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Topic: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program (Read 2791 times) previous topic - next topic

FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Can anyone give opinions on this program?  I just have had it with the GoodSam program.  Does it cover all the items that the Good Sam Plan has?  Quality of service? etc.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #1 –
I went with Coach Net. It seemed to get the best reviews and to be overall the best value. Thankfully I haven't need to use the service and so I can't give a report on their actual performance
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #2 –
We've used Coach Net several times. Each time I felt I was treated fairly and courteously. One time I think they misunderstood what I needed and I ended up calling someone else and paying for it myself.

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #3 –
Be careful on either of these plans, they will not cover any RV over a certain age.
1988  40' Grand Villa Cat 3208t

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #4 –
Thanks folks.  I spoke to FMCA... I'll be signing up with them.  Like most of us, I've never had to use roadside assistance.  But, when one does need it, it needs to be right.

As I tried to renew the Good Sam policy I could not select an option for just one year without automatic renewal every year.  They have changed to this auto renewal online.  I didn't like it.  So I will no longer be using them.

I feel comfortable with FMCA.  Let's hope my gut is right!
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #5 –
 I have had good service from G Sam and as I mentioned they even paid for a big tow bill 4 months after the fact and I had not called them for the tow at the time. They sent me a chq for $1100.00 after I emailed them the bill. Not sure if others would do that?
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #6 –
Maybe I just don't understand the mechanics of roadside assistance and tow companies. I have read threads about both of these, here, for years. It appears to me that it really makes little difference with which company one has contracts. The rare occasions when I have called AAA or Good Sam or whomever, I get "Joe Smith's Mobile RV Service" or "Joe Smith's Tow Company" from the nearest town. It has appeared to me that the same providers serviced all of the agencies and frequently had the logos on their truck door. The degree of service that I have have received has been a function of that provider rather than the firm with which I had the contract except perhaps for the diligence of the dispatcher. Understand that each of these agencies have several degrees of service based on ones premium.
Have I missed something?

No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #7 –
NO, that is how the system works. If you are in the Boondocks you are at the mercy of maybe 1 or 2 towing companies and could be more than an hour wait. On one of our waits for a tow south of Tucson it was 5 hrs for the truck to come from Phx due to traffic at 5pm. I wanted this guy so just read and Ruth slept. I mentioned it before but will again if you need a tow in and around the Metro PHX area call ALTERNATE TOWING as those guys are good and have superb equipt.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #8 –
Quote
  I could not select an option for  just one year without automatic renewal every year 


We use Coach Net and are not much in love with anything Good Sam due to their intense marketing. 

But relating to handling the undesirable automatic credit card renewables, some banks offer a virtual credit card number that expires in one month, so when it comes time to renew, the credit card number is no longer valid, and it works very, very well.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2468612,00.asp

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #9 –
We have had good service thru AAA with our cars. So we opted to add the coach on to that policy for only a few bucks more, but being unsure about AAA for the RV we also have Good Sam at the moment. Probably yet another thing that I've done regarding the coach that wasn't so bright.  It's a learning curv thing.    Never really hear of anyone using AAA for the rv so opinions would be good hear :).
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #10 –
Interesting to read the comments above. Today I have finally started traveling after six months stationary in Santa Cruz. Yesterday I added AAA coverage for my coach to the plan that I had for my car. I wanted to do a review and summary of all the vendors of road assistance but because work has been intense,  I did not have the time to do the research. So I took the easy way  and just added it to my car plan with AAA. I have been a AAA member for 40 years and have used their road assistance at least 8 times. Each time the service has been excellent including a 65 mile tow for my FMC 2900R that burned a wheel bearing about 15 years ago.
2000, U320 36' with Cummins 450, Toad - 2016 Ford CMax Energi
Previous MHs; 1970 Winnebago, 1973 FMC 2900R, much later a heavily modified 1975 FMC 2900R.

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #11 –
We have Coach Net.  They cover the coach, the tow and all of your family cars.  We had an issue in the boonies in North Dakota.  Called CN.  They were very attentive.  Arranged for towing and called to let us know thatbit would be a couple hours. About 20 min later they called back to say they found someone closer.  They were there in just over an hour and did what we needed. Perfect.  The same person from CN called at least three times before the tow arrived to make sure we were OK and safe and after the tow to make sure were were OK.  I think this was great service, signed up again. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #12 –
I have coach net and have had Good Sam too.  GS let us down the one time I needed it so thankfully I was able to get a better tow company and I called and set up coach net. The fact is they all use the same providers but the difference between AAA and coach net is that the contract with AAA is usually for cars and pickups and not for bigger coaches like ours.  I have a friend who is roadside assistance for all the big companies, RV and Trucks too.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #13 –
 I agree with everything that has been said concerning how these roadside assistance programs operate with local service providers.  However, how the primary insurer works makes a big difference.  I was turned off by the intense marketing gimmicks the Good Sam outfit has turned to.  I've had Good Sam for 17 years  and still am a club member. Nonetheless, no more Good Sam roadside assistance.  Just a personal preference.

 I have never had any issues with any products be FMCA provides.  In fact signing up for their new roadside assistance program was a breeze.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #14 –
We have Coach Net. A month or so ago we had a D2 Governor go bad. Since I did not have a replacement governor and had no toad, I called Coach Net. They sent out a mobile repair service. I was told my cost would be the labor time and parts cost. Coach Net was to pick up the trip time, trip mileage, and service call charge. After the repair, the mobile service charged me the difference between their total cost and what Coach Net had agreed to pay. I ended up paying more trip mileage and labor time than what Coach Net had told me. I do not know if this is normal. I never contacted Coach Net about the additional cost which was about $100.
Larry and Terry
Ex 2004 U270 36'

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #15 –
I've had Coach Net for about 7 years. I've called for assistance three or four times. They have been very helpful each time. In all but one case, we just needed a referral to a service location that could solve a problem that was not a "show stopper on the road."

In one case, we were in blizzard (bad decisions on our part  :facepalm:  and SOB coach that couldn't handle the cold) when the transmission went into limp mode. Coach Net set up a tow for the next day, but also looked up the Allison error code for me. I was able to fix the problem using a bit of knowledge, a bit of skill, warm coveralls, and a hair dryer. They cancelled the tow and we went on our way. Service was excellent.

The first question they have always asked, "Are you in a safe place?"

I quit all memberships with Good Sam because of the incessant marketing. I pay extra (no discount) for some of their products just to avoid the annoying advertising.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #16 –
My first ever tow was that time after being at Q as you may remember my on again off again problem. I called BCAA which is part of AAA and they sent a guy from Yuma (90 mins away) to pick me up on I 10 for the trip to Avondale PHX a 110 mile trip. I had to pay for his return to Yuma they told me on phone which I agreed to. Tow was fine but he was negligent on getting it up on flat deck and broke some rear fibreglass so I got a 50% reduced charge ($250) as I could fix it once in Mexico. The next tow was from the Cummins shop after they thought they had fixed the problem and then the next one was the big one I mentioned that Cummins called in to their service provider then billed me at end!!! This is the one that I got paid for by G Sam. So, I have had one from AAA and G Sam all covered and really not a problem, and, the operater did call me acouple of times on the last one as it was a long time stuck in the Desert.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #17 –
We have had 2 times to use coach net and both were great. Once was in the upper peninsula of Michigan for a shorted starter and they stayed right with use until they and us were sure we would be ok. The other time was in the far reaches of Canada when a valve face snapped on our 2009 and we were stranded. We had just renewed our policy the day before this happened and they had to tow us 650 miles to Montreal to Cummins Canada. The tow bill was for $3900.00 and it was paid without a quarrel. I could not be happier and I don't plan on changing. Jim Busby
Jim Busby
2015 IH

Re: FMCA Roadside Assistance Program

Reply #18 –
We have used Coach Net and have been very pleased with their service. Used them to have our 03 Country Coach towed from Tyler to Nacodoches. Also, we had to use them to have our 04 U320 towed from Terrell to Dallas and from north of Little Rock to Russellville. In all instances the correct size of tow truck was sent to tow the different motorhomes. Used Coach Net once to jump start the chassis batteries because I left the parking lights on all night.

Reese