get a motel room, because everywhere for 50 miles was books solid for a Tim McGraw concert. They have no car. They slept in the parking lot of the repair shop on the side of the highway in their backpacking tents.
Im posting this to find out any suggestions for these people, I suggested they ask the garage to allow them to sleep in the rv...but it looks like they may need to rent one to complete their trip.
Not sure what else is happening right now, but any advice I can pass along is appreciated!

17 Replies

  • THere are 18 avalable motels in Billings starting tonight thru the 4th. Rates start at $80 a night for 4 people.

    There are also 3 RV rentals there.
    Sarpy RV Rental
    www.sarpyrv.com - (406) 534-9349 - more
    Cruise America RV Rental
    www.cruiseamerica.com - (406) 245-9800 - more
    Montana Happy Campers
    www.montanahappycampers.com - (406) 245-9008 - more

    I mean they are there and can't get this information? Maybe they should not RV, or even travel out side of the house... JMHO.
  • First step should be getting advice from their insurance agent. Since you're asking on their behalf, I'm going to assume there was no trip insurance, roadside assistance insurance or extended warranty protection. That makes the options very limited. As soon as the concert is over, I would look for an extended stay motel for the cheaper rates and kitchen facilities.
  • Concerts are finished. They should be able to find hotel accommodations tonight. Pierce RV also rents RVs so they could leave their rig and continue on to Yellowstone for a few days while it is being repaired. Can't believe a towing company in Montana would leave people beside the road to hitchhike - that part of the story is hard to believe.
  • no scam...no dollars.
    I didnt know if anyone knows of an RV rental place or suggestions on accommodations, and in general what they should do. These people are friends of ours.
    I am a member here for years, we have a travel trailer but have not taken any long trips recently...I was looking to see what the fulltimers would do in this situation.
    The garage owner let them use his car last night to get pizza.
  • Is the garage an RV center or just a car repair garage?

    When we purchased our RV our dealer was a member of the Route 66 RV Network. They told us if ever on the road and needed that we could contact a member dealer for service. In seven years we have not needed the service.

    If your friends are not at a RV service center have them look up Pierce RV Center in Billings. (406) 655-8000. They are one of the Route 66 network RV dealers.

    Also have them check their RV insurance policy. Some policies cover cost incurred when you break down or have an accident. Towing, room and even some meals.
  • As long as you are not asking for $$$$. This is very simular to a scam that has been going on for years about a family traveling. Anyway... Yes they can sleep in the RV, the shop can make calls to get the part, or have it shipped to the shop. Everything in the RV should work so they can eat and live a few days without much trouble. I would contact my insurance about the wrecker breaking the RV Door. That is about it.