Good Sam - AAA or Both? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

dannick · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good Sam - AAA or Both?

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dan,

Are you referring to services like emergency road service or for discounts? For ERS, I'd be sure and check with AAA to see if there are any issues for the size and weight of your RV. As for discounts, I didn't know AAA even offered campground discounts.

I can't help much because I've never had to have anyone serve us at the side of the road. However, we do have Coach-Net, just in case.

Terry

rocknb · RV-Dreams Family Member

Howdy Howdy dannick,

Just as Terry referred to above, it depends on what your wanting to be a member for. I do not have AAA, but my insurance provider "Progressive" offers towing for my MH. And, I am a member of GS for CG discounts and I also use Camping World for most RV related shopping, either in the stores or on-line. And you get a decent GS discount on purchases also. It is very difficult to find RV related items at most Big Box stores. I guess Wal Mart carries a few items! GS also has a road-side asst. program also. Its just going to take some research on your part to see what each provider offers and how that matches you need and wallet. Maybe others can be more help.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

For emergency road service I highly recommend CoachNet. They have been terrific to work with and cover both of our vehicles.

For RV Park discounts - We have Passport America, Escapees, FMCA, AARP & Good Sam for 1-2 night stays and our membership parks (WH, TT, C2C, ROD, AOR) for longer stays.

Barb

-- Edited by Barbaraok on Saturday 4th of April 2015 09:20:19 PM

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

We used to carry both Coach-Net and AAA for our ERS... but dropped AAA a few years back after hearing that their RV services might be limited by the region you need service in. Coach-Net (and Good Sam and FMCA) are all RV-specific services, and when you call - they know RV types. AAA may not, as they are auto-focused. We've had two Coach-Net experiences, and both very positive.

Now, for discounts and general travel insurance .. you might enjoy them, or not.

We just recently did a video chat on 'RV Clubs - Which to Join?' that you might find interesting if you have the time & bandwidth: www.technomadia.com/rvclubs

cejones4210 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have AAA RV Plus and have actually had to use the RV option three times. Twice they were very good, the last time not so much. When we finally get our 5er, I will probably change to CoachNet. Their service this last year was lacking when it came to towing us while pulling the Airstream, but when I locked myself out they were quick.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Up here I have CAA which is supposed to be like AAA. I am told can use the service all over. Never used anything with them yet and it costs me $200.00 /year. I am still wondering what happens if the time comes that I need to be towed. So far I've just gotten travel maps from them and some discounts at certain places.

-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Sunday 5th of April 2015 02:09:49 PM

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just had our first experience with Coach Net last night, towed the truck and 5th wheel. Pleased with Coach Net, opinion is still out on the actual towing company which also owns a repair shop. They left us at an RV park and took the truck to have their tech look at it, I would have rather had it towed to a Ford dealership since we have an extended warranty. We'll see what their tech says in the morning, might still be getting it to Ford. Manager of the tow truck company was a "know it all" and a bit rude.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

NWescapee wrote:
Just had our first experience with Coach Net last night, towed the truck and 5th wheel. Pleased with Coach Net, opinion is still out on the actual towing company which also owns a repair shop. They left us at an RV park and took the truck to have their tech look at it, I would have rather had it towed to a Ford dealership since we have an extended warranty. We'll see what their tech says in the morning, might still be getting it to Ford. Manager of the tow truck company was a "know it all" and a bit rude.

Just like "Here's the fine print" Now pay up.

That's bull that the truck is getting towed to their own repair shop. The truck should be towed to where ever you want it repaired especially if there is still warranty on the unit. Looks like a little Highway Robbery.

ChefMom · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we did our research regarding what roadside assistance was best for us, we already had AAA Plus for all of our vehicles and they were really pretty useless. The plus is for guarantee of a longer tow distance wise, but beyond that, AAA, at least here in the northeast has turned into a glorified battery sales unit. Even when we had to call for a tow they sent the small truck (not a tow truck) filled with batteries for sale (and we had told them on the phone, problem was not the battery as the battery was brand new). When we refused to purchase a new battery we had an additional 2 hours wait time for a tow on a day when there were no weather conditions, accidents or the like and they should not have been busy. When we wanted to include our tt in the roadside assistance and called AAA about that they let us know that they are not equipped in most cases to tow rv's. I would not count on them.
Now, that being said, and not wanting to jinx ourselves, we have yet to use the Good Sam roadside assistance that we purchased and have renewed. I'm sure there are pros and cons to every service but I think my rationale is that a service that is meant specifically for rver's and will include all of your tow vehicles or vehicles being towed as well is probably more equipped to help. Only time will tell.

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

NWescapee wrote:
Just had our first experience with Coach Net last night, towed the truck and 5th wheel. Pleased with Coach Net, opinion is still out on the actual towing company which also owns a repair shop. They left us at an RV park and took the truck to have their tech look at it, I would have rather had it towed to a Ford dealership since we have an extended warranty. We'll see what their tech says in the morning, might still be getting it to Ford. Manager of the tow truck company was a "know it all" and a bit rude.

Having read many good things about Coach Net on here and elsewhere, all I can say is the process of weeding out seemingly unscrupulous operators is slow. But sending negative feedback on an experience is the only way for it to happen other than internal audits by Coach Net. Word of mouth is a powerful way to put operators using shady tactics out of business. Sorry to hear of your misfortune, certainly a teachable moment for the rest of us and here's to you getting a satisfactory resolution.

Brian

dannick · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for all the great feedback...Primarily looking for a quality Roadside Assistance Program that I can rely on.
From all the comments and research I've done it looks like my two best options are Good Sam and Coach-Net. Both seem to have their share of pros and cons...just need to pick one by Friday as I will be picking up my RV about 130 miles from home and want to be sure to have something in place before then.

dannick · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks so much to everyone for your feedback! After a lot of research, reading and feedback, I've decided to go with Coach Net. I signed up online, got my member ID in less than a minute, downloaded the app. and coverage goes into effect tomorrow...the same day I pick up my RV. Smooth so far...now the fun really begins :)

bighonkinf350 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Good Sam ERS for me. Used them twice,once in 2008 and again in 2012.

Had both,AAA & Good Sam ERS for awhile. Tried to use AAA once wound up changing a flat tire myself on I-95 in S.C. after waiting 3 hrs & burning daylight. AAA showed up as we were pulling away.

Happy Camper2016 · RV-Dreams Community Member

I used to have AAA and switched to GS a couple of years ago. I used the service 2 years ago in Baton Rouge and was happy with them. There is also another service provider and I have listed it on my website- RetiredRVer.com Allstate Motor Club They are offering an introductory rate of $52 for new members for the first year. The Allstate Motor Club