Roadside Assistance

I have been towed a few times now on Vancouver Island under Good Sam. Only problem is in the beginning on the phone, trying to explain where we are. Once that is sorted out, it goes well.

I have learned to have lots of money on my pay as you go phone (only use it for emergencies like this--I do not have automatic add money if it runs out) while the Good Sam guys learn their geography and put me on hold forever, then the tow truck guys call me for more phone time.

The tow is free, but the phone calls sure are not free! :(

I suppose that is not an issue with folks who have "normal" cell phone plans that already cost a bunch.

Coach-Net. Hsve had very good results with them in the past.

klutchdust wrote:
Different companies offer RV roadside assistance. Has anyone encountered an issue having their RV towed to a repair facility.

I spent hours on the side of I-79 halfway up a mountain in WV (thankfully in a pullout) during a snow storm with no heat waiting while a certain RS tried to get me a tow truck to rescue me (at their much reduced rates) while they had more customers willing to pay full pop than they could handle.

Finally I raised enough of a stink they finally strong-armed one company saying tow me or they’ll not get any more business. That back-fired on me though because the disgruntled tow operator towed by rig down the interstate without removing the driveshaft first. That cost me $5k for a new transmission on top of everything else.

I have CAA RVplus. I've not had to use it often, but I'm pleased with the service.

We have good sam and used the assistance 1 time about 2 years ago. Engine would not start in campground after arrival so called GS about roadside assistance. They said since it was late at ight they wwould work on it and call me in AM. They did, They also found a place willing to send a tech to diagnose the problem and a potential repair shop. This was on a sunday 4 july weekend. Anyhow once we got approval for the repair place (an independent truck garage), they coordinated the pickup and delivery of the RV. Got it to the place and the guy let us stay in the unit while they worked on it.

So thats my experience with GS roadside and Ext service. Also take into consideration that the rv is a 14-15K weight and smaller services are not equipped to handle that weight in all areas. Guy that hooked me up had a nedium duty truck with the hydraulic lift for the front to work with, a lot of tow 'service' are set up with 1 tons with lifts for cars/trucks without a high weight.

"Available" got us in quite jam in 2014 when our Seneca broke down in Seward, Alaska.

We were still under warranty, and the only authorized facility was in Wasilla, Alaska.

The "Towing Service" refused to take us there.

Thank God for GEICO as they did the 170 mile tow without an issue.

Ken