What is the Difference Between Towing and Roadside Assistance?

RVs or motorhomes are generally customized for travel purposes. Hence, you will notice that most RV owners are traveling throughout the year on the roads. As part of journeys, RV’rs encounter different experiences in their …

Disclosure: We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

RVs or motorhomes are generally customized for travel purposes. Hence, you will notice that most RV owners are traveling throughout the year on the roads. As part of journeys, RV’rs encounter different experiences in their adventures journeys. However, to cope with some of the unpleasant experiences, they set some prearrangements so that even if they face something unwanted, they have the solution to fix that problem.

For instance, breakdown of the vehicle, flat tires, insufficient fuel, etc., and to deal with those issues, roadside assistance is the great option most RV’rs prefer. So, here we will discuss the roadside assistance concept particularly crafted for any RV. Along with it, we will also talk about what is the difference between towing and roadside assistance. Apart from this, you will learn the overall concept with the differentiation between the top two roadside assistance providers: Good Sam vs. AAA.

Let us start with the same.

Decoding the Concepts: Vehicle Towing and Roadside Assistance

Decoding the Concepts Vehicle Towing and Roadside Assistance

It might be confusing for many RV owners as owners think that RV insurance covers all RV-related problems such as accidents, injuries to the driver, maintenance, etc. However, insurance coverages are separated into parts.

Coverage for collisions is totally different from roadside assistance. In fact, roadside assistance plans also vary i.e. towing, mechanical services, fuel providing, etc. Let’s find out the exact difference between towing and roadside maintenance.

Difference Between Towing and Roadside Assistance

Apart from regular insurance companies, RV clubs, specially founded for RV’s, have also started providing insurance and roadside assistance services to RV owners. At the same time, roadside assistance and towable services they offer can be added to insurance plans if an RV owner wishes to include them.

Meanwhile, many of the clubs are offering their plans, including all the components like RV insurance, roadside maintenance, and vehicle towing. Hence, it has created some misconceptions about the towing and roadside assistance component, as some RV’rs assume that towing services are included in roadside assistance. However, this assumption will cause them to buy the wrong plan for their RV.

Here, we have shared the details of both components to give you subtle information about the same.

1. Vehicle Towing

Vehicle Towing

Towing services, especially for RVs, are a separate category of RV maintenance. If any RV owner encounters any damage to the RV while traveling and this damage needs to be fixed at the garage or service station, then this RV requires towing service. Apart from RV clubs and insurance, there are some individual towing service-providing companies available in the market.

Usually, individual towing service companies charge their service fees according to the mileage. Whereas some RV clubs offer unlimited towing in their yearly membership plans.

2. Roadside Assistance

Roadside Assistance.jpeg

As we all know, the primary purpose of vehicle insurance is to cover collision or physical injuries. On the other hand, if an RV owner faces any mechanical issues during the travel time, it needs to be fixed as early as possible. In this case, the prompt service provided is mentioned as roadside assistance. Basic services provided under roadside assistance at the RV’s current locations are as follows.

  • Tire replacement service – replaces the flat tires of the RV.
  • RV battery maintenance service – repair or replacement of damaged batteries.
  • Fuel supply – In case RVs are out of fuel and won’t have nearby fuel stations.
  • Wenching services – this service assists to wench out stuck vehicles.
  • Locksmith service – in case the owner locks their keys inside the RVs, this service will provide assistance to unlock the RV door.

These are some basic services that come under roadside assistance. Even though towing and roadside assistance are individual components, some RV roadside assistance clubs offer both components in one package. For instance, Good Sam, Coach-Net, AAA, Escapees, etc., offer a complete package in their yearly membership plans.

Next, we are going to compare the two renowned RV roadside assistance clubs with their plans

Good Sam or AAA: Best RV Roadside Assistance Plans

Good Sam or AAA

1. Good Sam Roadside Assistance Plans

Good Sam is among the best roadside service providers, especially for RVs. They have offered three plans.

Standard

Cost – $129 (yearly)

Towing – Unlimited

Trip Interruption Provision-$1200

Platinum

Cost – $159 (yearly)

Towing – Unlimited

Trip Interruption Provision-$1200

Platinum Complete

Cost – $239 (yearly)

Towing – Unlimited

Trip Interruption Provision-$1200

2. AAA Roadside Assistance Plans

AAA is quite a popular roadside assistance plan most RV owners prefer to purchase. Let’s see what it offers.

RV Plus

Cost – $140 (yearly)

Towing – Up to 100 miles

Trip Interruption Provision-$1000

RV Premier

Cost – $210 (yearly)

Towing – Up to 200 miles

Trip Interruption Provision -$1500

Both the clubs offer some basic mechanical service features along with the above add-on services. To get more precise details regarding the plans they offer, you must contact the relationship manager of these roadside assistance clubs before buying any plan.

Conclusion

It might be confusing to choose the right plan for RVs, whether it is a towable, motorhome, fifth wheel, or any other type of RV. These plans are generally customized, where you can add services per your requirements. To do so, it must have clear and concise information about every plan element.

In this article, we have described two major components of the RV assistance plans: towable and roadside assistance. The difference between these two services will assist you in buying the correct plan for your RV. To explain it more simply, we have also compared two roadside assistance clubs i.e. Good Sam and AAA’s plans.

The existing information will indeed assist you in comparing all the roadside assistance plans and choosing the appropriate one.

Leave a Comment