Tow Companies
 

I've had a run-in with my AAA Service that I've had since 1985. I shut down in traffic, towed home OK. Week later shut-down at Dunkin' Donuts and was towed, no problem. But when I asked to be towed from my home to our Club Mechanic, they refused stating two tows to my home didn't allow any further tows. I've Haggerty for my libility but not for tow service. I've had my PicUp for 2 1/2 years, and this was my 3rd tow. I have AAA Gold Card -
Can I do better than Triple A?
Thanks Guys

Re: Tow Companies
 

Maybe you could check to see if someone in your club has a flatbed trailer that they could load up your car and take it to your mechanic for you. I can understand Triple A limits. Not aware of any other options.

Re: Tow Companies
 

Strange, their website specifically states 4 tows up to 100 miles.
Sounds like the local company is not following the guidelines.

Re: Tow Companies
 

I have AAA, and have only used them a few times, and only once with my model A. I seem to remember them reiterating towing was for on-road emergencies only, and not for moving cars around from home to repair shops. I heard that some had abused that, hence the decision to further define what towing is allowed. Seems reasonable to me....

Re: Tow Companies
 

Hagerty Drivers Club

They offer three levels of service including their "3rd Gear Service" that includes towing for both your insured car as well as any other car in your family, with unlimited service calls and up to 150 miles, guaranteed flat-bed towing service, nylon tie down straps, etc, etc, etc.

I've had them tow cars out of my garage, cars towed from the back of my long driveway, cars towed from the inside of a 20 foot container on the back of an 18 wheeler, a car towed 50 feet (up a grade) into my garage, a car towed 133 miles to a workshop, a car towed out of a remote storage barn in a ravine to my house, etc. The Hegarty folks are car people so they get it with all of the odd-ball towing request that members ask for.....and they always send a roll-back/flat-bed truck using nylon straps to secure the car, with phone and text message updates through out the entire process. I've used them quite a few times and they have never let me down and always follow up by soliciting feedback after each tow.

Brad in Maryland

Re: Tow Companies
 

"on the road emergencys" make sence -- however my Club Mechanics Shop wasn't open on the week-end was why I wanted a home tow-- Thanks, I'll check Hagerty's policy

Re: Tow Companies
 

I looked at this issue last summer. I've had AAA for years and have had my model A towed four times in the past. I checked with my insurance companies last fall and found that towing was available on the "A" and on the daily cars for a total of $18 a year. I added the coverage but kept AAA until the next billing cycle "just in case." Yesterday I got my AAA bill for $130. If I drop them I'll no longer get the monthly newsletter or trip-tiks. Trip-tiks have been replaced by GPS and I never looked at the newsletter any way. Cancelling is a "no- brainer."
Marty

Re: Tow Companies
 

A friend had a similar issue with them years ago with a modern car, he pushed the car out of the driveway onto the street and it was then broke down on a public street and they towed it to the garage like he wanted.

Re: Tow Companies
 

I hate to be 'that guy' but it sounds like youre abusing the service. If you break down on the road I would fully expect for AAA to tow the car to the place of your choice. If the shop was closed that was not AAA's fault. They fulfilled their end of the contract by towing to your home. From there it seems to me that its up to you how your car is going to get to service. Flat bed rates one way in my area are about $75. This comes along with the price of owning an antique car.

Re: Tow Companies
 

Strange, their website specifically states 4 tows up to 100 miles.
Sounds like the local company is not following the guidelines.



need to read the guidelines.......
I had my silverado towed 220 miles with AAA and arrived home at 11pm


so next day I wtd it towed to the local chevy dealer. they wouldnt do it and I understand why. As previously mentioned, they arent out to tow you all about, just because you have 4 free 100 mile tows. in my case, one of those was a 200 mile tow.
what a bargain they are!


you guys speak of 18. tow service from your insurance cos. they arent towing you 200 miles or even 100. Most just go to the closest station present or 5 miles.


understand what you are buying.


BTW- last year I bought 3 diff cars. one was 93 miles away and guess who towed it home for me? Yep AAA is a screaming BARGAIN.

Re: Tow Companies
 

Well said 77!

Re: Tow Companies
 

I agree with TerryH. I have used them for many years but recently I had my 1972 towed from my home to a restoration shop and they reiterated the tow was for 'emergencies' only and they would not tow it back home.Obviously I told them it was broke down. Since I knew the tow driver very well, we worked out a deal to get the car back. . He said a tow company a couple of years ago had abused the system and filled out fake towing bills for thousands of dollars which AAA reimbursed them for. When the abuse was found, there was a huge lawsuit and change of policies. He told me most people in emergencies now will use their insurance for the tow and not use AAA at all. He said best bet is to just pay for the tows as it would be cheaper than a yearly membership with AAA anyhow, and everyone has a cell phone, so they just look up towing companies and call directly IF they are on the road. So after a 38 yr membership, I was thinking of dropping them, but Ronn definitely has a good point in retaining membership..

Re: Tow Companies
 

AAA+ gives 4 tows up to 100 miles. I just had my 40 flat-bedded from the garage to my mechanic about 30 miles away. No questions, no problems.

Last year, I left the Casino in SE CT and didn't want to drive home, told them I had a "light" on and didn't want to take a chance driving. No Questions NO problem. Tipped the driver as usual.
I used to tow for a AAA sub-conractor. I make sure I use them 4 times a year, that's what I'm paying for.
Paul in CT

Re: Tow Companies
 

Ditto with Brad in #5. I have had the Hagerty Level 3 Policy for the last three years and have never used it. I believe the rate to be reasonable and the "Peace Of Mind" that goes with it!

Re: Tow Companies
 

I have been with Haggerty for about 15 years ( drivers club top level ) and had a number of tows classic cars and regular cars never a problem.
I also have AAA because my wife wants it!

Re: Tow Companies
 

AAA towing is an emergency roadside service. That being said....

Exactly
 

Exactly ...

I get the same thing occasionally.

I just dropped off this 2004 Porsche GT3 Track Car in Austin, TX
that I picked up in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

I asked for an image of the car before I picked it up to determine
if it could be loaded into my car hauler trailer.

The Buyer didn't send me an image.

Some cars are so low they need ro be driven onto a level
loading ramp gate of a multi car enclosed semi trailer
to load and unload - the drawback is you won't get direct
transport from pick up to drop off - your car will be transferred
between trailers - driven - stored in outside yards.

The Porsche has a non-removable spoiler that is just about
level with grade at the front center and where the spoiler
meets the front tires.

I had to call a rollback to load it in my trailer at pick up
which took another couple hours - even then the driver was
reluctant to do it because the car was so low.


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1584672211



https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1584671758



https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1584671758



At drop off - it took 3 hours to unload - even though I texted
in advance telling the Buyer he needed to line up a rollback.


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1584672399



When the Porsche was unloaded - the Buyer apologized.



Jim

Re: Tow Companies
 

smart money wouldnt have done the tow..............


or asked for additional compensation.

Smart Money ?
 

If your post is directed at me ...

If my schedule is set & I show up to transport
a vehicle - if the vehicle can be loaded with assistance
then I will transport it.

I am not an Uber driver - it is not like I have another fare
a block over.

I don’t charge for labor - but I also don’t
try to provide service I am not set up to do.

That is why I request an image in advance
of scheduling - had I received one I would
have asked for measurements of the clearance.

Upon receiving that information - if the vehicle
is too low - I won’t transport it.

I requested an image in this case - the customer
did not provide one - if the rollback driver had
declined to pick up the car & transfer it
then I would have declined the load.


Jim

Re: Tow Companies
 

indeed. you should have charged for your wasted time.


nobody should work for free.