What is the Best RV Roadside Assistance?

Derrek Sigler
by Derrek Sigler

(Photo by TravellingK/Shutterstock.com)


When RVs break down, getting them to a mechanic can get complicated. This is where RV roadside assistance can come in very handy.


Now that summer is half over with and the RV season is in full swing, I’m sure you’ve noticed a lot of other RVs on the roads. A friend that lives near Yellowstone in Wyoming was just telling me the other day about the clogged roads going into our nation’s biggest and oldest National Park. He added that if there’s a breakdown, it can set traffic back for hours while they figure out how to get the RV off the road. No one ever wants to think about a breakdown, but they happen. Some RV owners opt for roadside assistance plans to come to their aid in the event of a mechanical, but what is the best RV roadside assistance?

What is it?

Many of us have some form of roadside assistance plan built into our auto insurance policy. This includes towing coverage, which can really rack up the bucks if you don’t have it. One tow truck driver told me that he charges $25 per mile for towing and during peak months, he usually asks for it upfront. And remember, that is for a passenger car, not an RV.

(Photo by vagabond54/Shutterstock.com)

Towing is the most extreme use of RV roadside assistance. In other cases, it is exactly what it sounds like. Run out of gas? Roadside assistance covers someone bringing you enough fuel to get to a gas station. Have a slow leak in a tire? They bring air. Dead battery? No problem. They come and give you a jump. Roadside assistance is designed to get you back on the road in the quickest way possible.

Having a roadside assistance plan is good, but it is not a replacement for doing periodic maintenance. Be sure to check everything before you leave, and periodically along the way. Things can and do happen that are unavoidable, but there’s a lot of truth to an ounce of prevention.

Which RV Roadside Assistance is Best?

This is a loaded question. It depends on the factors you would expect, like how much you want to spend, and what do you want from your program. Probably the best known of all the roadside assistance programs is AAA. AAA has three levels for both auto and RV. The standard plan only covers for five miles of towing, and I would hardly call that acceptable. Their AAA Plus membership and Plus RV, both cover up to 100 miles of towing, and the Premium and Premium RV plans cover up to 200 miles. I have personally had the Plus membership plan for over 15 years and have been pretty satisfied. Keep in mind that this is not insurance, nor are you required to have your insurance through AAA to get their roadside assistance membership.

Many RV owners have a plan through Good Sam. One of the major benefits to a Good Sam membership is unlimited mileage for towing. Another includes coverage for your auto and everything you can and would tow behind it. You also get coverage for everyone under 25 in your household, at no extra charge. If the issue is minor, they will send a mobile mechanic to you to fix the problem. You only have to pay labor and parts. Plus, like AAA, your Good Sam membership card is good for discounts at businesses across the country.

Another RV roadside assistance plan comes from Coach-Net. This service provides towing as well as technical assistance. The technical assistance is nice because you get access to an expert who can talk you though certain issues and help get you going again without the need to tow the RV, or other major issue that can further interfere with your vacation. Many new RVs, like those from Forest River, come with a complimentary Coach-Net plan.

There are more RV roadside assistance plans available through many insurance companies. Talk to your local RV dealer, as well as your insurance agent to see which plans offer the best fit for your situation and style. The number one thing that a roadside assistance plan gives you is peace of mind. Having one allows you to relax and enjoy your trip, which is the important part, right?

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