break down on the road

[Rob S.]

If i have a break down on the road in a unknown location. What's the best way to get a tow truck to my location?&nbsp;Let's say my radiator hose gets a leak or water pump goes out. &nbsp;Should I...<br><br><span style="font-size: 13px;">A) call 911</span><br>B) call my insurance 24hr towing card&nbsp;<br>C) ?<br>D) ?<br><br><br>

 

[Seraphim]

If you're in an unknown location, the local police would be more familiar with the area than you're insurance operator. They can probably find you from the description of your surroundings, which a stranger to the area couldnt do. They are also familiar with the local tow companies, and know which are AAA wreckers (if you have AAA) etc., and which ones are reputable and which are sleazy.

 

[my_vantasy]

I have AAA Plus RV. When one of the front tires on a Class A motorhome blew, I called the toll free number using my cell phone. Since we did not know where exactly we were, they asked for the road we were on (an interstate route in our case, but we couldn't see any exit ramps from our rural location), then they asked for the last town or intersection or exit we remembered.

They dispatched a heavy duty wrecker and he found us. Kind of hard to miss a big motorhome though...

 

[owl]

&nbsp; # 2

 

[CrossCountryGal]

I called AAA. &nbsp;If you have GPS on your phone, you can pinpoint your location and share the coordinates with them.

 

[highdesertranger]

never been to a unknown location, must go there someday.&nbsp; if it was me i would just fix it.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[blars]

One thing I dislike about coachnet is they don't accept lat/lon as a location.&nbsp; So I wind up describing how to get there, and ther maps don't even have the BLM road numbers.<br>AAA dosn't tow off of dirt roads, as well as their RV coverage (where available) having generally bad reviews.

 

[Zil]

911 should be reserved for life threatening events, ONLY. You should have some kind of road side assistance insurance and that is what that is for.

 

[Rob S.]

Thanks everybody...although the answers are all different...they are all correct!

 

[offroad]

if its 90 plus degrees in the sun, and you are not a person who exercises regular, then you might get yourself ready to call 911. &nbsp;or opposite if you are below freezing and snowed in on side of highway, you might dial 911.&nbsp;<br><br>make sure you keep drinking water in summer in your vehicle.&nbsp;<br><br>first step is to dial the tow company.&nbsp;

 

[Seraphim]

LOL - I figured if you have GPS your location is not unknown.<br><br>I try to find emergency numbers in advance for areas I am going to. If I call AAA, it may take them an hour and a half (or longer)&nbsp;to get a wrecker to you.&nbsp; Calling a AAA wrecker directly - if you know them - can cut the response time down to 15 minutes.&nbsp; Thats why I recommended calling a local PD - their dispatcher can call a wrecker directly for you, and wreckers generally give a bit more attention to calls that come from the PD and respond more quickly.

 

[offroad]

maybe. rural area call 911. city area call Aaa for a tow.&nbsp;

 

[WheelEstate USA]

CoachNet is more suited for all types of RVs and cars too.
They understand RVs and will send out a suitable truck.
Unlimited towing and other road services. They also have techs who will guide you thru a system problem.

No, I don't work for them, just feel they are much better than AAA, Good Sam, and the rest. Price is good too.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Yup, duct tape and baling wire, the old standard.

 

[Zil]

If we travel out back, a parts kit should be standard issue. Even if I can't wrench it, a passing Samaritan could. A fan belt, some heater hose, radiator hose, on a early dodge a spare ignition resistor, couple quarts of oil, gallon coolant, the list can go on, but something should be available. In civilization maybe not as much.

 

[travlinman and wife]

an old motorcycle mec told one time to reach in is tool box and get hin a fixall I opened the box and he had about 15 different types of hammers

 

[owl]

&nbsp; lonfu,and we learned how to spell or use spell check. Reread all the posts on this thread and didn't see anyone playing the helpless card. Saw some people asking and answering in a positive manner. Saw some being dismissive of folks who can't fix things themselves. Lets think about this. Physical and mental disabilities can limit what some are capable of. "If you don't do what I think you should do you shouldn't be out there on the road". Seems like you have it all figured out for the rest of us !

 

[highdesertranger]

a little off topic and this is not directed at anybody in particular but i kinda agree with, &nbsp;if you can't get yourself out you shouldn't be in.&nbsp; every year i will listening to the local radio when out in the sticks there is a large number of search and rescue efforts going on.&nbsp; this is costing rural counties a fortune.&nbsp; i understand there are true emergencies, &nbsp;but come on most of these cases are greenhorns getting themselves lost because their iphone went dead or the batteries in their gps went dead or their subaru got high centered and stuck.&nbsp; most of these calls are from city folk(don't pay taxes in the county they get lost in)&nbsp;not locals.&nbsp; my sisters neighbor in central oregon is on a s&amp;r team and he's out most of the summer trying to find these yahoo's.&nbsp; we have many disneylands around the country they are called national parks. go there or get someone who knows what they are doing out there to go with you.&nbsp; just my 2 cents.&nbsp; ok i'm done with this rant.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[owl]

&nbsp;&nbsp; As someone said here&nbsp; respect, you are right. Boondocking is probably not what you think it is. Have you ever boondocked ?&nbsp;Most of the southwest boondocking is within sight of a Wal-Mart. Some, who are experienced go further out. The U.S. is not the great outback of Australia.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; long--computer not computor <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[twokniveskatie]

Is it a full moon or what? No spelling or grammar police allowed!

Owl, are you by any chance at Camp Mellow????