road coverage

[cody]

This will probably come as a surprise but I actually have a legitimate question that relates to buses lol.  Does anyone carry road coverage and is it a worthwhile investment?  I've been advised by one person that it is a must for taking care of flats or towing if needed, but another person said that it won't work because they said that bus conversions are normally excluded because that they are often done haphazardly. I don't feel that is the case but that was their version.  So does anyone carry road coverage and can you tell me the pro's and con's, costs and what companies would be recommended or the drawbacks?

[Hi yo silver]

Cody,
I don't have any experience with the services yet, but signed up for Good Sam coverage in anticipation of buying a bus on the west coast and driving back east to VA.  The only two I looked into were Good Sam and Coachnet, the affiliate of Family Motor Coach Assoc.  I liked the features of GS better, and they assured me their contractors could provide towing for a 40', 37,000 pound gorilla if necessary.  I'm sure others on the BB can give you good advice.
Good luck,
Dennis

[bobofthenorth]

We use Good Sam for all our road coverage Cody.  We have never had to use it for the bus (and I hope it stays that way.)  If we do we have been assured by Good Sam that they will cover the bus.  Only time will tell but I don't think it is going to be a problem.  Its probably similar to booking a campground.  If you phone and say "Uh, we've got this Uh, well it's kind of an old bus that we've sort of made into like a .... well sort of a .... motorhome ---- UH, could we get a site for a while?"  then you possibly may run into trouble.  If the need ever arises the call will go sort of like this "We're broke down in our motorhome 9 miles west of Nowhere, Montana.  Send a LARGE wrecker please and send it soon."

[JACKRABBIT4106]

Last year when we were leaving the NASCAR race at PIR (Phoenix International Raceway) in Novembers the rear end came apart on our 4106. We did not have road coverage! Tow bill to Tucson AZ was over $800.00 for just over 100 miles. We now have road coverage with progressive and have it in writing that should it be required we will be towed on a low boy not a hook. IMHO road coverage is well worth it wont leave home without it.
Erik & Melissa

[Sam 4106]

Hi cody,
I know I am bucking the trend here, but we had road service with three different companies over 15 years and never used it. Thats about $1400 that I never benifeted from. I decided that I might as well pay myself instead of those companies for the last 3 years. I still haven't need to call anyone. However, I keep up with the maintenance and can fix most anything. I can also afford to pay for a tow, tire change, or whaterver else may be required for a breakdown, if necessary, without putting us in the poorhouse. That is the same reason I don't pay for collision or comprehensive insurance on the bus. If we have a total loss it won't break us. I know that others can't take the risk and need road service coverage. Only you can determine which catagory you are in.
Good luck, Sam 4106

[TomC]

I have Good Sam Emergency road service.  A year ago had to have the bus towed-more specifically flat beded to the Detroit dealer.  Was in Baker, Ca and wanted to go to Las Vegas.  But Barstow was closer where they wanted to take the bus, instead I paid the extra $150 to take it to Las Vegas, and that's all I had to pay.  The tow company deals alot with Good Sam and they said it is a good company.  Highly recommend it.   Good Luck, TomC

[Barn Owl]

To save some typing:

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=1527.msg12929#msg12929

[jjrbus]

Emergency Road sevice ryder on the bus insurance policy is $5 a year. They do everything the big $$$ ones do except for two things. They do not have an 800 number. you have to  find your own tow. You have to pay up front and get reimbursed.
I have not needed a tow in 8 years, I wanted a road service call one time, every one I called would send a tow truck but not a mechanic. Took about 8 calls to find a mechanic that would do a service call.
At $100 a year I am up $700 (I used Good Sam the first year) If you are still working and time is tight the ERS companys may be a better bet.
                                                                                          HTH Jim

[Gary LaBombard]

Cody,
I used good Sam when my S&S broke down while I was in TN  a little over a month ago and I was also pulling my Spare Motor on a trailer.  The insurance coverage covered the S&S but not a trailer.  A dingy they would or a car carrier but not a trailer.  It wold of cost me $375 to go 20 miles but did not cost a dime for the S&S.  I would not travel without it.  Not for the cost of the ins, man don't take the chance especially if you cannot change your tires etc. yourself.

Good luck buddy,

Gary

[jjrbus]

Gary, I know in the bus community that the S&S have a bad reputation, but do you really need to carry a spare motor ?
Acutually I was wondering how you handeled the trailer?

[buswarrior]

Hello Cody.

I carry the emergency assistance through the Canadian RV club Exporers via Wayfarer's Insurance.

The usual $100+ or so and also covers the autos. Used it for the auto when the rear wheel studs all snapped.....damned mechanics and their air guns!

If you price a tow for the bus....well, think of it as cheap insurance.

And as noted, if you are not able to change your own tires, jack, wheel lugs and spare tire, etc, it is well worth having.

As with everything else, it is your choice as to the amount of risk you would like to take on, or the degree of supersticion you have!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Gary LaBombard]

jjrbus,
Hi Jim, the tow truck company towed both my S&S and Trailer with spare motor on one trip.  I was nervous but I'm always nervous.  Here is a couple of photo's.
Gary