Roadside Assistance Towing vs Actual Assistance??

[stugpanzer]

I have Good Sam Roadside Assistance and I also have Roadside Assistance from my auto insurance.

I had an incident where a clamp broke on the Intercooler to the Turbo on my diesel truck. If I would have had a spare clamp I could have fixed the issue within 30 minutes or less.

I called both of my roadside assistance numbers and asked them if they could just put me in contact with a mechanic or someone to get a clamp to my location and both said they only can dispatch a tow. It was a Sunday and so I didn't think any shops would be open so I had to go with a tow. I was just over 400 miles from my destination and so after waiting about two and a half hours the tow arrived. We asked to be towed to a Ford Dealer as my truck is a Ford F250 and I figured if I couldn't fix it then we might have to leave it there. There was an Autozone nearby and I was able get my truck running with some clamps I found there.

My question is; is there a roadside assistance whereby you can get someone that can help you repair your issue? I know they are available for big rigs but perhaps its too cost prohibitive for just the average person. Does AAA offer such a service?

After this incident it occurred to me that I could have called Autozone or any other nearby car parts store and asked if they would deliver a part and will keep that in mind if I ever have to deal with something similar.

I did capture the incident with my dashcam. The following video does have some cussing so consider yourself warned!

Ford Power Stroke 6.0L Intercool Boot Clamp Failure

[BobR]

I once called a cab service that took me to an auto parts store to buy a repair part. I know it doesn't answer your question but is another approach instead of waiting for a tow.

[doxiemom11]

Many tow policies will pay either towing - or - up 1 hr labor at the scene of disablement. As you found out the problem is finding someone who will bring out the part. I think you may have had the right idea with calling an auto parts store and have them deliver the part to you. Cost of part wouldn't be covered, but the cost of delivery in lieu of a tow should be.

[J-Rooster]

I always used the roadside assistance attached to my RV policy! We used it one time with great success! Our RV was T-Boned by a runaway truck in a AZ. State Park. It was 5 AM we were sleeping and the truck hit directly in the rear side of our Winnebago a direct hit on our propane system. GOD's Grace, good luck and a well built RV, saved us in that accident. Guy that owned runaway truck did not have insurance! Geico covered everything! Towing, Motels, Meals fixing RV they checked in by phone with us everyday until the RV was repaired. I can't justify having a RV Warranty we have had our coach for 12 years (bought it new) with very little problems!

[kalynzoo]

When I had CoachNet, the jacks were stuck down in a Campground in Oregon. It took them hours to find a technician to come out. Actually, I found the technician through the campground and CoachNet made the arrangements. CN said I would have to pay $50 for the service call. It took the tech a few hours and a lot of work to get me up and running safely. Nobody had told him about $50. I gladly paid his fee for his excellent, clean, work in a tight dirty environment. A couple of years later, the jacks stuck again at the end of an FMCA Rally. All the tech guys had already left. Good Sam, my new roadside assistance company, sent out a truck service company with hydraulic experience. There was no fee to raise the jacks. There would have been a fee to make repairs. I opted to drive the 120 miles home. Side note: I traded in the coach...not for the jacks, but I found this one which we like better.

[MrWizard]

i have called AAA several times, in previous years with other RVs
and had no problem getting Mobile tire service, to change my spare or to bring me another tire

this was on a Class A .. P30 with 19.5" wheels

i've been lucky with DP 22.5" tires, and the current tires are 1 yr and 2Yrs old
2yrs on the front, less than 1yr on the rear

[Acampingwewillg]

I also have two Roadside providers, AAA RV and one through Progressive Insurance. On two separate occasions now, once with a Flat outside rear tire and another with a tread issue on an outside rear tire...I argued with both about sending out a tire service. I didn't win either argument....they will not send out a mobile tire service. Yes, you can call them yourself and then submit the service call to the insurance but I find it odd. When you are driving a diesel pusher with 22.5" tires, most do NOT carry a spare so the service providers would rather pay a hefty Tow bill opposed to providing a mobile tire service. My MH would require a flat bed tow...it just makes NO sense to me.

I've decided that I will now carry a spare, as much as I hate to, so that when a tire issue occurs, the service provider will send someone out to change your mounted spare. I'll be waiting for the first time this happens and they send out a standard tow truck with someone who has no knowledge of the difficulty of handling these tires.

[stugpanzer]

This is all great information! I too was looking in the area where I was towed and there was a mobile mechanic in the same town. Now that I know this it is something I would call on as needed. I have never used my roadside assistance so now I am more knowledgeable! Thanks!

[RoadsideGuy]

Thanks darsben1 for the clarification. Good Sam Roadside Assistance DOES provide mobile mechanic services whenever possible for situations that can be resolved in this manner. MrWizard, could you please send me a private message with the specifics of the situation you encountered if appropriate. Thanks again

[darsben1]

MrWizard wrote:
The only advice I can offer
Is get on the internet and look/ask for mobile diesel mechanic
You are looking for a repair service,
Roadside assistance does not offer this

GSRA IS supposed to offer mobile mechanic service IF AVAILABLE. You pay for mechanics time on job.
see and read the brochure.

https://images.goodsam.com/goodsamroadside.com/pdf/gra31138.pdf

Page 9 states;

rv roadside
Mechanical repairs
If necessary and whenever possible, depending on the RV disable-
ment, there may be a local mobile mechanic available that can
perform minor repairs or adjustments to your RV. In these situa-
tions, we’ll attempt to bring a mobile mechanic to your location as
an alternative to towing your vehicle. You are responsible for the
cost of parts and labor.

Good Sam may have failed you and it should be investigated.

[MrWizard]

The only advice I can offer
Is get on the internet and look/ask for mobile diesel mechanic
You are looking for a repair service,
Roadside assistance does not offer this

[Not_a_Clue]

GS dispatched a mobile mechanic to a campground in Las Vegas when my starter went out. Came out verified bad starter, went and got a new one and replaced same day. Maybe it depends on the availability of a mobile mechanic.

[imgoin4it]

I have coach net and they will tow me, or send tech assist for any vehicle I'm in. Couple months ago I had occasion to call coach net, ended up talking with a tech. He sorted out problem and dispatched a mechanic with the correct part, which he installed and I was on my way in about an hour.I paid for the part and $20 for the labor install.

[rgatijnet1]

Maybe 5-6 years ago, when I had Good Sams roadside assistance, I had a serpentine belt break. GS sent out a mechanic who evaluated the situation, went after a belt, and replaced it on my coach. I paid for the belt and his time but not for the initial response to my problem.
Perhaps things have changed at GS but back when I had a belt problem there never was any talk about towing me somewhere to get it fixed. I would think that replacing a missing clamp would get the same response, which is fix it where it sits.

[Tom_Barb]

Twice I've been in your position, both times the local NAPA dealer delivered. Of course when you are 300 miles out there are going to be charges.