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Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:50 am

I have failed in my search exam ...

Do we need the RV part of AAA coverage for a Westy?

Mike

Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:14 am

It depends.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=508333&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Every tow truck driver I've ever run into dosen't seem to care about AAA's rules. They never ask for my card or anything.

Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:48 am

Others have had issues, I have had none.

There is better and more comprehensive types of coverage from RV/trailering specific companies.

Yes, they cost more than AAA, but are well worth it when broken down.

Mon Aug 19, 2013 10:50 am

I have to have RV AAA coverage to get my motorcycle covered, so I'm good either way :)

Mon Aug 19, 2013 11:51 am

In some places, "RV" is defined by a fixed bathroom.

Mon Aug 19, 2013 12:13 pm

CAA in Ontario deemed the Vanagon a RV because it has a sink :roll:

Mon Aug 19, 2013 9:23 pm

BCAA in British Columbia told me our Westy is not an RV.

I had RV coverage the first year, but when renewing in year 2 they asked me why I had RV coverage and I told them it was an RV and they said no. Ever since I moved up to the Premier membership where you get 6 tows... 2 tows of up to 200 miles and 4 tows of up to 100 miles. Also covers motorcycles... :D

wecm31 wrote: CAA in Ontario deemed the Vanagon a RV because it has a sink :roll:

Mon Aug 19, 2013 9:52 pm

I keep geico on my van and would not own a vanagon without getting AAA too. Geico does great around town and AAA handles the long trips and is great to deal with and their rules are more lenient. I had Premiere (4-100 mile tows, 1-200 mile tow) and this year dropped down to the next level with only 4-100 mile tows. I haven't needed a longer tow ever but it could come in handy with some of the out of state trips I take. Having both Geico and AAA is nice, if the tow driver is a dick, I can tell him to get lost and call the other. If someone called my 16' van an RV, I would tell them to take a hike. They get paid by AAA to tow you, if they are doing something weird, their probably just trying to make money on the side.

Tue Aug 20, 2013 6:30 am

Thanks for the input.

I talked to BCAA and they said it was not an RV. The RV thing is about weight and size and trailers etc. We don't have any of those.

Hoping never to use the service.

Mike

Tue Aug 20, 2013 6:39 am

Here we go again....

I worked for AAA garages and for AAA themselves so I know what I am saying

AAA is a franchise. Each club (look at your card and the second set of numbers is you club code plus the club name is on it too) can do what they want as long as they follow the general rules. Your Club coverage goes with you so if I was in southern CA my club (007 Hartford/ Allied) coverage is in effect. So lets say advantageaction is in Ontario he is covered without a RV membership. The Members club is the one paying. Our Club does not pay enroute miles but club 240 does so we can charge 240 memebers when we do their calls.

Next why is it the drivers/ operators the bad guy cause they are following the rules? AAA and contracted garages send out "test" calls to make sure rules are followed, members are receiving a "5 diamond " experience, and no theft. Yes I said theft, what else would you call a call that should be $300 being done for $100 (numbers are random numbers not actual prices).

Tue Aug 20, 2013 8:20 am

As far as I can tell, AAA doesn't offer an RV membership in CA or Nevada...

http://calstate.aaa.com/membership/compare-our-membership-levels/compare-our-membership-levels

Wed Aug 21, 2013 3:35 pm

advantageaction wrote: BCAA in British Columbia told me our Westy is not an RV.

I had RV coverage the first year, but when renewing in year 2 they asked me why I had RV coverage and I told them it was an RV and they said no. Ever since I moved up to the Premier membership where you get 6 tows... 2 tows of up to 200 miles and 4 tows of up to 100 miles. Also covers motorcycles... :D

wecm31 wrote: CAA in Ontario deemed the Vanagon a RV because it has a sink :roll:

Mike Robinson wrote: Thanks for the input.

I talked to BCAA and they said it was not an RV. The RV thing is about weight and size and trailers etc. We don't have any of those.

Hoping never to use the service.

Mike

^^Same here. The lady was insuring mine, could see it from the window and said it did not count as an RV b/c it was small enough to be towed w/ a regular tow truck. I was a bit surprised b/c my (is it CSA?) sticker on the side says RV right on it. I thought that was kind of funny b/c it was designed to be a mini-van and camper in one...

I've never heard/read/seen anything good about the AAA in CA. Perhaps too many RVs there to stay in business if they helped them all for free! Though, perhaps the local people should start paying them back or something, I don't buy AAA for local help. I have friends I can call for that! LOL

tam

tam

Thu Aug 22, 2013 5:37 am

Again different clubs do different things.

Our club 007 has Basic, Plus RV, and Premier. Just cause you have a RV membership does not mean you have a RV. Also if you have a RV you may be covered without the word RV on your card (your club may not have a separate RV membership).

Thu Aug 22, 2013 5:39 am

cookrw wrote: I have to have RV AAA coverage to get my motorcycle covered, so I'm good either way :)

Ditto.

The Westy is not an RV in PA - no built-in toilet. I doubt very much a Porta-Potty or similar breaks that definition.

ADDED: I'm glad to say we haven't needed to see how any AAA-related tower would handle our Westy.

Thu Aug 22, 2013 6:31 am

Big shoutout to Geico for coverage. Their towing did a great job for me, and it was for a real RV, a 35' RV. Towed me from Yellowstone NP to Idaho Falls, it was the closest place that could handle the situation.

I understand the RV coverage requirement, bigger truck, plus need to pull a drive shaft. Westy requires none of this.

However, it all goes to the local club selling the policy. With my Geico I dropped the AAA.

Thu Aug 22, 2013 7:49 am

I have to have RV AAA coverage to get my motorcycle covered, so I'm good either way :)

Same here, I have only used the AAA once on the Westy, started motor went in Las Cruces, NM on the way home to Washington state from New Orleans. The tow guy didn't even want to see my card!

Thu Aug 22, 2013 7:51 am

I have AAA in colorado, premium membership if it matter. and have had my van towed 4 times. not a problem ever.

Thu Aug 22, 2013 8:54 am

Royb wrote: As far as I can tell, AAA doesn't offer an RV membership in CA or Nevada...

http://calstate.aaa.com/membership/compare-our-membership-levels/compare-our-membership-levels

We have CA AAA coverage and I recently insured my Westy with them as well. While the later is an RV policy, the road side assistance cost did not change in any way.

Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:10 am

My point is, why get AAA if your insurance will cover the tow?

Granted, there are other benefits of AAA, even AA, but I can plan my own trips, I can find other discounts, but (wjhen I had a flat on my utility trailer, they refused to do anything, my Geico would have covered.

Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:52 am

BillWYellowstone wrote: My point is, why get AAA if your insurance will cover the tow?

Granted, there are other benefits of AAA, even AA, but I can plan my own trips, I can find other discounts, but (wjhen I had a flat on my utility trailer, they refused to do anything, my Geico would have covered.

Exactly. I have USAA and they have towed my van 50 miles at no extra charge.