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Topic: Roadside Breakdown
Posted By: BurbMan on 02/01/21 08:52pm

I've had the Good Sam roadside assistance for years because if you break down they will tow your truck to the repair shop and your trailer to the nearest campground or safe parking spot. Both times when I lost the transmission on the Suburban I had the trailer in tow, so the program paid for itself many times over. The renewal came in the mail today and it got me thinking about whether it's the right thing for a TC.

Say you break down on the interstate with the TC on board. The rig is too tall to go on a flatbed, so do they use an old school bumper tow on the truck with the TC still on? Or do you dismount and have the TC hauled separately from the truck? If the garage has to put to truck on a lift can the TC stay on?

I realize there are a lot of variables here but want to be generally prepared in the event of a mechanical.

Posted By: midnightsadie on 02/02/21 05:30am

call coach net. things arn,t the same as the old days.

Posted By: billtex on 02/02/21 05:37am

Good Sam has been responsive the couple of times we needed them (not for the TC). They will tow any vehicle anywhere in the US which is great. Once my Wife ran down car battery, another time she hit a pot hole, they came within one hour.
If you need to tow TC be sure you ask for a low boy, just tell them you have a small motor home. They probably won’t understand TC.

2020 F350 CC LB
Eagle Cap 850
25'Airstream Excella
"Good People Drink Good Beer"-Hunter S Thompson

Posted By: specta on 02/02/21 06:25am

[image]

When I bought this truck and camper it hadn't been driven for close to 15 years so I had it towed to my home.
The wrecker service used a rollback to haul it on.
Some companies have low profile rollbacks.

* This post was edited 02/02/21 06:40am by specta *

Kenny
1996 Jayco 376FB Eagle Series TT
1997 Jayco 246FB Eagle Series TT
1976 Ford F-250 4wd Mercury Marauder 410 - 4V
Regular cabs. The best looking trucks.

Posted By: NRALIFR on 02/02/21 06:41am

Most flatbed rollbacks that I see are also capable of doing a wheel-lift tow. I’ve had to do that once with my camper on a 1995 F350 when the clutch throw out bearing came apart. Of course, then you have to think about whether your driveshaft needs to be disconnected or not.

That’s what happened here on a trip to the west coast in 2010. Amarillo, TX.

[image]

My preference would be to find a tow company that could move your truck with the camper on it to your chosen repair facility, then drop the camper in their lot. Or, possibly make an interim stop at a campground to drop the camper.

If the truck can still move itself but needs repairs, I’ve spent the night with the camper in garage lots or a campground while the truck was being worked on. Like I did here on that same 2010 trip in Bishop, CA.

[image]

Yeah, that was a fun trip. Good times! [emoticon]

[emoticon][emoticon]

Posted By: mkirsch on 02/02/21 07:07am

I think your time would be better spent preparing for the truck to NOT break down. Proper maintenance will go a long way to not needing to be towed.

The towing companies are professionals. They do this for a living. When they see your rig they will either know how to tow it, or send you someone who can.

Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.

Posted By: Lantley on 02/02/21 07:16am

mkirsch wrote:

I think your time would be better spent preparing for the truck to NOT break down. Proper maintenance will go a long way to not needing to be towed.

The towing companies are professionals. They do this for a living. When they see your rig they will either know how to tow it, or send you someone who can.

I think you are giving ALL tow truck drivers too much credit.
I imagine most are familiar with passenger cars but a TC presents a different challenge that many will not be familiar with.
I think it a good idea to know what to expect if you need a tow with the TC attached

19'Duramax w/hips,12'Open Range,Titan Disc Brake
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Correct Trax,Splendide


Posted By: BurbMan on 02/02/21 07:26am

mkirsch wrote:

I think your time would be better spent preparing for the truck to NOT break down. Proper maintenance will go a long way to not needing to be towed.


Proper maintenance only goes so far...the 2nd time I lost the transmission it was a Jasper rebuilt unit with less than 10k miles on it, with fluid/filter changed at 5k as recommended by Jasper.

How much maintenance do you think I could have done in the time it took me to type this question on the forum and read your response? SMH [emoticon]

Posted By: specta on 02/02/21 07:52am

mkirsch wrote:


The towing companies are professionals. They do this for a living. When they see your rig they will either know how to tow it, or send you someone who can.


Lantley wrote:


I think you are giving ALL tow truck drivers too much credit.


Every profession has its own idiots.

I would think that when you called a towing service and told them what you needed towed they would sent the truck and driver most capable of towing your rig.

At least that's been my experience.

Posted By: markchengr on 02/02/21 08:05am

When we had a breakdown the tow truck driver lifted the front end of the truck and disconnected the drive shaft. Any tow truck driver should know how to do this. They do it every day. We were able to stay in the camper overnight while repairs were made.

Posted By: Kayteg1 on 02/02/21 08:11am

One of the reason I bought new truck when going on retirement and planning transcontinental vacations was the warranty the manufacturer gives you.
All those RV towing insurances have good or worse reviews as that comes to actual person doing the service.
I never had to do it with TC, but in construction business I had my truck broken with tall load.
Local Tow Truck driver knew his area and after putting my truck on rollback - drove the route, where 15' height was not an issue.
That was in Reno, NV where they had rollback with payload above 15,000lb.
I know such big rollbacks are not common.




Posted By: thedavidzoo on 02/02/21 08:25am

We bought our 2014 Ram used in 2016 with 28,000mi. Normally we wouldn't buy an extra warranty, but since we were heading to AK and remote Canada we purchased the MOPAR 5-yr additional warranty. Glad we did because our water pump blew out on Sunday evening in Michigan, thankfully at the end of our 13,000mi trip.
This is what they sent even after specifying we were 14,000lbs and tall. Tow truck driver must have known the overpass heights because we cringed in his cab, waiting for scraping sounds every time we passed under one on the way to the small local Ram dealer. Spent the night, repaired in the morning.
[image]

2014 Ram 3500 CrewCab Diesel DRW 4x4 4.10 Aisin, Torklift Fastguns, Upper Stableloads, Timbrens
2017 Northstar 12' STC
640W solar, 400Ah lithium LiFeMnPO4 batteries

Posted By: Lwiddis on 02/02/21 10:34am

"Both times when I lost the transmission on the Suburban..."

Twice on the same vehicle? That's terrible.

Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad


Posted By: sonuvabug on 02/02/21 12:37pm

Had a brake caliper seize on our 26' E-350 based Class C a few years back. They loaded it up on a flatbed and took it to the repair shop. I thought for sure it was going to arrive missing part of the roof but all was good.

2007 Adventurer 90fws Truck Camper
2001 FORD F250 SuperCab; 8' box; 4x4, 7.3l diesel, rear Sumo Springs

Posted By: jaycocreek on 02/02/21 12:57pm

Quote:

If the garage has to put to truck on a lift can the TC stay on?


Les Schwabs has had my Class C and my truck camper up on there hoist inside.

Lance 9.6
400 watts solar mounted/200 watts portable
500ah Lifep04

Posted By: Mote on 02/02/21 01:35pm

When we went to Yellowstone in 2015 in the old '96 dodge we had Good Sam coverage since the truck was so old. On the way back our transmission (surprise) started to go out. A hotel in Peoria let us park in the their lot for the night. Still 300 miles from home we called Good Sam's to try to get a tow to any local shop. I was on the phone for 30 minutes trying to explain to the nice young man what a truck camper was. He said they'd send a tow truck to our location in the morning. No one showed up so we said our prayers and drove backroads all the way home. We made it and got to see some nice little towns that would have otherwise been bypassed.

2005 Dodge 3500
2001 Lance 1030
2006 Cougar 29RL


Posted By: monkey44 on 02/02/21 01:56pm

We had a breakdown - blown oil line once in Texas. When the tow truck arrived, he took one look, winched it up on the flatbed - TC intact - then drove it to his shop. He got off the highway at every overpass, drove straight across and back down the other side highway entrance. No sweat for the overpass height or clearance.

Monkey44
Cape Cod Ma & Central Fla
Chevy 2500HD 4x4 DC-SB
2008 Lance 845
Back-country camping fanatic

Posted By: BFL13 on 02/02/21 02:55pm

Had a tow recently with Good Sam. TC rig in sig. The fuel pump went in the truck. Tow truck came and lifted the front, disconnected the drive, off to the garage close to our stick house (so we could walk home), one hour away. (not the nearest garage to where it happened)

So I learned about the dollar limit on towing with Good Sam and paid the extra. Fair enough.

Big lesson when we got to the garage was they couldn't get to it till next day so parked it overnight in their driveway. When the tow truck got unhooked, on the sloping garage driveway, there was nothing to stop truck with the camper on it from rolling down the driveway! (still disconnected drive--so no Park holding with the transmission, some doubt whether the parking brake even worked.)

Saved by the tow truck driver! He saw what might happen and chocked the back tires. The garage guys had to reconnect the drive next day to get it into a bay to work on the fuel pump. Was closing time when we got there, tow truck driver did not reconnect it, not clear who was supposed to I guess, everyone wanted to get home. [emoticon]

The tow truck guy remembered to take the drive bolts out of his pocket and leave them in the truck for the garage guys to use--that would have been an episode if he had forgotten that.

On hoisting--that same garage services our Class C. It goes up on their hoist in the summer, but they had a problem when it is cold in the winter getting the hoist to go up as high as usual. Don't know if that is just them.

1. 1991 Oakland 28DB Class C
on Ford E350-460-7.5 Gas EFI
Photo in Profile
2. 1991 Bighorn 9.5ft Truck Camper on 2003 Chev 2500HD 6.0 Gas
See Profile for Electronic set-ups for 1. and 2.

Posted By: Buzzcut1 on 02/02/21 06:24pm

Just so you don't waste time specify a medium duty wrecker. That will be able to tow you no questions asked.

2011 F350 6.7L Diesel 4x4 CrewCab longbed Dually, 2019 Lance 1062, Torqlift Talons, Fast Guns, upper and lower Stable Loads, Super Hitch, 48" Super Truss, Airlift loadlifter 5000 extreme airbags


Posted By: Kayteg1 on 02/02/21 08:00pm

Buzzcut1 wrote:

Just so you don't waste time specify a medium duty wrecker. That will be able to tow you no questions asked.

That depends on the camper length.
My 12' campers had rear bumper 8 ft behind rear axle and about 8" above pavement.
Lifting front wheels 6" would make rear bumper scratching on road holes.

Posted By: ticki2 on 02/03/21 06:09am

Kayteg1 wrote:

Buzzcut1 wrote:

Just so you don't waste time specify a medium duty wrecker. That will be able to tow you no questions asked.

That depends on the camper length.
My 12' campers had rear bumper 8 ft behind rear axle and about 8" above pavement.
Lifting front wheels 6" would make rear bumper scratching on road holes.


If that is the case you could never get it on a ramp truck either . Never saw one that low . Picture ?

'68 Avion C-11
'02 GMC DRW D/A flatbed

Posted By: Grit dog on 02/03/21 09:07am

ticki2 wrote:



If that is the case you could never get it on a ramp truck either . Never saw one that low . Picture ?


He's just playing the eternal antagonist....nothing to see here.

2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Posted By: Bedlam on 02/03/21 05:48pm

Just tell the tow company you have a motorhome that is over 25' long and 12' tall which will need a medium duty wrecker to handle the weight. You guys are making more of this than it has to be.

Chevy Sonic 1.8-Honda Passport C70B-Host Mammoth 11.5-Interstate Car Carrier 20-Joyner SandViper 250-Kawasaki Concours ZG1000-Paros 8' flatbed-Pelican Decker DLX 8.75-Ram 5500 HD


Posted By: specta on 02/03/21 06:04pm

Bedlam wrote:

You guys are making more of this than it has to be.


But this is what we do here. You should know that better than anybody. [emoticon]

Posted By: 3 tons on 02/03/21 06:08pm

Word of advice (ask me how I know).....Buy yourself a stout bottle jack from HF or HD (say 8-12k lbs)...neither of the two tow companies that came to fix our rear flat had a jack that would lift our truck with a 4,900# loaded camper...Also, due to overhang, rehearse dropping down the spare tire WITH the camper on board, and improvise as needed...Don’t plan on a visit by Lady Luck - lol

3 tons

Posted By: mr_andyj on 02/05/21 09:15am

Really depends on the tow truck driver or the tow company.
Yes, a truck and TC will fit on a flatbed, yes, it is high, no, it is no big deal.

I had a Class-C that got pulled by a 1-ton regular tow truck. We rode in the cab with the two driver, and left people in the camper (officially driver did not know about them, but he knew).
The front wheels of the tow truck would come off the ground when we hit bumps, but we made it off interstate and to a shop. We got lucky to get a nutty driver that time.

Other times drivers refused to tow.

I had giant 4x4 truck with TC and got towed on a flatbed, but waited days for the tow truck to show up.

Do't tell them "truck with truck camper", just tell them big motorhome, and avoid the confusion. Tow companies hear "truck" and then stop listening, and send a 1-ton then get there and realize, no, it is a camper basically.
or
Just ask for a big flatbed and tell them "it needs a flatbed" but dont try to explain, or they will not listen and/or get confused and second guess you and send a 1-ton again.

I had same truck towing a camper and got a flatbed and he went out and bought a 2 inch ball and towed truck on flatbed and towed trailer.

I have since woke up and sold the Ram, junky Dodge truck with a great Cummins engine, but junky truck and trans.

Posted By: BurbMan on 02/05/21 02:57pm

Lwiddis wrote:

"Both times when I lost the transmission on the Suburban..."

Twice on the same vehicle? That's terrible.


First time was in a small town in KY, I lost reverse backing the TT into a campsite. GS sent a guy that used his flat bed to finish backing the TT into the site. No transmission shop in town, so only option was Jasper rebuilt from local garage.

Put about about 10k on the Jasper and the 3rd gear sprag grenaded towing the TT in NJ. Jasper replaced under warranty but still cost $900..some of that was for parts that were "not covered". Plus the friendly garage pointed out that the Jasper warranty pays $65/hr labor and his rate was $110/hr, so that made up a large portion of the bill....

Point being that nobody expects a trans with a fresh rebuild to snit the bed, so all the preventive maintenance in the world is no guarantee of anything. Yes it stacks the deck in your favor, but stuff happens.

Posted By: Hemi Joel on 02/06/21 05:09pm

I quit Good Sam and switched to AAA after Marcus told those of us who supported our president not to shop at camping world. I figure that means Good Sam as well.
I've had to have my rig towed twice. Neither one could have been prevented by any routine maintenance. The 1st time, the center ripped out of the flywheel/flexplate. I was also towing a 32' trailer, so they sent a flatbed with a trailer hitch. By the time they got it loaded, it was pitch dark out. His trailer light connector did not work, the camper on the flatbed obscured his cab-top beacon, and the trailer obscured his tail lights. Going down the road, over-height with no rear lights on the trailer, I was scared to death. Luckily we made it to the shop. They let me camp in their parking lot for a few days while they waited for a part.

The second time, a little brass elbow where the cooler line threads into the transmission case split. I didn't have a trailer in tow on that trip, so they used a wheel lift, that was zero drama.


[image]

[image]

2018 Eagle Cap 1163 triple slide, 400W solar, MPPT, on a 93 Dodge D350 Cummins, DTT 89 torque converter, big turbo, 3 extra main leafs, Rancho 9000s rear, Monroe gas magnums front, upper overloads removed, home made stableloads, bags.


Posted By: BradW on 02/06/21 07:09pm

Hemi Joel wrote:

I quit Good Sam and switched to AAA after Marcus told those of us who supported our president not to shop at camping world.


I missed that. Thanks for posting. Do you have a link to where he said it? Probably want to update your signature.

Wake Up America
2019 Lance 1062 and 2018 F-350 CC PSD 4X4 DRW
Tembrens, Rear Roadmaster Sway Bar, Torklift 48" Extention and 30K Superhitch
Our New Lance 1062 Truck Camper Unloading at Dealer Photos


Posted By: jimh406 on 02/06/21 07:13pm

BradW wrote:

I missed that. Thanks for posting. Do you have a link to where he said it? Probably want to update your signature.


If you search for Marcus and Trump, you can read the fallout and Camping World’s response. Some misquotes happened.

'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.

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Posted By: specta on 02/06/21 07:18pm

BradW wrote:

Hemi Joel wrote:

I quit Good Sam and switched to AAA after Marcus told those of us who supported our president not to shop at camping world.


I missed that. Thanks for posting. Do you have a link to where he said it? Probably want to update your signature.



Marcus Lemonis: If you’re OK with what Trump said, don’t shop at my business

He later recanted his comment but he still said it.

Posted By: BradW on 02/06/21 07:26pm

specta wrote:


Marcus Lemonis: If you’re OK with what Trump said, don’t shop at my business

He later recanted his comment but he still said it.


Thanks for the link. I guess I missed all of that. Two things I know about Trump: (1) He ain't a politician and he tends to be lose with his words which leaves them open to be spun in the worst way by his enemies. (2) He ain't got a racist bone in his body.

Posted By: Hemi Joel on 02/06/21 08:50pm

BradW wrote:

Probably want to update your signature.


Because of the Arctic Fox? [emoticon] The breakdowns where when I was hauling the AF. The Eagle Cap 1165 is the current camper. [emoticon] They are both awesome rigs!

Posted By: BradW on 02/06/21 10:45pm

I thought you quit good sam.

Posted By: Hemi Joel on 02/06/21 11:07pm

BradW wrote:

I thought you quit good sam.
Me? I did. If you meant someone else, sorry.

Posted By: BradW on 02/06/21 11:38pm

Hemi Joel,
Your signature shows you as a good sam member. You may have to log out to see it. [emoticon]

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