I am not sure if this is the correct forum to post this, but since it involves out fifth wheel, I’ll start here. We just purchased out first fifth wheel last year and it came with a free 1-year membership of Coach-Net roadside assistance, which is about to expire. We have had instances in the past when we had a Class C and we needed a tow and all we had was AAA. We got the tow and had to pay for it, fortunately, we were close to town and a repair facility and also had a few flat tires that AAA covered.My brother and sister-in-law were pulling their fifth wheel through Arizona in the middle of nowhere when the fuel pump on their truck failed, not once but twice on that trip. I don’t think that they had any particular roadside plan. The first failure, the responding company would only tow the truck, leaving the fifth wheel on the side of the road. He had to stayed with the fifth wheel and his young son because only is wife and daughters would fit in the tow truck. They were stranded in the desert in late June for about six hours before his wife could find someone to come with a truck to hook up the fifth wheel and pull it to the repair facility. Anyway, I get bombarded with mail and email for roadside assistance plans from Good Sam, Coach-Net and AAA. After reading the information for each of the plans, none of them are overly clear about what specifically is provided. If my fuel pump goes out, do they tow only the truck and leave the fifth wheel on the side of the road? With the exception of AAA’s highest level plan which dispatch two trucks for extraction (and ultimately towing mentioned in the FAQ’s), I only see things like “tow your disabled vehicle…” in the remainder of the plans. What experience, good or bad, has anyone else had with roadside assistance plans when it involves towing the tow vehicle.

I have it so I would say it is worth it. I have used it three times. The problem I see without it is "who do you call if you are stranded along the highway?" With road service you have a number to call that will get you assistance.

I have the Good Sam's. As I read the coverage, they tow your truck and fiver if needed.

I've always used GS ERS. My last long trip I had to call them twice. First was for a broken fuel line in my truck. They towed the truck and 5er to a repair facility. They paid for the tow, I paid for the repair. The very next day the clutch in the truck went out just as I was pulling into a rest area. ERS arranged for a mobile mechanic to come to me the next morning. They paid his standard service call fee, I paid for the actual repair. Hope this helps you make a decision. I won't hit the road without it anymore.

I'm getting ready to buy Good Sam's plan. They have 3 different plans, and I really think the cheapest is all I need.

I have had all three. Only used CN once with good results. Never used the AAA. Currently have GS tow service which I used twice on the same trip last year. I switched from AAA because of some,of the stories on here of them not towing because of being out of coverage area.I originally had CN.Stopped using them because were we like to go in southern Missouri was out of their normal, coverage area. Found this out when we had a flat on previous TT. They would have sent someone out to change it but would have been 3 hr wait in 100+ degree weather. Ended up just changing myself.Had to use GS this summer in same area twice. Had to wait several hours each time,but I was out again of normal service area. Operator kept me infomed of progress and eventually they got both truck and 5er towed.All in all I would just go with which ever one has the best price between GS and CN. They both use same providers.

Any thoughts on Raodside Assistance Plans | Good Sam Community

wildbyon
Explorer
May 13, 2014
We have Good Sam and after our experience with them last year...they are the BEST and I'll be with them as long as i have an RV. Towed my truck, 38' 5th wheel AND atv trailer...twice till we got to a shop that could fix my problem. This was even in the middle of no-where New Mexico. I was impressed with their service.
happycamper1942
Explorer
May 13, 2014
I have Good Sam Roadside Assistance and on my current trip have had to use it twice, both times for tire blow-out problems. The service was excellent, prompt assistance and a follow up call to make sure I was OK. I would not be without it. As others have said,it covers both the tow vehicle and the trailer, and any other vehicle I have.
ralphnjoann
Explorer
May 12, 2014
I had GS for a couple of years, but I never had to use it, so I don't know how good it is. I dropped GS because State Farm, my auto and truck insurer, added a feature to their towing option; namely, an 800 number to call if you run out of fuel, need a tow, have a flat, etc. Hopefully I'll never have to find out how good it is.
sdetweil
Explorer
May 12, 2014
Yes, CoachNet has a mobile app
restlesswind
Explorer
May 12, 2014
Another point for Good Sam,if you have an Android "smart" phone,there is an app that goes right to GS. Have not used it as yet,
but it seems like a good idea.
I have no idea if there is an app for the Iphone,or if CN has an app.
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
May 12, 2014
Scott M wrote:
Well it seems like GS is the way to go. I actually have all three now. Probably will let Coach-Net expire. Will keep basic AAA because there is an office close and I use them for theme park tickets, occasional city maps and other travel. I had a bad experience with AAA in Ruidoso, New Mexico a few years back with our Class C. Called AAA and waited and waited. After about an hour I called back only to find out that they dispatched a tow truck out of Ruidoso, Texas. They did not have coverage in New Mexico. Even though I had specifically said that I was in New Mexico. A National Forest Service work crew finally called a tow truck for us. Also, in reading the fine print, AAA will not cover tow out of our SE USA service area. Thanks for all of the replies!

AAA - across the country is *not* the same as your "local" AAA.
Some areas of the country simply have no coverage.

Which ERS?
Whether it's GS or CN - chances are, you will get the same tow operator in the area of your breakdown.

ALL the ERS plans are underwritten by two or three major providers
(including GS and CN).

So - better results with one or the other - depend on the contracting tow service - and the guy driving the tow truck.

There *are* other options, for example:
American Motorcyclists Association offers ERS with membership which will do all the same things as any of the others - including towing RVs & trailers. It is via a national company (the others are also) - but limited to 35 mile tow.
Cost = $45. a year (doesn't matter if you have an MC or not).

IMO - my choice over GS or CN is US Rider. - intended for the many equestrians with *very* expensive cargo.
Don't have any hay burners - but doesn't matter.
Covers all your vehicles, and trailers - no matter what kind.
Compare their coverage..;)

~
Scott_M
Explorer
May 12, 2014
Well it seems like GS is the way to go. I actually have all three now. Probably will let Coach-Net expire. Will keep basic AAA because there is an office close and I use them for theme park tickets, occasional city maps and other travel. I had a bad experience with AAA in Ruidoso, New Mexico a few years back with our Class C. Called AAA and waited and waited. After about an hour I called back only to find out that they dispatched a tow truck out of Ruidoso, Texas. They did not have coverage in New Mexico. Even though I had specifically said that I was in New Mexico. A National Forest Service work crew finally called a tow truck for us. Also, in reading the fine print, AAA will not cover tow out of our SE USA service area. Thanks for all of the replies!
RECVEH2005
Explorer
May 11, 2014
I had AAA with RV coverage several years ago. It completely failed me when I lost a wheel just east of Portland, OR. I quit it and went to Good Sam; it has been MUCH better!!!

Mike
larry_barnhart
Explorer
May 11, 2014
We had to use the good sam towing on our new 2005 at 3625 miles because of a fuel filter. Now I learned this when calling GS. You cannot explain where you are good enough. Look for mile markers and remember close to one of them. Also on triple A when calling for a friend. They drove to a different city and nothing that I told them would give the lady in New York that information.

Nice tow job for us and a simple fix.
chevman
NC_Hauler
Explorer
May 11, 2014
GS ERS or Coach Net..either one would work well...