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Topic: Protection away from home? (Read 1502 times) previous topic - next topic

Protection away from home?

Leaving home soon in new to us coach. Would greatly appreciate recommendations on road side assistance programs. Friends with a new 35' Newmar gasser swear Good Sam has come to their rescue multiple times. I had to call GS once and was disappointed. Guy sent to us had no Class A or even Rv experience. He was good about following the instructions I gave him from FOT and Forum.

We've used the past year of coach systems + chassis inspections and short day trips to sniff out anything needing attention. Had needed repairs done. Got spare belts, fluids, filters etc, in the basement, a TPMS and VMSPC to keep me awake. Up to date on all maintenance. Been to Cummins too. Before leaving town, I'd like know there's help for the unknown something we might have missed and/or any road hazard out there looking to ruin someones day. We will be joining the Cummins Power Club for the nuts and bolts discount.

Any recommendations/suggestions on Good Sam, Coach-Net, (Premier plan?). Any other road side assistance policies? We do have road side assistance from State Farm. I'm thinking that isn't enough.

Thanks!

2002 U270, 36' WTNS, Build # 6030, Cummins 400 ISL.
Wheelchair accessible modifications by ForeTravel, Braun UVL lift.

2001 Dodge IMS RampVan, M&G tow brakes, Sterling tow bar.

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #1
FMCA Has a program.  Much cheaper than the others.  How good?  Dunno as I have not used it.  I had CoachNet and was disappointed in their dispute resolution.

Keith

FMCA Roadside Rescue
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #2
Coach Net, middle plan covers coach and toad.  I didn't think I needed the additional stuff with the higher end plan.

We have used them twice, perfect both times.

We leave our home with several internet connected cameras with motion and sound sensors.  We get text msgs or email alerts.  We also have several internet connected lighting controls.  All controllable from anywhere and programmable to behave on their own.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #3
Coachnet chosen. No needs yet.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #4
In answer to the topic,Great Pyrenees and 38 special.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #5
Coach net and Progressive  for us. Like the man said 'Don't leave Home without it'
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #6
Coach net for us
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #7
FMCA has a new VERY cheap program with a large company.  We signed up for max 3 yrs.  The saving is enough to pay for FMCA membership cost.

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #8
Leaving home soon in new to us coach. Would greatly appreciate recommendations on road side assistance programs. Friends with a new 35' Newmar gasser swear Good Sam has come to their rescue multiple times. I had to call GS once and was disappointed. Guy sent to us had no Class A or even Rv experience. He was good about following the instructions I gave him from FOT and Forum.

We've used the past year of coach systems + chassis inspections and short day trips to sniff out anything needing attention. Had needed repairs done. Got spare belts, fluids, filters etc, in the basement, a TPMS and VMSPC to keep me awake. Up to date on all maintenance. Been to Cummins too. Before leaving town, I'd like know there's help for the unknown something we might have missed and/or any road hazard out there looking to ruin someones day. We will be joining the Cummins Power Club for the nuts and bolts discount.

Any recommendations/suggestions on Good Sam, Coach-Net, (Premier plan?). Any other road side assistance policies? We do have road side assistance from State Farm. I'm thinking that isn't enough.

Thanks!


We were a member of good Sams for a couple of years with another coach had a blowout on outside duel set on side of I-40 for 4 hours before new tire arrived, repair man did a fine job one he arrived.  When he got ready to leave he gave me a copy of the bill
It was 290 and change for new tire and roadside assistance.  The problem was Good Sams had charged me 490.00 and change.
Got home called Good Sams and had a Come to Jesus meeting with them (Manager) .  To their credit they did refund me 190.00
and gave me a 1 year membership for free.  But the upcharge soured me on Good Sams so we went to AAA, I don't know how they will be, fortunately have not had to use them.  But the FMCA does look very good and I think it is cheaper than AAA but I don't know the price or if they cover vehicles other than RV's, with AAA we do have everything covered. I need to do some more checking
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #9
We have been AAA members for more years than I like to remember. Gradually, the towing benefits have been reduced even with the "premium" membership. They have been great in the past for our cars and changed a flat on the U300 while we were at a memorial service. Check closely on how much and how far they will tow your coach.

Our insurance company, Foremost, also has a policy but we have not used it yet. For what it will cost to tow a coach for any distance, you can't have too much coverage.

We don't have a Mexican plan but will just pay the towing service in cash should we need it. Much less expensive than here.

For members venturing west for the first time, a reminder that the cell service maps are wildly optimistic, especially on Indian reservations where you can go days without service. The secondary highways/roads we usually travel on have much worse cell coverage than the interstates. We don't turn a wheel without a spare tire onboard.

Chris, you got off cheap at $290 for a new tire and service if your tire was anywhere close to our size. We took delivery of our coach in N.C. The PO took it to town to wash it just before we arrived but drove over a curb and the tire had to be replaced. A new one was $650 delivered to the coach at their farm and their kids had to install it.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #10
Coach Net has saved me three times. They found and sent awesome techs for all three very different issues. First time my starter failed in a  North Carolina bbq restaurant parking lot. They sent a guy who removed the old one (at midnight) and returned at 8AM with a new one and installed it for $150.

Second time I locked toad keys in Madison, WI. they quickly had a guy out who popped the door open in less than a minute without so much as a scratch to the car.

Third time my rv door wouldn't open from the outside in Nevada. They sent a locksmith who diagnosed it as a broken handle mechanism, we googled pics of how it was mounted and he precisely drilled it out, removed it and popped the door open.

They came thru all three times and provided excellent service. I know it is hit or miss as they do not employ the help but it worked for me.
95 U300SE

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #11
Mike,
We have used Coach Net for 13 years and have been pleased with their service. Some of the wait time before assistance arrived seemed to be extremely long. Recently we had an opportunity to meet one of the VP's with FMCA and this service was part of the conversation. He compared the two programs and their feature and benefits. This conversation changed my thoughts on keeping Coach Net.

Reese

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #12
Reply #8 my previous coach had 19.5 tires and they brought a china made brand I had never heard of but it did get us home and then I had it put on spare
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #13
We are using Coach Net  and have had great service twice. One was on my 2009 that had a valve face break. We were in north eastern Quebec and they towed us 650 miles to Montreal and we had no other charge than the 1 year premium. Yesterday we had a tag tire fail and they had to work to find a tire, this took about 2 hours. Well pleased JIM
Jim Busby
2015 IH

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #14
If you will, what's the yearly cost?
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #15
We had CN for the first five years we had our coach. Then it was time to renew and it was going to be expensive. About the same time we got a notice that Escapees has added a roadside assistance program for quite a bit less, so we went that way. CN treated us well when we needed their help, and we weren't at all unhappy with them, but the difference in cost was significant. Haven't needed the help since the switch, so I can't say how good it is. Pray we never find out!

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #16
Sure like a response:
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #17
Don't feel alone Mike,I asked about an abbreviation on another post and had to look it up and answer myself.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #18
FMCA:

"FMCA Roadside Rescue, powered by SafeRide RV Motor Club is available for purchase for 1, 2, or 3 years at $69.00 per year. Please choose how many years you are interested in purchasing:"

Our CoachNet ran out this year and we chose 3-years of above.

Savings is enough to pay for FMCA membership, if not already a FMCA member. 

Yes, FMCA program includes all the extra stuff including other cars.  Policy is tied to RV VIN.


Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #20
Mike,
I believe it is $150 - 175.

Reese

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #21
I have Progressive. I added roadside assistance and window repair/replacement onto my policy. It's about $450/year for the package with $28,000 worth of insurance.
1997 U270 34FT Build 5140 Cummins 8.3 Allison 3060R
Solar 1920Watts, 14KWH lithium. Orion BMS.

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #22
Used Coachnet once.  Great experience.
Mark Duckworth
2003 U320 4220
Build 6199, Motorcade 17971

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #23
Coach Net, middle plan covers coach and toad.  I didn't think I needed the additional stuff with the higher end plan.

We have used them twice, perfect both times.

We leave our home with several internet connected cameras with motion and sound sensors.  We get text msgs or email alerts.  We also have several internet connected lighting controls.  All controllable from anywhere and programmable to behave on their own.
middle plan? I only see 2 options, one for class A,B,C and one for 5ers, popups ect...  can you go into  more details please..

keith
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Protection away from home?

Reply #24
Seems like CN is getting the most positive comments. Either because that is what most members use or it also has best coverage. The variable will always be who actually shows up and what their level of experience is.

I'm still researching the choices. Hadn't thought about AAA until mentioned in thread. Will add them to my comparison.

middle plan? I only see 2 options, one for class A,B,C and one for 5ers, popups ect...  can you go into  more details please..

keith

I agree Keith. Are you out there Roger? Can you throw a few more details our way? Maybe plan you purchased is no longer available?
2002 U270, 36' WTNS, Build # 6030, Cummins 400 ISL.
Wheelchair accessible modifications by ForeTravel, Braun UVL lift.

2001 Dodge IMS RampVan, M&G tow brakes, Sterling tow bar.