I have a story to tell regarding my latest experince with AAA. I would encourage all who are members to seriously consider their renewal and do not renew. Anyone thinking of joining. Do not. The slightest encourgement will get my story posted here or I will PM you if you like.
I will not be renewing my membership and I will tell as many people as I can that they should not renew theirs. I placed my first call to AAA at 1259 explaining that I had a breakdown on a busy street with my Truck and that I had a 40 FT 5th wheel trailer hooked to the disabled vehicle the operator said that they were really busy but they would put me as an Urgent request but I would still need to wait about an hour. At 1419 I called again wondering if I was going to get any assistance. The operator said "Oh you should have had someone there already". She then said "they should be there in 10 minutes". At 1440 I called again and was told that they would be there by 1500. At 1500 someone arrived in a small cabover tow truck that said "I wish they would have told me it was a dually" I said it didn't matter we could cable it and pull it off the roadway. He said I would have to sign a paper they proceeded to get in his truck and drive off. At 1510 AAA called and said they were attempting to locate a replacement tow service but advised me I could always secure my own tow service, pay for it and then submit the bill to AAA for review and possible payment. I was pulled off the road by a fellow Ford driver and called AAA at 1542 to cancel there service. I know I shouldn't but I didn't want someone else waiting because they were looking for me. You may quote me if you would like.
Rod
I didn't have very good service from AAA, either. I have since switched to Good Sam ERS, and have had to use them twice. GS has excellent service, excellent customer service, and will actually tow you to the nearest certified repair shop, as opposed to a limited number of miles, like AAA.
I don't have any experience with an RV, but with AAA I have been towed 96 miles for free to my father's house. Also a lot of the service may depend on the tow truck company that they call. I have had great experiences just this year when I was towed in my Excursion and also in my Mazda Protege.
I also do all my own repairs so I don't want to be towed to a service shop, just my house or that of a relative if closer and under 100 miles.
vtaero wrote: I don't have any experience with an RV, but with AAA I have been towed 96 miles for free to my father's house.
My actual contract, with AAA, stated they would only tow me 5 miles (or something similar)for free. I would have had to pay the towing company for any additional miles. That's one of the reasons I left.
We had a great experience with Good Sam last year - I'd recommend them highly, and will always keep their coverage.
Me, the DW Forum addict
DH, "He who can fix anything"
Abby, the camping wonder dog
Harvey, the "Happiest Dog in the Whole USA"
2003 Thor Wanderer Wagon 207 Toy Hauler,
Reese 12,000lb WD hitch
2005 Ford F250, V-8, SuperCrew Lariat Superduty
vtaero wrote: I don't have any experience with an RV, but with AAA I have been towed 96 miles for free to my father's house.
My actual contract, with AAA, stated they would only tow me 5 miles (or something similar)for free. I would have had to pay the towing company for any additional miles. That's one of the reasons I left.
AAA basic is five miles. AAA plus will tow up to 100 miles. So far I've had good service from AAA. Have never had to call on their RV part. That could be a different story.
For me, to upgrade from AAA plus to AAA plus RV wasn't that much more.
Living in a rural area five miles of towing gets you from nowhere to "close" to somewhere. So having just AAA basic is a waste of money. AAA plus is the better choice for me.
ON EDIT:
Hate to double post on this thread, but it got me thinking, since I'm coming up for renewal.
After going to the AAA's website it appears that maybe not all AAA's are the same. Depending on your location (I believe) determines what benefits you get for your hard earned $$. For me the following was stated:
"With AAA Plus RV, your vehicle will be towed up to 100 miles, without charge, in any direction from the place of disablement to a destination of your choice. Of course, any repairs or additional towing for the same breakdown will be at your own expense."
From what I can tell from other RV.Net posts (I did a search on 'AAA') this is not always the case for other RV owners.
* This post was
edited 01/03/08 06:59pm by John&Joey *
There are a few things about AAA, and, for that matter Good Sams ERS, Coach Net and most all the others out there that folks need to keep in mind.
AAA only has a very few trucks of it's own. Most roadside assistance companies have none at all. They all have contracts with LOCAL providers, it may be a gas station, it may be a towing and recovery service, it may be a dealer who has a tow truck (And again very few dealers have those) but it is a local service provider.
Of course the call center, that is usually AAA (though in some cities you call the local service provider) In over 30 years of AAA membership I have had to call them several times, flat tires, out of gas, dead battery, thrown fan belt and more. Every time the service has been good... That said, for the last 30 years I've been on their "Treat this man nice" list due to professional considerations... You see, I provided a service to them as well (Traffic reports)
However there are some service providers who are clearly not good. I have had the occasional long wait, I have had to go outside the contract and submit for refund on occasion. However all in all, even before I got on the special list I have been happy with their service. At one time I held a gold card (100 miles) my current membership is 15 miles.
RV service, however, was cost prohibitive, and their RV service is, well, not that good. Seriously not that good. (0nly a few providers can handle an RV) Coach net is far far better for the class A crowd and I assume Good Sams for the trailer crowd. Again though you will find some providers are 1st class, some are .. Well drop a "CL" and you got it. (No I won't type the remaining 3 letters) I have had to call Coach Net (Which is part of my vehicle insurance package) one time, Gouch & Sons (The local service provider) took it's time sending a tow truck that was about 2 sizes 2 small , Now I know they have one that's big enough (I've seen it and know the driver, used to work with me) but they did not send it... Still, My brains, the truck's brawn, Job accomplished
But had it not been for the driver's willingness to let me direct the show.. I would have had a complaint.
(NOTE: I called AAA for my daughter once, The driver told me how many years he'd been driving tow trucks, I have NEVER driven a tow truck, I have, however studied math and science, (A lot of rigging is math and science) and once again I had to tell him how to do the job, He got it on the truck (took 2 hours) but could not get it off!!!!.. I got it off, Very easy too (one lever) OH well.
Terrible when the dispatcher knows more about operating the truck than the driver does
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
As usual, experiences vary with all of us. Over a span of at least ten years, I have had occasion to need the services of AAA. In reviewing the first email, it was not clear if you had the RV addition to the AAA policy. Certainly, and I think most would agree, that is probably fair to all parties and encouraging to the person ultimately providing the service. As others have stated, you are at the mercy of whomever the road assistance folks might have contractual agreements and like all service, it can vary a great deal. The sadness we would all share is that you are usually in a stressed mode or certainly anxious and expectations are hopeful for a solution to whatever the issue might be. The minute the key is in the ignition is when the potential for fun/er the above to happen. Think about those folks dragging those Conestoga wagons across the country.... now that is a real opportunity for things to happen.
May your New Year be more lucky and fun filled!
07 Fleetwod Expedition 34H
07 Dodge Ram 1500, BlueMax tow bar and brakes
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