A three hour tour...A three hour tour...

[ret5hd]

Well, it wasn't QUITE that bad (we made it home a few minutes ago) but...

We enjoy camping/hiking/driving the National Forests, so we decided to take off for Ouachita NF and Ozark NF early last week. Wonderful time, 2 nights camping outside Mena AR beside a stream then another 2 nights farther north. Hiked many miles, drove the Queen Wilhelmina Scenic Drive, etc.

We built a pretty sweet setup...a van with solar panel and lithium batteries, bed, diesel heater, fridge, storage, water, Coleman stove, etc. We can go anywhere just short of 4-wheeling. When we are out, we can ISOLATE for two or three weeks before we have to resupply. It is great...except for "when things go wrong".

Driving home in the rain/mist...getting cooler and wetter...and a heater hose/radiator hose/water pump broke. I don't know which yet. We were on a highway, but out in the sticks. Sat, looked at the situation, and decided to join the AAA club using credit card, cellphone etc... 100 miles towing! Except that doesn't kick in for 7 days after joining.

Long story short, had to pay for over a 100 miles of towing, but we made it!

Here's a couple pics from the trip for your viewing pleasure:

[2naSalit]

1. Hate it when that happens.

Glad you made it home.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. What an odyssey!

Glad you got home OK.

And thank you for the beautiful photos!

And, gawd forbid that it EVER happens again........you'll have your AAA coverage!

[gristy]

3. Welcome to the AAA family!

I've been a member for years. Use them on rare occasion, and they've been great every time. The membership cost is worth every cent.

[Rhiannon12866]

8. My Dad signed me up back in 1982 after I started driving

I haven't used it often, but when I needed it, I was so grateful I had it!

[csziggy]

9. My parents signed me up in 1973 when I had my first car in college

I'd had a car in high school but I was in my little home town and could use my parents' membership. I've had great service here in Tallahassee, but my sister in Tampa has had nothing but bad experiences with AAA so she has a different service, not sure which.

[Rhiannon12866]

10. I've always had a good experience

I haven't had to use it often, but when I have, it's usually been when I wasn't near home, often at an odd hour - like on a Friday night after the dealership where I take my car is closed. They've even given me a ride home! I wouldn't be without AAA.

[csziggy]

11. They have been great for us, too

Even though it was against their rules, one of their drivers towed our truck with a horse trailer off the interstate once. We had not called in because we knew the rules, but he was headed back to base and saw us on the side of the interstate. He stopped and called it in as a regular tow, took us to a garage he knew. Fortunately the problem was not bad, I think it was a hose or belt, and they got us on the road quickly. It helped that we were not hauling horses that day - had dropped a mare off to be bred.

[Rhiannon12866]

12. Very nice! I've had good experiences with drivers, as well.

One time when I was away from home and had a flat tire, the driver recommended the best.nearest garage to take my car - I needed a new tire. There was the one who dropped me off at home after towing my car to my then-closed dealership and the one who gave me some welcome advice about my car - hadn't had it for long when I hit a curb and shredded my tire while pulling into a gas station on a Friday night on my way home. I seem to have lots of tire issues. *sigh*

[Karadeniz]

4. Great idea to get away from it all!

[central scrutinizer]

5. My first thought on reading your title

[link:http://

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[Enterstageleft]

6. As full-time RV'ers we feel your pain.

But it is still an amazing lifestyle.

[Kali]

7. can you get roadside assistance/towing on your regular insurance?

I live in the sticks and drive a number of beaters, towing has ALWAYS been worth it. used to have to pay and get reimbursed now they send it from their 800 number (State Farm). the only catch is it covers to nearest repair so we always tried to be over half way home.