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Lomodus's avatar
Lomodus
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013

Useless waste of money

I have no idea why I paid extra for this service.

My wife, toddler, dog and I were travelling about two months ago up to New Hampshire when we got a flat tire on our travel trailer. I did not have a spare with me, of course, as this is our first travel trailer and honestly, it hadn't even occurred to me. The tire was shredded and smoking, so no fix-a-flat either.

I immediately called my handy dandy Good Sam Roadside Assistance number, thinking "boy it's sure a good thing that I bought this, I sure am smart!"

The representative, while pleasant enough, had me on the line for nearly 20 minutes before telling me she found someone who would be there in 2-3 HOURS and they were going to charge my card over $360, even though the "final charge" would be much less. That's just for the tire. She said she didn't know what I would be charged for labor.

So with a screaming toddler and a disapproving wife glaring daggers into my backside because obviously a shredded tire is somehow my fault, I said no thank you but thank you for wasting my time and money. My wife, with nothing more than her smart phone, had a tire repair truck at our location in exactly 24 minutes, total cost to me $138, including installing the brand new tire right there on the side of the highway, on my own rim.

It's taken me this long to calm down enough to write this. Don't waste your money. Get a smart phone, do it yourself. They honestly don't do ANYTHING you can do yourself, for less money and less time.
  • Old-Bisquit, I completely agree, I should have had a spare, that was my own lapse. The tires were less than three years old, and properly inflated. While inflating them that morning, I did not notice any cracks or bulges anywhere, though I am far from an expert in such things.

    However, the part about being prepared... that's why I bought the Roadside Assistance plan, for things that I wasn't prepared for. It's a big difference going from using AAA or my other auto roadside assistance plan, where they actually DO find you someone quick every time I've had to use them. I was NOT prepared for a 2-3 hour wait when we were less than 10 miles from Manchester, NH, which is a relatively good sized town. A 2-3 hour wait on a busy highway with virtually no shoulder. A problem that I related to the representative. We were fortunate to have a truck stop and kind of be a warning to other motorists for us, keeping us safe.

    I have not requested a refund or cancellation, though I will not renew. I consider it a lesson learned, BUT I also consider it my responsibility to let me experience be known so that someone else might save themselves some time, money, and frustration in the future.
  • I do understand the frustration.......break downs on side of road can be a real pain not to mention having wife and toddler on side of roadway....dangerous!

    But in reality.....it was your fault.
    Tires should be aired properly when cold BEFORE leaving
    Tires should be inspected for bulges/sidewall cracks/damage BEFORE leaving
    Tire age should be known (DOT code on sidewall---usually inside sidewall so you have to crawl under and find it. 4 digit code ie:3711---37th week of 2011)
    Any tire older than 5 yrs. of age should be suspect and replaced
    Out fit rig with spare tire and check it's pressure routinely

    Sorry for your troubles BUT you should be prepared to safe guard your family

    Fortunately all worked out this time and you will be better informed/prepared for that next trip.

    Coachnet seems to get better reviews for service/coverage.
  • I don't have any roadside assistance insurance and never have. However, many of those that do have been happy with their choice.

    I've always gone under the assumption I'm better off insuring myself, that is, paying my own claims and saving the premium. Sure I've had some unforeseen expenses, but we had budgeted for those and just accepted the cost.

    I only buy insurance when the law requires I do so, or I can't afford to go without it, such as replacement of my stick house.
  • My experience with GSRA is totally different than yours.

    Used them twice without any issues. I suppose I will sing a different tune if/when they don't live up to their promises. Time will tell.

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