Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2021 08:52:17 -0600
Reply-To: Ralph Meyermann <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ralph Meyermann <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: AAA coverage...worth it?
In-Reply-To: <CY4PR0801MB37312066164A112AE9CA04E3A0909@CY4PR0801MB3731.namprd08.prod.outlook.com>
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About 2 yrs a go i needed towed, one fall for almost 200 mile for a
hole in the block then 30mile for restriction in the fuel tank. Definitely
paid for itself, plus there are some other little perks.
On Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 8:45 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Sometimes the real benefit of these plans is having the quick contact for
> assistance when needed. When far from home this can become much more
> significant than covering the cost. Since my 2nd RV I have been using
> Coach-Net. In addition to towing services they have also helped me locate
> parts or even tools when far from home. While they don’t have a mileage
> limit they will tow to the nearest qualified facility. Towing the motorhome
> is an event but they cover my family in any car ware driving.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of David
> McNeely
> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 11:07 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: AAA coverage...worth it?
>
> Is it worth it? Well, that, as shown by the above two posts, is that it
> depends. On what? On to whom the question is being addressed.
>
> For me, AAA membership (or your favorite, but it has to be equal in
> quality, roadside assistance company) is essential for peace of mind. I am
> old, you might say bordering on decrepit, but I still have lots of go, go,
> go. But if AAA can do it, I don't have to. Things happen, though I keep up
> my tires, keep up with maintenance, and on and on and on. Has a deer ever
> run in front of you without warning? Has me, and I had to have a tow,
> believe it or not. That wasn't the camper, probably would not have pushed
> a quarter panel into and cut a tire if it had been. Batteries are
> guaranteed, but sometimes fail prematurely. In fact in 13 years of Vanagon
> ownership I've had one do that, at roadside campground tens of miles from a
> town, but AAA came through. In 60 years of driving, I've had more than one
> battery fail prematurely.
>
> AAA will even respond if you are driving a rental, much, much faster than
> the rental company will. And yes, new cars do fail. How do I know?
>
> My wife is not even as adept mechanically and physically as I am. She
> drives. AAA gives peace of mind.
>
> I have paid the annual membership for AAA Premium by checking for
> discounts on numerous products, including auto maintenance. But it doesn't
> work for hotels. If the hotel quotes a price, and you then ask for the AAA
> discount, you'll just get told that that price IS with the AAA discount.
> Not true (otherwise, it isn't a discount, because it was offered to you
> without the clerk knowing you had AAA), but don't bother to try to argue,
> or to let AAA know. Back when I stayed in Motel 6, they did offer a AAA
> discount, posted on the wall, regular price, and AAA price. But nowhere
> else.
>
> Well, sorry for the length. Like I said, it depends.
>
> On Wed, Mar 10, 2021 at 6:03 PM Erin Daniels <eirejammer@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > For me having AAA is an absolute must. I travel a lot, in fact I
> > ‘vanlifed’ it for six years in my vanagon. Best case scenario is that
> > I don’t need to use it
> >
> > > On Mar 10, 2021, at 5:25 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I recently posted about wondering about condition and life of spare
> > > tire
> > in your clamshell. Many great tips and experiences posted, thank you.
> > >
> > > So...what about AAA? Many people recommend. I got a 1 year
> > > membership
> > gifted to me a few years back; I loved it! Never used it. Except for
> > their excellent paper maps! I picked up gobs of them.
> > >
> > >
> > > I think a 1 year membership is about $100. I've owned my Vanagon
> > > 30+
> > years. So doing the math, that's like $3000. Wow...that sure buys a
> > LOT of batteries. And wire brushes and grease to treat electrical
> > terminals throughout Vanagon. And, I keep my eye on the fuel gauge
> > and estimate travel ahead. Flat tires? Sure, having a reliable spare
> > tire and even a crummy stock Vanagon jack to lift, and spending a few
> > bucks for a better lug wrench works wonders. So far, we are way more
> > money ahead! Not to mention the downtime of waiting for the truck to
> arrive.
> > >
> > > But, twice in my experience, bad things happen. Once blown out
> > > front
> > wheel bearings; another time was a snapped ring terminal on big red
> > wire to starter motor. Okay, bummer. So then you pay the big bucks
> > for the flatbed ride of shame.
> > >
> > > That's the thing, though. Instead of paying over and over each year
> > > for
> > something like AAA, you do your maintenance, and in the worst case
> > scenario you bring out the cellphone and the credit card for the tow.
> > Still, way more money ahead. Yes, they will have the fuel; yes, they
> > can do the jump to battery; yes, they can tow if that is the only
> > alternative. All the independent tow guys got this stuff.
> > >
> > >
> > > Thoughts and opinions?
> > >
> > > Rich
> > > San Diego
> >
>
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