Community Forums

Wundertaker · 04-16-2017, 07:12 PM

I know there's been posts/threads on this before but couldn't find anything that seems "current". I have a one ton diesel pick up and a 36' fiver. Wondering if I should do the Good Sam Roadside Assistance thing??? Like anything else there are rather strong opinions on both sides of the aisle.

My wife and I will be retiring and will be going full time and traveling our Country, including Alaska, but not Mexico! I'd feel a little more at ease knowing I have some help, if needed, only a phone call away.

Any opinions or other options unknown to me would be appreciated...
Thanx All...

KT4Wextra · 04-16-2017, 07:28 PM

You might check a comparison of service with Coachnet or even AAA to see how they stack up. I haven't had any road service needs so I have no experience as to how they react to a problem. Coachnet came free with my RV for the first year and have Good Sam road side service now.

RockyMtnRide · 04-16-2017, 07:35 PM

Good Sams saved us last summer outside of Watson Lake, Yukon. We punctured our radiator in multiple places on a gravel section of the Alaskan Highway. After calling they sent a flatbed tractor trailer and hauled us 375 miles to Fort Nelson BC, the closest garage that could handle our rig. I never even saw the bill, but image what it cost.

KerrTx · 04-16-2017, 07:35 PM

If you don't have it with anything else you already have purchased, than yes. You should check first with your Auto / RV insurance as you may already have it. We have roadside assistance that was included in our Truck Insurance, RV Insurance, our Ram Owners Program, and 2 of our credit cards. Hope neither of us ever need it.

QuietWater · 04-16-2017, 07:52 PM

I have used Good Sam Roadside Assistance twice. The first time was quite satisfactory. I needed towing due to an engine failure, They sent a tow truck from a very reputable company just twenty miles away. The second time was a year later about ten miles away from the last breakdown. I needed a tow due to a radiator rupture. I asked for the same tow service as before, but instead they insisted on a tow service over sixty miles away. When the tow truck showed up two hours later it was barely bigger than a pickup truck with a hook on the back. Luckily it only had to be towed four miles. The point is, you never know what kind of service you are going to get. Any of the roadside services are pretty much the same, it's just a crap-shoot what's going to show up.
Dan

Mr_D · 04-16-2017, 08:12 PM

I've had CoachNet for years and have uses them a couple times with not much trouble m. In one instance the even authorized two tows since the first shop lies and said they could get right on it, when we got there they said it'd be a week. CoachNet had it on tape so they authorized the second tow. We hadn't even been dropped off the tow truck.

Duoglide1 · 04-16-2017, 08:15 PM

They are all a crap shoot depending on where you break down and what's going on in the area. We've had GS for several years and recently switched to Coach Net. I've seen more good than bad on them on the class A forums I used to frequent and it also saved us a little $. Good luck.

wingnut60 · 04-16-2017, 08:39 PM

Have had GS for several years. In '15, lost an engine in N. TX and got towed to a Ford dealer 45 miles away in one tow--450+36'Suites. In '16, different truck, lost an engine outside of Vanderhoof, BC, CA. If you want to get worried, break down in Canada. GS sent truck that LOADED our entire hitchup on a single flatbed and took us to Ford dealer.
They seem to know what they are doing and understand towing setups.
No experience with any other.

JerryP · 04-16-2017, 08:53 PM

I have called GS for roadside service 3 times with good results.

1st was for a flat tire on a SuperC RV. It took a while to find a tire the proper size. This was at 9pm on a Sunday night. Learned my lesson that you always need a wheel mounted spare or an unmounted spare of the tire brand that you run on your motorhome. Tire service changed flat on side of road.

2nd time was on a Sprinter based RV. They put it on a flat bed tow truck and took me to the neared MB dealer.

3rd time was my Toyota Prius that was towed from my driveway to the nearest dealer. A squirrel had chewed my ABS sensor wires and disabled my brakes. They originally wanted to tow me to the nearest shop that happened to be a Firestone auto service shop. The Toyota dealer was only 2 miles farther down the road. After I objected to not getting towed to the Toyota dealer, they decided that's it was OK to tow to the Toyota dealer. There was no charge for the tow.

The Good Sam Operators always called back later to verify that our problems were being taken care of. I have GS roadside on my current RV.

Regards, Jerry

vsheetz · 04-16-2017, 08:56 PM

An roadside assistance service coverage is a must, IMHO. Good Sam, Coach-Net, or FMCA are the RV specific providers. The coverage provided for the typical automobile type plan is not adequate.

nutcker · 04-16-2017, 09:05 PM

If you are going to travel Alaska then roadside is a must have, I've been here 50 years and it can be a long way to the next service facility and a tow truck might have to come from 300 miles away depending where you are when you break down, (same as in Canada). Unless you carry a complete shop and parts inventory with you it will be money well spent. Good luck and have fun on your trip.

uncledon · 04-17-2017, 06:12 AM

I also have GS. Very pleased. Used twice in 4 yrs and no problems. Both times for tire issue. Once on TV, once on fiver.

ageishecker · 04-17-2017, 06:51 AM

I've had good luck with Good Sam. My new Tiffin came with a free year of Coach Net so if I have a problem in the first year I'll have a chance to compare. I'm not dropping GS.

Oma_Sly · 04-17-2017, 09:42 AM

We have it. I love it! When I've had a low/flat tire in a campground they have come and changed it. They have rescued me from the side of the freeway. When a tractor/trailer drove over the front end our pickup while we were sleeping, still hooked up to our fifth wheel. They sent two tow trucks, one for the fifth wheel and one for our pickup. I'm too old to try and find reputable service people on my own. They have a rollodex full!