Emergency Volunteer List?

[Grapehound]

I joined Open Roads becasue I heard there was a list maintained here of people who are willing to help other RVer's in emergency situations when their tow vehicle breaks down and their trailer or 5er needs to be moved to a safe spot. I would like to add my name to that list, as we just had this happen to us a few weeks ago when we helped a camper who was broken down along the road.

I can't find that list so I am posting here.

 

[Wemustrv]

Welcome to RVforums from Ely, Iowa I am not familiar with the list you are referring to on this site. It is a great thought however

 

[Grapehound]

I wonder if we could get the attention of one of the Admins to consider how we might set up such an informal list on this forum. The idea would be to list people who had a tow vehicle that could tow or move a travel trailer or a fifth wheel in situations where the owner's tow vehicle had become disabled and temporarily out of service while travelling.

The idea is that a local RV owner--who has a tow vehicle set up for towing a similar veheicle -- would be able to respond within an hour or two to help move the RV to a safe location, possibly a campground where the owners could wait for their repair to be completed. The volunteer would move the campers and their RV to a safe spot or campground where they could wait out repairs.

In a situation I encountered recently, I drove by the disabled camper and spoke with them about what they eeded. The disabled camper was located about 20 minutes from my house and the owners lived only an hour away in Maryland, so I was able to take their RV and them home while so they could await their truck repair.

Can any Admins address this idea?

 

[team bradfield]

I would call roadside assistance for a licensed, insured tow truck

 

[Grapehound]

Just to make clear, if the tow vehicle breaks down, that is your best option.

What I am describing is the moments after the tow truck leaves with your TV. You and your family are still along side the roadway with the family dog in 90 degree heat.

Now you need a second "tow truck." (How many tow trucks are set up to tow fifth wheels?) Maybe it's a busy holiday weekend and it seems no one else is available for a while -- it might be nice to have another option to consider. How about a retired RVer who lives nearby and has a towing ready TV and maybe years of experience.

We're not talking about towing you to a suburb of Promontory, Utah. Maybe just to a nearby campground so you can wait for your truck. Or, as you indicate, you can wait for a professional tow for your RV, too.

Many years ago, I joined AAA when I left with my MG-A for college in fairfield, Iowa. I believed I was covered if I broke down anywhere in the US. At least that's what AAA said. On the way home from a movie in Ottumwa on a rainy night, about 11PM, I got two wheels off the highway into the Iowa mud and couldn't move. There wasn't a tow shop open between Iowa City and Des Moines. That taught me how worthless my triple A membership in Iowa was, at least on that particular night

A nearby farmer got his tractor, pulled me out and we were on our way.
Was he licensed and insured? I don't think so. But he was my hero that night.

RVers helping RVers has always been a common theme in this demographic.

 

[redbaron]

I am familiar with the concept that @Grapehound is addressing. I have thought about doing something similar to this as an informal list.

The problem becomes the quality of the experience. In the past, GoodSams was a club that was just for the purpose described above. A good sam was a volunteer willing to help out where possible. In 2005 I broke down on the Katy Freeway with a pickup truck towing a 5th wheel. We sat on the side of the road for 2 hours trying to get a tow truck or any resolution. I called my Roadside assistance (can't remember which one) and was on the "waiting list" for a return.

I pickup truck pulled up with a retired marine at the wheel. He said he was a "good sam" and lived nearby. We got to talking to him and he was willing to tow my 5th wheel the 20 miles to the park, had his wife come get the wife and 4 kids in her car, and got everything setup for me. He refused any kind of payment, and said that is what good sam used to be, and what it will always be for him.

The organization today of Good Sam is nothing like the original. Looking at the many challenges for "corporate" sponsorship, I see that the need to protect ones bottom line and insure against any mal practice etc is the top of the reason we don't see this today.

Not that it can't be done, but things to consider:

* Who is going to vet the qualifications of the driver? A person that has driven a class C 24ft isn't experienced in what a 45ft Diesel pusher drives like. The same is true for a person that drives a 45ft motorhome, they aren't experienced with a 45ft 5th wheel.

* How do you handle a situation where a good samaritan becomes involved in an accident--regardless of fault?

* How do you handle the "fair" pricing?

Many other issues that make this complicated. I would love to get this going, but it is not an easy task.

 

[Grapehound]

You make some good points, Redbaron. You have benefited from a Good Samaritan helping you out of a difficult situation. Great story!

I think most of your questions answer themselves.

No one will ever suggest that someone drive your 40 foot diesel who's not qualified. We're only talking about towing a travel trailer or 5-er a modest short distance with a similar type of tow vehicle. If your 40 foot RV breaks down, it's not going anywhere without a professional tow.

All drivers have insurance by law. Their insurance covers their vehicle in an accident no matter what they tow. I personally have comprehensive coverage on my trailer as well. If you don't have comprehensive insurance on your trailer, then you're taking that risk every day anyway, no matter who tows your trailer.*

If a Good Samaritan's truck has a 20,000lb fifth wheel hitch, it's likely he has at least some experience pulling a big 5-er. That's why he has such a hitch. If he has a Class A license, that's even better.

If a potential Good Samaritan has no fifth wheel hitch at all, then he's not going to be pulling your 5-er anytme soon.

I have a one-ton diesel dually and I would not volunteer to pull someones 16,000 lb tri-axle toy hauler. The tongue weight would vastly exceed my cargo weight capacity. I think people who tow RV's become familiar with what they can pull safely and most would not evenvolunteer is such a situation unless they felt really comfortable with the weights involved. The weights are printed for us on the exterior of the RV and on the door pillar of tow vehicles.

It is easy to interview a volunteer to ask, "Do you have a fifth wheel? How big is it? Do you have a Class A or B license? How long was your TT?" No one is required to accept a Good Samaritan's offer of assistance. If I didn't feel comfortable, I would look for another option.

I am not sure I would want some 25 year old tow truck driver pulling my 35 foot travel in a tightly packed campground trailer for that matter.

In my case, where I recently helped a guy broken down along the road here in PA, his truck was a 3/4 ton gasser. His trailer was was bumper pull 27 footer. I have a 33 foot fifth wheel trailer and a fifth wheel hitch in a one ton diesel. So there was not much doubt that my equipment and towed vehicles were more than equivalent to what he needed moved. I also have my class B license for vehicles over 26,000 lbs, from a previous 40 foot diesel pusher I had for several years. He did not.

Plus, as the owner of the RV to be towed, you accompany the Good Samaritan to your end destination. You will be along for the trip every step of the way.

And if you feel the person is not qualified -- for any reason -- say "No thanks."

* While on the subjkect of worrying about insurance, I also carry a $1 million liability policy on all my vehicles and home. If you crash your motorhome -- or even your personal car -- into a $500,000 stainless milk hauling truck, and total it, and your limit is $250,00, your insurance company will pay what they owe and cut you loose to defend yourself again any further claims. You'll be on your own.

With a $1 million liability umbrella policy on top, insurance companies will fight for every dime and defend you. Costs me about $240 additional a year and well worth it if you own property which you could lose in a lawsuit.