On May 27th, my spouse and I were approaching a campground in Provo, Utah for the night in our trek north for the summer. After settling into our pull-through site, we began our routine hook-up. As I walked around the back of our motorcoach to open the electric bay, I noticed a narrow “v-shaped” gouge in our left rear tire. Almost new, having no more than 3,000 miles wear on all back tires, I called to my spouse, “We’ve got a tire problem.” He walked back, looked at the tire and said, “We’re not driving on that.” He continued our hook-up and I called GoodSam Roadside Assistance.
When unexpected tire problems occur
Unbeknownst to us, our “Platinum” policy did not reimburse the cost of the tire as we anticipated. Huh! We were under the impression from a query call about this program that we’d be required to purchase the tire up front, submit a claim for part if not all reimbursement cost (depending upon the wear and tear of our tire)…sans reimbursement for the service call. The service call charge was akin to a “deductible charge”.
Concluding the incident report with Roadside Assistance, my spouse clearly communicated to the dispatch representative the tire’s specifics (e.g. 295 – 75R 22.5) outside left rear load tire. After that, he was transferred to the Tire Rescue department. We thought it odd that member services was located in Denver, Colorado and Tire Rescue was located in New York. A few minutes later we received notification that a tire facility would be dispatched to our location in approximately ninety minutes.
The technician arrived
My spouse introduced himself to the technician as he was rolling out the tire for replacement. It was a steering tire. My spouse spoke to the tech, “This is a steering tire. We requested a load tire.” The technician replied, “I repeated that same comment to them three times. They said their company policy is to replace with a steering tire.” By this time, I walked out to hear the conversation. My spouse said to the tech, “The aspect ratio is different on steering tires versus load tires.” The tech said, “You’re absolutely right.” My spouse replied, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but doing so will either ruin this tire or the inside tire.” The tech replied, “Exactly.” My spouse said, “Take this one back and get me the right tire please.” The tech agreed and stated he would return in an hour or so.
Next, we called back Tire Rescue, questioning why they had ordered a steering tire, which was estimated at more than $130.00 cost than the load tire. The agent commented that it was their company policy to provide steering tires for replacement. That’s all well and good if you have nothing but steering tires on your RV. If not, use our experience as a “note to self-caveat” should you acquire a Roadside Assistance tire replacement.
Returning with the right tire
Approximately one hour later, the tech returned. My spouse walked outside as the young man was rolling the tire toward our coach saying, “I balanced it for you as well.” My spouse thanked him responding, “At least it’s the right tread pattern and aspect ratio.” As he was tightening the lug nuts, the tech reiterated, “It’s a good idea to check lug nuts once daily when traveling.” We thanked him and he departed.
Following up
On June 3rd, I called GoodSam asking how to file the claim for reimbursement and receive credit for the cost different of the actual tire that was replaced versus the higher cost steering tire differential. The agent replied that Tire Rescue, not GoodSam, will have to wait until the facility that replaced the tire submitted their invoice and that could be up to thirty days. Not cool as the proper charge for the right tire should have been credited immediately.
Following up two weeks later
After three separate phone calls, the Roadside Assistance coordinator vowed to forward the file and request Tire Rescue follow up with a phone call back to us. Credit forthcoming? Live and learn!
Read the edited article published June 25, 2021 here: Roadside Assistance gave us the wrong tire – on purpose! – RV Travel
Kate Doherty has been writing for more than 30 years in technical and general media. In her previous business, she and her spouse dealt with special projects within the military/government sector. Recently she published “Masquerade: A Logan Scott Novel” under the pen name Bryan Alexander, a thriller now available in eBook and paperback on Amazon. It’s a page-turner!