Coach-Net, Good Sam or "Other" in Alaska?

[countrygirl49]

Hi, all. New to the forum, but not new to camping! We have a 5th wheel and camp on the Kenai Peninsula every summer. This year, we are looking into Coach-Net or Good Sam for extra towing coverage. I like the fact that with the best plan through GS, you can get your truck & fiver towed to YOUR CHOICE of location within 100 miles of the breakdown. Can't find out whether this is an option with CN. But I do like the price of CN as opposed to GS.

So, my question, for those of you in Alaska, is which do you have/prefer?

[countrygirl49]

Thanks, everyone, for your responses.

We finally settled on GS. The main decision making factor for us, was that if you get the Platinum + membership, they will tow you to your choice of location within 100 miles. With CN, it was to their choice, even within 100 miles. With where we usually camp, it makes the most sense for us so that we can get towed home.

Hopefully we’ll NEVER have to use it, but I feel much better having some sort of security like this. The experience would never be a good one if you’re sitting on the side of the road, but at least we would be spending $160 instead of $1,600 to $2,600 for a tow!

Thanks again.

[Alaskan_Class_C]

I can attest to coach net being awesome. I just got towed from about 45 miles west of Tok where my phone didnt work. I broke down near the Mentasta lodge and called them through a pay phone ag the lodge. The only downside for me it was a holiday Monday so it was tuesday before I could get towed. They did however keep me informed of progress and arranged everything for me.

I was lucky I was traveleing in a group and also had a car in tow so between all of us we got the rv drug off the highway to a rest area and I got back to Tok with some friends who stayed behind.

So in the next few weks if you drive past Willards RV center in Tok you can see my old 78 itasca sitting there waiting for parts. I'll have to make a run back over there and get it in a few weeks.

[Imagone]

Yes Good Sam works in Canada just fine-we have used it twice with good service even in small out of the way towns as long as "you" phone them.

[seraphim]

Do any of these road services work in Canada, as well?

[alaska_dennis]

We just signed up for AAA it covers anything I drive or tow. In theory. I was impressed with what I saw as some friends of mine had their car towed to Anchorage from Homer for repair (Range Rover). And when they moved AAA pulled out the rental truck they got stuck in their yard.

Have a safe trip.
dennis

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

I had a breakdown the the Yukon traveling to Alaska in 2008. No phone service, a RCMP showed up and contacted a tow service via radio. They towed me to Beaver Creeck, YK. I contacted GS ERS when we arrived as this was the first phone service. They advised me they would not pay for the tow because I did not call them and they had not authorized the tow. GS ERS cost me a $2000.00 tow bill. We now have coach Net.

"Happy Trailns"
Chiefneon

[joe_b_]

I have Good Sam, think it is the Platinum road service. Whatever they call it, I get unlimited towing to the nearest qualified service center for problems. The choice of where, is Good Sam's, not mine. So I am not familiar with the "your Choice and only 100 miles" plan. Never used the GS plan in Alaska but have used it in Canada and was well pleased with the service we received. Got my RV stuck is some soft dirt, not in a cell phone area, so a passing motorist stopped (over 20 vehicles stopped to see if they could help) and offered to notify the RCMP at the next town, which he did. They dispatched a tow truck out to extract me in a reasonable amount of time, I paid the driver and was on my way. Then when I returned home to Florida I submitted the receipt to GS and they sent me a check for the full amount. This was one of the exceptions in my policy regarding, having to call Good Sam first. Since the tow truck was called by the police, the GS group knew this was a legitimate need for a tow.

The 25+ years I lived in rural Alaska, I never carried or probably never heard of road service coverage for our RVs. I would just flag down a passing vehicle and have them notify a tow service at the next station they passed. Or I would hitch hike to the next station and get a tow truck to go back and get my RV.

Many Coach Net forum members have made positive comments about their service as well. Most of these road service companies use the same pool of service providers in an area, so not matter which company you use, the same tow truck may come out to save you. No matter which company you use, make sure you read and understand your policy before you need to use it. 99% of the complaints aired here on the forum are from people that don't understand what their policy provides and how to go about getting service that the road service will pay for.