I have only needed to call roadside assistance two times in my three years of membership. First time in the middle on Knoxville Tn with tow / service centers all around me. Yet I was told it would be a long wait (over 30 minutes) for a jump start. I had jumper cables and found help.Today I had a blow out. I have a spare and only needed someone to change it. I did not have a jack because I was only 10 miles from home. After a 30 minute phone call I was told it would be an additional 90 minutes before someone could help. We were in the heat and needed to get help sooner that the two hours it was taking. We found someone that was willing to help and we were gone to about 20 minutes. Not happy with the slow response times. So as of this date in have needed service on two occasions and have been able to use it.

Thank you for the post TNRIVERSIDE. I apologize that your request for service did not meet your expectations. Please send me a private message with your membership info and the phone number you would like to be called at and someone will contact you.Thank you,Zach

I am generally sympathetic with those who have problems with Good Sam and Camping World, but as I interpret the original poster's comments, it think he is being unreasonable. Tow services have many customers to deal with and can't just drop the demands of others to put RVers at the front.Just my opinion.

From my experience, it doesn't make any difference if you are in an RV or the family car. They keep you on the phone for around 10-15 minutes to get your information, and then you have to wait for a minimum to 30 minutes for someone to get there. I've never needed it for the RV, but have used it a few times for the car/truck. We have AAA.

Ed_Gee wrote:I am generally sympathetic with those who have problems with Good Sam and Camping World, but as I interpret the original poster's comments, it think he is being unreasonable. Tow services have many customers to deal with and can't just drop the demands of others to put RVers at the front.Just my opinion.I agree, 30 minutes for a jump is pretty reasonable. Call has to be assigned, worker need to be available, then they need to locate you. Did I mention traffic issues could be an issue.The 90 minutes after 30 minutes on the phone, was the 30 minutes taken locating a service shop that could handle the call. Likely they had other calls ahead of the OP.Just wondering if the OP bothered to call and cancel the two service calls?

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:I have only needed to call roadside assistance two times in my three years of membership. First time in the middle on Knoxville Tn with tow / service centers all around me. Yet I was told it would be a long wait (over 30 minutes) for a jump start. I had jumper cables and found help.Today I had a blow out. I have a spare and only needed someone to change it. I did not have a jack because I was only 10 miles from home. After a 30 minute phone call I was told it would be an additional 90 minutes before someone could help. We were in the heat and needed to get help sooner that the two hours it was taking. We found someone that was willing to help and we were gone to about 20 minutes. Not happy with the slow response times. So as of this date in have needed service on two occasions and have been able to use it.What was wrong with the A/C that it could not be run while waiting for service. I suggest you drop all roadside plans because none will be fast enough for you.

Two strikes. Not a happy camper. Again. | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

toedtoes
Explorer III
Aug 31, 2016
These responses aren't coming from Good Sam. They are coming from fellow RVers.
SamNorth
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
Wow. I remember years ago when there was a lot of talk about "modernizing" the face of the Good Sam guy in the logo. Maybe it's time to reopen that discussion -- and add a condescending sneer.

I've been away from Good Sam for a long time, and am pretty surprised by the judgmental nature of most of these responses. It must be great to have all the answers.
fitznj
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
30 minutes is LOOOOONG wait - geez, seems kind of an unreasonable statement.

I broke down 2 weeks ago with a flat at 5:12 PM on a Sunday (re busy) evening.
By 5:30, I was told someone was on the way.

Help Arrived by 6:00PM and I was on my way by 6:30. In my view this was excellent service. My expectation was minimum of 2 hours.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Aug 31, 2016
TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
Ozlander wrote:
You didn't have a jack because you where only 10 miles from home.

How does that work?

Not very well this time. I do carry a jack when traveling. But I was just going to drop off my TT to have some roof work. So leaving the jack at home was a bad idea this time.

Thanks for asking.

Again. Did you take the jack out of the truck as well??? You do know it will, raise the TT, and the truck's lug wrench WILL fit the TT lugs. I guess I don't understand taking the jack out of the truck, and leaving it home. It has it's own place to be stored.
I used the truck jack to change 2 TT tires on the way home from the beach last month.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Aug 31, 2016
TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
Ozlander wrote:
You didn't have a jack because you where only 10 miles from home.

How does that work?

Not very well this time. I do carry a jack when traveling. But I was just going to drop off my TT to have some roof work. So leaving the jack at home was a bad idea this time.

Thanks for asking.

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
Just wondering if the OP bothered to call and cancel the two service calls?

Yes. I did cancel both service calls. Hopefully it helped the next guy.

AC? Pulling a TT with no generator.

Appreciated all the comments?

OP

OK. So you have a truck and trailer. You had a tire blow out. Why not run the TRUCK'S AC while you waited? The tire wouldn't affect the truck engine's ability to run or the AC's ability. What about the other service call where the engine blew and that person(s) had no ability to run their AC - should they be expected to wait in that heat while you get serviced?

There are several factors that affect when you get service:

1. available tow trucks that can handle your vehicle;
2. number of calls for service;
3. prioritization of calls: highest is someone who is in an unsafe location and cannot walk/drive/etc., to a safe place; lowest is someone who can move to a safe place (like a business on the side of the road) or whose vehicle is in a safe location off the road and able to provide protection from the weather (e.g., like having AC in your truck for the 90 minute wait).
Campfire_Time
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
ScottG wrote:
I think you are totally reasonable in your expectations. I have used roadside assistance (AAA) a couple of times (auto) and it was around 30 minutes.
90 minutes is NOT reasonable.

That's actually an unusual experience. Typically on a nice weather day the times we've called AAA has been closer to 1 1/2 hours. But I agree, this is not unreasonable. Towing company drivers are not sitting around waiting your for your calls. They are busy and you get put into the queue.
TNRIVERSIDE
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
Ozlander wrote:
You didn't have a jack because you where only 10 miles from home.

How does that work?

Not very well this time. I do carry a jack when traveling. But I was just going to drop off my TT to have some roof work. So leaving the jack at home was a bad idea this time.

Thanks for asking.
Ozlander
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
You didn't have a jack because you where only 10 miles from home.

How does that work?
TNRIVERSIDE
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
Just wondering if the OP bothered to call and cancel the two service calls?

Yes. I did cancel both service calls. Hopefully it helped the next guy.

AC? Pulling a TT with no generator.

Appreciated all the comments?

OP
Terryallan
Explorer II
Aug 31, 2016
MitchF150 wrote:
rhagfo wrote:
SDcampowneroperator wrote:
Why didnt you have a jack? And the wrench. Thats motoring 101. change your own tire. Be prepared, not dependant.
.

I give space here could be partly disabled, and older. Truck and many RV tires are heavy and not easy to change. Not all 65 year old are as lucky as I and can still do those things.

I did not have a jack because I was only 10 miles from home. After a 30 minute phone call I was told it would be an additional 90 minutes before someone could help.

I think that's what the call out for the jack was for??

Mitch

There is a jack that will work just fine in that truck towing the TT. Came with it. Right there under the back seat. Unless he didn't have the truck either, OR took it out. but why would you do that.