I was boondocking on BLM land in Utah, about 2 miles down a dirt trail. A sudden rainstorm turned the dust into clay, and my 10,000-lb van sank to the axles. I called AAA. “Are you on a paved road?” they asked. “No,” I said. “Sorry, we only tow from maintained public roads.” I ended up paying a local off-road recovery specialist $1,800 cash to winch me out.
Key Takeaways
- “Roadside Assistance” means ON the Road: Most standard plans (AAA, insurance add-ons) strictly exclude “off-road” recovery.
- “Winching” is distinct from “Towing”: Towing is moving you down the road. Winching is pulling you onto the road. Most plans cap winching to 100 feet from a paved surface.
- The Cost of Recovery is High: Specialized 4×4 wreckers charge
300−300−500 per hour, “portal to portal” (from the time they leave their shop until they return). - GPS Coordinates Matter: If you can’t give a street address, many dispatchers (Good Sam/AAA) struggle to send help.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is the “Maintained Road” Exclusion.
Insurance roadside assistance is designed for breakdowns—flat tires, dead batteries, blown engines. It is not “Recovery Insurance.” If you voluntarily drive onto sand, mud, or a beach and get stuck, that is considered a result of your driving choice, not a mechanical failure.
Most terms of service say: “Vehicle must be accessible to standard towing equipment.” If a standard flatbed can’t get to you without getting stuck itself, they won’t come.
The Investigation (My Analysis of 3 Options)
I compared the three heavy-hitters for RV towing to see who actually helps when you are in the boonies.
AAA (Premier RV)
- The Verdict: Good for highways, bad for dirt.
- The Rule: They generally stick to “passable, maintained roads.” I’ve heard horror stories of AAA dispatchers refusing service because the user was on a “Forest Service Road.”
Good Sam (Platinum Auto & RV)
- The Verdict: Better, but not perfect.
- The Rule: They offer “Unlimited Distance” towing to the nearest shop, which is huge. However, for recovery/winching, they are still limited by the capability of the tow truck. If you are deep in the mud, they might dispatch a truck, but the driver can refuse the job if it’s unsafe.
Coach-Net
- The Verdict: The RVer’s choice.
- The Rule: They specialize in RVs. They are more likely to understand “BLM land” and dispatch a heavy-duty wrecker capable of winching. They also have “Assist” plans that cover more complex recoveries, though you still need to check the “off-road” fine print.
[IMAGE: A Sprinter van buried up to the wheel wells in mud in a desert landscape]
Comparison Table
| Feature | AAA Premier RV | Good Sam Platinum | Coach-Net |
| Towing Distance | 100 Miles | Unlimited (nearest shop) | Unlimited (nearest shop) |
| Winching | Yes (limited reach) | Yes (limited reach) | Yes (Specialized dispatch) |
| “Off-Road” Policy | Strict (Maintained roads) | Moderate | Best (Understands RVing) |
| Cost (Annual) | ~$120 – $200 | ~$80 – $130 | ~$180 – $250 |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Don’t Call it “Off-Roading”: If you call for help, say you are on a “campsite” or “gravel road,” not “off-roading.” Semantics matter.
- Join a Recovery Group: In 2026, groups like “Off-Road Recovery” on Facebook or dedicated apps like OnX often have networks of volunteers who help stuck people for free or gas money.
- Carry Recovery Gear: If you go on dirt, you are your own first responder. Buy MaxTrax (recovery boards), a kinetic tow rope, and a shovel. These $300 items save you $2,000 bills.
- Know Your Coordinates: Download the “What3Words” app. It gives a precise 3-word address for any 3-meter square in the world. This helps tow trucks find you when “Turn left at the big cactus” fails.
FAQ
Does my regular car insurance cover towing?
Usually only up to $50 or $100. A heavy RV tow costs $800+. Do not rely on the $5/month add-on from Geico. You need a dedicated RV roadside plan.
What if the tow truck damages my RV?
This happens frequently (driveshaft damage, bumper ripped off). Coach-Net and Good Sam have specific claims departments for this. AAA uses third-party contractors, and it can be a nightmare to get paid for damage they cause.
Is getting stuck a “Collision” claim?
No. But… if you hit a rock while getting stuck and damage the undercarriage, that is a collision claim. Being stuck is just being stuck.