RamonaCreel.com

The final installment of our “On The Road To Full-Timing” series is here! Full-time Airstreamer and organizer Ramona Creel has been sharing her tips for making the leap to year-round travel. Today’s topic is on something we’re all grateful to have in times of trouble, and something you’ll definitely want as a RVer. Here are Ramona’s thoughts on choosing an RV-friendly option for roadside assistance.

What RV roadside assistance service do you use?

When hit-the-road time came, I needed roadside assistance — but I wasn’t convinced the one I had for my car would cut it. After asking several Airstreamers who they recommended, the one name that kept coming up over and over again was Coach-Net — an assistance club provided through the Escapees travel club (you must be a member to sign on). I spoke to a representative over the phone, explained our situation, and was immediately convinced that they could take care of me. I signed up that day, called to cancel our other roadside assistance membership — and have never looked back.

Have you ever had to call for service on a trip?

Several times — in fact the first was during my first trip across the country. That’s when I became even more certain that I had made the right decision. After a long day of driving on hot summer asphalt, I blew a tire in the middle of nowhere in South Dakota. I called Coach-Net, told the lovely customer service representative which mile marker I was parked by, and she went to work. She pulled me up on her map, and discovered that the closest shop which could change an RV tire (not a job for the faint at heart) was in Sioux Falls — about 50 miles away.

What did Coach-Net do for you in that instance?

Unlike many other roadside assistance companies, Coach-Net doesn’t limit their services to a network of “approved” shops. Coach-Net simply found the most convenient certified RV repair place — and then paid them to take care of my problem. In this instance, the replacement tire, the mileage, and the mount/dismount, would have cost me over $600 out of pocket. Coach-Net paid for everything except the actual cost of the tire (a big old $89) — which, to be fair, was my responsibility anyway. Had I used other roadside assistance companies, I would have paid at least three-quarters of that fee myself.

Do they provide any other handy services?

The other thing I love about Coach-Net is that they run a 24-hour phone-assistance line, staffed by RV experts. If I ever have a general question about how something mechanical works in my trailer, aren’t sure how a system is set up, or need help solving a specific problem, I am handed to a tech support guy who knows Airstreams inside and out. When my electrical panel started clicking over and over again as I drove through Orlando, Coach-Net’s customer service rep got on the phone with me, had me do a couple of troubleshooting tests, and identified the problem as a faulty relay. He then made an appointment for me at an RV shop in the next town, even going so far as to call ahead so they would know what to expect when I pulled in!

Sounds like an amazing suggestion for roadside assistance for RVers If you need Ramona’s help getting your ducks in a row to make the full-timing leap, contact her!

We love hearing Ramona’s thoughts and tips as she navigates the ‘Live Riveted’ life! Join us next time for more of her best practices!