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.