Carla King

A travel writers writings, readings, gear, wheels, and recommendations.

AAA Motorcycle Towing: Tested & Failed

2007-05-25 by Carla King

Last month I reported that was thrilled that AAA had reinstated its motorcycle insurance policy and towing service (for mc’s covered by AAA). When I changed over, I mistakenly thought that my AAA Plus 100-mile towing service covered any vehicle I was in, but no, yesterday I found out the hard way that it only applies to cars. Motorcycles get towed to anyplace within 5 miles or the nearest possible location.    But that’s only part of the story. There I was, stuck on Ridge Road up at Mt Tam for a couple of hours (could have been worse) while I and a friend at home with a land line repeatedly got put on hold, told that AAA doesn’t do motorcycle towing, referred us to wrong 800 numbers, or got cut off. Finally he phoned Corte Madera Tow, and Bill picked me up in a huge flatbed. (Thanks, Bill! Thanks Jacques, for calling Bill!)    Today a AAA supervisor admitted that their staff needed further training so that they know that some members actually do have motorcycle insurance with them, and apologized that the rep that sold me the motorcycle insurance did not specify that my AAA Plus membership with 100-mile towing service did not apply to my motorcycle.    I don’t know who has the best motorcycle insurance policy, with decent towing. AMA’s MoTow program will get your mc towed up to 35 miles. And would have probably gotten help to me faster. But then I wouldn’t have witnessed the fog rolling over the bay and into the Mt. Tam foothills. Very lovely. Very Zen.    Any suggestions appreciated, as I’m ready for another change.

Filed Under: Motorcycles

Does California AAA offer a Plus RV program? Here’s the excerpt from the WA AAA website for the Plus RV package: —————— AAA Plus RV includes all Basic and AAA Plus services as well as the following services: 100 miles of towing For eligible recreational vehicles, which include motorhomes, travel and boat trailers, cars, vans, pickups with campers, and motorcycles. —————– We’ve had this policy for the past several years and have had our motorcycle towed many times. Our last ride last season ended in an 80 mile tow — where we were given the choice of which town in a 100 mile radius we wanted to be towed too. Good luck!

I’ve heard many positive reports about KOA’s towing coverage. See http://www.koa.com/rvroadhelp/, which, among other things, says “Unlimited Towing to the nearest capable service provider”. The cited page is short on details, which used to be available online, but the picture at the top of the page does show a motorcycle. KOA’s plan considers it an RV. Ah, here’s a page with more details from the actual provider: http://www.allstatemotorclub.com/amc/faces/app/member_services/plans/plans.jspx BTW, what’s it say on your AAA card? Mine says “RV/Motorcycle Plus”. Is that the same thing that failed you?

I have my insurance policy with Progressive. It’s specific for motorcycles and I was assured that the providers are adequately equipped to tow motorcycles. That God my Kawa Vulcan never needed this kind of help!

The Mid-Atlantic region enjoys the 24/7 services of Independent M/C Transport (301-946-5412) who does the towing for nearly all the areas shops and clubs. These are true bikers on a mission to support the riding of all. They except most roadside programs from what I’ve heard. But I do know as a fact they are the BEST.

The Mid-Atlantic region enjoys the 24/7 services of Independent M/C Transport (301-946-5412) who does the towing for nearly all the areas shops and clubs. These are true bikers on a mission to support the riding of all. They except most roadside programs from what I’ve heard. But I do know as a fact they are the BEST.

I work for a company that services literally dozens of companies that provide roadside assistance to their members & many include motorcycles. Some of those companies are even mentioned in some of the postings I’ve seen here. The truth is that it’s not AAA or AMA or RescuePlus that drops the ball but it’s finding a tow company that can &/or WILL take a bike tow and that can be just the luck of the draw. I have had excellent service in some of the most remote areas of the country but I have also had miserable luck in or near metropolitan areas. Every company will tell you they have “Thousands” of providers but the reality is that thousands of cycle towers DO NOT EXIST! (Do some homework in your own town & see how many tow companies can or will tow a Hog.) I recommend carrying spare tire in a can, some cash & a LOT of patience. I drive a bike too so I know what you are up against but believe me, just because someone had a good experience with company ABC, or company XYZ says they have 7000 providers, neither is a sign of what you may experience when your turn comes to need a tow. I sincerely wish I had something better to say but I have been dispatching for cycles all year now & whether it is with our own providers or ANY provider in a given area, getting a cycle towed is not to be expected right off the bat. When you map out your trip, don’t rely on what your carrier (AAA & Such) says, do some calling ahead of time to the dealers in the areas you are going to & ask THEM who they use. Most will only have 1 or 2 recommendations if that, because as I said, there are NOT thousands of Tow Companies that tow motorcycles. (Typically trailers being towed by the bike are also covered on the “policy” but the reality is even more hit & miss that the cycle tows!)

I have had AAA Plus RV for 10 years now. I have traveled on my bike from Houston, TX to as far as N.C. to the East and CO to the West. I have NEVER had any problem with AAA and towing. I do advise them I am on a bike and insist on a flat bed tow truck. I have not had the occasion to be towed since AAA introduced the AAA Premire. I do hope the addition of this service has not effected my service.

Always talk to local motorcycle dealerships and see if there are any motorcycle towing specialists in your area. A service manager at the BMW shop in scottsdale arizona turned me on to Precision Motorcycle Towing and I’ve used them about 5 times in the last 2 years – they just make it that easy.

Always talk to local motorcycle dealerships and see if there are any motorcycle towing specialists in your area. A service manager at the BMW shop in scottsdale arizona turned me on to Precision Motorcycle Towing and I’ve used them about 5 times in the last 2 years – they just make it that easy. (sorry for the edit – it had a bad link in the other post)

I have AAA (ACA) and have had good luck. I will say that I am prepaired with my own emergency soft tie loops (made from parashoot cord0. The tow truck drivers are not always familiar with motorcycles and I make sure I supervise the tiedown. If I don’t like what I see, I make them change things around.

CC Rider Tow 162 Clara St San Francisco, CA 94107 (415) 334-8697 for any Bay Area location, good guys. I have rarely found that any of the generic (AAA, BMW Roadside Assistance, etc.) services are all they are cracked up to be. Since flats are far and away the biggest cause of stranding, carry a Stop&Go plugger.

I am tow operator out of Winchester VA, we serve frederick, Clarke, Loudoun and Fairfax Counties in Northern Virginia and yes we tow bikes local or long distance, on a flat bed or wheel lift strapped right towed right. 703 980 7322 from 3pm to 3 am We are one of very few tow-ers for AAA in Nova to tow bikes.

Hey! I’ve had terrible luck with AAA towing of Bikes. Been with them for way to long and seldom needed their attentions. Last week I broke down between Davis and Dixon. Spent 20 minutes on the cell with AAA and when the arrangmentss were set the “associate” again asked what year make and modle car I was driving. I told her, as I had at the very beginning of the call that I was riding a bike. Then she says AAA doesn’t tow bikes. She reffered me to their commercial division. It got done. And AAA lost another customer. Cycle Tow out of Berkleley is a very good provider to deal with. They tell me they will go east as far as Reno and South as far as Santa Barbara. If you find a service let me know. I’m riding to far to often to be without the option. Tinker

Hi, I am a AAA Tow Truck Operator in SLC UT. I woulod like to say that I’m sorry for any problems you had. In UT we have 2 types of memberships they are the Classic and the RV Plus. The classic membership here in UT doesn’t cover a motorcycle for even 5 miles, however the RV Plus covers one for up to 100 miles. The AAA contractor I work for has 17 tow trucks, 7 flatbeds and one wheel lift that can all tow motorcycles. All of our drivers are trained to tow them even if thier assigned truck is not capable to doing so. The experience you had with AAA is unfortunate and as I said I’m sorry that has been the case for you, but not everyone at AAA or its affiliates are like that. One last point, you seem to be in Northern California The policy of AAA there is that you have to have the Classic membership for one year without using any tows in order to get the RV Plus status, just something to think about (its in the fine print on your contract)

OK – here’s my AAA experience today. Stuck on CA RT. 121 northbound just out of Napa, I was stuck with a broken clutch lever rom an inadvertant tip over (darn soft ground under kick stand – my fault.) I have RV and Plus, member since ’89. After two hours I called back to see why my estimated 30 minute dispatch was not there. “We have no operators in the Napa area who are equipped to handle a bike.” I was told. Had to find a direct contact – Blackjack Towing – who simply pushed the bike onto a flatbed and tied it down and delivered it to my hotel 12 miles away, for $250!! Thanks AAA. MoTow next time.

I live in Colorado and am shopping around for a service like AAA for my HOG. I have had good luck and bad luck with AAA for my vehicle insurance and their auto club. I am open to any suggestions on good companies.

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