Towing with AAA (Split)
- Thread starter RobC-SMB
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- sportsmobile
I just signed up for AAA so I don't have to stand in line at the DMV. It's worth it for that. I went round and round with Ca DMV on a tag they never sent. The towing is just more security. I was told that I have to wait before going to the premium plan. Is that the one that will tow you anywhere within 200 mi?
You want AAA PremierRV plan to get the towing up to 200 miles. I just upgraded my car AAA today to this plan since I purchased my used SMB 2 days ago. No waiting period. It's covered as of today. A new PremierRV plan is $141 per year with AAA Carolinas, but it's worth the piece of mind to me since my SMB is 13 years old. And my cars remain covered with this plan.
kenkillsr
Advanced Member
[quote="kenkillsr"] Although I have both GS and AA
:c3:
Rob;
I have AAA basic.
I'll probably upgrade to Premiere RV soon.
As most of You know, we use our SMB primarily to tow our TT.
Having both GS and AAA allows for towing our trailer safely to a nearby campground in case of SMB breakdown.
:c3:
Rob;
I have AAA basic.
I'll probably upgrade to Premiere RV soon.
As most of You know, we use our SMB primarily to tow our TT.
Having both GS and AAA allows for towing our trailer safely to a nearby campground in case of SMB breakdown.
AAA basic ($52) in the Carolinas only covers non-RVs (which I suppose you can tell AAA it's a van and not an RV), and it only covers towing your vehicle 3 miles. AAA Plus ($79) and PlusRV ($111) here gets you 100 miles. AAA Premier ($109) and PremierRV ($141) gets you 200 miles.
Maybe some one should start a new thread as the topic was Batteries. If I have time I will cut and pasted to a new topic "towing with AAA"
(update)
Great now were back on topic.
I will have to look into the RV plan...sounds good.
(update)
Great now were back on topic.
I will have to look into the RV plan...sounds good.
NRL
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2007
- Posts
- 477
It might vary but I still had to pay even though I have the AAA PremierRV and they still charged me half for the Tow from Big Bear to Orange, Ca (about 60miles)..
Instead of $650.00 Dollars, it was $350.00 after the AAA discount. I have the 200mile tow option.
By the way, I learned the hard way but if they ask what you have, "Do not say you have running water..or sink", it's a trick question. Say you have a "Family Van" and you want a flat bed since it's 4x4 and that's all.
Don't say you have a conversion. I made the mistake of describing what a Sportsmobile was..and that totally confused them on the phone. (They were confused whether I had an RV since I had running water,etc..,conversion van or a family van.. whatever sheesh, all I wanted was a flat bed)
I had to upgrade to PremierRV via cell phone just for them to tow me off the mountain on highway 38/330 that evening or I had to wait till the next morning.
I think in Rural areas, it a bit different since it's limited tow'ers but they did offer to tow it to the nearest Gas Station but I wanted it towed all the way back home since the transmission was gone; but still it was way less then 200miles and I still got charged...
On the positive side of this breakdown, the Sporto did get towed by a very nice new Mercedes Freightliner Flatbed "safetly" down the mountain on highway 38/330; scary but safe as it can be..
Instead of $650.00 Dollars, it was $350.00 after the AAA discount. I have the 200mile tow option.
By the way, I learned the hard way but if they ask what you have, "Do not say you have running water..or sink", it's a trick question. Say you have a "Family Van" and you want a flat bed since it's 4x4 and that's all.
Don't say you have a conversion. I made the mistake of describing what a Sportsmobile was..and that totally confused them on the phone. (They were confused whether I had an RV since I had running water,etc..,conversion van or a family van.. whatever sheesh, all I wanted was a flat bed)
I had to upgrade to PremierRV via cell phone just for them to tow me off the mountain on highway 38/330 that evening or I had to wait till the next morning.
I think in Rural areas, it a bit different since it's limited tow'ers but they did offer to tow it to the nearest Gas Station but I wanted it towed all the way back home since the transmission was gone; but still it was way less then 200miles and I still got charged...
On the positive side of this breakdown, the Sporto did get towed by a very nice new Mercedes Freightliner Flatbed "safetly" down the mountain on highway 38/330; scary but safe as it can be..
AAA Towing Policy
From the AAA Carolinas Handbook under Towing Service:
When your vehicle cannot be safely driven after attempting any of the listed emergency services herein, you will be given three (3) towing options:
OPTION 1: You may be towed to the AAA contractor's station that responded to your call or to a AAA AutoMark Car Care Center at no charge (if available in the area).
OPTION 2: You may be towed to a destination you select within the first three (3) miles of the disablement (at no charge). Plus and Plus/RV members receive up to 100 miles free towing (Premier and Premier/RV members 200 miles).
OPTION 3: You may be towed to a destination you select more than three (3) miles from the disablement at the rate of $3.00 per mile beyond the first three (3) free miles (rate subject to change). Plus and Plus/RV members receive up to 100 miles free towing and are charged $3.00 for each additional mile (rate subject to change)(Premier and Premier/RV members 200 miles). Charges for mileage beyond these limits must be paid by the member at the time of service and are not reimbursable.
ADDITIONAL INFO: In instances where your car is disabled while towing a trailer, service will be provided for the trailer at your expense and will be payable to the service facility at the time of service. Plus/RV service extends coverage to include travel trailers with sleeping accommodations used for the purpose of camping (same with Premier/RV).
After hours, when most repair garages are closed, the behicle may be towed to a place of safekeeping and the member may be charged for vehicle storage. The member may be assessed a second service call and/or appropriate mileage charges for the subsequent tow.
YOU MAY NOT USE MORE THAN ONE SERVICE CALL PER BREAKDOWN. Vehicles that have been modified by the owner risk possible damage when towed or serviced. Therefore, AAA reserves the right to refuse the tow or service on the grounds of safety and liability. If service is provided, the owner assumes responsibility for any damages not caused by the operator's negligence. CHARGES FOR FLATBED SERVICE requested by members, when not required by the AAA Towing manual, will be passed on to the member. The responding tow truck will have room for up to two passengers. AAA can assist in locating taxi service at the member's expense to transport additional passengers. The final decision to provide service to a vehicle safely is left to the discretion of the contract station tow driver.
EXTRICATION/WINCHING SERVICE: Your vehicle will be extricated/winched by one truck and one operator when it can be safely
reached from a normally traveled road or established thoroughfare.
If special equipment, additional manpower or vehicles are required, the additional costs will be payable by the member to the facility at the time of service. This service does not cover vehicles disabled on a beach, non-public road, construction site, boat ramp, vacant lot, or an area not regularly used for public traffic. Plus and Plus/RV provides for a second
truck and operator, when needed, for up to one hour. If the vehicle cannot
be operated after extrication, the 100 mile extended towing benefit applies.
IMPROPER OR EXCESSIVE SERVICE: Primary Basic and Plus members are required to participate in the cost of roadside assistance after four (4) calls within a membership year. The number of calls allowed increases
with added associates. For exact number of calls allowed, please contact the Member Relations department. An attempt will be made to notify the primary member that they are approaching or have reached the maximum call limit. Members who require service after the maximum allotted calls will be provided basic service at a special reduced rate. Additional charges for towing mileage and added services will be due and payable to the servicing facility at the time of service. On the renewal date of the membership, full road service benefits will be restored. The Club reserves the right to cancel a membership for excessive use of emergency road service or for permitting use by a non-member.
REIMBURSEMENT REGULATIONS: AAA is dedicated to providing a level of service far beyond the modest cost of membership. One way we do that is by contracting with carefully screened providers to deliver services at
specially negotiated prices that are well below the rates of independent contractors. In an instance where a AAA contracted provider is available but a member chooses to call a service provider outside the AAA network instead of calling our 1-800-222-4357 number, reimbursements will be based on your membership plan. On the rare occasion that a AAA provider is not available (after calling our “800” number), or your membership cannot be confirmed, you will be reimbursed for those services normally provided free of charge with your membership. Receipts that are altered, copied or in the name of anyone other than the member cannot be honored for reimbursement. Please submit the receipt along with the reimbursement application to the address below. The application can be picked up at your local office, downloaded from AAA.com or mailed to you. The Club will consider reimbursement requests
within 60 days from the date of service. Mail receipts to: AAA Carolinas; P.O. Box 29600; Charlotte, NC 28229; Attn. Member Relations Department. Plus and Plus/RV reimbursement will be based on the regular commercial rate for the area when AAA service is requested and unavailable.
From the AAA Carolinas Handbook under Towing Service:
When your vehicle cannot be safely driven after attempting any of the listed emergency services herein, you will be given three (3) towing options:
OPTION 1: You may be towed to the AAA contractor's station that responded to your call or to a AAA AutoMark Car Care Center at no charge (if available in the area).
OPTION 2: You may be towed to a destination you select within the first three (3) miles of the disablement (at no charge). Plus and Plus/RV members receive up to 100 miles free towing (Premier and Premier/RV members 200 miles).
OPTION 3: You may be towed to a destination you select more than three (3) miles from the disablement at the rate of $3.00 per mile beyond the first three (3) free miles (rate subject to change). Plus and Plus/RV members receive up to 100 miles free towing and are charged $3.00 for each additional mile (rate subject to change)(Premier and Premier/RV members 200 miles). Charges for mileage beyond these limits must be paid by the member at the time of service and are not reimbursable.
ADDITIONAL INFO: In instances where your car is disabled while towing a trailer, service will be provided for the trailer at your expense and will be payable to the service facility at the time of service. Plus/RV service extends coverage to include travel trailers with sleeping accommodations used for the purpose of camping (same with Premier/RV).
After hours, when most repair garages are closed, the behicle may be towed to a place of safekeeping and the member may be charged for vehicle storage. The member may be assessed a second service call and/or appropriate mileage charges for the subsequent tow.
YOU MAY NOT USE MORE THAN ONE SERVICE CALL PER BREAKDOWN. Vehicles that have been modified by the owner risk possible damage when towed or serviced. Therefore, AAA reserves the right to refuse the tow or service on the grounds of safety and liability. If service is provided, the owner assumes responsibility for any damages not caused by the operator's negligence. CHARGES FOR FLATBED SERVICE requested by members, when not required by the AAA Towing manual, will be passed on to the member. The responding tow truck will have room for up to two passengers. AAA can assist in locating taxi service at the member's expense to transport additional passengers. The final decision to provide service to a vehicle safely is left to the discretion of the contract station tow driver.
EXTRICATION/WINCHING SERVICE: Your vehicle will be extricated/winched by one truck and one operator when it can be safely
reached from a normally traveled road or established thoroughfare.
If special equipment, additional manpower or vehicles are required, the additional costs will be payable by the member to the facility at the time of service. This service does not cover vehicles disabled on a beach, non-public road, construction site, boat ramp, vacant lot, or an area not regularly used for public traffic. Plus and Plus/RV provides for a second
truck and operator, when needed, for up to one hour. If the vehicle cannot
be operated after extrication, the 100 mile extended towing benefit applies.
IMPROPER OR EXCESSIVE SERVICE: Primary Basic and Plus members are required to participate in the cost of roadside assistance after four (4) calls within a membership year. The number of calls allowed increases
with added associates. For exact number of calls allowed, please contact the Member Relations department. An attempt will be made to notify the primary member that they are approaching or have reached the maximum call limit. Members who require service after the maximum allotted calls will be provided basic service at a special reduced rate. Additional charges for towing mileage and added services will be due and payable to the servicing facility at the time of service. On the renewal date of the membership, full road service benefits will be restored. The Club reserves the right to cancel a membership for excessive use of emergency road service or for permitting use by a non-member.
REIMBURSEMENT REGULATIONS: AAA is dedicated to providing a level of service far beyond the modest cost of membership. One way we do that is by contracting with carefully screened providers to deliver services at
specially negotiated prices that are well below the rates of independent contractors. In an instance where a AAA contracted provider is available but a member chooses to call a service provider outside the AAA network instead of calling our 1-800-222-4357 number, reimbursements will be based on your membership plan. On the rare occasion that a AAA provider is not available (after calling our “800” number), or your membership cannot be confirmed, you will be reimbursed for those services normally provided free of charge with your membership. Receipts that are altered, copied or in the name of anyone other than the member cannot be honored for reimbursement. Please submit the receipt along with the reimbursement application to the address below. The application can be picked up at your local office, downloaded from AAA.com or mailed to you. The Club will consider reimbursement requests
within 60 days from the date of service. Mail receipts to: AAA Carolinas; P.O. Box 29600; Charlotte, NC 28229; Attn. Member Relations Department. Plus and Plus/RV reimbursement will be based on the regular commercial rate for the area when AAA service is requested and unavailable.
So moving between states requires you to follow that states AAA policy?
Dave.
Dave.
In my opinion - no.
It's more like health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield. Each state has one but they share a common network and common benefits. Each state administers it's own members. I believe the AAA road service number is a national number, not a state number.
The AAA road service number on my card is 1-800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP). Can someone else with another state's AAA membership confirm they have the same AAA road service number on their card?
It's more like health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield. Each state has one but they share a common network and common benefits. Each state administers it's own members. I believe the AAA road service number is a national number, not a state number.
The AAA road service number on my card is 1-800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP). Can someone else with another state's AAA membership confirm they have the same AAA road service number on their card?
Ed in Montana
Senior Member
Mikestead, yup I have the same AAA phone number here in the Mountain West region for my RV Plus road service. Thanks for posting this info. I just hope I don't have to get towed from some of the more remote places I camp!
I would feel better if I had phone numbers of mobile mechanics who could come and make repairs on site. It would be really difficult to get someone to come get me off something like this.
I got stuck with a hole in my radiator up a set of switchbacks called Burma Grade. It was about 30 degrees and I was sweating like it was 100* out. I had to get over this bridge before getting towed or it would have cost alot more to get out.
Thank God I had 20 Gallons of water. I kept filling up the radiator and finally got out.
Dave Boyer
I got stuck with a hole in my radiator up a set of switchbacks called Burma Grade. It was about 30 degrees and I was sweating like it was 100* out. I had to get over this bridge before getting towed or it would have cost alot more to get out.
Thank God I had 20 Gallons of water. I kept filling up the radiator and finally got out.
Dave Boyer
myriadmyriad
Senior Member
Breaking down
That would be nice if a mechanic could come out, but it would be tough to figure out what parts to bring. I have thought about bringing sensors, HPOP, and any thing I could think of to fix the van in the field....
JM
That would be nice if a mechanic could come out, but it would be tough to figure out what parts to bring. I have thought about bringing sensors, HPOP, and any thing I could think of to fix the van in the field....
JM
geoffff
Senior Member
AAA experience
Well, I just had the opportunity to use my AAA last week, when my fuel pump died 20 miles north of Burns (a tiny town in rural eastern Oregon), where I was then stranded for 3 days waiting for a new one to be shipped out from Portland. Of all the outback unpaved places I like to visit, I'm at least glad the fuel pump died somewhere halfway populated.
The van had just sputtered and died, like it was was out of gas, and then wouldn't start. I guessed it was the fuel filter or pump. I found that I just barely had cell coverage, and so called AAA. My experience with AAA was great -- I told them I had a 4x4 full-size Ford van and so required a flatbed tow truck. One arrived within an hour, and got me into town. My (standard plan) AAA covered the tow completely.
FYI, my Transfer Flow gas tank uses the stock Ford fuel pump.
-- Geoff
Well, I just had the opportunity to use my AAA last week, when my fuel pump died 20 miles north of Burns (a tiny town in rural eastern Oregon), where I was then stranded for 3 days waiting for a new one to be shipped out from Portland. Of all the outback unpaved places I like to visit, I'm at least glad the fuel pump died somewhere halfway populated.
The van had just sputtered and died, like it was was out of gas, and then wouldn't start. I guessed it was the fuel filter or pump. I found that I just barely had cell coverage, and so called AAA. My experience with AAA was great -- I told them I had a 4x4 full-size Ford van and so required a flatbed tow truck. One arrived within an hour, and got me into town. My (standard plan) AAA covered the tow completely.
FYI, my Transfer Flow gas tank uses the stock Ford fuel pump.
-- Geoff
Ed in Montana
Senior Member
Ouch! I hate seeing tan SMB vans towed!
scatter-SMB
Senior Member
You hate it?? This was me a couple of weeks ago. I REALLY hated it!!
This was when my Power Lock system went bad as mentioned in another post. No cost tow from AAA. At least they got me to a place where I didn't have to lay in the snow to fix things. But an hour under the van pulling and replacing the starter in ten degrees was a chilliing experience. Other then that, a nice camping spot.
This was when my Power Lock system went bad as mentioned in another post. No cost tow from AAA. At least they got me to a place where I didn't have to lay in the snow to fix things. But an hour under the van pulling and replacing the starter in ten degrees was a chilliing experience. Other then that, a nice camping spot.
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