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General Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Lawrence Tarnoff on November 27, 2014, 06:00:41 AM

Title: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Lawrence Tarnoff on November 27, 2014, 06:00:41 AM
Looking for recommendations on roadside assist program. We have AAA for our cars and there is an upgrade option to add our motorhome.  Any thoughts?

Larry

PS: we are a week away from picking up our '99 Contessa!
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Joel Ashley on November 27, 2014, 08:56:58 AM
I was with AAA for several decades, including using it several times when our old Pace Arrow broke down.  But AAA is not as motorhome specific as it could be, and several years after getting the Beaver, which as I recall came with a complimentary year of Coach-Net, we switched from AAA to Coach-Net.  We've used it once and we're glad we had it, because I could talk to one of their tech mechanics to help diagnose the issue before they ordered up a tow truck.  AAA doesn't offer that, and it provides the possibility you may be able to self-repair and avoid a tow altogether.

The main reason for switching was that FMCA offers a discount for Coach-Net that helped knock the cost well below what AAA runs.   And they automatically cover all of our other vehicles even though the coach is the primary reason for it.  AAA charged for different levels of coverage;  Coach-Net was simpler and provided a lot more for my buck.  I had been griping for years about the cost of AAA, and that part of my dues went for their fancy magazine and its articles and ads that mostly were irrelevant to me.

As I recall, some coach insurance providers offer Coach-Net as part of their services, including BAC club sponsor Overland Insurance Agency's companies.  That can be a good way to save on both your coach insurance and your travel service all together. ;)

Joel
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Keith Moffett on November 27, 2014, 10:54:46 AM
Larry
Joel is probably right on the money but we still have the AAA we purchased with our older coaches, before the diesel pusher era.  With our first Beaver we broke down in a bad spot and were only able to communicate via wifi.  We got help on this forum and rigged a bypass to get home on.  AAA would have towed us but we still would have paid a fair amount.  Point being we were able to get timely info by way of this forum so that helped.

Picking up the new motorhome?  WOW what a Christmas present.  I hope you get extra helpings at all the Holiday dinners this year!  We are cheering for ya!
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Peter and Connie Bradish on November 27, 2014, 01:57:37 PM
We have AAA RV.
We have been towed three times. Service was very good. If you have to be towed, remember to explain to the person on the line that you need to have the tow truck for semis. Many of them do not understand how big our "campers" are. All costs were paid for by AAA.
We can recommend AAA.
Connie B. 8)
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Dan Murphy on November 27, 2014, 02:22:50 PM
We highly recommend Coachnet. We signed up with them when we bought our Beaver and we have used it twice. Once we had to have the Beaver towed and once when our toad also had problems and they were very helpful each time.We did not need to tow the car as they helped me with a "fix" over the phone.

We have never had AAA or any other service to compare with but I would be very leery of moving to another service after doing business with Coachnet. Very professional and totally in tune with the motorhome aspect of road service. When we had to tow the Beaver I was very worried and I did not want to tow it at all. Their people were very patient and tried to help in every way possible to help me figure out what was wrong and when they finally sent the tow they located a huge and totally reliable tow service. Unfortunately my Beaver still sustained some damage from the tow but it was minor.
If you ever need towing try very hard to get a huge flat-bed tow truck and not "the hook"
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Steve Huber Co-Admin on November 27, 2014, 04:02:08 PM
We originally had AAA RV plus and used it on 3 tows a couple of years ago. The service was great. However, AAA was not any help on where to tow us for RV specific problems (transmission and overheat). We switched to Coach-Net last year due to the positive posts on this forum regarding their specific RV knowledge. Also, if you insure you rig through Overland Insurance agency you receive a significant break on the Coach Net premium each year.
Steve
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Stan Simpson on November 28, 2014, 04:03:28 PM
+1 on Coachnet!
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Mike Humble on November 28, 2014, 07:41:29 PM
Coachnet.  We had to have our Jeep towed twice in two weeks last spring and no questions.  Tow was there in 30 minutes.
Mike
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Lawrence Tarnoff on November 29, 2014, 03:14:16 AM
Thanks, folks.  We decided on Coach-Net and went with the top package.  Hope we aren't frequent flyers.

Larry
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Bill Randle on December 04, 2014, 11:33:02 PM
When considering AAA, be sure to read the details of their road assist coverage closely. We were considering AAA until I found this in the Member's Guide:

Quote
Dual-wheel campers/motor homes are eligible for lockout, fuel delivery, and jump start services only. Dual-wheel unloaded pickup trucks are eligible for all services except tire service.

In other words, no towing or tire services for a dual wheel motor home, which most (if not all) of ours are. This for AAA Oregon. Other state or regional AAA institutions may have different coverage.
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Joel Ashley on December 05, 2014, 05:19:48 AM
I'm not sure that's quite right, Bill.  Our old Pace Arrow class A had starter problems for a couple years (until I finally sleuthed the cause), and was towed 4 or 5 times by AAA Oregon.  Are you sure your quote isn't for the basic AAA service level?  A higher premium for, if I remember the name correctly, AAA Plus RV should not include such a clause.

Joel
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Bill Randle on December 05, 2014, 03:34:07 PM
I called AAA and asked and after she conferred with someone else, she confirmed what it said in the Members' Guide. If you look in the RV Plus coverage, it says you get the same coverage as the Plus membership, only for your Motorohome. If you look in Plus it says you get everything in Standard, but with higher limits (essentially). It also says to refer to the Roadside Assistance section for more details. That's where the text I quoted above is.

Maybe it's a recent addition to their coverage exclusions or maybe nobody checks the fine print and you lucked out. i don't know....
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Jerry Carr on December 05, 2014, 04:21:43 PM
I needed a tow about 6 weeks ago I used AAA with no cost to drop Drive Line and pull mud flap plus swing the mirrors I had wanted a flat bed tow but was not able to get this service at this location. I was towed about 20 miles on the hook with no problem.
I have had AAA since 1965 and have also upgraded to RV plus.
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Bill Randle on December 05, 2014, 09:03:31 PM
Jerry, I see you are in Washington. Washington's AAA has different coverage for towing than Oregon. Washington's info states:
Quote
Vehicles eligible for AAA Classic, AAA Plus and AAA Premier emergency road service are four-wheeled, motor-driven vehicles of the passenger or pleasure types. Rented passenger vehicles and pickup trucks, including dual-wheeled pickup trucks, also are eligible.
and
Quote
In addition to vehicles eligible under AAA Classic, AAA Plus and AAA Premier, an AAA Plus RV or AAA Premier RV membership provides you with coverage for the following eligible vehicles: factory RVs, pickups with campers (including dual-wheeled campers); and motorcycles. In addition, eligible vehicles towing the following eligible trailers: boat, travel, horse, motorcycle, snowmobile, personal watercraft, golf, car, utility, and select small rental trailers that meet specific outlined trailer guidelines.
Note that it says it specifically includes dual-wheel vehicles, unlike Oregon's coverage.
Finally, there's also this note which confirms that different regions may have different coverage:
Quote
Service Outside of AAA Washington's Area
Your AAA ERS coverage is valid throughout the United States and Canada. However, slight variations in the method of delivery of service may be experienced when outside AAA Washington's geographical territory. Due to the size of some RVs, not all AAA service providers are capable of providing tire changing, towing and winching services. Service outside AAA Washington's territory is provided according to the rules and regulations of the AAA/CAA organization in whose territory the disablement occurs. Members may apply for reimbursement consideration if charged for a service in another AAA/CAA organization's territory that would have been provided without charge if the disablement had occurred in AAA Washington's territory.
(Emphasis mine.) I could also add that Oregon has length restrictions on trailers (28', I believe), which Washington doesn't have.
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Jerry Carr on December 05, 2014, 09:54:43 PM
Great that you found this I had no idea just lucky I guess
 
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Joel Ashley on December 10, 2014, 06:55:21 PM
Bill, you need to contact AAA again.  According to an email they sent me, I'd guess the clause in question is meant to reference dually pickup trucks, not other dual-wheeled vehicles.  Methinks they could reword and clarify things - the use of "motorhome" in the clause is ambiguous.

Quote: "Under Plus RV coverage we cover any length Motor Homes and any vehicle that is used for towing a RV Trailer. This could be a dual wheel pick up over one ton. It is only covered when towing a RV covered trailer. It would not be covered if it is used as an everyday vehicle.

 I hope this helps with our coverage. Feel free to contact me either by phone or email if you have any other questions. Email is dale.johnson@aaaoregon.com "


-Joel

Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Bill Randle on December 12, 2014, 12:14:05 AM
Thanks for the info, Joel. You are right in that it certainly could stand to be better written.
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Mike And Mary Engen on December 13, 2014, 07:07:05 PM
Have always used Coach Net and feel it is 5 stars.  Recently received a Good Sam Road Assistance advertisement, so decided to try it, could save about $35 over Coach Net.

First chance to use it this week, our Trailblazer broke down due to AC compressor lock-up at convenience store in Hincley, MN right next to freeway exit about 8 pm Monday night.  Well reply back was "3 to 4 hours before wrecker could arrive, but I could call 911 for an emergency tow if I wanted it sooner, would tow 50 miles", I needed 52 miles minimum. 

WTH, my rider had AARP road assistance that would tow 100 miles, they could be there within 20 minutes and tow to our regular repair shop in Burnsville.  It was there in morning before shop opened.

Will DUMP Good Sam and back to Coach NET.  >:(
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Mike And Mary Engen on December 14, 2014, 04:55:13 PM
ADDENDUM FOR PREVIOUS POST: FOUND ADVERTISEMENT FOR GOOD SAM ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE - SAID "24 HOUR ROADSIDE SERVICE WITH UNLIMITED TOWING TO NEAREST NETWORK SERVICE FACILITY". "PROTECTION FOR RV AND ALL  HOUSEHOLD VEHICLES". 1 YEAR FOR $59.95.

Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Norm Green on December 17, 2014, 07:21:33 AM
I have had Coachnet for several years and would agree that they are very good.  I have used their tech support on several occasions with good results.  Have used them to tow the coach, very helpful.  Highly recommend.
Title: Re: Good Sam, AAA or?
Post by: Glenn Perkins on December 17, 2014, 03:49:02 PM
I would heartily vote for Coach Net too.  I have had their service for the past 17 years, been aided on the side of the road in Idaho and Texas, coach flat bedded twice near Las Vegas, pulled out of a septic tank (story for another day) in Alabama as well as towed vehicle flat bedded too in central CA. We dropped Good SAM when they were unable to get road service to pull our Safari from loose sand in upstate NY back in 96.  Coach Net is the only way to go ... have never been stranded ... worth every penny.