Proper way to tow a Wanderlodge

[Pete Masterson]

There are two primary Emergency Road Service providers that specialize in RVs. Coach Net and Good Sam ERS. Coach Net can be purchased as a modest discount through FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association -- must be a member) and they may have other discount plans. While the web site may have seemed misleading, that may simply be a poorly constructed web site (there are a LOT of web sites that have problems, minor and major). Good Sam ERS requires that you be a Good Sam member -- but that's not too expensive. (At the bottom line, both services are competitive in price counting the memberships, etc. that you may need to have.)

Coach Net generally has an excellent reputation for service. Likewise, Good Sam ERS also has a generally positive reputation. That's not to say that both entities have had their share of unhappy clients. Both services charge about $100 per year, more or less, for coverage -- although Coach Net may be a little more expensive if you don't/can't get it through a discount program.

I've had Good Sam ERS for 3+ years. I've had 3 calls for service -- dead coach (ground loose), leaking fuel tank (after an "incident"), and a tire blow out on the tag axle.

In all three cases, the contract service providers arrived in a reasonable time (well, the tire-guy was slow, but I was warned up front that there was a backlog that day in that area). All performed reasonably well (that is, the stuff needed got fixed). But the important thing to note is the it's the "contract service provider" who actually performs the service. The ERS simply dispatches local contractors. Coach Net offers "technical consulting" (more so than GS) which might get you underway again without having to wait for a service provider.

Most liability insurance policies have a low-cost or "included" (varies by state) road service clause. These require payment up front and reimbursement by the insurance company. However, you're on your own to get service -- and that's the key to the ERS companies -- they have the service providers set up already (almost) anywhere you could be. Note that if you have ERS you can't also claim against your liability policy unless there are out-of-pocked expenses you had that were not covered by the ERS service -- that's called "coordination of benefits" as explained in your policy.

Finally, AAA road service is usually a poor choice for an RV, especially for an RV in the Wanderlodge class. RV service an add-on (extra cost) to the basic AAA road service -- but AAA regularly dispatches inappropriate equipment and it's unlikely that the tow truck operator or service technician will have a clue about an RV. AAA RV coverage also has a lot of limits that end up leaving you to pick up a lot of the cost if you must be towed. For the record, my cars are insured through CSAA (California) and I have AAA ERS as part of the insurance coverage package. I do not have the AAA RV extension. I recommend AAA ERS for those who have automobiles or light trucks (but generally not for RVs).

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale)

<http://www.aeonix.biz/BBforsale.html>

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Mar 1, 2009, at 1:09 PM, timvasqz wrote:

Ernie do you like coachnet? I just got an offer from them to
administrate a club discount which seemed real good so I went to
their site to check it out and see if any other club was offered a
discount. The discount stood true until I tried to buy it at full
price and was not able to. Kind makes me wonder what game is played
in time of need. I may be too synical?

Greg of Tim&Greg
94ptCa

--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", Ernie Ekberg
wrote:

"take out wallet"- or just purchase Coachnet service for a little

over a hundred bucks a year.

Ernie Ekberg

83PT40

Wanderlodge

Weatherford, Tx

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/erni...gandrepair

--- On Sun, 3/1/09, Stephen Birtles wrote:

From: Stephen Birtles

Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Proper way to tow a Wanderlodge

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Date: Sunday, March 1, 2009, 10:50 AM

real big truck with a wheel lift or stinger be sure to tell them it

has a 5 foot setback front axle and weighs 40,000 lbs

disconnect drive shaft OR pull rear drive axles Drive shaft is

cleaner

but is Necessary to climb under coach to disconnect drive shaft

TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS OR SOMEONE WILL DIE

take out wallet

leave credit card with driver

Stephen 77fc35

--- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "jburgessx2"

wrote:

Just to satisy my curiosity, I would like to know the proper way

to tow

my 85 PT40. I don't plan on having it towed but it would be nice

to

know if the situation arises - it never hurts to plan ahead. And,

sometimes the tow truck folks don't know or think they know and

they

are wrong.

Thanks.

Jerry

85 PT40

Port Hueneme, CA