Hi all! I was hoping for any suggestions for good friends of mine that took their RV cross country for a trip to the Grand Canyon. Im asking here, because I think you all might have more info I can pass along with your FT lifestyle...Heres the story in a nutshell...gotten from scraps of information from our friends...Family of 4, 2 teen boys, mom and dad...set out from Eastern PA to travel to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. We got word from them yesterday that their rv broke down on the highway in Billings MT. Tow truck operator broke the door off the rv, and another tow truck had to come and get the other tow truck and rv to a shop. The woman and her son would not fit in the cab of the tow truck, so they had to hitch hike into town. (I dont think there was cell service). It does not look like the part needed can be found anywhere. the garage is willing to drive 3 or 4 hours to find what they need. The family could not get a motel room, because everywhere for 50 miles was books solid for a Tim McGraw concert. They have no car. They slept in the parking lot of the repair shop on the side of the highway in their backpacking tents. Im posting this to find out any suggestions for these people, I suggested they ask the garage to allow them to sleep in the rv...but it looks like they may need to rent one to complete their trip.Not sure what else is happening right now, but any advice I can pass along is appreciated!

As long as you are not asking for $$$$. This is very simular to a scam that has been going on for years about a family traveling. Anyway... Yes they can sleep in the RV, the shop can make calls to get the part, or have it shipped to the shop. Everything in the RV should work so they can eat and live a few days without much trouble. I would contact my insurance about the wrecker breaking the RV Door. That is about it.

Is the garage an RV center or just a car repair garage? When we purchased our RV our dealer was a member of the Route 66 RV Network. They told us if ever on the road and needed that we could contact a member dealer for service. In seven years we have not needed the service. If your friends are not at a RV service center have them look up Pierce RV Center in Billings. (406) 655-8000. They are one of the Route 66 network RV dealers. Also have them check their RV insurance policy. Some policies cover cost incurred when you break down or have an accident. Towing, room and even some meals.

no scam...no dollars.I didnt know if anyone knows of an RV rental place or suggestions on accommodations, and in general what they should do. These people are friends of ours.I am a member here for years, we have a travel trailer but have not taken any long trips recently...I was looking to see what the fulltimers would do in this situation.The garage owner let them use his car last night to get pizza.

Concerts are finished. They should be able to find hotel accommodations tonight. Pierce RV also rents RVs so they could leave their rig and continue on to Yellowstone for a few days while it is being repaired. Can't believe a towing company in Montana would leave people beside the road to hitchhike - that part of the story is hard to believe.

First step should be getting advice from their insurance agent. Since you're asking on their behalf, I'm going to assume there was no trip insurance, roadside assistance insurance or extended warranty protection. That makes the options very limited. As soon as the concert is over, I would look for an extended stay motel for the cheaper rates and kitchen facilities.

friends need help! Billings Montana | Good Sam Community

JAXFL
Explorer
Aug 04, 2014
OK beaglebiz I guess we will never know...
JAXFL
Explorer
Aug 01, 2014
beaglebiz wrote:
thanks folks. I texted all the rv rental placed to them and have not heard back. Hoping that they are on their way..
I will post an update when I find out what happens.

Thank you for taking the time to give me the information to send them.

OK beaglebiz, what is the status....? it has been 3 days and inquiring minds what to know.
stickdog
Explorer
Aug 01, 2014
Sounds like a trip they will always remember, we've all had them.
mmccray100
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
2 weeks ago, I broke down (lost power steering and brakes) in Rawlins, Wyoming. I spent 1 night at the truck stop I was able to "crawl" to. I was towed to a repair shop where I spent 3 nights in their parking lot waiting for a part and 1 night in their garage, waiting for the repair to be completed. Your friend should have no problem.
beaglebiz
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
thanks folks. I texted all the rv rental placed to them and have not heard back. Hoping that they are on their way..
I will post an update when I find out what happens.

Thank you for taking the time to give me the information to send them.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
kcmoedoe wrote:
WyoTraveler wrote:
I-80 runs right through Billings along south side. I have never had problems with cell service in the Billings area. Like mentioned in previous post call Pierce RV, it is huge RV dealer and can order parts fairly quick.
That would actually be I-90., and I too have always had cellular service across the entire state using Verizon. In defense of the original poster, not sure you would get service if you had some of the small cell companies that do not also code share with Verizon or ATT. Things like Metro PCS and Sprint probably don't have much coverage in the Mountain West. Pierce is a good dealer, and they have several hookups for RVs being serviced. The problem will be getting a service appointment this time of the year.

Oops! Sorry. It is I-90. We go to Billings about every 2 weeks. DW claims my CRS is really bad.
sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
what Brand of RV and what part is broken? Diesel or gas? Billings is a fairly large town with lots of repair shops. We just left there. The RV dealerships are booked up for 2 weeks but I would think in an emergency that they would try to help any way they could.
kcmoedoe
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
WyoTraveler wrote:
I-80 runs right through Billings along south side. I have never had problems with cell service in the Billings area. Like mentioned in previous post call Pierce RV, it is huge RV dealer and can order parts fairly quick.
That would actually be I-90., and I too have always had cellular service across the entire state using Verizon. In defense of the original poster, not sure you would get service if you had some of the small cell companies that do not also code share with Verizon or ATT. Things like Metro PCS and Sprint probably don't have much coverage in the Mountain West. Pierce is a good dealer, and they have several hookups for RVs being serviced. The problem will be getting a service appointment this time of the year.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
I-80 runs right through Billings along south side. I have never had problems with cell service in the Billings area. Like mentioned in previous post call Pierce RV, it is huge RV dealer and can order parts fairly quick.

BTW if you count the suburbs Billings is largest town in MT with population of 150K.
kcmoedoe
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
Have your friends ever heard of a "rental car" or a "taxi". Even backwoods Billings Montana has both. I have to agree with some of the others, it is really hard to believe that the tow operator would just leave people on the side of the road. It is also pretty hard to visualize how a tow truck could break the door on an RV. Every tow I have ever had the tow operator hooks up the front end, either lifts it or pulls the rig onto the flatbed and drives off.
Vacancies at hotels and motels are going to be a premium at this time of the year in that area. Really doubt a Tim McGraw concert had that much to do with it. Most concert goers would live in the area.
Their best bet is to finish their vacation like 98% of the Yellowstone visitors do, staying in hotel rooms or cabins. They are probably going to have to do some calling around to find rooms, but I would bet dollars to doughnuts they will be able to find something. Renting an RV will probably be obscenely costly and I would also bet that most all the inventory available for rent is rented. This is peak season for that area.

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