What is your 2nd Auto club after AAA ?
 

Hi

I have been an AAA member for 20 years but really try to save my service calls for something important ,

So I would like to sign up for another Auto Club for the simple things like dead battery , out of gas , keys locked in car etc , and maybe a short tow or two

So any ideas of who to sign up with and maybe more important who to avoid :)

I am in California most of the time .....

Thanks for your ideas

I carry my own jumper cables in my car. Pop open the hood and stand around with cables in my hand. Within a few minutes someone will stop and give me a jump. Usually a guy in a pickup. Locking my key in the car is something I have never done since I started driving back in the 70s.

Out of gas? There is no reason to ever run out of gas. None, except raging stupidity. I have never once in my life run out of gas. That is even dumber than locking key in the car.

My wife got a AAA membership because she thought it would be smart. I have never once called them in over 24 years.

I pay an extra $5 every 6 months on my car insurance policy to get free towing. My El Camino has had a bad electric fuel pump and twice a blown transmission. After 300,000 miles that is not bad. The towing was no charge.

My wife also insists on having AAA... can't remember the last time either of us used it... I guess it is handy for DMV paperwork... I used to love their travel service (free maps and stuff) but the internet and smart phone have ruined that.

+1 on check with your auto insurance, many of them offer a service.

If you car is relatively new some manufactures include free roadside service for a year or two... perhaps that can be extended at a cost.

I think AAA is going the way of the manual typewriter. All but one of the local tow truck guys have abandoned AAA. I guess they dont pay very well, and never let you turn down a tow . The only company who takes it now, is 20 miles away, and wait times are silly long .
I just have towing on my vehicle insurance. Included in monthly premiums. Keep a spare key under the car somewhere and don't run out of gas ( I did a few times when I was young and poor) but I agree that there is no excuse for running out of fuel , totally preventable .

I also let my AAA expire. But after my dog locked us out of my friend's truck in the middle of nowhere (he put his paws on the door rest to look out and hit the lock button), and AAA came to unlock the truck within 45 mins, I thought the service was a huge convenience to have. Now I make an annual road trip that is several thousand miles each way, and I would not think of not having AAA. I always thought it was something that old people have, like Good Sam stickers or Jesus fish symbols. But I changed my mind completely and would not think of letting it expire again. I have used the free tows for myself when the Mercedes blew it's alternator, and I also have had friends cars towed multiple times for free.

I have once...how else are you supposed to find out that when the 911 says you need gas, you REALLY can't stretch it out like I always do...just because I can. Ran out 200 yards from my house heading to the gas station. My F150 is supposed to have a 25 gallon tank....just last week, I put in 25.3 gallons :eek:. Wasn't the first time either....I'm dumber than dumb on some things ;)

I'm sure I have something with my regular insurance but AAA has saved my bacon more than once and I keep a premier membership Just In Case.

When my truck was stolen while camping, AAA offered to cover hotel and rental transportation. And they covered the impound/towing fees when it was recovered.

When the 356 has left me on the side of the road, they've always sent a flat bed. Last time they couldn't find one locally and were prepared to send one from Georgia 150 miles away to pick me up (old friend of my fathers who had actually maintained the car in the 70s happened to drive past and we got it going... talk about coincidence).

Once got 2 flat tires, so one spare wasn't gonna cut it. Hooked up and on my way 30 minutes later.

Wife got a flat while out with our kids when one was 4 and the second a newborn. AAA fixed her up quick.

Not to mention the good deals on 2 cars I got thru them, the trip ticket planning with construction, etc.

Best $100/year I can spend, and you bet I'll be getting my daughter a membership in 5 months when she gets her full license.

I used to pay for my wife to have AAA.

Then it occurred to me that if any of my friends have a car problem, they call me because I have a flatbed trailer, and usually have a pretty flexible schedule that allows me to help quickly.

No more AAA. The rule in our house is to never let the gas gage get below 1/4 tank.

I have AAA and roadside service from Geico. Used both for towing my cars and friends cars. Never ran out of gas or had a lockout. With my cars I've had a dead starter (325i), a short in wiring (930), leaking fuel pumps (e55), coolant leaks (Mini), blown radiator (750il, 540i)...

I haven't had AAA for years. For a few bucks a year I get roadside assistance from my car insurance, I think it's like $12/year. I can use any towing service, doesn't have to be a AAA contracted service. AAA used to be a value w/ Triptics and other benefits but now with Google maps and internet who needs them? I hate to say it but AAA sort of did the Kodak thing and did not adapt with the times.

Use your membership. It has no value if you don't use it.
This is like buying a second car, so you can leave your Toyota at home.

Carry jumper cables in all your cars if you want to be more independent.

I dropped it when State Farm came out with a program attached to the car insurance. I like to have it for the RV and when my kids were younger it was peace of mind. My daughter locked herself out numerous times. I ran out of gas with my motorcycle a few times when I forgot to re set the trip odometer. If you travel a fair bit the hotel discounts are decent if you aren't military, etc.

When I was just learning to drive my dad put down some simple no exception rules.

100% of the cost of the operation and maintenance of the vehicle was to be on me. He paid for the insurance and that was it. I was driving a 11 year old (at the time) VW bug. He said if I broke down I could walk to a phone booth and call him. I always carried a quarter for a phone call back then. I never had to make that call.

The one thing he said with absolute rule of law, don't ever call him because I ran out of gas. There is no excuse to be that stupid and he did not think his son was that stupid.

In 45 year of driving I have never run out of gas. I will admit to having been lower than I wanted to be and puckered up until I got to the gas station, but that was long ago. Now I fill up when I get below 1/4 tank.

I like excitement in my life...pushing the envelop on gas does it for me :D
If it weren't for those German engineers, I'd maintain that I wasn't stupid, but alas....
I don't know why I do this, but I don't even consider putting gas in until the low fuel light has been on for a while....
Yes I do know why....stupid....there really is no other explanation :p
I can be on fumes and still pass gas stations...
Is anyone else this dumb?

We have AAA and rarely use it.
Recent experience #1:
This last weekend my wife's Lexus went dim while driving and would not start while on a family ski trip up in Big Bear. I went down and attempted a jump but heavy spark told me something was seriously shorted. I didn't have my tools or meter so called AAA.

Tow truck arrived in 15 min. confirmed that the battery was dead with possible short, towed me to Napa Auto and replaced the battery for me. No joy, smoke coming from alternator which had self destructed and took out the battery as well. He then called around and found a mechanic nearby, closing in 20 minutes (Saturday PM) but would wait for us. He towed me to the repair shop, waited til they the confirmed diagnosis and made sure a part was available. Wow! I tipped the guy $25 for going beyond the call of duty.

The repair shop had the new alt installed in 1.5hrs and she was good as new. Drove back to the cabin to spend the evening with family as snow started coming down. If not for the diligence of this tow driver my wife's car probably would have to be towed down the hill or left in Big Bear to pick up another day.

Recent experience #2:
My brother and I were coming home from WSIR after a weekend at the track and stopped for some dinner. Afterwards the diesel Motorhome rig would not start. We talked through with a diesel mechanic on the phone and diagnosed a failed fuel pump, not field replaceable. Aaak!
Called AAA and they towed the rig to a repair shop in Fontana, 130 miles away. No extra charge.
The towing bill would have been $3200.

We will be renewing our AAA memberships in May.

Good Sam Club

do they just contract with a local tow truck company or ????

Just looking for a good back-up

and yes we most of the time drive old clunkers that have stupid things break on them ,
most of the time we can get home , and yes we have a trailer etc ,

But sometimes its just better to sit back and call for help !