Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
I did a search but many of the threads about this are rather old. I hope you don't mind me starting this up again...
What is the most comprehensive emergency roadside assistance plans out there for full timers? I think I recall reading once about a plan that if the truck broke down, they would also tow the coach to the nearest campground?
What do you all use?
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
Up here I have CAA................Have had it for three years now. Never used it yet for emergency service. Have used it a bit for discounts at various places. It's the Premiere RV Membership....Supposed to be like AAA,
Cheryl, it sounds like you are doing all the research I need to be doing! I have a question for our experienced RVers... is Coach Net just roadside assistance, or do they offer a network of repair centers across the US and Canada that offer priority (warranty) repair services... or both? What is the difference between Coach Net and Route 66? A LOCAL dealer offers Route 66 with the purchase of a unit from them so we can get priority service if we are in a far away location. All info welcomed! Thank!
... I have a question for our experienced RVers... is Coach Net just roadside assistance, or do they offer a network of repair centers across the US and Canada that offer priority (warranty) repair services... or both? ...
Good question! It looks like Coach Net will send a mechanic out to you, but I leave the answer to the experts actually using the service. I wanted a better comparison between Coach Net and Good Sam.
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
We have AAA with RV coverage and have had great results. Two years ago we had engine problems going over a pass in Colorado and they towed our truck still attached to the Airstream (very scary) to a local RV campground, got us set-up and then towed the truck to a local dealership. The tow company was fantastic!! They were very thoughtful, extremely careful with our rig and went a step beyond in getting us settled at the campground. Last year we had a flat tire in a remote location and they kept in frequent contact through the whole experience and checked on us twice afterwards. We have had nothing but good experiences with AAA in all the years we have used them.
We have Coach-Net, and are very happy with them. Twice we have broken down, and twice they have exceeded our expectations in service. Not only is it for covering the service call and/or towing costs, it's also having someone on the phone who knows RVs and has access to a network of authorized providers. When you're stuck on the road in a location you've never been to before, that's pretty darn useful. A rider on your RV insurance policy won't provide that - you're on your own to make arrangements and get reimbursed later - although we do keep that on our policy too 'just in case'.
We drive a pretty unusual RV (a vintage bus conversion), and the two times we've needed the service they got a 2-stroke technician on the phone to help us and determine the best path. And they located service providers who could handle our unique needs. One was a 120+ mile hauling out of 'nowhere' - and we never saw the bill (easily $1500+). They worked with us to select the shop we got hauled to, especially important as we knew we were facing an engine rebuild and would want to live onsite during that.
As far as the advantages of Coach-net to other services.... some include:
- Coach-Net is focused on RVs (whereas AAA is focused on automobiles, and RVs is an add on service. In some areas, they actually may not even cover them or have resources available - as they are regionally based on where you break down.)
- Coach-Net will provide help up to a certain distance off of maintained roads, whereas other services may not (I don't know exact details at my disposal at the moment, so I won't quote numbers.)
- Coach-Net is fairly comprehensive. We've had friends with Good-Sam who ended up paying part of their tow/hauling bill because they exceeded their mileage limitations. Of course, that also is dependent on what plan you go with with the service.
- Cherie
We've honestly heard many positive things from Good Sam members.. and have heard some disappointed Coach-net customers. Experiences can be anecdotal and dependent on the local service provider too, and after all - we hope this is a service you rarely need to depend on.
I have Coach-Net and I've used them twice. Once for blown tire on the RV and I was very happy with their prompt service. The second time was for a tire on the truck. I was in Cincinnati and I was in a construction zone and I ended up getting too close to a curb and it damaged my steer tire. I called Coach-Net and first of all I had a hard time getting them to understand the size of the tire I need. then they couldn't find anyone in the area that had a 22.5" tire and would come out and change it. It took four hours for them to find someone with a tire and then it was a recap which should not be run on the front. The delay wouldn't have been too bad if they would have had a tire that I could have used long term but I ended up replacing both steer tires when I got to a location where I had time. Not only then they wouldn't pay for the service call because they said it was an accident and they don't cover accidents.
I still have Coach-Net because I'm still paid up for two more years.
We have Good Sam, have had it for over 2 years now. We live full time on the base where hubby still works, travelling in our RV when we can. We had to Use our coverage earlier this year, the engine would not start and after doing a few things ourselves to try and fix it, we had to call in the professionals. Good Sam got us towed out of our space and took the RV to the mechanics (not camping world)
We had to spend ten nights in a hotel, this was not covered by Good Sam because we didn't go to CW for the repair,the towing was covered 100%, unfortunately the tow'er was useless and caused some damage the the front bottom of the fiberglass skirt, cracking it in 2 places! The towing company are paying for the repair, they have arranged the fix with a local RV repair place, unfortunately, they are not being helpful about getting it done.
Not sure I would re-up with Good Sam again, we are thinking of switching to Coach net.
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2016 Vilano by VanLeigh, 2012 F350 Diesel SD 6,7L long bed SRW
Staying at Greenlakes RV Resort nr San Antonio TX
Kim is way too busy planning to have a 'real' job!
Jay is a civillian Gov't Historian Randolph AFB TX (retired AD in '07 after 23 yrs)
We are with Good Sam and have been for about 8 years. We have used them for changing tires several times over the years and they will sent out a Mech. to do road side repair. Good Sam pays for the service call & one hour labor on roadside repairs. We had a spring shackle that broke on our 5thwheel on a trip to the east coast in New York. The trailer fell down on the tires on that side. We were lucky and were able to pull in a parking lot. We called Good Sam The Mobil Mech. had all the needed equipment & tools to do the Job on his truck. It was about 3pm when we called & he was there by 5 pm checked what parts were needed, too late to get the new parts that night. By 9 am the next morning he was back with the parts and a new tire. He had us ready to roll by 2 pm. It set us back $628, but we were on the road again & had lost only one day. So guess I will stay with Good Sam We are well satisfied with there road side service.