Good Sam roadside assistance was useless

Capt. Rich · 09-10-2023, 06:18 AM

Hello All, I had a front tire blowout on northbound I-75 mm 430. I am going to submit this short thread to see if it will go thru and then elaborate.

Capt. Rich · 09-10-2023, 06:22 AM

I called Good Sam and got a dispatcher I could barely understand, spoke very broken English. I should have politely hung up and called again. She took all my information and said help will be on the way. She called me back twice and wanted to know if I could change the tire on a Jayco Seneca RV. I told her I am the person in need of a tire. change.

Capt. Rich · 09-10-2023, 06:33 AM

I am writing these posts in segments because I think I get timed out. 2 hours later of waiting for assistance and vehicles whizzing by, my wife was getting very nervous. She got her cell phone and gave me numbers of tire shops to call. Within 5 minutes I had a tire shop on its way. Within 29 minutes they arrived and had my spare installed in 15 minutes. We went back to their shop and spent the night. 4 hours later, I got a call from another tire shop that said they may not be able to help because it was after hours.

Capt. Rich · 09-10-2023, 06:39 AM

Lesson learned. Don't rely on insurance. Start doing your own search immediately. I bought 2 new tires from the tire shop that helped us. The concern is they are Advanta. Never heard of them but they are load range H. I would like to buy 2 more steering tires(front) and move these Advanta to the rear. What would be the best tires? The blowout was my fault. BF Goodrich that were 7 years old, tread was good but the tires were tired, obviously.

Rustynuts · 09-10-2023, 08:52 AM

That’s the problem with any assistance program, yiu never know how good they will be until you need them. From reading different reviews and talking with people, we carry Coachnet with their tire program. I have hear lots of positive feedback with Coachnet and lots of bad feedback about Good Sam but again, I won’t know until I need it.

repeach · 09-10-2023, 09:05 AM

Good Sam left us on the side of the road 13 miles from downtown San Francisco. They said they could not find a tow truck (for our motorcycle) within THEIR budget. Told us to call 911 for help.

Since then I rely only on myself. I carry a spare tire and all the tools necessary on the RV. Lots of spare parts, and a separate bank account incase I need to be towed. i.e. Self Insured.

With that said, I have heard good things about Coachnet.

Jeepin Jason · 09-10-2023, 09:59 AM

When I thought my tire blew out, it was 4:45 PM on a Friday and I was 40 miles from the nearest town. I called USAA and Good Sam, both told me it might be up to 48 hours before someone could get to me... Fortunately, I figured out it was just the valve stem extension and was able to limp to a local shop with air and get it back up to the proper PSI.

CAG · 09-10-2023, 10:35 AM

This is another of those topics where you likely will hear all of the bad. It could be there is plenty of it, IDK, but I will say that with three different roadside issues, Goodsam had someone there inside of 30 minutes and two of them were in the middle of no where.

Capt. Rich · 09-10-2023, 02:59 PM

I forgot to add that to my post. I am sure folks have positive examples of Good Sam response. My intent was just to tell my tale. Hey Rusty Nuts and Grumpy, I always like your advice. Any thoughts on the front steering tire choice.

Grumpy · 09-10-2023, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Rich

I forgot to add that to my post. I am sure folks have positive examples of Good Sam response. My intent was just to tell my tale. Hey Rusty Nuts and Grumpy, I always like your advice. Any thoughts on the front steering tire choice.

I always had Michelin's on our SENECA. Since we belonged to FMCA they had great deals through their tire program.

Rustynuts · 09-10-2023, 03:31 PM

I will be needing new tires soon and will either stick with Michelin or switch to Toyo, I have lot of friends than have gone to Toyo and love them.

**norty1** · 09-10-2023, 04:22 PM

I have had GS road service for 14 or so years. I had good service from them when I needed them but since I got some great tires over 9 years ago, I have not had to call.

It's almost time to renew and I am a little torn and temped to just look for my own road service provider. I have the equipment to change tires on the road but my body will not allow it.

Grumpy · 09-10-2023, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

. I have the equipment to change tires on the road but my body will not allow it.

Hit that goal post years ago...

travelingjw · 09-10-2023, 07:13 PM

Yep, me too. Moving up to a class C and know I won't even attempt to change the tire. I have Coachnet but am so old that when i had a blowout I forgot that I even had them. Was just concerned about getting off the freeway. Changed it myself, Dummy!

pconroy · 09-10-2023, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Hit that goal post years ago...

I mentioned that I had a change of heart on roadside assistance and now will carry the tools and a spare.

I'm also carrying a very large sign that goes on the back of the RV when I have a blowout.

"WANTED 18 YEAR OLD TO CHANGE TIRE. $100 CASH AND A SIX PACK. YOUR MOM WON'T FIND OUT!"

**Crabman** · 09-11-2023, 04:38 PM

Sorry about your road side service issues. As far as the site timing you out when typing a post, click on "Remember Me" when logging in and you will stay logged on indefinitely.

CAG · 09-11-2023, 06:22 PM

How did this go from road service to "I need new tires"?

We sure get off track with some of these threads LOL

SmokerBill · 09-11-2023, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAG

How did this go from road service to "I need new tires"?

We sure get off track with some of these threads LOL

Thanks for reminding me. My tires are about 5 years old and I think I need new ones. Any suggestions?

Rayco · 09-14-2023, 02:59 PM

We have had AAA for years. Have used them 3 times - not very good or prompt service on any of the instances. On our last trip we had a tire let go on the fifth wheel while going through Spokane WA at rush hour. I told 3 different people on the phone the details of what we were towing. When the service guy showed up after 3 hours he says "Oh, I can't change that tire - they only send us out with a jack big enough for a Honda Civic."

Fortunately his shop was close by and he went back and got some other supplies and was able to change it. So, I'm looking to switch.

Murff · 09-14-2023, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokerBill

Thanks for reminding me. My tires are about 5 years old and I think I need new ones. Any suggestions?

Well, Bill! I suggest you buy someone's used China made trailer tires off of Craigslist or Facebook Market Place. Think of all of the money you will save. The date stamp on the tires really mean nothing!

Murff

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