Emergency Services - Coach Net or Other? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Emergency Services - Coach Net or Other?

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Personally I would get AAA Plus.

We've had it for 20 years and have never needed to call them, they must be great.....LOL.

I really can't provide an answer, because we (knock on wood) have never needed help.

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

We just had our first breakdown (been towed out of the mud a couple of times) and this breakdown required the tow of our 30,000# bus conversion. We have Good Sam ERS and there was no question about getting the tow, towing it to the shop suggested by Prevost (luckily it was only 16 miles away) and using the tow service suggested by local shop. The only painful part was talking to the operator who was reading and filling out a script. I told her we were at the 100 mile marker on I-74E just outside of Indianapolis. She stated that there was no mile marker 100. The State Trooper standing in our doorway begged to differ! We finally got that taken care of and they sent the truck.

RickandJanice · RV-Dreams Family Member

I cannot speak for Coach Net as we never used it the year we had it with our Mobile Suites. We have had Good Sam ERS for about 12 years and have actually used it twice. Once for a break down and then just recently when I got stuck at the back on our own property. Both times they were great. I can highly recommend Good Sam ERS.

GSF63 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks Terry for starting this thread. I too am looking for an ERS provider. In reading about Good Sam and Coach Net they seem to be about equal in services. I'd like to hear from others that have needed to use their services to get a better comparison.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have been very pleased with Good Sam ERS. We've had to call them 3 times and have always been extremely happy with the service. After you call them, they call you back and tell you when help should arrive and then call back later to confirm that they got there and we were satisfied.
Can't ask for much more IMHO

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have had good results with Coachnet so far.The only reason I got away from Good Sam's was because I got tired of all the spam e-mails from them and couldn't get them to stop. The ERS service itself was very good.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have been happy with Coachnet over the years. Two tows, one to pull us out of mud and other much longer, and one call to a locksmith when our front door lock broke. From reports people are happy with Good Sam ERS and Coachnet, so pick one.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Tuesday 26th of April 2011 08:56:10 AM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

One of the things that Jo said they had told her was that with the unlimited towing, Coach Net would even tow the entire rig all the way back home. Considering that some of us tend to find "favorite" service centers, that could be a plus.

I'll do some more research, but it might be a bit. "Other" things are going on (which I'm not quite prepared to announce) that will be demanding my time.

Terry

jrp · RV-Dreams Family Member

While its true Coach-Net provides "unlimted" towing, their terms are quite clear that its unlimited to the nearest "qualified" service provider. Others have a 100 or 200 mile limit, meaning you pay the difference if the nearest "qualified" service provider is outside that limit. None of them are going to tow at their cost to your "preferred" location, if their is a "qualified" service provider closer.
The other issue you need to make certain up front is whether they tow both your tow vehicle and your towable in a breakdown, not all will do this at their cost. If your truck breaks down they will tow your truck, but not your fifth wheel, at their cost. This condition is usually worded, "if the seperate vehicle is parked in a safe location". Your opinion and theirs may differ on whether the side of an interstate is a "safe" location to leave your RV.
Another issue that catches some by surprise when calling for their first service, most all of these policy terms state you're entitled to one paid response per incident; meaning if you have a flat or mechcanical breakdown you must decide in that first cconversation with their agent whether you want a tire service to respond for a road side fix, or send a tow truck for a shop fix. If you ask for roadside service, they show up and decide they can't make the repair roadside, you're now responsible for the full cost of the tow. Sometimes its best to talk directly with the responding service provider to confirm they know exactly what you need and come prepared for a roadside fix. If in doubt it may be best to go with a tow, even if thats a bit more inconvenient.
In chosing a provider, its important to review their small print detailed terms, not just the glossy bold advertisements.
Keep in mind that all of them are relying on the same local shops, local tow companies and local tire repair services; its who answers your phone call, how they respond, how they consider your priorities and needs that makes the difference.
I actually have contracts with all 3 major emergency road services (Coach-Net, Good Sam & AAA Plus) since I have 3 RV's, 3 trucks & a Harley and want to be able to get service anywhere/anytime. At approx $100 a yr, its cheap insurance.
In the past, IMHO Coach-Net provided the best service, but thats in question right now. At the first of the year, their parent company(NMC) decided to shut down the Lake Havasu service center that was dedicated to RV's and combine that with their existing service center in Dallas that serves commercial buses/motorcoaches. With that shift and change in personnel Coach-Net service has slipped and time will tell if they get back to their previous top position for RV'ers.

-- Edited by jrp on Thursday 28th of April 2011 10:11:31 AM