Pappy Yokum

As I was reading thru the choices.....I was wondering *where* are the (few) HDT owners who tow horse trailers?? Even w/out hay burners, US Rider is a class act! When I had some questions about coverage, I not only received an E-mail reply - but also a USPS reply with an offer to talk to the lady in charge (not a sales person, or dispatcher)....which I did. As you (should) know many horse owners tow with MDTs and HDTs - so they are "tuned in" to what you have. They will tow *whatever* you are driving - and/or towing. YOU just have to be there.. Only ERS that will tow a trailer with live animals. NO hay burner ownership (or transporting same) req'd. And another kudos: My "backup" is American Motorcyclist Assoc (:AMA:) It's a ditto to the above - (whatever you are driving or towing) $50 a year....but limited to 35 mile tow. NO M/C ownership or MCs "on board" required. Only (AMA) requirement is have your membership auto deducted from your CC, and of course - you will receive the monthly AMA mag. When I was HDT searching, I called the AMA to ask about HDTs *inc'l* tandem. The gal I spoke to was great - but was not sure about one or the other (forget which now) - so she gave me the number for the parent company for theri ERS plan (ALL the ERS plans have one). I was pretty surprised at that - but did not follow up on her offer (NO HDT - either single or tandem)......but YES I do have AMA also. I've been around long enough to have had both GS & CN - but fortunately, never had to use *any* of my choices for ERS. Bottom line - check out US Rider & AMA. - talking is cheap (free).!!

CA - (the "excide") - minimum is 1T pickup. "All pu trucks in ca are registered as commercial trucks." - 99% correct - however there are exceptions. .

Kirk's mention of weight should be an alert......to do more research on exactly what generator you really want / need. (IMO) the generator you mention is "overkill' for your needs - - also, *if* you continue with that model - where will you carry it? Also consider noise levels. You may have lots of power available - but prohibited from using it during certain hours. Suggest you do LOTS more investigation of your generator "options" before you make a purchase. The *Tech Issues* forum on RV Net has "everything generator", and may be another good source of/for information.. .

You be the judge: Hmmmmmm.....if he was *NOT* caught (and fined) for his actions, would he be feeling any remorse now? .

US Rider - directed to equestrians - however, NO "hay burners" required. When i had questions about verbiage in the plan coverage, I was contacted by email, snail mail - and an offer to contact the marketing director personally by phone (which I did). They got my ERS business! As a backup - American Motorcyclist Association. NO M/C ownership or M/Cs necessary. $50 a year - but will only tow 35 miles (including trailers). Same thing - had questions about (private) HDT - polite lady handling calls was not sure of the answer to that one (tandem in particular), so she ,provided me with the parent company;s phone number for direct contact.. (Never followed up on HDT issue, as I hadn't made that move - but I was impressed with the referral. Wonder if those "other" ERS services would go that "extra mile" (no pun intended) to answer a non-subscriber's questions! Hopefully you never need whichever one you choose!

Haven't done that in a while - I'll have to see if I'm still a member - try "Tow411.net", go to forums then scroll down to "Motor Clubs". Part -or all of it used to be open to all, then they wanted to limit it to the folks working in the industry (IIRC) I did "claim" affiliation as an independent (my own company, w/ one tow truck) - which I have....never said it's *not* commercial - or what I tow, LOL. Major complaints were slow payment of/for invoices they sent to various Motor Clubs for service they had provided to the club members. Some good, some bad (poor) some ugly. IMO - if they're not happy, you may not be happy - as all/most have more lucrative contracts (frequent repeats) for roads/highways (via PDs, etc.). There are others - try Google for - "Tow Operator forums", etc. .

X-2 on that !! If you can receive the same amount of service for less dollars.....you should go with the one *you* believe delivers the best bang for your buck/s! Using that criteria......sitting in our car at a red light, in a left turn pocket (So, CA). It unexpectedly died. Oh-oh - no bueno! The car was always trouble-free, and I guessed an in-tank fuel pump problem. Light changed, a try for a restart gave me a few "coughs" and got me across the street to the curb. No joy - for another restart. (Yes, it was the fuel pump). Called AAA on the cell phone, gave the dispatcher the info - and before I could even wonder "how long before the hook gets here" .....a tow operator was behind me, and yes he had actually received the call. WOW! He did admit he had been across the street and had seen me coast to the curb. Dropped the car at a dealer about 3 miles away, and gave me a ride home. Now if I base my choice on that experience *alone* - I should have the AAA RV ERS policy, which i don't. But - that was in a major metro area - lots of tow operators out and about. Would I have gotten the same level of service in the boonies? No way to tell until it happens. If it's "just the cost" - (IMO) the American Motorcyclist plan would probably work very well as a "stand alone:" at $50. per year. BTW - USRider will authorize use of an alternate tow service if you believe you are waiting too long - either directly to the tow operator -or- reimburse you. Join (usually there is a fee) one of the tow operator forums - and read who *they* like for Motor Clubs! The service *they* receive (get paid in a timely fashion, etc.) as a contractor is an interesting topic. Too soon to tell for SKPs. Lastly - All tow operators understand - cash and/or a CC. (IMO) If you factor what you have paid for ERS policies for XX amount of years, we all would be money ahead -way ahead- to just "pay the man". Roll on! .

Suggest you explore - "US Rider" - yes, it *is* an equestrian ERS plan - but horse ownership, as well as towing a horse trailer are *not* a requirement. They will tow whatever (non-commercial) vehicle you (the member) are in. and/or towing. Also, they are the only ERS which will deal with live animals in a vehicle - although that doesn't apply to me! Some/many/most/none - of us will have the "opportunity" to use the ERS plans we have or have had in the past. Lots of factors will determine whether the service you receive was - excellent, good, poor - or bad! (See :"BTW' at the bottom). Also - all "Motor Clubs" are underwritten by one of the National Wholesalers.as mentioned in a previous post. My experience with US Rider: I had a question about a definition in the agreement. Sent an e-mail. Received prompt reply with clarification AND the option to call Linda Lee, the Director of Operations of/for the "USRider Equestrian Motor Plan" - which I did! We had a pleasant and informative conversation. All my questions were answered to my complete satisfaction! (That was in Sept. of 2014 - don't know if she is still the Director). Visit their web site and the FAQ page . My 'backup' plan - "American Motorcyclist" - Tow anything you are driving, for 35 miles. Cost $50. per year. NO M/C ownership or M/Cs being transported to receive service - to any vehicle you are driving and/or towing. Called them to ask about towing a tandem HDT. The (very polite) person handling the phones - did great until we got to the HDT. Admitted she wasn't sure, but gave me the phone number of the "parent" Motor Club. Try to get CN, GS, or? to do that, LOL. I was impressed by both of the representatives - as well as the plans. But - maybe the "features/beneits" have changed? BTW - ALL of the Motor Clubs - GS, CN, Allstate, USRider, etc. - contract to towing companies in the areas where you are located (when you call for service). Often the tow operators have contracts with several/many of the Motor Clubs. The wait for service will depend on where you are , time, weather conditions, etc. - as well as how busy the contract tow operator is at the time, the units he has available, and "priority" calls. The industry standard is "within one hour" Happy ERS hunting to all !!. . .

There are LOTS of retired Fire Folks out there.....but whether they want to do that is another issue. Jack Mayer on the HDT forum may know someone - or - ask him who does the presentations at the HDT rally(s).....it may be Jack. Mac - if you see this....thanks for your years of service, as a "FireGuy" and as a source of reliable information & help to/for the RV community! (Me = ret. 30 yr paid "FireGuy" - don't know Mac personally, but his info was *ALWAYS* "right-on"!!) Hang in there Mac!

Not to beat this to death......but the OC Register newspaper ran an article Nov. 21,2013, by Reid Wilson form the Washington Post. I had re-discovered it about the same time I saw this thread. It deals with "warnings" by foreign ministries in other countries about cities throughout the USA. Think I'm pretty "street wise", but guess I had clipped it to put in my travel folder for reference to places I haven't been. (quote) "Here's what other countries, mostly France, say about U.S. cities: Los Angeles: France warns tourists to take care in Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and Long Beach and to avoid Watts, Inglewood and Florence". (end quote) Being politically correct/polite........ When certain areas are having events (like the LA Coliseum), there is a heavy LAPD security presence. When there is *no* event taking place, the surrounding area (South Central LA, Watts, Florence) is *not* "visitor friendly" The above are in L.A. LA -and LAPD- has way, way more resources than the city of Inglewood. The LA Rams will be playing home games for two years at the Coliseum - then to their new site in Inglewood. Wouldn't hesitate to attend a game at either venue - and actually (then) Inglewood would be preferable. Traveler beware! .

Lived in the West L.A. area for lots of years. (Near UCLA). The Hollywood Park Racetrack closed (forever) a few years ago. The location will be the stadium site for the LA Rams. I would call the casino and ask about the availability of RV parking - and the *security* for same. It may be in the process of closing also. Although it's close to LAX via Century Blvd........I wouldn't arrive in Inglewood after dark - on *any* night. I see someone reviewed (Google) the poker only Casino, stating - "it's in a seedy area". IMO - if I were passing through L.A., I would continue "through" to a different location - whether you're going North or South. Maybe someone who has over-nighted there recently will chime in. .