Trip to Alaska, recommendations for roadside assistance, that covers Canada and Alask

[Timotee]

Planning a trip to Alaska this year departing from Arizona going up west coast what is the best roadside assistance program that covers Canada and I’ll ask him

[Jim n Wilma]

We use Coach-Net which covers us as we travel in US and Canada.

[akeagle]

Can't make a recommendation of roadside assistance, but I will highly recommend getting a copy of The Milepost.

It contains a wealth of information on EVERYTHING you need to know about traveling in Canada, the Alaska Highway, and in Alaska. Costs about $30 but it's worth every penny.

[db4570]

I've never understood the whole roadside assistance thing. It's just insurance. If I need a tow, I'll just call a tow truck and pay for it.

[Triangle Drifter]

One of our biggest shocks, in a good way, on our first trip north was the availability of assistance on the Alaska Highway & roads less travelled.

More than once we would be stopped for a potty break or picture break in a turnout. A vehicle would appear in the distance & slow down as it approached, stopped even, to see if we were OK. It is a Northern thing.

Give them a thumbs up & they accelerate again on their way.

Reminds me of how it is on the water. You don't go past somebody who is obviously having problems.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by Triangle Drifter

One of our biggest shocks, in a good way, on our first trip north was the availability of assistance on the Alaska Highway & roads less travelled.

More than once we would be stopped for a potty break or picture break in a turnout. A vehicle would appear in the distance & slow down as it approached, stopped even, to see if we were OK. It is a Northern thing.

Give them a thumbs up & they accelerate again on their way.

Reminds me of how it is on the water. You don't go past somebody who is obviously having problems.

Highly agree... once you cross into Canada people remember how to be helpful!

[Famnrs]

That is really good for us to know, Triangle Drifter, thanks. We are heading across Canada to Alaska this year, and are grateful to be reminded of the etiquette.

[BigBillSD]

We do Coach Net. Once you realize you might need a tow for 500-1000 miles of our 34,000 lbs vehicle to get to a Cummins or Freightliner dealer you will be very glad you did. Their RA costs $200 a year if you search for the best price. And that would probably not cover a 10 mile tow up there. In the US, things are much closer, but that $200 seems reasonable to me. Back in the early 80's I negotiated towing for our trucks for $1 a mile in the US, which was a very good price back then. My guess is its 5x that now, and for an emergency tow by some random person.. the sky's the limit! That is the definition of why there is insurance. -Bill

[BigBillSD]

Do you ever bring your RV to Bermuda? Is there a RORO from a port that goes there? -Bill

[Triangle Drifter]

Originally Posted by BigBillSD

Do you ever bring your RV to Bermuda? Is there a RORO from a port that goes there? -Bill

HA! Good one. First of all, we drive on the left, just like England. Second all of our roads are extremely narrow. Use Google Earth street view. The largest cars we have are the small cross over SUV types.

The island is only 20 sq miles & the airport occupies 10% of it.

Very different.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by Triangle Drifter

The island is only 20 sq miles & the airport occupies 10% of it.

I thought you sold that house.

[rarebear.nm]

Like many of us, we when we traveled to Alaska a few years back I was glad we never needed any roadside assistance. It can be a very long ways to any place that has such services. If you need a replacement tire it can be days just to get the tire. A long time waiting.



Next time we go to Alaska I think we'll have Coachnet. Just make sure sure any plan you get will cover long distance towing in the northern areas.


We carried a good selection of spares on our trip for both the truck and the 5th wheeler.

[dons2346]

Originally Posted by db4570

I've never understood the whole roadside assistance thing. It's just insurance. If I need a tow, I'll just call a tow truck and pay for it.

You will understand when the tow driver says "cash only".

[Iron Man]

In a Newmar caravan in 2017, had a radiator hose go in one of the coaches. It was covered under Freightliner warranty. 3000 for the tow and 300 to fix the hose. Get roadside assistance.