Community Forums

gjbales · 01-16-2019, 10:28 AM

Hi everyone. Just checking to see what kind, if any, of travel / roadside assistance you are using. I received numerous offers from Good Sam and what they offer seems to be pretty good, but I've also heard horror stories about GS. We just recently upgraded to a 2015 Thor Palazzo Model 36.1 (37') DP and haven't had much time on the road yet, but we do hopefully plan on traveling a good bit in 2019 and beyond. Is Good Sam roadside assistance worth it, or is there something "bigger and better" out there that we can look into? Or, are they a total waste of time and money? Thanks loads.

**Lt Dan** · 01-16-2019, 11:03 AM

I've heard both good and bad about Good Sam and I had them for a couple of years but never needed the service. I now have CoachNet for peace of mind and hope I never need them either.

Sandy Swede · 01-16-2019, 11:59 AM

Ditto on Coach-Net. In 4 years, never needed to call for roadside assistance.

The sounds you hear are knuckles rapping on wood.

pilotmike · 01-16-2019, 12:24 PM

I planned to sign up with AAA and add the RV coverage in the Spring when we hit the road
.
Even covering two drivers and lotsa cars, AAA won't cost the $249 of CoachNet.

How well does AAA coverage work?
What am I missing?

31NDone · 01-17-2019, 09:14 AM

I don't know if it's "bigger or better" but I went with Progressive insurance. Motor home insurance is pretty expensive and I shopped all the big names that included road assistance. I thought Progressive had the best coverage, with road side assistance and towing. If you are a USAA member you also get a nice discount since they are part of the same company. Although I have never needed it, I don't mind paying just for the peace of mind while I'm driving through the middle of nowhere.

Mr_D · 01-17-2019, 09:25 AM

I've had nothing but CoachNet and will continue to use it.

Ljwt330 · 01-17-2019, 09:35 AM

I bit the bullet and got Coach Net because of the consistently positive reviews when they were needed. Yes, the initial cost is expensive, but successive years runs less ( I forgot exactly, but around $169/year, I think.) People often recommend FMCA because of the low price, $60/year, but you must be a FMCA member which is an additional $60/year, putting the total cost close to Coach Net.

As far as AAA, coverage is determined by each regional chapter (Southern California Auto Club is independent from Northern California Auto Club, for example, and provides different levels of services) and varies in quality depending on where the break down happens, is my understanding.

lllkrob · 01-17-2019, 09:39 AM

The one time I needed road side assistance I used my CoachNet. They had the proper size wrecker to me within 90 minutes. The driver was very professional and careful when he hooked up to the coach. The wrecker towed my coach over 90 miles to the nearest Freightliner dealer that worked on motorhomes. My cost for the tow was $40, a tip to the driver and his helper, for such professional service. That sold me on CoachNet.

The problem with AAA and most insurance tow programs is they don't know what's involved towing a motorhome. Their contractors are not setup to handle anything that size. So often you are left to find your own tow company and then file for reimbursement and then you're told about the small print exclusions.

Fyrflie · 01-17-2019, 10:23 AM

I have Good Sam.

I have had my light vehicles towed on three different occasions and each time I was very happy with the service.

I have not had my RV towed.

Be aware that Good Sam changed their coverage of RV’s with their cheaper policies. So be sure to read the fine print.

Prices are comparable to FMCA after membership fees, etc.

MSHappyCampers · 01-17-2019, 10:48 AM

We have been with GS Roadside Assistance since 2000 but plan to change to FMCA at the next renewal!

tmw188 · 01-17-2019, 10:52 AM

I have Coach-Net I have two years left out of a five-year program I’ve only used them once however in town near my house to give me a jump in the winter on my car. They sent a guy in a van with out of state license plates to give me a jump start just a subcontractor in a case like this to find the cheapest person to do the job. We have AAA too at the time but I wanted to give them a try to see how it went.

empty_nest · 01-17-2019, 10:58 AM

We got a 1-yr complementary membership to CoachNet when we purchased our used coach, last spring.

Wouldn't you know it, we popped a brake line on the way to the dealer to get it serviced before winter. Called CoachNet and they handled everything. The tow company called me a while later and I just told them where she was and where I left the keys. Never heard another word.

I'm sold and will renew this year.

tmw188 · 01-17-2019, 11:03 AM

I would compare the fine print and details with Coach-Net and FMCA you probably wouldn’t go wrong with either one

Gary RVRoamer · 01-17-2019, 11:17 AM

Don't forget that the roadside service is just a dispatcher that arranges for local services wherever you happen to be. They can't make a truck magically appear in 15 minutes if you have a breakdown in West Podunk on a busy summer Sunday afternoon. Nor can they do much if the local service is surly or charges excessively for extra (tires or whatever). No matter which dispatching service you choose, they are probably going to be calling the same local company(s) to get you the help you need.

There are some differences in the plans offered, though, so make sure you understand what is in each. And they do change from year to year, so be careful re-compare if the plans or the rates change.

I personally think that Coach Net service has gone downhill since they became part of NMC. And their prices went up at the same time.