Date:         Mon, 2 Mar 2015 09:46:42 -0600
Reply-To:     Robert L Peters <rob@ROBERTLPETERS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert L Peters <rob@ROBERTLPETERS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Coach Net roadside services
In-Reply-To:  <3949565.768368.1425309880049.JavaMail.root@vms170027.mailsrvcs.net>
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Greetings from Manitoba, Canada. I'm new to this List (1988 Westy), but wanted to share my experience with CAA (Canadian Automobile Association). My first Westy was an '81... evidently the fuel gauge was a bit dodgy and on my first traverse across the prairies to the Rockies (1000 miles west) I was bucking a nasty head-wind, and was naively using much more fuel than I had thought, and ran out of gas. Of course I thought it was a different problem (the gauge still hovered around 1/4 tank) so I called CAA. They towed me ~ 70 miles to a Canadian Tire parking lot in Strathmore, Alberta with "Bettie" sitting high up on a flatbed... nearly airborne from the speed the CAA truck was going (140 km/h = 85mph) — she had never gone that fast in her life! Lovely service, no hassles, no extra cost... I've been a CAA member (and a big fan) for 40 years. 

Robert L.


On 2 Mar, 2015, at 09:24, David Bjorkman wrote:

> What an interesting set of different experiences with AAA.  I have the Plus version (100 mile towing) here in Massachusetts.  When I have had to use it, I request a flatbed, due to it being a Vanagon, and get one, usually without a problem.  I don't tell them it's a camper and it's not required to be registered that way in MA.  I pay for my primary membership and a reduced rate my wife.  We have 2 vehicles and they are both covered.  When I had 3, they all were covered.  No extra per vehicle charge.  In fact, if we are in a vehicle that is not ours, and it breaks down, AAA will tow it using our card.  As far as towing, they have always taken it to the place I specify, be that my local shop or my driveway.  I once had to have the Westy towed (flatbed) to Maine.  They towed the 100 miles specified in the membership and I paid about $50 bucks for the extra 25 or so miles.  I believe the tip I gave the driver and the conversation we had on the ride up (I rode up with him and the bus) may have reduced the mileage some. I'm not saying it's all roses.  They can all be a PITA from time to time.  I believe I once bumped into the max. number of tows allowed, but that was on the Westy I owned at the time and did not cut out my other vehicle, which had not been towed more than once.  I thought I was fine until you guys brought up the Premier level, which I didn't know about, and now I have to consider it for the next cross country trip [sigh].
> 
> Dave B.


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rob@robertlpeters.com
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