Forum Discussion

jjrowan's avatar
jjrowan
Explorer
Jun 04, 2014

Disabled versus crippled

Took my Gulf Stream Sun Voyager from New Jersey to Maine recently. On the way the 5.9 Cummins began struggling going up any incline. I was fairly certain it was a fuel filter issue as a friend related the exact same condition he had when his filter was blocked. It was 1AM and we were on the Mass Pike when I had my wife call Good Sam Roadside Assistance looking for advice on where we could nurse the RV to get filters changed. We were not disabled on the side of the road but clearly an obstacle driving 20 miles per hour in right lane with four way flashers. We made it very clear to the person on the other end of the phone we weren't disabled on the side of the road and were only looking for them to tell us where we could drive, park and wait to have RV serviced the next morning. That person was of no help and basically told us to call back when we break down. I don't know what their call volume is at 1AM Eastern time but can't imagine they're too busy or don't have "in network" service center information available. Granted we were still operational but just barely.
Roadside Assistance

9 Replies

  • USARMYCW's avatar
    USARMYCW
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2014
    We Cant Wait wrote:
    Bear in mind that in all probability the person answering the phone is some collage kid, and all they know about an RV could be put in a thimble. They work off a standard question vs answer screen and only know to say what their screen tells them. While not GS service but another tire service provider, I called this spring 1 of my inside duals had gone flat over the winter and the bead had broken loose. I could not get thru to then that 1) I did not need a new tire, 2) that I did not need a tow, ALL I needed was a tire repair service truck that had the equipment to reset the tire bead and re-inflate my tire. Ended up using my leveling jacks to raise that side off the ground and got lucky the tire resealed it's self after setting for an hour or so.



    Naw. It's probably a prisoner in a NC prison working the call center. ;)
  • We_Cant_Wait's avatar
    We_Cant_Wait
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2014
    Bear in mind that in all probability the person answering the phone is some collage kid, and all they know about an RV could be put in a thimble. They work off a standard question vs answer screen and only know to say what their screen tells them. While not GS service but another tire service provider, I called this spring 1 of my inside duals had gone flat over the winter and the bead had broken loose. I could not get thru to then that 1) I did not need a new tire, 2) that I did not need a tow, ALL I needed was a tire repair service truck that had the equipment to reset the tire bead and re-inflate my tire. Ended up using my leveling jacks to raise that side off the ground and got lucky the tire resealed it's self after setting for an hour or so.
  • bigdogger's avatar
    bigdogger
    Explorer II
    Jun 04, 2014
    The Emergency Roadside Service companies dispatch tows for disabled vehicles and roadside service techs if such service is needed and available. They are not booking agents for overnight accommodations and likely have no idea where you could park until morning. They are also not a referral network for repair facilities. You told them you were not disabled, so there really isn't anything else they could do. If it is any consolation, I wouldn't want my rig towed unless it was the only option, and I would want to get my rig (a Cummins) to a major authorized truck repair facility, not the local emergency mechanic,
    Of course, if I was having trouble with my engine, I would have been off the road well before 1 AM, but that's just me.
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2014
    GSRoadsideAssistance wrote:
    Thank you for your post, jjrowan. I apologize for any difficulties you experienced regarding your membership. I would like the opportunity to speak with you concerning your post. I would be more than happy to contact you…please send me a private message with your Good Sam Roadside Assistance membership number and contact information: telephone and e-mail. I am looking forward to speaking with you. Thank you, Frank


    My guess is that some telephone operator needs a little more training, in addition to having the trainer get more training on how to train people in such conditions.

    You just don't leave the person hanging.

    This prompt response to a un-acceptable condition indicates that you DID reach someone who cares about your situation, and has the power to make sure that the proper training takes place.

    Hopefully Good Sam will train their phone operators to consider all calls as a break down, and that they need to give advice as to the best location for service. Sure their standard call is "What address are you at, and we will locate someone to send to you, stay put". However they should have protocol in place to handle your situation.

    Find you a nearby truck stop, or safe location to drive to for service to take place in the morning.

    Hopefully you will be getting a call soon on where to get your RV fixed, if it has not happened already.

    Fred.
  • wbwood's avatar
    wbwood
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2014
    HappyKayakers wrote:
    I've used GSRA several times and the first question they always asked me was if I was safe. Limping down the highway at 20mph with hazard lights on is NOT safe IMHO.

    It's interesting to note that some recent posters have probably gotten better service while parked in their own driveways or at a campsite than you did on the road.


    I would say that limping down the highway at 20mph is a personal choice, whether one wants to say it's safe or not. They could pull off the road. I lived in Mass for a little while and have been on the turnpike. There are places you can get off of it and be "safe". If driving down the road at 20mph isn't safe at 1am in the morning. Then pull over and stop somewhere and be safe.
  • PastorCharlie's avatar
    PastorCharlie
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2014
    Ask for a Mobile mechanic or tow truck.... if is wasn't an emergency you would not have called. Like having severe chest pains...do not wait until you have a heart attack to call for help. When someone misjudged your speed and reared ended you 2 or more vehicles would have had a serious emergency.
  • GSRoadsideAssis's avatar
    GSRoadsideAssis
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2014
    Thank you for your post, jjrowan. I apologize for any difficulties you experienced regarding your membership. I would like the opportunity to speak with you concerning your post. I would be more than happy to contact you…please send me a private message with your Good Sam Roadside Assistance membership number and contact information: telephone and e-mail. I am looking forward to speaking with you. Thank you, Frank
  • HappyKayakers's avatar
    HappyKayakers
    Explorer III
    Jun 04, 2014
    I've used GSRA several times and the first question they always asked me was if I was safe. Limping down the highway at 20mph with hazard lights on is NOT safe IMHO.

    It's interesting to note that some recent posters have probably gotten better service while parked in their own driveways or at a campsite than you did on the road.

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