Thread: Break down services- no its a Towing service

Originally Posted by weakestlink

RACV VIC offers a breakdown service. Self sufficiency is my idea for 4wds but with a new second hand D3 I relented for she who must be obeyed and grabbed a RACV break down policy. I thought this would include minor mechanical repairs. So I was surprised when a minor parking brake adjustment was needed I was left high and dry by the RACV. I did the adjustment myself the next morning after chatting with my usual mechanic (AMV Ringwood). It took me about ten minutes. I think any half competent mechanic would have done it in half the time I took.
Toda I called the RACV to ask why I wasn’t helped or told towing was the only option after before waiting for three hours. RACV feed back person informed me the problem may have been their breakdown staff do not lift heavy vehicles or that it wasn’t a “minor mechanical repair”. We all jack up our Land Drovers so I was a little surprised by the possibility a Mechanic might find our Discovery’s too heavy to lift to look at a parking brake issue. I was even more surprised that a ten/twenty minute resolution might be considered ‘complex’ by the RACV
Luckily RACV called it “road side care” not a break down service or I am sure the RACV might fall fowl of false advertising laws.
I never considered the cover would help on out of the way 4wd tracks. But a minor issue on a major freeway being beyond the RACVs cover or capability was a surprise.
RACV Roadside Care and terms and conditions

Nothing much has changed over the years. About all they will do is jump start, change a tyre or rescue your keys. Anything else is towed. Going back 20 years, I was driving my parents car when it lurched to a halt. A quick look under the bonnet showed the fuel line had split near the carby. Having no tools on board, the RACV was called. I showed them the problem, but they didn't even have a screwdriver and knife on them to fix it - it was towed. Based on this, I have never bothered with roadside assistance myself, I figure if I ever break down and I can't fix it myself, I can call a tow as easy as anyone else.

Originally Posted by bacicat2000

Based on this, I have never bothered with roadside assistance myself, I figure if I ever break down and I can't fix it myself, I can call a tow as easy as anyone else.

Maybe so, but when I had a coolant loss issue with my RRC in SA I got it towed home to Vic free of charge (my RACV membership covered the tow cost). Given that my membership costs about $140 a year and has other benefits (discounts, etc) and the tow would have cost about $500 I think I am well in front.

The AA in the UK is brilliant. The patrol men always have great get you home fixes. Eg . when one of the water hoses on the kenlowe hot start system on my 110 split, causing a huge water loss... I assumed I would have to be towed. But the patrol man cut the pipe, lengthened it with a bit of copper pipe, some more rubber hose and some jubilee clips, and I was on my way again!

Total time about 1 hour (30 mins wait, 30 mins fixing ).

My cousin once hit a bollard in his van and took a chunk out of the bottom corner of the radiator. The AA man fixed it with some liquid metal glue stuff... bit of a bodge fix but it did the job, got him home!


Iv had to call the RACV over here a couple of times for my RRC, first time the coil had given in, 2nd time the HT leads were knackered and it was raining.. and the spark wasn't getting across.

Both times required a tow.

I had my disco flatbeded from my house in Smithton to JC's workshop in Hobart for the cost of a local call. Must be close to 400km. The only question they ask me was is the a landrover mechanic closer to me, I said JC was the only mechanic that worked on my vehicle and they were happy with that
cheers
blaze

Been a member with NRMA for 29 years been towed once for a break down and 1/2 a dozen times from accidents alot depends on the patrolman that comes out have had some very good side of the road fixes for bikes and cars

Try to find a discovery channel show about the German AA.It keeps getting replayed every now and then. All I can say is,if they can't fix it on the side of the road walkaway 'cause it ain't getting fixed anywhere.

Originally Posted by BigJon

Maybe so, but when I had a coolant loss issue with my RRC in SA I got it towed home to Vic free of charge (my RACV membership covered the tow cost). Given that my membership costs about $140 a year and has other benefits (discounts, etc) and the tow would have cost about $500 I think I am well in front.

True enough, but if I only need a tow once every 20 years (It's been this long since the last time), then paying the $500 for the tow is peanuts compared to the thousands I would have spent for nothing in the meantime. Don't get me wrong - I think it is a vauable service for some - for the peace of mind it offers, but I can't think of a situation that it would have benifited me personally. The missus has broken down once, but I just went over and picked the car up myself with a trailer and the Rangie. If the Rangie breaks down doing that though....

Cheers - Gav.

Originally Posted by bacicat2000

True enough, but if I only need a tow once every 20 years (It's been this long since the last time), then paying the $500 for the tow is peanuts compared to the thousands I would have spent for nothing in the meantime. Don't get me wrong - I think it is a vauable service for some - for the peace of mind it offers, but I can't think of a situation that it would have benifited me personally. The missus has broken down once, but I just went over and picked the car up myself with a trailer and the Rangie. If the Rangie breaks down doing that though....

Cheers - Gav.

We have the wife in Extra care with RACV.
Our Christmas drama...
Just out of Boorowa NSW(10 hours from home) the timing chain breaks on the Disco.
RACV covered us for the following...
NRMA tow to town, 15KM.
Taxi to Orange, covered the first $200(we kicked in $250).
Hire car for 3 days ex Orange to Glod Coast, 200KM/day plus trasfer paid(we kicked in $130 excess KMs).
Disco picked up at Boorowa and delivered to home.

This it's 3rd time on a tow truck covered by RAVC