Forum Discussion

John___Angela's avatar
Sep 21, 2015

Quicky question for the GSRS experts.

Howdy all. We are getting ready to hit the road again and just going through the motions. Our membership is still good and everything seems in order. We have always carried an unmounted spare for our pusher and after 12 years and a whack of miles still haven't had to use it. But here's a question. If I get a flat and GSRS comes out to change it who pays for the dismounting and mounting change. Just reading some of these posts and getting mixed signals. Read the literature but seem to be getting conflicting information.

Thanks in advance.

John and Angela.

8 Replies

  • You are better off with a good unmounted spare than NO SPARE AT ALL.
    The $600.00 to mount a spare that is referenced above is BS on the part of the poster.I read the post. The guy had to buy a tire while broke down and had to pay $600.00 for the tire.
    I have had at least 3 tire changes paid for by GSRA each time MY SPARE WAS USED and no charge was incurred.

    HOWEVER the service dispatched to help you at the side of the road is an independent contractor working under the free enterprise system.
    What he charges you for a non-covered service is entirely up to the contractor.
    SO on the side of the road you are at the guys mercy. FREE ENTERPRISE!
    SO you may pay a higher price at the side of the road for mounting your spare it will be less than buying a new tire under the same circumstance
  • maddczech wrote:
    I speak thru experience...
    Expect to pay for the drastically inflated tire price, and a drastically overblown expensive dismount and mount charge,(mine was well over 200 for a 16in tire and well over 200 for the servivc) all paid in advance of service provided. Then you will be jumping thru many hoops if you have any misgivings of said service.
    Your provider will not provide you with a receipt, in fact they refuse to.
    I'd say carry the spare and save time , money , grief and stress. If you are not able to change it yourself, a trooper or good citizen will help you more than good Sam will in that situation in my opinion.
    If had success with Sam in a battery jump situation, but I did personally know the provider who was 15 minutes away and showed up in 15 minutes. A five minute job and I had to show the guy where to put the cables on,lol. I'm sure he goosed Sam on that one !
    Carry a spare ! A good one! And check it for inflation regularly! And if you lock your spare, make sure lock works and is lubed. Or have your lube ready when Sam is involved, because you will need it, and it won't feel good.
    If have no mechanical savvy and love Sam, it's a made in heaven if you have too much money.


    The OP has a "pusher" and I assume equipped with 22.5" tires. There is a HUGE difference between a 16" tire and a 22.5" tire. Weight of tire/rim, torquing specs, storage and required tools...to name a few. Very few people would be able to change out a 22.5" tire on a rim (or even swap out a mounted tire/rim) on the side of the highway.

    Ron
  • I speak thru experience...
    Expect to pay for the drastically inflated tire price, and a drastically overblown expensive dismount and mount charge,(mine was well over 200 for a 16in tire and well over 200 for the servivc) all paid in advance of service provided. Then you will be jumping thru many hoops if you have any misgivings of said service.
    Your provider will not provide you with a receipt, in fact they refuse to.
    I'd say carry the spare and save time , money , grief and stress. If you are not able to change it yourself, a trooper or good citizen will help you more than good Sam will in that situation in my opinion.
    If had success with Sam in a battery jump situation, but I did personally know the provider who was 15 minutes away and showed up in 15 minutes. A five minute job and I had to show the guy where to put the cables on,lol. I'm sure he goosed Sam on that one !
    Carry a spare ! A good one! And check it for inflation regularly! And if you lock your spare, make sure lock works and is lubed. Or have your lube ready when Sam is involved, because you will need it, and it won't feel good.
    If have no mechanical savvy and love Sam, it's a made in heaven if you have too much money.
  • RognBon wrote:
    I also carry an unmounted spare and was under the impression that the road service would mount and inflate that tire at my cost with GSRA paying the initial service call.


    I did not mean to imply that is not correct.....and it seems now that you have confirmation.

    BUT, and this is a big BUT, I think you will find the cost to unmount the old tire and mount the spare on the side of the road is outrageously expensive; somewhat like the $600 tire reported in another thread about a similar experience.

    GS should cover the entire cost to tow/haul the entire RV to the nearest shop capable of doing the tire work....where, presumably the mount/unmount charge would be MUCH less.

    There has been no confirmation yet, however, of who gets to make that call of "tow or mount the tire".
  • Thank you for the post RognBon. You are correct, GSRA will pay for the initial service call and you would be responsible for the mounting fees and any additional onsite labor or parts when using your un-mounted tire.

    Please feel free to contact us with additional questions or concerns via RV.net or member services at 800-842-5351.

    Thank you again,
    Zach
  • Posted By wrote:
    So....IMHO, carrying an unmounted spare is pretty much a waste of effort


    I would like the GSRA team to come back and explain whether this is true. I also carry an unmounted spare and was under the impression that the road service would mount and inflate that tire at my cost with GSRA paying the initial service call. If this is not true, I would certainly rethink my strategy of carrying an unmounted spare.
  • So....IMHO, carrying an unmounted spare is pretty much a waste of effort.

    And if you intend to actually USE that spare for more than a few miles at low speed before it gets changed out for a new tire.......you need to replace IT NOW. 12 year old tires are not to be trusted; yes, even if never used.

    P.S. Has anybody here ever SEEN an actual "contract" for GSRS ?
    Absent that, I believe that statements made in the "brochure" become a legal contract.
  • Good Evening John and Angela,
    Here is the policy on flat tires from the membership brochure.

    Flat Tire Service
    A service technician will replace a flat tire
    with your inflated spare. On occasion and whenever possible,
    we will make arrangements for the member to
    purchase a tire(s) for delivery to the disablement scene. In these
    cases Good Sam Roadside Assistance will pay for delivery of
    tire only, member is responsible for all additional costs including
    cost of tire(s), mounting, balancing, other parts or labor, tax and
    any other fees. Note: This benefit does not include seasonal tire
    changes. Member is responsible for all parts and labor.
    In a nut shell... if you have an inflated spare. Good Sam Roadside will cover cost to take flat off and put spare on. if you do not have an inflated spare and require a tire brought to you. Good Sam cover the cost of getting the service personal with the new tire to you.

    I hope this helps...Rudy, Good Sam response team.

About Customer Support

Our Customer Service team is available to assist you any time between 6am-10pm MST. Ask a question about your account, recent order, and more.2,672 PostsLatest Activity: Jul 25, 2025