Observations when using an emergency road service

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Observations when using an emergency road service

October 06, 2015, 07:12:17 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156225

While traveling I-24 well north of Chattanooga we lost the serpentine engine belt (at 72K-miles) requiring our calling Coach Net (CN). I should have replaced that belt at 60K miles and will do so every future 60K miles. CN did their job securing a large tow truck. CN authorized taking our RV to a Chattanooga Ford dealership for the repairs. This is where a potential problem arose. Fortunately our tow started after 5pm, and because of the distance to Chattanooga, with CN's approval, we spent the night at the towing company's yard (with hook-ups) and proceeded on to town the following morning. This gave me time to check with our destination dealership to see if they would be expecting us. They said that they were not notified by CN and being a small facility they didn't have the ability to work on our coach. However, they recommended a nearby Ford truck/RV service dealership (Lee Smith Ford) that could do the repairs. I called CN explaining the situation and they were to authorize the change in destinations before the original towing operation was complete. Here is the rub: If we had completed the original towing event and then changed destinations, the subsequent towing expense would have been ours to pay out of pocket. This is not a complaint about Coach Net as I suspect that this would be true of any RV road service company. CN was very co-operative authorizing the change in destination. I write this for the benefit of others in similar situations.
Lee Smith Ford easily did the belt replacement and checked all pulleys, tensions and for surface smoothness. The belt break was due to normal wear. As the coach is 5-yrs old we also replaced the coolant. This gave us several hours to see the sights downtown (highly recommend Hunter Museum of Art). As we travel westward all is well again.
Mike

Re: Observations when using an emergency road service

Reply #1 – October 06, 2015, 09:35:58 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156227

Mike:

It continues to surprise me how few Ford Dealers there are (especially in urban areas) that will work on RVs.

My guess is that you beat Coach Net in calling the original dealer to see if they would work on your rig. In my experience, Coach Net will not tow to a repair facility unless they get assurance by telephone that the facility is prepared to repair your RV. Coach Net would have called before they towed you originally, but your problem sounds like it happened after dealership service hours.

In fact, even if you call the Ford Motor Company RV Hotline, they do not know who can repair your RV until they personally call the dealer to confirm. They do not have a current database on a screen that they can read from. They must confirm by telephone directly to the dealership.

Kevin

Re: Observations when using an emergency road service

Reply #2 – October 06, 2015, 10:30:02 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156228

We're still trying to sort out all the options for this kind of service. Frankly, the choices have made my brain hurt! I was hoping for a easy and quick decision on this matter ... silly me! My solution is to put off this decision for now. And so it goes.

Ed & Margee Fort Worth

Re: Observations when using an emergency road service

Reply #3 – October 07, 2015, 09:46:44 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156230

A case can be made to skip the various towing policies (Good Sam, AAA, Coach Net) etc and bank the money and arrange for your own towing and repairs. In this day and age, you can get on your phone or computer and find service as easily as the services can. The services contract with 3rd party providers and may pay them below their posted rates, moving you to the bottom of the priority list especially in situations where their systems are flooded (Columbia SC etc). (No pun intended).
Nonetheless, we carry AAA because my other half insists on it ($165 annually for AAA Plus with RV). We have carried it for 20 years (only some of that with RV) and would be money ahead paying out of pocket for service.
And I share the disappointment regarding Ford Service - many dealerships won't touch motorhomes. I should have seen the writing on the wall when I picked up my '99 RB from the original owner in LONG BEACH CA and he stated that the "dealership didn't like working on RVs" but did so anyway.
Locally I have found a mechanic (with big doors) whom I stopped in to chat with as I was getting ready to put Bessie into storage and he said he would happily take over where Ford left off. (After a bad experience with price gouging).
It takes a little more effort, but when on the road we've been able for find mechanics that will help us out so we're not too discouraged.

Todd '99 RB and '02 Honda CRV

Re: Observations when using an emergency road service

Reply #4 – October 07, 2015, 09:51:06 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156232

Choosing an RV emergency road service provider seems pretty straightforward to me; IMO, there are three viable options (in addition to not carrying emergency road service insurance at all.)

1. Your RV insurance policy *may* already include emergency road service and towing, but check carefully for any limitations (location, towing distances, roadside services, etc.) and potential out-of-pocket costs.

2. Good Sam - compare costs, coverages, and services.

3. Coach Net - ditto the above.

Some (not all) districts of AAA do offer an "RV Plus" policy, but you will have to read the coverages very carefully to find out whether the services are available *when and where* they might be needed, including "remote" locations far from your home district where the policy, if available at all, was purchased.

Not everyone chooses to carry emergency road service; their reasons for not doing so are their own. Personally, I wouldn't go down the road without emergency road service coverage, and, like many others, have carried Coach Net for years. Even though I maintain my LD diligently, stuff can and does happen and I want to know that I have "backup" when and where it might be needed. (As long as there's a cell signal, I'm good!)

As ever, YMMV.

Joan

Re: Observations when using an emergency road service

Reply #5 – October 07, 2015, 10:05:21 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156233

"In this day and age, you can get on your phone or computer and find service as easily as the services can."

---- This may be true, but if I have need of emergency road service, I call *one number* - Coach Net. I don't have to search through possible towing companies and/or service providers in an unfamiliar location, particularly if it's during "non-business" hours, a weekend, bad weather, dark, in a dicey location, etc.

JMHO, but the convenience of a one number call and peace of mind that the truck is going to show up are well worth what I consider to be a nominal annual cost.

As ever, YMMV.

Joan

Re: Observations when using an emergency road service

Reply #6 – October 07, 2015, 10:30:36 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156234

Our experience with Good Sam's road service has been marvelous. Over a period of 40 or so years, they have always gotten us to a facility that can repair our problems on our various motor homes, (mostly SOB's).

We've had problems ranging from fires under the hood (small ones, thanks goodness) to broken drive shafts. Good Sam's road service has always gotten us to a repair shop that has been able to take care of us. Their policy is to have us towed to a facility that can fix the problem, and it has always worked.

Since we've owned an LD, since 2010, we've had little use for the towing service, thanks goodness.

Barry "O" 06MB-Ruby Red

Re: Observations when using an emergency road service

Reply #7 – October 07, 2015, 10:38:50 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156235

Todd,

When one brakes down in the middle of nowhere, which requires towing of more than 150 miles, a $ 100.-- towing insurance, or even less, is well-worth our life style on the road.

It gives me peace of mind.

Aad

Re: Observations when using an emergency road service

Reply #8 – October 07, 2015, 10:51:03 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156236

Just hope that you have a breakdown in an area with cell service!

The last time we needed a tow, we were about 20 miles south of Alturas, CA on US-395. We were very lucky...we had ONE bar on the phone which was enough to call our ERS (CoachNet). Any farther south, and we would have been without cell service and would have been up the proverbial creek without a paddle! Our only option in that case would have been to walk back toward Alturas until we got a cell signal. I'm glad it didn't come to that!

I'm with Joan on this...there's no way I'd leave home without ERS coverage!

Linda Hylton

Quote

"In this day and age, you can get on your phone or computer and find service as easily as the services can."

---- This may be true, but if I have need of emergency road service, I call *one number* - Coach Net. I don't have to search through possible towing companies and/or service providers in an unfamiliar location, particularly if it's during "non-business" hours, a weekend, bad weather, dark, in a dicey location, etc.

JMHO, but the convenience of a one number call and peace of mind that the truck is going to show up are well worth what I consider to be a nominal annual cost.

As ever, YMMV.

Joan

Re: Observations when using an emergency road service

Reply #9 – October 07, 2015, 11:48:58 am

Yahoo Message Number: 156237

All points well taken. And yes I've used AAA. When I blew out a tire on the LD, I was very disappointed in what happened, otherwise I probably wouldn't have even said what I said. After the tire blew out, I pulled off the highway (inside dual) into a safe area. The first responder arrived and said he couldn't handle an RV. I called AAA back (or maybe he did, I can't remember) and I waited hours for a 2nd responder who changed my tire.

Todd
(We may switch services based upon some of the comments posted here).

Re: Observations when using an emergency road service

Reply #10 – October 07, 2015, 08:52:23 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156250

I've used Good Sams ERS for 15 years. I always specifically ask for ERS to send someone who has the big enough tools and can spell motorhome. Every time the responding party calls before dispatching to ensure they can meet my needs. (They often think I must have a 40'+ and a trailer. LOL)

I've never had a new guy who'd never changed a dually and only had car size tools ever again. Once was enough. Fortunately I had all the tools and jacking equipment required, plus the knowledge to coach him through it.

I would not ever use AAA RV Plus. A friend of mine (with a new 1 axle travel trailer) had a tire shell out on the freeway and take the wheel well & half the kitchen with it. AAA installed the spare and left. When she called the dispatcher to get more help with the gaping hole and flapping debris...unsafe to tow...she was told she was on her own. They couldn't find a flatbed tow for her anywhere in the area. (Just south of Seattle?!?) Needless to say, she no longer uses AAA.

I'd use Coachnet in a heartbeat.

Just my 2 cents

Lori Y 2011 24FL

Observations when using an emergency road service

Reply #11 – October 08, 2015, 07:34:07 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 156274

Ken, Good to hear from you.
The 60K mile belt replacement rule is one I have now set for myself after this event. Ford doesn't address the belt at all in their Service manual that came with the coach. Also, Ford recommends changing the oil & filter every 7500-miles. Since I use Castrol 5-20w synthetic, I change it w/filter every 10K miles or at least every year. When we are home and not traveling I exercise the coach, generator (under load) and AC units (roof & cab) at least once a month. At 73K miles (in 5-years) the engine consumes and leaks no oil. I know everyone has their own good reasons for maintenance schedules and this is what works for me. We hope to be in the Rockies in the next few days.
Stay safe, Mike

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