Best Towing Membership Program - Page 3

patticake · #21 03-06-2009

I must echo the statement of Bill and Rita's. No fun sitting on the side of the road
for over 6 hours waiting for Bad Sam to decide where to tow me!!!

iamflagman · #22 03-07-2009

One thing to keep in mind is that any towing membership program can have a bad day or days, they depend on service contractors in specific areas of the country, with some of the companies working for all of the towing programs in some areas, so if lets say that you are here in South Carolina and and you need a tow and you are using brand A towing membership and you get excellent service, that doesn't necessarily mean that you are going to get the same service throughout the country. They are all at the mercy of the tow truck / service companies and they all have good days and bad days, so this question belongs in the same category as;

What is the best tire?
What is the best oil?
What is the best fuel?
What is the best insurance?
what is the best toad?

And it can go on and on and on and....................................

Personally, I have been using the Good Sam Emergency Towing package for over twenty-five years and I have had both of my busses and two of my personal vehicles for a total of seven times and I have not had a bad experience with them, but that can change the very next time too, just like any towing package service. I have heard the same from members that are using packages that are serviced by other companies too, non of them have a perfect record.

#23 03-07-2009

I had Progressive a few years back. We were headed to a New Year's trip when I pulled to the side of the road to check the GPS for distance. It several hours waiting for Progressive(Cross Country) to find some one to get me out. I had to pay for the service and get reimbursement after I got home. I asked the owner of the tow service that pulled me out questions about different road service and why it was so hard to find serviceers his reply was that"most delay in paying or try to pay rates that so low the can not make money." I asked about Coachnet his reply was"they pay promptly and at a rate that is realistic" . The Good Sam ERS is provided by Affinity. Most of the ERS go to a phone bank that answers the calls. When I put the bird back on the road I will go with Coahnet, just my opinion.

spirit · #24 01-21-2010

Just got my bus back from the repair shop (new King pins), and drove it to my storage facility. While maneuvering in the lot the BUS got stuck in the SAND. I called GOOD SAM after answering many question concerned about security, etc they told me they don't cover a tow if the bus is not on a road way, since i was in a parking lot I had to pay for the tow myself, which is what happened. IS this unusual, i feel ripped off by GS and want to know of any other experiences like this and any alternatives to GS.
Ted

racin41bb · #25 01-21-2010

Isn't GS great--after paying over $900 to the road angel GS sent (no help) they towed us to a Wal-Mart and left us there for 14 hrs. Seems to me most WMs have parking lots-go figure. Now have Coach Net and the only time I used them was for a flat tire. Charged us a whopping $6.19 for a new valve.

iamflagman · #26 06-16-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixbird

Funny thing when they lifted the bus the tow truck's front end lifted off the ground. "I think he underestamated the weight of the Bird"

There is a lesson that can be learned here, when ever we call for a wrecker to come tow us, it is very important for us to remember to be as clear as possible and very assertive in telling the road service operator that we are driving a BUS and not a Winnebago or stick and staple motorhome, be sure to weigh your 'Bird and keep a record of it in the coach and then let them know just how much it weighs, don't take it for granted that they will know, you might find yourself in a situation where they send the wrong wrecker, sounds like they were real close on this one, and you have to wait more time on the side of the road for them to send a bigger one.

Sometimes it is even better to ask for a Landhaul like i had to do a few years ago and then even remind the operator that the driver needs to bring some timbers to raise the rear of the coach as seen in the picture;

If you haven't already weighed your 'Bird, you can do it on your way back home, the sooner the better, so that you have accurate tire pressures for your coach's specific weights, read Wanderlodge Owners Group > Mechanic's Corner > Tires, Brakes, Steering and Suspensions > Tires and Wheels and Weighing Your 'Bird