We are broken down in a parking lot in Hamilton NJ since Tuesday. Good Sam has refused to tow us and instead sent a mobile mechanic who has been working on it since then but this has been a long time without power or water, esp. with two dogs on board. Travel trailer needs an axel repair from what I gather.A partial fix has been achieved so that we can now drive to their "facility" for further work. But their rig has no signage, nor does the facility to which we are supposed to drive to in a few hours. I thought I signed up for a tow to a professional service center, but this has me very concerned and I don't know where to turn. We have called many places and can find no one who knows the mechanic sent by Good Sam instead of a tow. I am now more uneasy about going to an empty building up the road in Mecerville than remaining without power in a parking lot. Could not get a price estimate from the mechanic either. Just that he is a family man and will be fair.We have called Good Sam multiple times without them changing their opinion, ie they will not tow us unless this mechanic they sent gives the okay. I am frustrated beyond belief and have no idea how to proceed. I am concerned about following someone to an unmarked facility in a few hours. Does anyone have any advice? We are unfamiliar with this area. These guys might be legit but unless I can verify it. how can I know I won't get further stranded at what looks to be an empty warehouse building? On the last call, Good Sam said we are free to hire our own tow! We actually started calling tow companies but have had no luck yet. First one said the trailer is "too tall".... Sorry, but am very frustrated at this point.

are you overreacting? no signs on truck? empty building (how do you know it is empty?) i don't know what is going on exactly but unless you decide to go with your own services elsewhere you have GS insurance and they are willing to help.since you have been having the mechanic working on your rig you should by now have some sense on his ability.and finally, you really don't have to stay with the rig you can always go to a motel.here is one shop: http://www.rvrescue.net/again, remember, you do not have to use GS you can always pay for it yourself.

I have a photo of the truck, as it has been here many times. Can't figure out how to attach at the moment. It is early, still dark since we have no power and frankly I am a bit too old to see as well in low light as I used to.I am having an issue finding a motel nearby that allows pets. I also didn't want to get far from the trailer as I know nothing about this neighborhood and don't want to leave my things in it at risk. I googled the address while the mechanic was here which is how I know what the building looks like. He verified that was correct. A former truck terminal, no signs. He told us not to worry if we googled it and saw Penske Truck Rentals instead of his company''s name. There is also a slight language barrier. We have called Good Sam repeatedly and this is their solution. Respectfully speaking, no they do not seem willing to help. The only other insurance we have ever had was a coach net policy that came with our trailer purchase. And we had no problems, they were good. So did not expect this as we heard Good Sam was reputable.I wish I was over reacting.

Thank you for the link. I had already found that, and if you look on that page it has the following notice. So they just quit business today...We have a big announcement to make - RV Rescue (and family) will be relocating to Eastern Washington this summer! We are excited for all the opportunities that await for us and sad to say goodbye to the best customers ever who have become a family to us. We will stop operations in Southern Jersey as of June 16, 2016. THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL TIME! And have a fun and safe camping season!

There was another nearby mobile rescue, but similarly had a notice that they had to change locations suddenly...and they have not returned our call, not surprisingly.This mobile mechanic said he usually services big rigs, not rec vehicles. We think they might know what they doing. Otoh, it feels like we are on the verge of doing something unwise. I guess our timing for this breakdown wasn't good. We barely made is off the NU Turnpike with the trailer trailing smoke, so are just grateful we weren't injured.

I know that we can pay for it ourselves. Willing to do it. Will keep calling tow companies.And to be clear. Good Sam keeps saying that they will not send a tow unless this mechanic that they sent okays it. He is trying to fix our rig enough that he can take it to his facility, which has no signage. Thus my continued concern. Being left in a parking lot since Tuesday, when we could be towed, is not acceptable behavior by Good Sam and I just don't understand.Thank you for trying to help.

urgent towing service issue | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

fitznj
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
There is an axle repair shop couple of miles from me. They are on Hurley Pond Road in Wall (just off 195) - give them a call and see what they say.
TRTR
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
And thanks too fitznj for the insight on the area, helped me feel better...Home Depot is open, and we are sitting with coffee to do our game plan.
TRTR
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
Thank you so much, Bill. Will check...
TRTR
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
Axle issue... The spring shackle on one side broke, causing axle torque on opposite side, resulting in brake on that side to lock, overheat, burn up everything....thus all the smoke we spotted while driving down the NJ Turnpike. The spindle threads are stripped, cotter pin held the hub nut on so thankfully wheel didn't fly down road. And we were able to get off to the side of another freeway sort of safely but a cop waved us on. Ended up at next available place, Wendy's parking lot. So needs new brakes, bearings, and spindle repair.

Due to problems under warranty with the original axles, Forest River replaced the 3500# with 5200# Lippert axles and new tires, etc... Which compounds the repair issue, we learned, when our mechanic had no idea how to find a new axle that size and suggested we start calling for one ourselves. Which we did. Lippert said they would need to manufacture a replacement, and God only knows when it will arrive. When we asked about paying to expedite, got nowhere. Have not found anyone with a 5200# nearby, otherwise that would be faster and more sensible I think.
justaboutretire
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
There is a Jayco RV dealer not more than 3 miles north on route 130. Make a right out of the shopping center. The rv dealer is on the south side of Route 130 so you have to go by it and turn around and come back to it. The dealer is called Kadco Camping Center. 609-443-1133
Bill
fitznj
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
You have a TT - so use your TV to scout out appropriate shops/services in the area. You're just off I195, and you are not in the "boonies". RT130 is a couple of miles east of you - drive up and down and look for a garage or a hotel;/motel.

Otherwise go further east on 195 and hit route 9. I live in that area and there are many garages and motels. Use your time wisely today and come up with a game plan.

BTW - what is wrong with the axle that takes almost 2 days to fix?
It's a couple of springs and a few bolts - not rocket science
TRTR
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
I know that we can pay for it ourselves. Willing to do it. Will keep calling tow companies.

And to be clear. Good Sam keeps saying that they will not send a tow unless this mechanic that they sent okays it. He is trying to fix our rig enough that he can take it to his facility, which has no signage. Thus my continued concern. Being left in a parking lot since Tuesday, when we could be towed, is not acceptable behavior by Good Sam and I just don't understand.

Thank you for trying to help.
TRTR
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
There was another nearby mobile rescue, but similarly had a notice that they had to change locations suddenly...and they have not returned our call, not surprisingly.

This mobile mechanic said he usually services big rigs, not rec vehicles. We think they might know what they doing. Otoh, it feels like we are on the verge of doing something unwise. I guess our timing for this breakdown wasn't good. We barely made is off the NU Turnpike with the trailer trailing smoke, so are just grateful we weren't injured.
TRTR
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
Thank you for the link. I had already found that, and if you look on that page it has the following notice. So they just quit business today...

We have a big announcement to make - RV Rescue (and family) will be relocating to Eastern Washington this summer!
We are excited for all the opportunities that await for us and sad to say goodbye to the best customers ever who have become a family to us.
We will stop operations in Southern Jersey as of June 16, 2016.

THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL TIME! And have a fun and safe camping season!
TRTR
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
I have a photo of the truck, as it has been here many times. Can't figure out how to attach at the moment. It is early, still dark since we have no power and frankly I am a bit too old to see as well in low light as I used to.

I am having an issue finding a motel nearby that allows pets. I also didn't want to get far from the trailer as I know nothing about this neighborhood and don't want to leave my things in it at risk.

I googled the address while the mechanic was here which is how I know what the building looks like. He verified that was correct. A former truck terminal, no signs. He told us not to worry if we googled it and saw Penske Truck Rentals instead of his company''s name. There is also a slight language barrier.

We have called Good Sam repeatedly and this is their solution. Respectfully speaking, no they do not seem willing to help. The only other insurance we have ever had was a coach net policy that came with our trailer purchase. And we had no problems, they were good. So did not expect this as we heard Good Sam was reputable.

I wish I was over reacting.

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urgent towing service issue

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