Posted 2006-09-13 10:00 PM (#48497) Subject: emergency service
New User
Posts: 2
Location: wi
I am going to make my first trip cross country with a trailer. I am considering joining US Rider emergency road side service. Has anyone delt with them before? Also does anyone have a link to a "safety checklist" for hauling? Thanks in advance!!
Posted 2006-09-13 10:06 PM (#48498 - in reply to #48497) Subject: RE: emergency service
Veteran
Posts: 238 Location: West Coast
Yes, my sister in law signed up with them in may, a week later she had a flat tire. She didn't want to change the tire, so she called the US rider #. They found a tow truck and paid for the tire change. She was very happy with them.
Posted 2006-09-13 10:20 PM (#48501 - in reply to #48497) Subject: RE: emergency service
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Cold Spring, KY
Haven't had to use them for truck/trailer trouble yet(and hope I never do!!), but both my husband and I had to have them tow our cars home. Actually it took longer for the dispatcher to figure out where the closest local towing company was, than for the wrecker to get there. They responded to my husband within 30 min. during rush hour which I thought was pretty good.
Posted 2006-09-14 2:26 AM (#48513 - in reply to #48497) Subject: RE: emergency service
Location: Del Mar, CA
A friend had a blowout on the horse trailer couple weeks ago. US Rider promptly got hold of a tow truck able to do horse trailers, they called back in 30 min to check if it had arrived yet, being a 3-day weekend it took an hour for them to arrive, and they called her at home few hours later to check if the tow company handled the problem satisfactorily and if the driver had been courteous. not bad!
Posted 2006-09-14 8:45 AM (#48526 - in reply to #48514) Subject: RE: emergency service
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by arlene21 on 2006-09-14 2:34 AM
Is it like AAA? Where is it located?
As I understand it 3A won't get you horse help or get you any kind of help with a DRW truck - which THEY define as too big to be recreational.
I've used USRider twice; first was OK, second was poor.
I think it might depend partly on how good the individual responder is that you just happen to get. I suspect that 3A and USRider both use many of the same local service shops to come and actually DO the work.
Posted 2006-09-14 9:39 AM (#48531 - in reply to #48526) Subject: RE: emergency service
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Reg on 2006-09-14 7:45 AM
I've used USRider twice; first was OK, second was poor. I think it might depend partly on how good the individual responder is that you just happen to get. I suspect that 3A and USRider both use many of the same local service shops to come and actually DO the work.
Hey Req .. I'm considering signing up with USRider. Tell about your second incident. Did USRider follow up on your service issues?
Posted 2006-09-14 9:58 AM (#48532 - in reply to #48497) Subject: RE: emergency service
Member
Posts: 10
Location: iowa park tx
I don't have US Rider but I do have GEICO. Several years ago heading north through Burleson TX (south of Ft Worth), the clutch blew out of my truck. I was hauling a two-horse GN with living qtrs. Both horses were inside. I called GEICO and they found a tow company who dispatched a larger than avg tow truck. They left GN hooked up to trailer and hauled both rigs to their lot. They took the horses out and put them inside a garage to get out of the heat.
Posted 2006-09-14 10:28 AM (#48534 - in reply to #48531) Subject: RE: emergency service
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by hosspuller on 2006-09-14 9:39 AM
Originally written by Reg on 2006-09-14 7:45 AM
I've used USRider twice; first was OK, second was poor. I think it might depend partly on how good the individual responder is that you just happen to get. I suspect that 3A and USRider both use many of the same local service shops to come and actually DO the work.
Hey Req .. I'm considering signing up with USRider. Tell about your second incident. Did USRider follow up on your service issues?
Ummm, I think I'd better do it via personal message.
Its one of those; yes, no, sortof answers.
Posted 2006-09-14 10:47 AM (#48538 - in reply to #48497) Subject: RE: emergency service
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by seahorse965 on 2006-09-13 10:00 PM
I am going to make my first trip cross country with a trailer. I am considering joining US Rider emergency road side service. Has anyone delt with them before? Also does anyone have a link to a "safety checklist" for hauling? Thanks in advance!!
Hi and Welcome to the Forum.
There are a LOT of topics here on (relatively) long distance trips.
There is also a book or two, I think by Schreeve (spelling ?).
Personally I think the same preparation is necessary for a 50 mile local trip to a show as for a 6 day coast to coast. Proper vehicle maintenance, vet and farrier checks, carry water, etc.
I don't believe in electrolyte loading or any other changes, trailering is stressful enough as it is, the fewer changes you make the better - IMAO, etc.
For overnight stables I prefer B&Bs; easier to stop, unload, tuck 'em in, go to bed - than have to drive off to a motel 20 miles away and come back the next morning. I can usually hear them from my room.
Posted 2006-09-14 11:33 AM (#48542 - in reply to #48497) Subject: RE: emergency service
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648 Location: Coconut Creek, FL
US Rider is the way to go. I have only needed their services once in 2 years, but they were great.
At least 6 of my trail riding friends use them and of the three that have needed the services, they all gave great reports. They do use local towing companies so it can vary.
The first question they ask when you call is, "Do you have your horses with you?" If so they will find a safe location for your horses. Is AAA going to do that??? I highly doubt it and I have no idea about Geico.
Posted 2006-09-14 12:53 PM (#48548 - in reply to #48546) Subject: RE: emergency service
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by arlene21 on 2006-09-14 12:43 PM
Where do I call to get in touch with US Rider? Will they also respond to a call from your car?
Google search will find them (-:
Yes, they'll respond to cell phone calls, as long as you don't break down where "You can't hear me now".
Tip: When you get your membership card take a piece of electrical tape long enough to cover it side to side and about an inch each side. Cover your name, but leave the 800 number and your membership number exposed. Tape it to your dash where you can read those numbers through the windshield.
Don't worry too much about I'd theft, there isn't much anyone can find out about you from your USRider membership number.
Don't ask me why I think this is a good tip (-:
Interestingly; part of your membership package includes a pouch for a spare car key. Hide it under a fender or somwhere secret so you don't have to call them for lockouts.
Posted 2006-09-14 4:01 PM (#48561 - in reply to #48497) Subject: RE: emergency service
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
I have US Rider and, unfortunately!, I've had to call them at least 3 times this past summer. Only once did I get someone who wasn't extremely helpful and even that time he did get me to someone who could help. I will never haul without it!
Posted 2006-09-15 1:00 AM (#48575 - in reply to #48497) Subject: RE: emergency service
Location: Del Mar, CA
spare key? wanna know my hidy hole? When I locked myself out of my truck, I took off the little lock I keep on the pin that keeps the ball/hitch thing on, pull the hitch out, bang it against the ground until the magnetic key holder falls out from inside. :)
emergency service
