Dear Dave,
Would you be willing to elaborate on why you are a “big fan” of Coach-Net? —Michelle, 2021 Lance 1985
Dear Michelle,
I was first introduced to Coach-Net while working at Winnebago sometime around 1989 or 1990. We were looking for a way to offer roadside assistance and technical assistance for new owners in the one-year warranty period. It was a great opportunity for Winnebago, as they had a network of service centers and towing companies that would complement the network of Winnebago dealers as well.
Coach-Net was provided free to new owners for one year and only cost Winnebago $5 per subscription. That was a huge benefit from the cost of ramping up a 24/7 technical assistance program. Coach-Net benefited by having a qualified lead for renewal after the initial warranty period. I actually developed the name and logo which we called “Preferred Care”.
The first few years were a little rough, as the technicians they had on staff were “car guys” and we had some growing pains with technical advice; however, the roadside assistance was outstanding. The president of Coach-Net stepped up and required every technician to complete the RVIA technical training program as well as training with every RV manufacturer and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to bring their level of expertise to the top.
Many positive comments regarding Coach-Net
Over the past 30+ years, I have talked with hundreds of RV owners in my seminars that have used Coach-Net for either technical assistance or towing. All have had positive comments. Just recently I talked with their Vice President of Marketing. She stated that they have over 800 independent service locations that also provide towing, as well as networking with RV dealers, Freightliner and Spartan service centers, and Ford dealerships that will service RV chassis issues.
The last few years have been challenging for RV owners obtaining service due to quality issues and the explosion of the market. RVtravel.com has posted several articles citing the nightmares of getting service work done or owner’s being stranded for sometimes days waiting for roadside assistance with other companies that claim to be RV experts. Coach-Net has a long-established track record and works with their network of service providers to get there faster, get the work done in a timely manner, and get their customers back on the road.
Yes, I am a “big fan” and I have also been a customer over the years. My parents were customers for over 20 years, going in caravans all over the country including Alaska, and they were “big fans” as well.
New owner but still good service
Recently Coach-Net was purchased by Blue Compass, an RV dealer organization with over 150 locations. I have had the opportunity to work with them at several RV shows the past two years and this spring at six locations. I was impressed with their knowledge of RVs and not just “pushing tin.” According to my contact at Coach-Net, the only change is that the “packages” Coach-Net offers will be available through a Blue Compass dealership.
Update:
I sent Michelle the rough draft of this post and got this reply back:
David,
This is great. Thank you. We switched to Coach-Net last year from Good Sam roadside assistance. Probably don’t need to tell you that was a horrible, horrible roadside assistance experience! Canceled them the next day. We did our research (better this time) and called Coach-Net. Getting technical advice on the road…my hubby’s very handy…was the deciding factor, and the representative was so helpful and friendly! I noticed the difference IMMEDIATELY, just from that first phone call! We haven’t had to use them yet, but it’s good to know from your experience that our experience will be different than last time.
I’m sure your article will be of interest to many.
Thanks again, for your response!
Michelle
More on the topic of RV road service plans
What’s the best RV road service for you?
This is a very thorough report from Russ and Tiña De Maris on the pros and cons of several RV road service plans based on the results of a survey of RVtravel.com readers awhile back.
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”
Read more from Dave here.
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We switched from Good Sam Roadside Assist to Coach Net and also switched to FMCA from Good Sam. Good Sam is not the same since Marcus bought it. Thanks for all the info Dave.
We’ve had great experience with FMCA Roadside Rescue. Most recent was a 50 mile tow south of Savannah GA. They had no problem with my insistence that we bypass two closer RAM dealers to get to one that was Promaster van certified (a RAM Businesslink) dealer. The crew showed up quick and the tow experience was exemplary. Included in FMCA membership is the amazing FMCAssist medical evacuation program that will get you, your rig, pets, even your remains if need be, back home in an emergency.
Joined Coach-Net in 2003 with our purchase of a Jayco 5th wheel. No longer a RV owner but still have Coach-Net for road service. Excellent service from them.
Glad to hear that. Other than towing, what road assistance services do they provide?🙂
Hi Dave, dang they sound very competent! Hmmm wondering about their techs having to complete a RVIA technical training program, I’ve not heard of that before, how about elaborating about that?! Too bad the RV dealers tech’s aren’t required to complete RVIA technical training program!
Thanks for the information
Snoopy
Certified techs from NRVTA get service calls from Coach-Net. They’re located on the rvia locator site. One tech told me he stopped being available to Coach-Net due to payment issues.
Coach-Net technicians are all RV Technical Institute (RVTI) certified at least level 1 and several are level 2, 3, and 4. This is the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) certified training as well as most Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). Do not get this confused with the National RV Training Academy which is in Texas and not affiliated with RVIA and those techs are not listed on any RVIA site, rather the NRVTA one.
Thank you, Dave! 🙂 I agree, Coach-Net is exceptionally good. I discovered that they are handling Spartan RV Chassis’ roadside assistance last week when we had to get towed from Lebanon, Tennessee (western side of metro-Nashville area) to Chattanooga due to the dash AC compressor freezing-up. The woman with whom spoke numerous times over the phone was diligent, responsive, helpful, and relentless. The tow company they sent was Dad’s Towing of Madison/Hendersonville, Tennessee and they, too, were exceptional. I cannot shout the praises of either loudly enough. 😉 🙂 Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
I have had Coach-Net for years now. Knock-on-wood, I’ve not had to use them. I truly hope they live up to their reputation when I need them.
Unfortunately, I have been reading more and more bad reviews since the Blue Compass acquisition where they left people stranded for 24 to 48 hours or more saying they couldn’t find a tow service that would come or have the proper equipment. This happens when what they will pay a provider is too little in the market. Granted, these were all large motorhome clients, but still.
Also read where a person that bought at a Blue Compass dealership could not directly renew for a lower annual rate with Coach-Net.
I purchased an RV from Blue Dog RV in Post Falls, ID in 2020. I also purchased one of the extended warranties that require a yearly inspections ($100 thru Blue Dog which I had no problem doing). Blue Compass bought Blue Dog a couple of years ago and that $100 per year inspection went to $300. Luckily I found another local RV dealer who can do the yearly inspections for me for $100. Not a big fan of Blue Compass coming in and doing this. I belonged to Coach-Net in the late 90’s and early 2000’s before I took a 15 year break from RVing and they were really good and reasonably priced. I can only imagine what they’ve done since taking over Coach-Net,
I just recently in the last two weeks needed Coach-Net services when our camper van broke down. Everything went exceptionally smooth from start to finish. The Dispatcher kept in contact with me about every 20 minutes up until the tow truck arrived. My wait time from the first phone call to the time the tow truck arrived was about one hour. That short wait time was amazing considering that the towing company was 30 miles from my location. Same great service I had about 5 years ago when I needed a tow. I’m a big fan of Coach-Net too, Dave!
What types of emergency roadside assistance do RV techs provide?
We’ve been CoachNet members for 13 years. I’ve had to call them a few times for tire issues and they were always efficient and timely. Lately, they’ve gotten more expensive, but what hasn’t? For newcomers the initial cost can be off-putting but the annual renewal is much cheaper.
I also like that the plan covers all your vehicles, not just the RV.