IDman wrote: Please tell us how we are are supposed to know who to call and how to reach them. Thanks!
From the GS web site:
About Standby Sams
The Good Sam Club is about service, helping out our fellow RVer, and that spirit is what fuels our Standby Sams program. Standby Sams are Good Sam members who volunteer to provide emergency advice and referrals to fellow members traveling through their area. This group has helped hundreds of Good Sam members over the years by providing contact information for local campgrounds, mechanics – even a good restaurant! We are pleased to report there are nearly 2,000 Standby Sams throughout the United States and Canada.
On the Good Sam web site, click on "Club Benefits" and click on the "Standby Sams" drop down or go to Volunteering Directory Page
Click on the state you wish to view and a list of Standby Sams is presented.
'04 Cross Country 35' w/300 Cummins
'05 Sebring CV on KarKaddy 460SS
'09 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Crew 5.7 Hemi MDS
'51 & '53 Hudson Hornets 308 6cyl w/TWIN H-POWER & 5 lbs of BG the Yorkie
Members of:
Grand Canyon Chapter of Hudson Essex Terraplane Club Inc
Nothing personal, but if I had an emergency somewhere, the furthest thing from my mind would be calling up a perfect stranger where the only thing I know about them is their telephone number. If it was a medical or police emergency I would get assistance and information from the responders. If it was mechanical, I would probably get my advice from the repair facility. If I needed information on local accomodations and services, I would check with the Chamber of Commerce. If I needed a restaurant recommendation I would ask a fat guy. This program sounds like something left over from the 50s, when service clubs were much more prevalent.
Big dogger, I think you are missing the point of it. First of all Good Sam came to bei in 1966 and not from the 50's. Secondly, besides all the things that God Sam does for RV'ers and offers its members, it gives the members the ability to connect with fellow members. If you do have a police or medical emergency, then yes please dial 911. As far mechanical, yes you can call a repair facility. If you are in my area, hopefully you will choose one that will not rip you off and/or has good standing with the BBB. If you are on the side of the highway brokendown, then I will assume you will have to time to research all this on your own. You apparently are on this forum to network with other RVers. Do you come here to ask questions? Do you come here to answer questions? It's no different than the Standby Sams. We are there to ask us questions about our areas. I don't know about others, but I will do my best to give the best information I can to a fellow brother or sister who needs it or asks for it. If they need some other sort of help and I'm physically able to help them at the moment, then I will.
Brian RVing Illustrated
2010 Keystone Sprinter Select 31BH
2001 Coleman Santa Fe
wbwood wrote: Big dogger, I think you are missing the point of it. First of all Good Sam came to bei in 1966 and not from the 50's. Secondly, besides all the things that God Sam does for RV'ers and offers its members, it gives the members the ability to connect with fellow members. If you do have a police or medical emergency, then yes please dial 911. As far mechanical, yes you can call a repair facility. If you are in my area, hopefully you will choose one that will not rip you off and/or has good standing with the BBB. If you are on the side of the highway brokendown, then I will assume you will have to time to research all this on your own. You apparently are on this forum to network with other RVers. Do you come here to ask questions? Do you come here to answer questions? It's no different than the Standby Sams. We are there to ask us questions about our areas. I don't know about others, but I will do my best to give the best information I can to a fellow brother or sister who needs it or asks for it. If they need some other sort of help and I'm physically able to help them at the moment, then I will.
I guess saying I meant no offense didn't ring through. The idea of such a network of people, to me, is just something from a bye gone era. Today, asking strangers for advice has been replaced by smart phone apps, the internet, etc. The original question raised in the post was had anyone who was a standby sam ever gotten a call. It appears the answer is pretty much "no". I just ventured to give my opinion on the reason why. It was by no means intended to reflect upon the sincerity, integrity, ability or any other qualification of the standby sam. But really, if someone is broken down on the side of the road who are they going to call, roadside assistance, a local tow company, a local dealership, a local repair company, the police or a standby sam?
big dogger...there was no offense taken, just a reason stating for it. The standby thing is just not for emergencies. It's not just for those stuck on the side of the road. ERS is for that.
We ask strangers for advice on the forum all the time, what's the difference? If I'm going to be in Boston, I would rather as a local for advice on places in that area, rather than asking for one from someone from Mohave, California who might of been ere once or not at all.
I have the Standby Sam book in my passenger door of the truck. Almost used it once when we were stuck on the road, but Roadside was able to help hubby.
I picked my book up from the Good Sam table at the local RV show. not sure where else you can get a copy.
Good Sam Life Members. Camping with two young children in a 2007 Pilgrim fifth wheel (278BHSS) pulled with a 2002 F350.
As I only recently joined SS (I just found out it existed) so no I have not been called or have I used it to call another SS. I was pleasantly surprised to receive my patch and window sticker in about 5 days after I signed up.
As for using SS verse using a smart phone ect. I for one would rather get local info from someone that knows their area. The way that I see it is this, if a Good Sam Member goes to the trouble sign up and volunteer for SS, I would lean towards trusting them. Now I would keep my eyes and ears open but lets face it would you feel / be any safer calling someone from a phone book? For me I would choose SS and I am not a very trusting person.
I am a Retired U.S. Merchant Marine Chief Engineer
05 Chevy 2500 4x4 D/A with Helper Springs and Air Ride Air Bags
06 R-Vision RW3360 Fifth Wheel Toy Hauler
97 FLTCI converted into a Roadsmith Trike by The Trike Shop of Daytona
....Who cares.I have my TH AND my toys 
.
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