Ford E450 New Vehicle Roadside Assistance

[1982]

Should I have a flat with my new E450 (with no spare), I'm trying to decide whether or not to call Ford, or my insurer for roadside assistance.

My Ford owners manual says that Roadside Assistance covers "a flat tire change with a good spare, if provided with the vehicle" (mine was not) and "Towing". So, because my vehicle was not provided with a spare, does that mean they would cover towing?

Please no repeat of the recommendation to carry a spare. That has been heavily covered in other threads.

[twinboat]

Following

[luvlabs]

The usual way this is handled is that you buy a new tire from the company doing the replacement. They will mount the new tire to the rim in field and then mount the tire on your motorhome. This is what your roadside assistance policies covers. I haven't seen Ford's exact language, but it sounds like they would only cover the mounting of the wheel on the coach.

[1982]

Originally Posted by luvlabs

The usual way this is handled is that you buy a new tire from the company doing the replacement. They will mount the new tire to the rim in field and then mount the tire on your motorhome. This is what your roadside assistance policies covers. I haven't seen Ford's exact language, but it sounds like they would only cover the mounting of the wheel on the coach.

OK, here is what it says:

[I]ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Vehicles Sold in the United States:
Getting Roadside Assistance
To fully assist you should you have a
vehicle concern, Ford Motor Company
offers a complimentary roadside
assistance program. This program is
separate from the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. The service is available:
• 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• For the coverage period listed on the
Roadside Assistance Card included in
your Owner's Manual portfolio.
Roadside Assistance covers:
• A flat tire change with a good spare, if
provided with the vehicle (except
vehicles supplied with a tire inflation
kit).
• Battery jump start.
• Lock-out assistance (key replacement
cost is the customer's responsibility).
• Fuel delivery — independent service
contractors, if not prohibited by state,
local or municipal law, shall deliver up
to 2 gal (7.6 L) of gasoline or 5 gal
(18.9 L) of diesel fuel to a disabled
vehicle. Roadside Assistance limits fuel
delivery service to two no-charge
occurrences within a 12-month period.
• Winch out — available within 100 ft
(30.5 m) of a paved or county
maintained road, no recoveries.
• Towing — independent service
contractors, if not prohibited by state,
local or municipal law, shall tow Ford
eligible vehicles to an authorized dealer
within 35 mi (56 km) of the
disablement location or to the nearest
authorized dealer. If a member
requests a tow to an authorized dealer
that is more than 35 mi (56 km) from
the disablement location, the member
shall be responsible for any mileage
costs in excess of 35 mi (56 km).
Roadside Assistance includes up to $200
for a towed trailer if the disabled eligible
vehicle requires service at the nearest
authorized dealer. If the towing vehicle is
operational but the trailer is not, then the
trailer does not qualify for any roadside
services.


That brings me back to Ford's language regarding the spare be mounted only "if provided with the vehicle".

I'm deep in the weeds here, but if road debris punctured my oil pan, Ford would tow me. If road debris ruined my tire/rim, and a replacement was not on hand, or could not be procured, then wouldn't towing be the only resolution?

[eddndee]

The way I read it is; They will mount the wheel&tire to the vehicle if there is a spare provided. They will tow, using a 3rd party towing company to an authorized dealer of your choice up to 35 miles away or to the nearest authorized dealer if more than 35 miles.

[1982]

Originally Posted by eddndee

The way I read it is; They will mount the wheel&tire to the vehicle if there is a spare provided. They will tow, using a 3rd party towing company to an authorized dealer of your choice up to 35 miles away or to the nearest authorized dealer if more than 35 miles.

That is the way I was reading it too.

I just re-read my Progressive policy, and for those that do not have a newer vehicle, and are on their own for Roadside Assistance, I should mention that their policy provides towing for all disablements (including a flat tire), only costs $21 per year, and has no $ limit (they need to get you to a qualified repair facility, however far).

[ThePowells]

I think it would cover the R&R of the wheel only, even if you bought a spare wheel and tire somewhere else. FoMoCo wouldn't know if your coach had a new spare when delivered and if did become an issue, then they would have no way to know if you hadn't gotten a spare added during the original purchase.