Had a flat, Roadside Assistance not so good

[skip oyler]

Flat tire

This past week we went to hook up and to take off on a week long trip. Got started late as we had a flat. The trailer is stored in an RV storage site that is part of a big metro area. (Mpls & St. Paul MN) Called my Roadside Assistance company. After 2 1/2 hours they still could not find anyone. Wife and I started making calls. She found someone to come and change out flat tire (we had a good spare) after 15 minutes of calling. They were there in 25 minutes and changed out tire in about 1/2 hour. Just as we hooked up and ready to go got a text from Roadside Assistance company that someone would be there in 2 hours. That would have been in 5 1/2 hours after call was made. So my question is who do you use and what has been your experience with them? (My vendor was Good Sam.)

………I had a similar experience with Good Sam. I “exploded” a trailer tire a half hour away from my home on the start of a week long trip. I was on the berm of a major highway with semis hauling along within inches of hitting us.(they’ll kill you to go into the left lane to make room for one of their own) I got the wife and dogs out of the car and out of the way. I called AAA 1st -they said car help only, then Good Sam. I was informed that I only had “elite” member status which didn’t cover it. I finally called a highway patrol who turned on his lights and blocked for me while I changed the tire. As it turns out, I must have the rarest trailer tires known to man, because for the rest of the 1000 mile trip to Texas my wife tried finding a spare to replace the blown tire. Finally, she was able to find some online and have them shipped to our destination. Anxiety was high driving that far spareless after one went kaput!…….”elite” member status must be the bottom of the barrel for Good Sam. Needless to say, I won’t continue with them.

 

[JesseS]

I have had both AAA & GS, AAA refused to show up on the Grapevine for a blowout (lucky we had USAA and they sent someone out, cost $100) so I switched to GS, only used it twice, radiator leak from a rabbit ear clamp poking a hole in an adjacent hose, they had a service truck there in 45 minutes, back on the road in 1.5 hours, the other time was a inside flat, I limped into the RV park (only 15 miles) and called, someone came out the next morning at 9am to fix in in the park (it was already late when we called). So for the 2 times we needed it GS was fine, but I hear it has gotten worse in the last few years. I put new tires on when they are 6 years old, do all of my own maintenance, keep the tires covered when parked, and watch the pressure. Tires are the weak spot on most RV's, and lots of owners don't give them the attention they need.

 

[Mikec557]

This past week we went to hook up and to take off on a week long trip. Got started late as we had a flat. The trailer is stored in an RV storage site that is part of a big metro area. (Mpls & St. Paul MN) Called my Roadside Assistance company. After 2 1/2 hours they still could not find anyone. Wife and I started making calls. She found someone to come and change out flat tire (we had a good spare) after 15 minutes of calling. They were there in 25 minutes and changed out tire in about 1/2 hour. Just as we hooked up and ready to go got a text from Roadside Assistance company that someone would be there in 2 hours. That would have been in 5 1/2 hours after call was made. So my question is who do you use and what has been your experience with them? (My vendor was Good Sam.)

We had coach-net. Same worthless service. We were 6 hrs on the side of the road. There never help. I don't believe any roadside service can be counted on. You will hear some say they received great service. You will hear as many, or more, say it was terrible service. Don't count on them. Be as prepared as possible. The odds the service will help you are no greater than 50-50, at best. Regardless of which service you buy.

 

[jetlag]

We had coach-net. Same worthless service. We were 6 hrs on the side of the road. There never help. I don't believe any roadside service can be counted on. You will hear some say they received great service. You will hear as many, or more, say it was terrible service. Don't count on them. Be as prepared as possible. The odds the service will help you are no greater than 50-50, at best. Regardless of which service you buy.

I have heard enough horror stories about roadside assistance, and preparing my emergency tire change kit consisting of a few blocks of wood, a 20V impact wrench and a 6T bottle jack for when we pick up our unit.

 

[AllysonG-NY]

Some of us are not physically able to change the tire. I couldn't even lift the new one I purchased out of the back of my SUV after Discount Tire put it in there.

I agree, I'd never be able to change a flat tire. That's reason I purchased Roadside Assistance, for peace of mind. I have GOOD SAMS and also have CoachNet (from dealer)which I found out I had after purchasing GS.

Hope to never use ..

 

[Mikec557]

I have heard enough horror stories about roadside assistance, and preparing my emergency tire change kit consisting of a few blocks of wood, a 20V impact wrench and a 6T bottle jack for when we pick up our unit.

Good plan. If I may suggest. Bring something like a 4x6 by 12in-/+ to place under the bottle jack (in case it's needed.

Also, bring a second 4x6. I learned from the above experience, you can wedge a 4x6 between the (I don't know the right word).. on a two axle trailer there's a bracket between the two axles that teeter-todders up and down as the road surface dictates. We had a wheel bearing go bad to the degree we had to remove that wheel and tow it on three wheels back to town. To keep the axle end without a wheel from hanging down and dragging on the road, we placed the 4x6 between the bracket and the frame on THE GOOD wheel side. This forces the bracket down and lifts the other end of the bracket up which in turn holds the bad axle end up. You have to jack the bad axel end up as high as you can to create the space on the other side to place the 4x6.

I'll see if I can find a picture...
This is the passenger side of our 5th wheel. The front wheel went bad. A guy showed me how to place the 4x6 on the rearward wheel to help hold up the front axle. It doesn't lift it a lot. But it lifted enough to get back to town.

 

[jetlag]

Good plan. If I may suggest. Bring something like a 4x6 by 12in-/+ to place under the bottle jack (in case it's needed.

Also, bring a second 4x6. I learned from the above experience, you can wedge a 4x6 between the (I don't know the right word).. on a two axle trailer there's a bracket between the two axles that teeter-todders up and down as the road surface dictates. We had a wheel bearing go bad to the degree we had to remove that wheel and tow it on three wheels back to town. To keep the axle end without a wheel from hanging down and dragging on the road, we placed the 4x6 between the bracket and the frame on THE GOOD wheel side. This forces the bracket down and lifts the other end of the bracket up which in turn holds the bad axle end up. You have to jack the bad axel end up as high as you can to create the space on the other side to place the 4x6.

I'll see if I can find a picture...
This is the passenger side of our 5th wheel. The front wheel went bad. A guy showed me how to place the 4x6 on the rearward wheel to help hold up the front axle. It doesn't lift it a lot. But it lifted enough to get back to town.

Thank you, great suggestion. I see you placed the piece of wood on the BAD wheel side? Maybe I am not comprehending you properly lol.

 

[Mikec557]

Thank you, great suggestion. I see you placed the piece of wood on the BAD wheel side? Maybe I am not comprehending you properly lol.

You're welcome.
No, only wheel you see is the good wheel. The missing wheel was the bad wheel. That end of that axle would have hung low except for the 4x6 on the good side holding it up.

 

[jetlag]

You're welcome.
No, only wheel you see is the good wheel. The missing wheel was the bad wheel. That end of that axle would have hung low except for the 4x6 on the good side holding it up.

Ok I see, thanks again

 

[Mikec557]

ok i see, thanks again

 

[29BHS ECO]

AAA Has been the best for me

 

[cekkk]

I would have just changed the flat myself and been on my way?

That's not helpful.

 

[norty1]

I always call the “thingy” the equalizer.

 

[Markomyt1]

That's OK "damaltor", I thought the same.
Not everyone can manage the work of changing a tire, I guess.
I've changed plenty for others that were "Stuck".

 

[iamshuler]

We use Good Sam's roadside. It covers all our vehicles plus trailer. Blew water hose last fall near Dodge City Kansas. Just happened to catch a wrecker going by. He towed pickup to Ford dealer and then got someone to take 5th wheel to rv park. Submitted bills to Good Sam and they reimbursed us with no problem.

I highly recomend.

 

[burgiebill]

AAA RV PLUS provided me with the "Same Great NON-service" outside of Indianapolis so they got dropped immediately.

When we had Coach Net through FMCA they were right on time.

A friend had AAA, he had a low tire, almost flat. Called AAA, they told him they couldn’t come inside the rv park where we were staying?

 

[Mikec557]

Let me see if I can get a few better pictures...

 

[Markomyt1]

Brilliant adaptation!
Thanks for the extra pictures!

 

[spark of insanity]

Our first flat tire occurred outside of Bismark ND in 2011. Our cell phones were not connecting to a cell tower and it was a nightmare. Stuck at a gas station and no one to help us out. Until 4 men jumped out of this truck, spoke nothing but Spanish some broken English, yes they were seasonal workers from Mexico, all of these tools came flying out of their truck and within 10 minutes our tire was changed. We still think of them to this day and hope they are well. Then it occurred again outside one of the national parks in northern Maine. I called Liberty Mutual and they said your RV insurance does not cover flat tires. When I asked what we are suppose to do now? They said don't know. I was livid until this park ranger dude showed up, helped us change the tire and sent us on our way. OK. When I got home I called Progressive. OMG What wonderful people, so helpful and OMG the coverage on the RV. I asked the lady if she was pulling a fast one. She said no. So our RV and cars are now covered. Have been since 2016. The week after we got back from Maine. Our house is now covered as well. Got a great rate on that one. So I am Flo backer and speak praises on Progressive. Can't say enough. Liberty Mutual? I kicked those jerks to the curb. What a nightmare those people are. Good luck.

 

[Peoples16127]

A friend of mine owns a tire shop, he was contacted by AAA to become an approved service provider, he said the rate was so low that he wouldn't sign up. He said now AAA contacts him makes him an offer which he declines, he said in a couple of hours if AAA hasn't found help they will call him back and offer more money. He said eventually they will make him an offer that he will accept or they find someone who will do for a cut rate.