RV breakdown advice

[dsa3778]

We are fairly new to Rv'ing and are planning a 2 week vacation soon where we will be pretty far from home. We have a class A Fleetwood Flair, 35ft. What have other peoples' experiences been if your huge motorhome breaks down? Can just any tow truck tow a vehicle of that size? Do regular mechanics work on them or do you have to find someone that works specifically on RV's? We had a situation on the way home from purchasing it (8 hours from home) where it had to be towed and we had the hardest time trying to find someone that could handle towing something that large. Ended up that we had to have a trucking company who works on semi trucks come and tow us, and since everything was closed, he took it to his shop, and was actually able to fix our problem himself(radiator hose broke). Is this normally going to be the case? (Having to find someone other than just a car towing company to tow us) and also, who fixes them (regular car mechanics)? We now have AAA on the vehicle and that helps peace of mind, but I am just concerned that they won't even be able to locate someone to help us.

[GizmosMom]

The roadside assistance programs also offer "lock-out" services. I know this because we locked outselves out of our van twice and both times someone came out to get us back in.

One of those places was in a remote campground way up in the UP of Michigan.

Don't know how we would have gotten back in without that service.

[wolfe10]

Good question and good answers.

BUT, best answer is to do the PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE that minimizes breakdowns.

In 170,000 miles with the last coach, a total of one breakdown with no tow needed (hydraulic pump seal failure). But, lots of "care and feeding" done at my convenience.

[dsa3778]

Thank you everyone for the info, it is greatly appreciated. I am definitely checking into both of those services!! Crossing fingers that nothing goes wrong but you never know!!

[ferndaleflyer]

Both services are good I think---I have Good Sam and a few years back they came and brought a new tire and fixed a flat.....Just a couple of weeks ago I had the same thing you discribed happen (radiator hose came off) they came and fixed it right there in no time and didn't charge me a dime. Beats a tow bill every time.

[gbopp]

Good Sam Roadside Assistance

Coach-Net

Welcome to the forum.
These are the popular roadsice services for RV's.
Enjoy your travels. 🙂

[imgoin4it]

You need to have emergence road side service for motor homes. There are two that most RV'ers use. One is from "Good Sam" the other is "Coach Net". Either will, if / when needed will get a tow truck to you that is capable of towing your RV to a service facility that can work on your motor home. They'll also change flat tires etc. You will not pay additional for there response to you, but you will pay for any repairs, tires etc. Cost of either is under a $100 per year. Don't leave home without

[rgatijnet1]

Get CoachNet for your emergency road service and let them handle the details. They will make sure that the proper wrecker shows up, if needed. They will also make sure that you get a qualified tech to service your coach or that you are towed to a shop that can actually fix your problem. It is money well spent and they are familiar with RV's as opposed to AAA that deals mostly with passenger vehicles.

I should add that once you get CoachNet, or Good Sams emergency road service, it also covers ALL of your passenger vehicles as well, including your toad. Unless you use AAA for maps, and other services, you can cancel AAA since the other road service providers will cover your personal vehicles.

[Coyote74]

Look at coachnet and good sams for towing and road service plans. They usually know what type equipment to send. You will be most likly to use a heavy underlift type wrecker, they tow you to nearest rv service to have it repaired or at your request. Check them out.