AAA Roadside Assistance

Anonymous-0 · Jul 5, 2013

We are soon embarking on a 2,200 mile road trip with our 1995 automobile. While I don't anticioate any problems, breaking down 75 miles from an auto parts store doesn't sound like much fun.

That said, what roadside assistance would you recommend, (we are not senior citizens...yet).

Thanks,
Glenn F.

Mark-Ia · Jul 5, 2013

Rent a car with unlimited miles for the trip. It doesn"t cost that much for peace of mind.

David G · Jul 5, 2013

I would agree, just rent

Chip812 · Jul 5, 2013

Yep.... rent... Then if it breaks down, just a phone call gets you another new car to drive... And some of their rates are very reasonable...

Mtractor · Jul 5, 2013

Get AAA it is great and you can save a lot of money at hotels because just about everyone gives you a discount if you are a member.

greygoat · Jul 5, 2013

I can highly recommend AAA. We did have a break-
down, about 100 miles from home, and they towed
us to the nearest dealer, and arranged for a
loaner, so we could get home. When our vehicle was repaired, we returned the loaner, and
picked up our vehicle. Everything went flawless.
When we travel, we get free maps, and guidebooks,
and use their hotel/motel reservation service,
and get discounts. PLUS !, We DON"T get the tons
of junk mail, and magazines full of worthless
advertising like we used to get from AARP!

DoubleR · Jul 5, 2013

I would rent a car. Shop around on-line and get your best deal. If you do break down with THEIR car it won't be YOUR problem. Just a slight delay in your trip.
If you don't like that idea, go with AAA.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 5, 2013

Thank you for your input so far. Here's the situation: We drove to Seattle (helping out with a family medical situation) tbree weeks ago. Our '95 Buick got us here without a hitch, (we had to drop everything and drive out here). Sunday morning we're driving back to Wisconsin. No problems driving out, but I hate to push my luck too far.

Thanks,
Glenn F.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 5, 2013

How many miles on car. has it been running good, how long have you had it, I recently got rid of a older car and before that a truck closing in on 300k
wouldn't phase me a bit for that trip. but i knew the car but even a 2-3 year old cars break down only you can decide this one,

old-9 · Jul 5, 2013

I get stuff from AAA all the time, have read it and no where does it say anything about a "truck" and or "trailor". Do they cover trucks, trailors, campers,and or motorhomes?
joe

MarkB_MI · Jul 5, 2013

AAA is only going to tow the vehicle a short distance for free, then you have to start paying mileage. If the wreckers are busy, don't expect them to get to you very soon. But it does give you a little peace of mind if you're driving a beater; you just have to call one number. But AAA isn't going to be able to provide you any service that isn't already available wherever you happen to break down.

MarkB_MI · Jul 5, 2013

You don't have to be a AAA or AARP member to get their rate. The hotels NEVER ask for ID. I fact, I'll sometimes tell them, "no, I'm not a member, but I'll take their rate." The AAA/AARP rate should be the starting point for further negotiation. Depending on how many empty rooms the hotel has, you can usually get another 10 or 20 bucks off the "discount" rate.

evilboweivel · Jul 5, 2013

have to upgrade to the RV or RV+
to cover trailers, motorhomes, motorcycles

evilboweivel · Jul 5, 2013

AAA
get the plus
as the regular will only tow 3 miles
good luck
Ron

JOCCO · Jul 5, 2013

Going to say very high rating to AAA. Have helped me out many times on roadside. They have many programs and we have used some of there other services. Like one guy said 100 miles in my home state and i got towed home!!!!!! There lever of service may vary especially in very rural area.

omahagreg · Jul 5, 2013

I will NEVER use them again! They put my full size Dodge van on a flatbed tow truck, hooked the rear axle to tie it down, and pierced a brake line. ACCIDENTILLY discovered it before I killed myself! I called asked they take $100 out of drivers check and send it to me-as how else will he learn. Said they could do nothing except pay for parts. Parts were only $5, as we did it ourselves, I talked them into $30, and I cancelled my subscription! They KNOW NOTHING!

Hobo,NC · Jul 5, 2013

I contracted to AAA for 12 years when all over and done with I had a worn out tow truck and was broke... :lol: I am still a AAA card tot'er only because I have been able to keep my kids on it at a family rate... It helped out allot when they were in collage I did not have to go tow them in I had AAA tow'em to me.... If not for my daughter I would drop'em... Its the piece of mind I have that she can get help most anywhere and i don't have to drop what I am doing at that time...

As far as the service and wait time it depends on were you are at locally its a hour are more... In some areas Its no more than 15min.,,, At least with AAA you have someone to dispute a issue with... Worst case you can walk away from your 95 if something major happens to it...

wisbaker · Jul 5, 2013

Not much of a fan of AAA, left me stranded in a not very nice situation, the responder got me going and the car went about 3 miles and quit again, just across a state line, AAA didn't want to send a wrecker, had to have words with them. Didn't want to tow me home only to the nearest dealer which was farther than the home, couldn't tow me back across the state line 'cause it was a different "district" dropped them after that. Now have USAA roadside assistance, last time I needed that had to hold for more than 15 minutes, good thing I wasn't on the cell, battery wouldn't of lasted that long. Recently drove from North central Iowa to Kalamazoo Mi. Gas in the pickup would of been about 240-250. Rented a car from Enterprise for $140, gas cost about $90, no oil no tires and if it quit they had a problem not me. Got a new Chrysler 200 it had 500 miles on it when I started the trip, figure I drove a new car for 10 bucks less than my 12 year old truck.

Goose · Jul 5, 2013

I haven't had much use for AAA since I was in the Marine Corps.

I was a member of the New Mexico chapter and tried to renew in Nebraska. The guy declined to sell me membership 'cause I was in the military. He also made it plain that he considered me a third class citizen because I was in the military. I renewed in North Carolina.

I know, I shouldn't let one butthead sour me on the whole organization, but it still rankles me.

D beatty · Jul 5, 2013

We have had AAA Plus RV for 8 years with no problems. They pay up to 150 miles on tow. If you have to have someone else tow they reimburse you.
If they bring you gas they pay for the gas and call.

T in NE · Jul 6, 2013

How quickly do you have to be back in Wisconsin? Keep her down around 65, check your oil when you fuel, keep an eye on the gauges, if it got you there issue-free it should get you back. I've got an old Isuzu Amigo and a Cummins Dodge with 1/4 mil apiece and wouldn't hesitate to make that trip with either. Just take it easy, no need to be pushing them trying to keep it at 75-80 mph, that little extra speed makes for a lot more work for the powertrain. Not to mention burns less gas, especially when your vehicles are like mine, having the aerodynamic efficiency of a brick outhouse.

And after they opposed cutting the split speed limit in Illinois (politics ahead of safety), and my dad getting lost while moving my sister to Raleigh, I wouldn't mess with them. I looked at a map and wrote directions down right to her apartment complex, (already knew the interstates and exit number they needed), but that wasn't as good as the AAA maps grandma got him. Til he ended up half way to I-95 because they had the wrong names on the exits, took him in a more complicated route, and North was never at the top (or even the same side) of the page.

Hobo,NC · Jul 6, 2013

T if its a full size buick with a 3.8 he could get it up to 65/75 let off the gas and it will coast their... Once they go into full lock up they are on cruise control... That's one of the complaints I got from new owners of them,,, They got accustom to slowing it down with the brakes and understood full lock up... They were built to cruise :wink:

RodinNS · Jul 6, 2013

It got you there. It'll probably get you back. I'd just make sure the fluids are all topped up and run. If it does die on you somewhere... being a 95... you're probably going to leave it at the nearest salvage anyway and rent something to get home.

Rod

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