Mobile Mechanic or RV version of AAA?

[KenZ71]

While calling around to Freightliner, Caterpillar, Snider Fleet Solutions, etc for an oil change & new shoes I learned they all provide mobile / emergency mechanic services. Also know the major truck stops offer these services as well.

So I started wondering would calling one of these outfits if / when a roadside incident happens instead of an RV version of AAA like coach etc make more sense.

Of course roadside incidents are never one size fits all.

Having read horror stories of tow trucks doing major damage a roadside repair, even if a proverbial bandaid, might be better option.

Thoughts?

[THenne1713]

In some/ many locations, They maybe the responding contractor for your ERS? and if not, maybe your ERS does not PAY enough, (which was the comment from my one ERS responder event); he said "I do not contract with some because of their low pay scale"

[USMCRET]

IMO, that is exactly what you should do.

In eleven years of travel, I finally had to call my roadside assist company last year (Good Sam) due to a no-start. I asked for a mobile mechanic. The answer was there were none available in the area. So, they found a tow company that would come get me and take me to a service center.

The tow operator called me and asked if I’d rather have his service truck come out and see if they he could get me going. It took a nanosecond for the words “Hell yes” to roll off my tongue. The guy came out, put a new starter on, and we were golden from that point forward.

My takeaway from that experience is to start calling tow companies or anyone else who may have a mobile capability before calling a roadside assist company. In this instance, Good Sam was only interested in getting me towed somewhere.

[jacwjames]

I've had to be towed 3 times. All three times a mobile mechanic wouldn't have solved my problems. I had to be towed to 2 different type of service providers, twice for transmission problems and the other for a radiator R&R.



I might have got a way with a tech on one of the transmission problems, they had to replace the ECU, but the shop didn't have enough techs on hand and wanted the coach towed to their shop.

[Teamfoxy]

Before I had roadside assistance, I had good luck contacting the state police and getting them to dispatch a tow service. They usually have contracts with companies to clear disabled vehicles and accidents. When we bought a motorhome, we decided on AAA+RV. We only used it once and were very pleased with the service they sent. But I realise that who gets sent is dependent on where we are and that all RA companies use the same contractors in that area. So after calling my RA company, I would make sure to talk to the provider directly before they came. If not happy with what they say, I would call the state police and get the numbers on who they contract with to clear disabled vehicles and accidents. Hire one of them and fight with insurance later.

[Gormleys]

Driving on I-70 last year in our diesel pusher the dreaded "check engine" light started flashing and the speed started dropping just passed an exit. We pulled over to the side and tried to figure out what was wrong. We notice something dripping from near the engine so we first called Freightliner. They said the nearest approved repair place was 50 miles away. So we called our roadside assistance. After four or five calls, they told us it would be at least 5 hours before a tow truck could come and get us.

Looking at the dripping more, I discovered it was coming from a fuel filter. Calling tow companies myself, I confirmed it would be at least 4 hours to get a tow. So we started looking for a mobile truck repair. Turned out there was one right at the exit we had just passed. I called them and described the problem. He had the filter on hand and came out and installed it within fifteen minutes. A rock had bounced up and cracked the old filter.

Moral of the story, try to figure out what is wrong and then determine the best approach to get it fixed. It may be easier than you think!