A question about a Mobile Mechanic, please.....

Question

Our dash (not roof) A/C was blowing warm air in Bakersfield, CA. 85 degrees out and dash blowing 70-75 degree air inside.

I suspected low R134a and called GSRA to see if a mobile mechanic who knew A/C could come to our RV park and see what's what.

Our polite GSRA agent said "no.....it is not a disablement" OK, says me..... and I had a local tech come over on my dime. His gauge did not move fast when hooked up and a pound of R134a did not improve things. He said the compressor is shot.

I can't find a definition of "disablement" in our Platinum policy. Does this mean the RV must be totally unable to move? What if we had one tire 20 lbs low on air, but no nail or puncture? It is drivable and would GSRA say we will not send a mobile truck to air you up?

How about an awning that won't fully retract? Still drivable, perhaps.

What about jacks that only retract one-third? Still drivable but not maybe a good idea.

I am curious as to GSRA definition of "Disablement"

bdpreece · Answer

Perhaps you misunderstood what you were purchasing. Your Platinum Good Sam Roadside Assistance is towing insurance not an extended service program. They do not pay to fix your vehicle, they only tow it to the nearest network service facility if it is not drivable. For tires they will dispatch a service truck to change or repair your tire but you are responsible for the service charges. If the vehicle is drivable there is no reason for them to come out. Would you really expect them to tow it into a repair shop to fix your dash air? Now if the compressor had froze and thrown the serpentine belt, then they would have towed it in.

You are correct in thinking they should have offered to find someone to help you. On their web site they show:
Operational & Technical Assistance From Certified Technicians
Get help solving technical RV problems from RV experts with RVIA, RVDA or ASE certifications. They'll even help you make an appointment with a local repair shop or manufacturer!

noel · Answer

Brian. Last year I swung the passenger side tail end into a post. Cap was loose and coach (not chassis) frame was bent a bit. Driveable but not realistic.

GSRA sent a mobile mechanic who strapped the frame tight and put many strips of Gorilla Tape on rear to hold cap tight. I drove 600 miles like this.

GSRA paid travel time and I paid for parts and labor.

What I was asking was.....not to fix the A/C compressor but to diagnose and add some R134a in the hope of a fix.

scottg · Answer

Adding refrigerant is not a road side assistance task anymore than changing a tail light bulb or adjusting the valves would be. If you can drive it to a repair facility then you aren't disabled and RSA companies are not going to help.

guidry · Answer

I had the same problem with the AC in my Toyota. I almost took it in to a mechanic but luckily did some internet research. Found that it was nothing more than a loose nut under the control knob. Do you think the mechanic would've told me it was a compressor?? Anyway, you may want to check before spending money, worth a quick try. Good luck

usualsuspect · Answer

I found this at the beginning of the Platinum Brochure, since it is not disabled and drivable to the a repair facility it is not covered.

"The purpose of this program is to provide roadside assistance, in the event of a disablement of any eligible vehicle in the possession of either you or any allowable family member under this program, which is required to enable that vehicle to either proceed safely under its own power, or to be towed to the nearest professional service center for repair. This benefit is not intended to be used in lieu of routine maintenance or needed repairs on your vehicle."

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A question about a Mobile Mechanic, please.....

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