Not so Good Sam

I recently had an accident while tow a trailer which caused damage to my 40' motorhome radiator. I was able to get to a home depot and park. Which I might add the people at home depot were wonderful. I needed a tow. I knew the radiator had a hole in the small hole in the core. I do alot of my own mechanical work so I felt that rather than being held hostage by a mechanic I didn't know I would have the coach towed home and I would do the repair. I am 82 miles from home. It is a Friday. I call for towing which Good Sam will only tow you to the nearest repair shop. I told them that I wanted to tow it home they said ok but it cost 6.00 a mile from the near shop. I said ok. Well I sat there all friday nite because they said they could not find anyone to tow it that far but they were working on it Saturday night comes around and still no tow. On Sunday morning I called them and they said we still have not been able to find anyone. I then decided to call someplaces the first one LA Heavey Equipment movers said sure we can be there in an hour. I called Good Sams back and told them what I had found out. They then had me wait another 4 hours and called back and said it was approved and they would be there in 45 min. They did not want to approve a low boy trailer to pick it up so they had to diconnect the driveline and tow it home. Once it got home the driveline could not be reconnect by the driver who disconnected because he said he was not a certified mechanic. hmmm after I had agreed to a price with good sam and the coach was home they called me and said because I had to use a low boy trailer is was an extra 150$ I told them they did use a low boy and then they said the tow company had to use an extra driver to help with the tow and it would still cost 150$ extra. I never saw any extra driver even when it delivered to the house. The hole situation was a nightemare. the radiator repair looks like it going to cost about 1300$ for a new one, probably 2800 if i had it done.

Moved to GS Roadside Assistance forum from Towing.

Roadside Assistance

20 Replies

iamalienru
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
My insurance company would only help pay for labor invovled in the repair not parts. It was going to be a debate as to weather the accident cause the radiator to go or normal wear. The radiator shop said the aluminum core had detereated that it just happened to go at the time of the accident. I thought somthing struck it during the accident. They said they would help with the cost of tow, it cost me 478$ and claim has been filed. With the accident occuring my only thoughts were getting it home. To be honest with you I didn't know towing was cover with my reg insurance. Now the coach is home I replaced the radiator myself it was a job but done correctley and it's ready to go again. the coast to me was 825$ plus the tow 470$, which I hope I get some back. worst case it will cost 1295$ for a brand new installed radiator. I don't think a shop on the road would do it for that. One gentelman stated it cost him 5,200$ to replace his
wbwood
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
I was going to mention that there is the platinum plus version that will tow 100 miles. But if you had an accident and your motorhome was disabled from it, why didn't you have your insurance tow you and get it all fixed? Unless you were at fault I guess.
iamalienru
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
I don't think my case is the norm...At least I haven't read a lot people having similar problem in fact i see a lot of posts prasing their response in time of need . His actions towards me are to ensure customer satifaction. I am sure if anyone went through what I did they would respond in the same way
Bucky_Badger
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
iamalienru wrote:
I am happy to report that a high level GS representive contacted me. according to him towing is something they do almost everyday and they are experts in this area. He said there was no reason I should have sat there for 2 days waiting for a tow regardless of when it happend. I did learn that there is a Platnum plus services that would have towed me 100 miles to any location of my choosing. The rep made me feel comfortable and appolgized for what had happened to me. This action by the rep has made decide to stay with Good Sam but alway have the platnum plus contract. he also let me know how to contact him if I ever have an issue like this again. Hopefully not..good job good sam

Well, I guess that's good for you to have a special contact, but what are they doing for everyone else? They have to fix the problem for the next person
iamalienru
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
I am happy to report that a high level GS representive contacted me. according to him towing is something they do almost everyday and they are experts in this area. He said there was no reason I should have sat there for 2 days waiting for a tow regardless of when it happend. I did learn that there is a Platnum plus services that would have towed me 100 miles to any location of my choosing. The rep made me feel comfortable and appolgized for what had happened to me. This action by the rep has made decide to stay with Good Sam but alway have the platnum plus contract. he also let me know how to contact him if I ever have an issue like this again. Hopefully not..good job good sam
GSRoadsideAssis
Explorer
Sep 27, 2013
Thank you for the post iamalienru. I apologize for the lack of service and long wait that you endured. Please send me a private message with your Good Sam and contact information and I will call you. Thank you, Zach
chiefneon
Explorer
Sep 27, 2013
Howdy!

I had a starter go out on our MDT used to tow our large 5er this year while traveling in Newfoundland, CA. I called Coach Net and within an hour a HDT with a flatbed arrived loaded up out truck and the only thing they asked was were I wanted them to take it. No problems, no cost! I use to have Good Sams ERS, now I have Coach Net.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Sep 27, 2013
hermandutchman wrote:
Bucky Badger wrote:
I guess I don't understand why Good Sam is Bad in all this YOU picked the tow company.
Did you even read what the op posted, GS let him set for about 40 hours and the only reason they finally came was by his own doing.

The contract with ERS is to be towed to the nearest repair facility. There are very few tow companies that are going to take the time to tow a large rig for over 80 miles. ERS has to set up contracts with these tow companies. When a customer wants such unusual treatment, it may not be available.

I've used ERS for my P/U & FW, and was towed within 90 minutes to the nearest dealership for repair. No questions, no hassle, no extra payment.
teddychamp
Explorer
Sep 27, 2013
Sorry for all the problems that you had. I know for a fact that the reason for the Driver not reconnecting the Drive shaft is, that Good Sams Club does not pay for that Service.
Bucky_Badger
Explorer
Sep 27, 2013
hermandutchman wrote:
Bucky Badger wrote:
I guess I don't understand why Good Sam is Bad in all this YOU picked the tow company.
Did you even read what the op posted, GS let him set for about 40 hours and the only reason they finally came was by his own doing.

Yeah, I did read the post. Did you? The op probably would have been towed to the nearest repair center fairly quickly , but HE insisted on being towed home 82 MILES AWAY, which is NOT the norm for GS