The Difference Between Good Sam & AAA

Question

Well, it finally happened. We needed assistance. Here's the short version ...

Our Expedition experienced an exhaust-type "issue" (torque controller or possible check ball problem), rendering it unable to pull our 26' Starcraft home from San Diego back to the Pasadena area -- about 120 miles. It was drivable, but not to pull a load. We were in a very pricey campground in San Diego and HAD to be out, as there was someone coming into our space right behind us. And even if we could have stayed a day or two longer, it probably would have been almost a week before the car would be fixed, as they had to order the part.

We decided to call Good Sam to see what they would be able/willing to do to help us get out of the campground. Long story made short, they don't do "courtesy tows". Since the trailer wasn't disabled they would not tow it out of the campground. However, they'd happily tow our Expedition to the nearest repair shop if we needed. Humpf. It was already in the shop.

While some people think it might be overkill, this little experience proved that I will never give up my AAA roadside assistance membership. I have the "Plus" level as well as the RV/Motorcycle rider, which covers the trailer and provides 100 miles of towing to anywhere I want. After hearing our problem, they towed our trailer from San Diego to the storage lot where we keep it -- a total of 116 miles. We had to pay $75 for the additional miles, but that was small potatoes compared to our other options.

I'm thankful beyond measure for the support AAA gave us. They got our trailer home safely for very little expense and without giving us any hassles.

I'll be calling Good Sam tomorrow to cancel our policy.

george_h · Answer

Few years back we were traveling through CA with friends who had AAA RV coverage from Oregon. Their 5er shed a tire tread on I80 at the Wheeler on ramp. CA AAA would not send coverage for out of state member. At least Good Sam coverage remains in effect across state lines, even if some of the contract haulers are not the best.

toedtoes · Answer

I have both. I believe they have different pros and cons that make it worthwhile having both:

AAA - will tow you to your preferred location; GSRA - will tow you to the nearest repair shop willing to take your "case". AAA is better if you're local to your home because you can tow to your regular shop; GSRA is better if you're far out because they will find you a repair shop that can and will work on your vehicle.

AAA - will tow you no matter what because they are not dependent upon a willing repair shop; GSRA - won't tow you anywhere UNTIL they have found a repair shop willing to take your vehicle. AAA is better at night or on a weekend because they will tow you somewhere; GSRA will wait until they can get a hold of a repair shop - which could be several days later.

AAA - doesn't provide concierge service to find a hotel, get your pets/family to a safe place, etc.; GSRA provides concierge service. GSRA is better if you are too far away to arrange for a ride home, etc.

Of course, all of this is dependent upon both companies doing as they promote they will do. By having both, if one fails me, I at least have a chance with the other.

George - I used my California AAA in Canada and had no problem at all, so that might have been a bad operator (lord knows there seem to be a lot of bad operators out there).

toedtoes · Answer

P.S.  I have the premiere service with AAA.  I had my RV (21 ft class C) towed about 100 miles.  Premiere will tow up to 200 miles...  But, the fine print is that they will only pay up to $300 for that 200 mile tow.  AND the tow company will charge you for the actual tow and their mileage back to where they are stationed.  So, for my 100 mile tow, I was charged $575 out of pocket.  Because I had to have a medium duty wrecker which had an hourly rate of $175 and they charged me for 5 hours (1 hour for the hitching, etc., 2 for the trip to my repair shop, and 2 for them to go back to their shop).

forestriverteac · Answer

toedtoes wrote:P.S.  I have the premiere service with AAA.  I had my RV (21 ft class C) towed about 100 miles.  Premiere will tow up to 200 miles...  But, the fine print is that they will only pay up to $300 for that 200 mile tow.  AND the tow company will charge you for the actual tow and their mileage back to where they are stationed.  So, for my 100 mile tow, I was charged $575 out of pocket.  Because I had to have a medium duty wrecker which had an hourly rate of $175 and they charged me for 5 hours (1 hour for the hitching, etc., 2 for the trip to my repair shop, and 2 for them to go back to their shop).Interesting!I'm sure that what they sent was some sort of wrecker (it was a Peterbuilt -- big!).  And we were 2 hours from where we started.  The only time we were mindful of the time element was after we'd gone 100 miles, and then we knew we were "on the clock".  Because we were so close to the 100 mi. limit I think the towing guy felt sorry for us and only charged us half of the hourly rate AAA quoted us.  I gave him my credit card, tipped him, and we were done.  I sure hope that AAA doesn't think they'll be sending us another bill ...

toedtoes · Answer

AAA won't send you another bill. They work it out with the tow service before you're picked up.  In my case, they told me before the tow truck arrived, that I would have to pay the additional amount out-of-pocket and the approximate cost of that cost.  When the tow service arrived, I paid them up front for the out-of-pocket cost.  Mine was so expensive because there was no local midsize wrecker where I was stranded - the wrecker they were able to get was a good 40-60 minutes away from my location and in the opposite direction of where I was being towed.  If you're lucky, the tow truck will be located where you are stranded or where you are going.

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The Difference Between Good Sam & AAA

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