NGRRFan

Colo. Spgs., CO

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Joined: 07/25/2002

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In a former life I worked for a tow company.
You have to keep in mind that the drivers aren't sitting around waitng for your phone call. They are busy towing for the city, moving a wrecked car from a lot to the collision repair shop, changing someone else's flat, delivering gas, or helping with a wreck/recovery.
Our shop had 6 trucks and for the most part only one of the smaller ones was at the shop at any given time. What response time estimates given to you by the Road Service company is just a wild guess to placate you. They have no idea what kind of workload the shop actually has or how quickly the shop can respond and handle your case. It also might be that there is a greater emergency than what you are. Case in point, we tossed a belt on our mini-van and when we called for service we were told it would be at least an hour. Three hours later the truck finally showed up and his story was that Raton Pass had been jammed up with a bunch of cars and trucks stuck in the snow (and we had heard this also on the radio) and it took 5 tow trucks 3 hours to clean up the mess. I was just thankful that he found time to get away from that job to get to us and get us to a repair shop.
Rich,and Tobi (the rescued dog)
Prowler 5ver, 84 Ford F250
KCOCOLOR78 Weather
Colo. Spgs. CO
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GizmosMom

Central Texas

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Joined: 02/18/2002

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Have needed Good Sam for three years in a row.
First was for son's car when it broke down. Wait was about 45 minutes and received a couple of phone calls from them checking to make sure we were okay.
Second was when we locked ourselves out of the van in a remote area of the UP of Michigan. Only had to wait 45 minutes for that one.
Third was when we locked ourselves out AGAIN while camping on a lakeshore campsite the weekend of a bass fishing tournament. Wait was about an hour and we fished right in the area in front of the van while we waited.
Marilyn w/ Joe, 2000 Xplorer Class B van, usually pulling a Ranger bass boat.
Smudge, (in photo) a Shih Tzu/Yorkie Mix and Gizmo is waiting at the Rainbow Bridge
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PopBeavers

San Jose, CA

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Joined: 03/19/2005

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Only somewhat related...
DD called me once when her car blew a fan belt on the freeway not far from my office. I told her I was on my way and that she should call AAA and tell them she needed a tow.
Shortly after I arrived a CA CHP car stopped. He said he heard the radio dispatch and that it was for a woman alone on the side of the freeway. He said that the CHP always responds to a call for a solo woman on the freeway.
So, just as a crazy suggestion, always let DW or DD place the call and lie and say tht they are alone. Maybe that will help expedite things, but it may not be very polite.
Wayne in San Jose
TV1:2002 Chevy 1500HD 4wd Crew Cab,Valley Odyssey brake ctlr,McKesh mirrors
TV2:2008 GMC 2500HD long bed 4wd Crew Cab,GMC brake ctlr,GMC mirrors
TT:Trailmanor 2720
Honda 2000
Yamaha WR250R,Polaris Sportsman 700 X2,Polaris Scrambler 500
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wny_pat

Western NYS

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Joined: 08/11/2007

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I still waiting. They never showed up. I ended up buying parts and tools at a nearby Autozone and making a temperary repair so I could get to a truck stop and find someone to fix things right. Don't breakdown near Columbus, Oh on a weekend because everybody takes weekends off there. May switch to Coachnet!
Oh, that was back in the spring.
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Gale Hawkins

Murray, KY

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Joined: 07/22/2007

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Pat while not get you a few spare parts, a few tools to save the trip to AutoZone next time. 
I agree the service trucks are often busy and we have to say, If it is to be it is up to me.
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jameswb1

Danville alabama

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Joined: 11/30/2005

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Most of these companies use the same local wrecker services. SIL works for a wrecker service and they tow for most of them including AAA. By the way he only gets paid 15 bucks for a AAA so who do you think gets put on the bottom of the pile?
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HUTCH45

NORCAL

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Joined: 05/26/2007

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I have roadside service included in my policies with 'Progressive'. The 3 times I've needed to use it, the service was outstanding!
"HUTCH"
'07 SILVERADO 3500HD 'CLASSIC' DRW - CC - 4 X 4
'07 NEW HORIZONS 35' 5th.Wheel 'MotoMover'
'06 HONDA 106hp.VTX1800 w/'HANNIGAN' Sidecar
"PRIMO" The Boxer
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david_42

Oregon

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Joined: 04/08/2005

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2-4 hours seems typical. The only time I've gotten a faster response was when my "C" died 2 hours after being "repaired". The RV shop had someone out in 30 minutes. It probably helped that I had stopped for lunch less than 5 miles away.
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rockhillmanor

On the Road

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Joined: 12/06/2003

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Not related to 'which' company to use. But the level of expertise of 'who' comes out with the tow truck does vary.
I had a blow out and called Good Sam. They asked what type MH what size tires, do I have a spare AND a tow truck was promptly on the scene within minutes.
Feeling pretty good about this I went into the truck stop to have coffee while the repair was being done. Came back out guy said you are good to go.
Went around to the gas pumps to fuel up since I was already there and......noticed blue liquid coming out from underneath the MH.
Opened the sewage bay door and the whole sewage bay/valves was blown apart! The tire had gone clean thru the side and underbelly of it and into it.
I would ASSUME that when he replaced the tire he HAD to have seen that, but for some reason didn't think it important enough to point it out to me.
* This post was
edited 06/29/08 08:33pm by an administrator/moderator *
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2cyber71

Pennsylvania

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Joined: 11/21/2003

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Has nothing to do with the service company..it's the company called by them to come help.....we waited 6 hours on the MASS Turnpike for a flat tire back in 04....because only one company has a contract to provide service for that road.
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
Lucy 3 yr old Lakeland Terrier, in AKC Agility Training
Lucy gets an Agility Ribbon, 2nd place AKC Trial, Finger Lakes Kennel Club
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