Another topic that is very subjective. I read a lot on here as well. I have AAA RV but will most likely be canceling that. And read too many horror stories about GS that I don't want to rely on them.
I tried to call coachnet but the # does not appear to be working. I want to see if their Basic plan is available, email sent to them.
I would like the following:
1) coverage for the FT as well as all vehicles I have and coverage for DW and dependent kids. (Both do this)
2) main concern with the RV is towing. Flats are next up. I will probably end up carrying a spare tire, TBD with or w/out a rim. Whether I do it or not depends on how I feel but having a tire is worth the hassle. And watching videos, changing does not look to hard
3) I would like to be towed to the place of my choice, not the nearest service center. Will either of them do this?
4) Discounts/benefits are always good. Does MOT support one or both? What is more prevalent amongst campgrounds? Or things that you would use more often while RVing?
10+ years with Coach-Net. Used them twice, once for a dead starter on our Jeep, they were willing to take it to the nearest Jeep dealer in Bozeman, MT from Medora, ND on a weekend in the direction we were going, more than 400 miles. We were headed that way anyway so we towed it. They made an appointment for us at the Jeep dealer for 8AM on Monday. We had a new starter and were gone by 11AM. The second time was in Georgetown, TX. We had a coolant hose leak, they sent a tech from Austin. We had a replacement hose, we paid for 12 gallons of coolant and $75 for the service call.
Coach-Net for us.
Have not had to use it, but my research said Coach-net, so that's what we have.
I believe FMCA is SafeRide. It's not FMCA directly. Escapees uses the same provider.
We strongly prefer CoachNet.
I guess it depends upon who you ask and the sum of their individual experiences with the provider. I originally signed up with Coach-Net and had it three years before I had to use it. Yep, the first time in three years (March 2020) my TST TPMS sounded the alarm. In disbelief, I looked and sure enough my right front steer was losing air while driving down Hwy 59 So. 5miles north of Livington Texas. Fortunately, I had time to pull well off the side of the road in front of a lighted store parking lot on level ground before the tire dropped to 100psi. Parked & pulled a bottle jack out of the bay, placed it under the the front axle to help protect the tire sidewall (before the axle dropped to low for the jack) and then called good ole Coach-Net. I explained that I could hear hissing from the front passenger steer valve stem and would need help getting that replaced. The lady responded "oh, no problem" and that they would pay for the "repair" but that I would have to pay for the service call and rotation of the tires on the affected side of the coach. I tried to explain that I had a Class A coach and why that did not make sense but she insisted that was their procedure. After spending a 1/2hr on the phone with the Coach-Net supervisor she agreed to and "waived" the rotation requirement... call ended. Coach-Net then called an hour later (2hrs from the first call) to state that before they would call for a truck repair service, that a safety check would have to be performed. Huh? What is a safety check? (I had already had emergency flashers on, reflectors out per TDL Class B exam test question...) She said they would have a patrol car come over and be sure the vehicle was safe. Huh? Ok, how long would that take? Oh usually 20 mins... Hour later an officer came by and asked if I was OK and needed any help (He said he was the only one patrolling the area). I was about to ask him if he would call Coach-Net for me to see if he could talk some sense into them but decided against that .... Then, after multiple courtesy/status update calls from Coach-Net (after the safety check) explaining the great lengths they were going through trying to locate a service (this was during the week and initially around 6pm- sun was still up at the time), and the 5Hrs since + 2Hrs initially before safety check a tow service from BAYTOWN (tow service south of Houston/I was North of Houston) arrived. Very nice fellow, took about 30-45 minutes for him to remove tire, replace valve stem, and remount. My experience was so miserable I decided to change. Shortly after and during a MOT service appt I took a poll/survey from my fellow Class A owners sitting in the visitor area. Good Sams members seemed most pleased so that is who I am signed up with. Hopefully I will never have to use it. Stay tuned, planning two trips in August and heading to Q early January!
Who does Coachnet use for their service provider?
Walt- Your experience is what I encountered repeatedly while searching. 8/10 that liked/recommend service A but 2 have had a bad experience. It does appear that most go with Coachnet even though it's $100 more than FMCA. Your story does not make sense though, why those questions were asked are irrelevant. Just come change the tire! Maybe the person was new.
Let me add my recent Coachnet experience. As readers may know from our recent post we had an injection pump leak. We were unsure if it was safe to continue on to the nearest Cummins CoachCare repair outlet. Coach net not only set up a tow, their technical service folks called and talked to a Cummins to understand the issue and recommended potential alternative repair options where we were located. We decided, after expert forum advice and input from Cummins, that it was safe to drive the 100 miles to Cummins and declined the Coachnet tow but we're impressed with their overall technical assistance.
We've had Coachnet for all of the 8 years since we acquired our U280. We have never had to use the service, so I have no personal stories to relate. We started out (due to ignorance) buying the high dollar Class A package, with all the added perks and coverage of all our vehicles. A few years later, from reading on this Forum, I learned about the "Basic" coverage option. At the next renewal date, I called and had our coverage downgraded to "Basic". Been on that coverage for the last 4 years. Last time we renewed I took the 3-year deal for $93/year. The current renewal info on my account page indicates this premium is still in effect. (Excerpt copied below):
Select MembershipBasicBasic 1 Year ($99.00)
Basic 3 Years ($279.00) Save $18.00
Premier CoachPremier Coach 1 Year ($169.00)
Premier Coach 3 Years ($489.00) Save $18.00
I don't think the Coachnet
Basic plan will work for you. It does
not include coverage for "all vehicles...and coverage for DW and dependent kids". It does
not include any discounts or extra benefits. From what I have read on this Forum,
where you will get towed seems to be something that must be negotiated at the time of the breakdown.
You should check your RV insurance policy to see if some of your "wants" are covered there. We have our insurance with Progressive (through USAA). That policy (for $20 added premium) provides towing coverage that is at least as good as CoachNet. I consider this to be my back-up coverage, in case CoachNet won't help me in some tricky situation.
Movingman, like others, I heard great things about Coach-Net. RV Geeks even recommends it. That is why I joined in 2020 and was so shocked by my experience during my time of need. Below is what Coach-Net provided when I was a member in 2020 (which sounds great in writing) and I think is what you were interested in. I think this forum thread is a good way to hear from others experiences, unfortunately mine wasn't a pleasant one and I was as shocked as the rest of you! Below was part of the Coach-Net package I received in 2020.
NOTE: ONLY ONE FREE service per incident! (this was my personal note at the time I think)
Example: RV tech -OR- towing call would be at no service charge.
• Battery Boost
• Towing
• Fuel Delivery
• Tire Change
• Lock-Out
Here is a summary of your renewal order:
Date: 1/11/2020
Membership Information:
Member Number: 9568770
Membership: Premier Coach 1 Year
Service Expire Date: 1/12/2021
Payment Information:
Card Name: walter bates
Card Type:
Card Number: xxxxxxxxxxx
Card Expiration:
Total Amount: $169.00
Here is a summary of your renewal order:
Date: 1/11/2020
——————————————————————-
https://member.coach-net.com/Members/Benefits/motor.aspx
As a Coach-Net Premier Coach Member you have access to 24/7 unlimited roadside assistance for all your vehicles - anything you own, rent or borrow - plus RV Technical Assistance, nationwide tire delivery services, concierge services, and more. Your membership also includes coverage for trailers, tow dollies, boat trailers, and utility trailers, along with valuable peace of mind benefits such as Global Emergency Services, Emergency Travel Assistance, and Worldwide Travel Assistance. With Coach-Net Premier Coach you can travel in confidence knowing that we've got you and your family covered.
The chart below is a quick reference of your member benefits along with a brief description. For complete details, please consult your Member Benefit Guide.
The lady told me that if me or the wife has to go in a hospital on the road .they would pay to have one moved to a hospital closer to home if health allows. I must have premium because that doesn't sound basic. I don't want a tow much less a ambulance but it sounds good during a sales pitch. Been a year so I would have to re read the papers. This is with coach net. I had to arrange and organize a tow one late afternoon and I don't want that job again.. Being a traveler that has been in most situations and dealt with them myself I was stubborn about paying someone else.. Wrong answer because if they will do what they claim then It's cheap help. If they don't then it's the usual bait and switch bs.. For me time will likely tell.Time being I'm with Coach Net.
My AAA was set to autorenew tomorrow, I cancelled that and have 2 weeks left. They charge additional for dependent children at $55 each. Looks like I will be interested in a premier package then if I do not renew AAA so all kids and vehicles are covered. Perfect timing to catch this!
As an aside there are many complaints from people that had poor experiences with AAA for their coaches.
FMCA forever put a bad taste in my mouth about three years ago and I've sworn off any further affiliation with them, ever.
Escapees on the other hand I'm intimately familiar with and think is a great organization. Even so, most Escapees/Xscapers I know choose Coach Net.
Ditto. We cancelled our long-time FMCA membership several years ago and will never rejoin.
We are lifetime SKPs (#82766).
I think to some degree the initial service one is offered and the Amount of effort goes into helping a customer depends on the cubicle occupier that answers the phone when you call in. Of course there are company policies that must be followed but the right guy or gal can make a difference as soon as the first call is answered at least I would think.
Where does one purchase Coachnet? It appears they have dealers, but I don't want to use the ones around me. Any reputable places?
They have not replied back to my email from last week. I did just call and their phone number is working again.
Coach-Net – Best RV roadside assistance | Committed to your safety | Coach-Net (https://coach-net.com/)
For towing contract also consider Escapees.com.
I ended up going with Coachnet, hope I never have to use them
Well, when you do need them you will be happy with the choice you made.
Another example of FMCA falsely advertising a product they resell:
FMCA Confirms 12Mbps Limit on AT&T Based Tech Connect+ Data Plan - Mobile... (https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/fmca-confirms-12-mbps-limit-on-att-based-tech-connect-data-plan/)
I have a feeling that they (FMCA) were given lass-than-honest information by AT&T. My personal experience with FMCA is that they do their best to provide accurate information.
I'd believe that if this was the first time it happened but it's not. It happened to me about 5 years ago and I ended up locked into a 2 year contract with Verizon for something that was all but worthless. I ended up eating almost the entire cost of the contract as well as the activation fee I paid to FMCA.
Based on the the amount of positive reviews here, there have to be good people working there but the service I received as a member trying to work through that mess was horrific.
If you folks tune in on what happened to me last year on I-80 east of Rock Springs , Wyoming and how FMCA and their insurance treated me ---- Not worth it , $3,200.00 worth of proof . Enter at your own risk . Brad Metzger
I must have missed that! Would you mind to share the details with us again? Thanks!
Yes, please share. I tried searching but nothing.
Pierce
Go back 8 months , FMCA road side insurance Brad Metzger
Here it is FMCA Road side assistance . (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=43441)
The thing that put my antennas up was that the wrecker road service company would not take the FMCA card . I ask why not , ---reply was they don't pay worth a toot , always short pay on each detail . So --that is why I had to pony up the $$$$$$$$ >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( Brad Metzger
So back in Virginia , talk with my local lawyer , give him my policy / contract on this . Several days later he called me into his office and said , " No use pushing this any further , they have their ass covered , you are not going to win this one ." He explained the fine print stuff and it all came to an abrupt end . So , when you mention FMCA roadside insurance -----now you know . Not angry with FMCA , but think they might have chosen a different insurance company to look out for their loyal members . Brad Metzger
Not wanting to start another thread on roadside assistance but I'm planning a cross country trip in three weeks and feel like it would be a good idea to have a plan. I have AAA but they are useless for a large class A due to the limits of coverage and distance. I assume that Coachnet is the preferred plan out there based on the forum threads that I have read. When I go to sign up there is a box for a promotional code. Does anyone here know of a valid discount code and all opinions on the service are welcome. Also I'm thinking that carrying a mounted spare would be a good idea. I know there are lots of opinions on that subject too. Thanks for your input.
Reading this old thread has me missing Brad as well. I sure wish he was here because I know he would chime in..,..,. and he always had a lot of wisdom to share.
1. Coach-Net is preferred by
some members...but without running a poll wouldn't know if it is the MOST preferred plan.
2. I have never seen any mention (on this Forum or elsewhere) of a valid promo code for Coach-Net.
3. We have had Coach-Net coverage for 10 years, and
never had to call them or use it, so I can truthfully say it has worked perfectly for us. :thumbsup:
4. We don't carry a mounted spare. Other Forum members do carry one. If you have the room, why not carry one if it would make you happy?
5. Yer Welcome!
If I wanted to carry a spare it would be tire only and placed in a storage container on the roof unless I had plenty of empty space in the lower storage compartments.
I can't speak for everyone but we had to use CoachNet three times. One time in Canada was a tow for 650 miles this summer. We had an overheating problem and we had to be towed twice. Each of these times Coach net made all the arrangements and assured that the shop will go into was qualified to accomplish the work. I have heard complaints and comments about other towing services, but I have never heard a complaint about CoachNet
I have had "Coach Net Premium" policy for over 20 years. Over those years I have had to use them Three (3) times for tire service. The first time I had a right front blow out on a BlueBird Wanderlodge on I 85 east of Atlanta, GA. no problem fast service got a New tire at a reasonable price. The second time I had a inside rear blow out near Gainesville Florida, they sent out a very good service company with a very knowledgeable service tech with a new tire, excellent fast service. The only PAIN was the new tire was sold to me at full retail. From that time on I have carried a spare tire only, covered on my roof. I have never needed it to date. ^.^d Premium covers "All of my vehicles".
Well.... I try to keep my mouth shut but sometimes, I just can help myself! ;D
Over the last 20 or so years, I have read at least 200 threads on this subject, on the various boards to which I belong ...... this one, the Wanderlodge Board (all 3), Busconversions (both of them) Truck Conversions , WE RV, Van Life, Prevost board, Newell board, MCI Board, and a number of minor ones I won't mention. Here is my considered and studied opinion, based on all the research I have done:
IT'S A CRAP SHOOT!!! :headwall: :facepalm: :(
It depends on many variables.... First, who you get on the phone. You may get Miss Fully-Informed or Miss Congeniality. Or, you may get Miss Clueless or Miss Ima Angry Know-IT-All. Then, it depends on who they contract with in your location: Mr. Dealership with all the right equipment and knowledge, or Bubba McNut with his 1948 Army Surplus Sherman Tank Retriever ("We'll Pull You Out If You Can Stand the Pull!). Or maybe Tiny Wannabe with his 1 ton wrecker and Harbor Freight jumper cables.
For every post that recommends a given provider I can find 2 posts that say they are horrible... and vice -versa. There are no guarantees and they all have their butts covered, no matter what the ads say.
While I don't have any breakdown insurance. I do keep a list of any towing/repair company (the actual company) that anyone has used with good results. Even those in areas I will probably never visit... just in case! ;D
I am also I big believer in PREVENTIVE maintenance. Look at stuff. Fix broken stuff as much as possible. I've had people say they don't look at stuff because they don't know what to look at. Look anyway! Get down & look UNDER the coach! Don't GET under the coach, just LOOK! If you look at your coach all the time, you will recognize when something LOOKS different. You may not know why, But you can get on here and post.
"My widget done gone catawampus! Should it be catawampus? I posted a pic"
Then someone will tell you either "That widget is fine" or, " You need to find a widget mechanic! That's gonna' cause problems!"
Remember, the road hazard people are betting you that you WILL NOT break down.
You are betting them you will....
How much are you willing to bet?
TOM