[Bill]

Steve,

One of the Foretravel forum members just posted that his coach was hit by lightning. It will not start.

Good Sam will not tow because it is “An Act of God”

I do not like anything Good Sam or its corporate buddies. Above is one reason why.

I use Coach Net. Towed once with no problems.

Wish you well as you sort this out.

[Archived]

Steve,

We have had Coach Net for just about 15 years with our previous coach as well as the last 2+ with the bus and although not perfect… we have been very happy with with the service they have provided and the value we have received.

Bill

[Bernie]

Does the PC Forum have the capability of supporting a “poll”? I’m on the Garage Journal Forum and there are polls from time to time. It would be interesting (and helpful for me at least) to know which “towing deal” our members favor and what their experiences have been.

[Archived]

Don’t use anybody that’s not Wreck Master Certified , that’s what all my guys are and my brother is one of the top instructors for them

[Archived]

What is wreck master certified ?

Does Coach Net use that certification to order a tow when told it’s a Prevost.

Bill Fogerty told me he waved off his tow after not feeling warm and fuzzy with the approach and hook up plan.

[Tommy]

We have had Coach-Net for the last 6 years and 2 coaches. We have used their concierge service occasionally, but the real proof of their worth to us was when we were new (less than a month) Prevost owners, we pulled into a fuel stop, shut down & couldn’t start again after fueling. Coach-Net worked us through the trouble shooting process, then, since we were still not able to crank, arranged for a tow to the nearest shop that could handle us. There were some rough patches – we refused 2 tows they sent out because I didn’t feel the recovery folks knew what they were doing after talking to them, looking at their equipment, & how they were going to be hooking us up for the tow. Both the folks at Coach-Net and I were relieved that the third vendor knew what he was doing and had equipment that was up to the task. They are like any other business – go with the lowest cost provider that says they can do the job within a reasonable timeframe. The difference in my mind is that they really do understand that you are the “pilot in command” so to speak, and they will accept your input as situations unfold, as long as your input is based on valid facts and concerns. We wound up being towed over 50 miles in that instance, and paid nothing out of pocket for the tow. The shop…well that’s another story for another time. But our experience with Coach-Net overall has been very favorable. Well worth the annual fee to us several times over.

Needless to say, I no longer shut down at fuel stops either. 😉

[Tommy]

We have been with Coach Net since 1997. During this time we have been, for the most part, very pleased. Last November we needed a service call which turned into a 20 hour nightmare. After having a rep on the phone which tried to have us towed to a Toyota dealer or to a Chevy dealership, I finally got it through to her, after repeated attempts, the magnitude of a Prevost. It ranged from a failed roadside assistance for a no-start, to a tow which caused over $7K in damages to the drive shaft yoke, front wheel well trim and front bumper.

The most dissapointing factor afterwards was the hesitance of Coach Net’s claims department to resolve the issue and telling me that it was my responsibility to deal with the tow service they contracted with. After standing my ground they agreed to take the point position on this issue. It has been six month since the service/damages were rendered and I am almost at a point of resolution on this.

I am not familiar with the certification Peter referenced above but will be soon. Once understood I will communicate same to CN and demand it be noted in my file. Despite having my Prevost info on file the rep could not get it right, the tow service driver did three times the damage of the mechanical repair and CN resisted initially, addressing the damages with their contracted tow company. That is what has bothered me the most. Now being better informed I can better control the service I exexpect.

Will stay with CN for now but will be on the look out for analternative.

[Dick]

[Archived]

Mike wrote: “Needless to say, I no longer shut down at fuel stops either. 😉”

Did shutting down for the fuel stop cause the coach to not start? Was it coincidence? Or something else.

[Peter]

No road service provider. My first objective is to make sure I don’t get towed by being anal about service.

When I did need a tow it was due to a fire and even though I was extremely specific about my needs I still sent the first tow truck home. The second had the right equipment and knowledge. The tow was 180 miles to Prevost and it cost $1000 which was covered by the insurance company.

So in 25 years I had one tow and the money I saved was enough to pay for that one if I had to pay it out of pocket.

One thing is for sure………..whether you get towed or put on a flatbed the potential for damage to your coach is very high. And when it is damaged it is very expensive. No matter how much of an “expert” the tow driver professes to be or acts like he knows it all never ever let him bully you or intimidate you into allowing him to damage your coach. If you are the least bit uncomfortable with what he is doing or about to do make him stop. You need to get down on the ground yourself and make sure there are clearances so no sheet metal gets bent, no underbelly components get damaged, and your coach is secured properly.

[Don]

“Make sure there are clearances so no sheet metal gets bent, no underbelly components get damaged, and your coach is secured properly.”

I have three questions:

1. Jon’s suggestions and other comments on how to spot a bad tow truck driver, etc. Several of you stated “you didn’t feel comfortable” about the tow truck driver. What specifically are you looking for that you sent those drivers packing and waited for someone more competent. Was it the actual driver or was it inadequate equipment?

2. A statement was made “I no longer shut-down at fuel stops.” So people keep their Prevosts running while fueling up? What’s the mechanical reason for doing this?

3. Finally, in order to decide if carrying towing coverage is worth it, what is the average premium you’re paying for CN vs. the potential cost of being towed?

[Archived]

Well I have about million miles driving a Prevost and have never needed a tow and I never shut down at the fuel island ever ever . The statement of cheap and fast is one when its towed you will pay for later in damage. We did one the other day a company was called to get bus out of ditch the other company was there 8 hours could not get it out , the owner had called us first said we where to much money got the other company after all that time he called us back and it took us hour and a half and no damage but it did cost him more money but was done right and no damage but he had to pay the other guy for 8 hours and us . It cost money to have the right tools and the no how on how to do the job right , take your pick . Cheap and fast or Done right and cost a little more your choice !!!!! A lot of times we are more money but it takes us less time to do the job but cost more and no damage and less time than the other guys , but more per hour for the job done right!!!!!! Go on to Standish towing and Recovery and have a look at what it takes to do the job right

[Archived]

Peter,

You are so right about having a person with the right tools and expertise. Plus this applies to all areas of service that we seek for our vehicles.

My one tow by Coach Net was with no problems and no damage. The tow truck looked like the one on the website you referenced except the truck had three drive asles and only one steer axle.

My insurance agent has a deal with Coach Net that offers up to 5 years of Coach net at reduced prices. This coverage in not part of the coach insurance so if I cancel them, I still have my Coach Net coverage. My memory is $99 for the first year and down to $69 or $79 for each additional year by buying the 5 year deal paid up front.

A friend had his Prevost CC towed 40 or 50 miles for $1300 a few years ago. So for me, one tow pays for several years of coverage. And I like having a known source to call for help all hours of the day.

My previous insurance had towing as a part of the coverage and contracted Coach Net to provide that service. When I canceled them (National Interstate), that went away.

If you are in my area touring (Southeast Texas), what would you do for a tow? Long way from Bannif.

Thanks for your posts, all the best.

[Dan]

Peter has the correct answer to that age old question of maintenance:

“How come you never have time to do it right, but you always have time to do it over?”

Or as FRAM says in their commercials: “Pay me now, or Pay me later.”

[Jerry]

I also would like to know what to ask AND look for if we ever need to be towed.

We have Coach Net and Good Sam’s (didn’t realize that our insurance included Coach Net from previous policy and also bought GS). We have never needed a tow (7.5 yrs. with the previous coach).

I felt like I kept on top of maintenance that may have very well kept us from a breakdown. Things can and do happen that we can’t control.

So, what is a big red flag that you would say “NO…. go away”!

Mark