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.

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.

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.

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 leavingTires should be inspected for bulges/sidewall cracks/damage BEFORE leavingTire 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 replacedOut fit rig with spare tire and check it's pressure routinelySorry for your troubles BUT you should be prepared to safe guard your familyFortunately 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.

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.

Though road side service is basically for them to find someone to help you, I don't think its right that they seem unprepared and unable to send someone to you sooner. To me, the road side assistance programs should do their due diligence up front before they get customer calls to ensure their customer's get timely quality affordable help. Its a tricky business, I get it, but they could do better. Too many complaints on the web about it. I have coach-net, never had to use it, but their policies are similar. They won't buy you a tire or pay the labor for the replacement. I can't speak for the vendor's they will use or how fast they can get to you. Of course it depends on the area you break down at. I've just come to the realization that if I ever breakdown and I need to call them, its probably going to take the half the day or night.

Useless waste of money | Good Sam Community

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
I've used mine once and was totally satisfied- but I, too had a spare along.

Maybe that's the best lesson?
william_davey
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Had a frustrating GS Roadside Assistance experience yesterday. Called GS for help with a broken awning that was stuck half way out - the front support arms are all bent out of shape. I'm in a park so it's not a crisis. While waiting for GS to get back to me, also called the local RV repair guy recommended by the park. The local guy showed up while I was on my third call from GS repeating the same info as the first call (where are you, can you drive it, etc.) Also found that GS would cover the $95 service call fee, but not the 2 hour minimum charge ($190). The local guy charged $75 to show up, was gone in an hour ($75) and I saved $40. He ordered parts before he left and will be back in 3 days to install them.
full_mosey
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
docnascar wrote:
Though road side service is basically for them to find someone to help you, I don't think its right that they seem unprepared and unable to send someone to you sooner. To me, the road side assistance programs should do their due diligence up front before they get customer calls to ensure their customer's get timely quality affordable help.
...

OTOH, before taking a trip without a spare, why don't you call GS give them your route and then they can call ahead and have repair facilities on hold!

HTH;
John
ReneeG
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
I'm glad to hear it turned out well for you too. Although we've never been in a situation such as yours, we have used them to locate the nearest tire service to replace a bad spare. We were in the middle of what seemed no where in Wyoming when we smelled something burning rubber. We stopped and checked our spare mounted under the bed of the truck. The exhaust pipe had melted a spot on it just by the heat radiating from it. I got on the phone to GS, told them where we were and she gave me two local business names in the closest town. We picked one. The shop replaced the tire for us without our having to unhook the TT, which was good since at that time we had three dogs and I waited in the TT with them in the tire service yard. Since the road service covers all our vehicles, we've used them for our cars at home too.
AK49er
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Wow! I am impressed! For any company to do what they just did for you is outstanding. While I have no coverage except for regular auto insurance I will most likely look into the Good Sam roadside plan before next summer.
Lomodus
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Ok... I'm a bit shell shocked here, I just received a very nice phone call from Zack at Roadside Assistance, he monitors what's said here. We reviewed my experience and he is sending us the cost of what we spent on our tire as well as an extra year of the service. As surprising as that is, I don't consider it a "buy off" as he spent a good amount of time explaining the situation in that region and how the service works, and we spoke at length despite my toddler screaming in the background. Did it help while we were on the side of the road? No, but it's a heck of a lot better to know that they ARE paying attention and doing their best to make things right, very VERY few companies do that anywhere.

Take it for what you will. But you bet I've got a spare in my travel trailer now.
B_GAGE
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Like Gunship Guy, I've alsao used them twice and they got me back on the road fairly quick. However, I did have a spare...just no lug wrench.
I_am_still_wayn
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Old-Biscuit wrote:
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.

Old Biscuit you are making a few assumptions and then blaming the OP, and you are wrong!

Perhaps, just perhaps, a road hazard caused the sudden tire failure.

The OP was prepared as he stated in a subsequent post.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
When I was locked out of our motorhome I called the closest place I could, and got back into the motorhome in about 45 minutes. I then called GS and they said submit the paid bill, and they would cover it, and they did.

Not sure if you are willing to try that option, but certainly the time you were asked to wait, and the circumstances plus the small charge you actually paid, they just might compensate you fully like they did for me.
docnascar
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Though road side service is basically for them to find someone to help you, I don't think its right that they seem unprepared and unable to send someone to you sooner. To me, the road side assistance programs should do their due diligence up front before they get customer calls to ensure their customer's get timely quality affordable help. Its a tricky business, I get it, but they could do better. Too many complaints on the web about it.

I have coach-net, never had to use it, but their policies are similar. They won't buy you a tire or pay the labor for the replacement. I can't speak for the vendor's they will use or how fast they can get to you. Of course it depends on the area you break down at.

I've just come to the realization that if I ever breakdown and I need to call them, its probably going to take the half the day or night.