In all the years we have hauled a horse trailer we have never carried roadside assistance. I have considered it several times but with our new adventure I am really looking into it.
Do you carry coverage (AAA, USRider, etc)?
Do you have any experience you would be willing to share? Have you ever broken down while hauling horses? Did you have coverage or did you pay out of pocket?
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[…] Have you ever needed to have your horse trailer towed? […]
Yes. I broke down on a trip from TX to CO with my 4 horse bumper pull stock trailer in tow. I have AAA and they came right out. But they would not tow the trailer with my horse in it. Thankfully my mechanic came out & towed my horse home & then fixed both truck & trailer. 3 days later I was back on the road again. Sure glad that I was
Only about 30 miles from home when I broke down.
AAA is virtually useless. I spend a great deal of July trying to get my motor home towed somewhere it could be fixed … It was a horrible experience. I have called for service while pulling horses and was denied, as others have mentioned. Overall, nothing good to say about them. Apparently, the best defense is to never break down … or, have your saddle/harness (and buggy) with your horses at all times….
When I was 19, I would haul my horse once a week to my trainer’s for a lesson. A new septic field had been installed one week. I brought the mare home and drove the truck and trailer behind the house like always to park beside the barn and unhitch. I took the turn a little too sharply, and in an instant, we were stuck: the truck, the trailer, me, and the mare. I unloaded her. We dug in front of the tires and laid down wooden planks. Unhitched my truck and got it free. Hitched up dad’s bigger truck, and thank God, freed the trailer with no damage to the drain field. WHOOPS! Lesson learned the hard way.
I have had US Rider for several years now. You really can’t go wrong with them. I have used them and several friends have also had to use them and it was mostly a positive experience. A friend had to be towed down off a mountain once. Tow company had no problem towing truck and trailer together. Not to mention their other services besides towing and roadside service, they will help you find a vet, help you find stabling, find someone to haul a horse, etc. AAA will never be able to do all that.
Have US Rider and they have always been helpful. They make sure the tow truck they sent out is super sized and prepared to deal with the trailer and the horses. My friend who also has US Rider had her trailer blow out 2 tires while she was rushing her horse to UC Davis for colic – obviously way stressed out. I don’t know how they did it, but US Rider sent out a tow truck to haul her off the freeway – and sent a person with a truck and trailer to haul her horse to UC Davis (!!!!!!)
That sold me for life with US Rider.
Only drawback to US Rider is they won’t help you if your truck/trailer is a commercial vehicle (i.e. you are a trainer and are hauling your clients horses to a show).
My husband taught me how to change a flat, I carry all tools for this and pray I don’t need to but I won’t wait 4 hours for someone else.
I had AAA plus and they have been absolutely horrible making excuses most of the times I have called them over the years. I am disabled and travel with a service dog and am on oxygen. They say I have to have someone drive me behind the tow as they do not take passengers in their tow truck and they will not tow my vehicle without me going with it. God only knows what they expect with a trailer. One time they asked me to try and jump start my car then check … before they would come out…another time they sent a guy for a flat (I told them it was flat) and he had no jack or any way to take the tire off and put on my spare. Another time they told me I had to drain the gas out of the vehicle to make sure there was no gas in or around the vehicle AND have the fire department declare that it was free of any flammable gas….the tow truck I called on my own that time loaded my car on the tow while smoking a cigarette the whole time. If you ask me …AAA is awful. They will do anything to keep from towing you. One time I was left in the middle of a busy road in the dark for 5 hours and had a good samaritan stay behind me with his 4 ways flashing and let me stay in his warm car (it was below freezing out) while my dead car had no power for lights or heat.
I have US Rider, and won’t leave home without it! Have had to have my vehicle towed 4 times in past 7 yrs. did not have a trailer hitched at the time but they are always fast and courteous.
Read the fine print, US Rider will NOT tow your trailer if you have horses on board. You must find someone else to take your horses. I regret ever having paid for US Rider. AAA and other motor coach roadside assistance services actually cover you for a tow. They all provide lock out, gasoline, etc… Don’t fall for the hype, read the contract first….
AAA (any level) will not help you if you have horses in your trailer. Allstate’s roadside service will not deal with horse trailers. I have had US Rider the past few years when I started traveling more than a handful of miles away. I also bought a membership for my 19 year old daughter. US Rider was our savior ths past November, my daughter and her ride were headed back from Tulsa to Des Moines, IA. Got to Joplin and stopped to get gas and ended up stranded on a Sunday since the tread was separating from 2 tires on the trailer (I had been following as well). I called every tire place around and not one would help because we had a trailer or we had horses in the trailer (fully loaded with 3 horses). Called US Rider and they helped find me a mobile service unit and checked multiple times to make sure we were still safe. I only had to pay for the tire. We did not have to unload (we were at a very busy Flying J). The followed up the next day as well, wanting to make sure we got to our destination ok. I will swear by US Rider.
Just paid. $385 for tow job, I think that pays for US Equestrian membership for a few years!
It’s amazing the variance in experiences with horse trailers and AAA. Mine was a LQ trailer with no horses, and they refused to help. I think I will go with US Rider.
Some years ago a friend’s, who was covered by the Premium RV everything that AAA offered, truck hauling her horse broke down. Fortunately she was following us from Arizona to California, because AAA wouldn’t do anything since a horse trailer was involved. And fortunately we had a spot (with some rearranging of gear) to take her horse. Even then, she had to leave her trailer on the side of the road (fortunately, in front of the sheriff’s house in the country) and come back with another friend’s truck (several hundred miles of back and forth) to get her trailer. Bad deal.
We changed to US Rider. Haven’t needed them for the horses but they are here fast and haul farther than AAA (still have their roadside coverage since our vehicle insurance is with them). A friend put us on to US Rider. She was traveling alone in the western Sierra and her truck pulling her LQ broke down in a treacherous place. They hauled the horse trailer to a boarding area they located for her and put her up overnight and took the truck for repairs. Very impressive resource!
My friend uses US Rider. Don’t think she ever has had to use it yet. Best of luck deciding.
I have no experience with the trailer roadside service; but from reading all the stories I was thinking; have an ipad with 3/4g or laptop with a mifi so that you can get online and check for facilities no matter where you are. And I think you might leverage your blog, and say hey we are here or there and ask for recommendations for facilities and vets as needed. There are so many of us that would follow you and would all be happy to align you with a trusted resource. Happy Travels!
I’ve had AAA for around 40 years, but have never had a horse trailer incident (knocking on wood). One thing I do not like about AAA is that they will not help you if you’re on a non-paved road. I live in Joshua Tree, CA, and the majority of our streets are still not paved. We like it this way. However, I was very disappointed to find that AAA would not help, even on a fairly major dirt street, as they couldn’t get to the vehicle from a paved surface. The driver who came out was great though. He drove his AAA truck to his house, came back with his personal truck and got me going. I was just lucky, though. We do have a towing company in the area that tows from dirt road locations, but can’t if doing it for an AAA call. If you do go with AAA, be sure to get the upgraded plan that covers trailers.
My ignition module died in my truck just after a blind curve on a busy highway. I had a nervous, young horse in the trailer. This was before cell phones and USRider. A helpful motorist kindly told me he would stop and get me a tow truck. They sent a flat bed! State trooper eventually showed up and flagged down a tow truck. He said, “If this isn’t your tow truck, it is now.” Truck, trailer and horse were safely moved to the service station. . . my safety triangles were not as lucky. A couple got sacrificed.
Yes we have been broken down twice on the road. That’s why we are a firm believer in USARider. They have towed both the truck and trailer with horses. It’s always scary to be broke down but they are very helpful and concerned about you and your horses. Both times we were towed we had no out of pocket expense for the towing.
I was told that AAA(even Platinum membership) won’t help you with roadside assistance for your trailer or RV. We moved across the country last December and I got USRider. So glad that we did. We had a tire shred out on the trailer about 45 minutes into the move(from Kansas City, MO to Missoula, MT) . USRider directed us to the nearest tire center and we limped it there. They put our spare on no charge. Just so you are ware, trailer/RV tires are next to impossible to find. If you can bring an extra spare. We weren’t aware that we needed heavy duty load tires on the trailer. It came with regular duty and they couldn’t take the weight of four horses. The dealer who sold us the trailer probably knew, but failed to let us know. Live and learn. Downside:USRider takes awhile to get through to, so be prepared to be on hold for some time. On the plus side: They are super courteous, quite friendly, very helpful, and they even checked back to see if we got back on the road.
AAA will only tow a trailer if it’s a LQ. When I called they did allow mine because it has a dressing room and a portable toilet. US Rider is active in promoting horse rescue training!
I have US Rider and also several of my friends have it. We are all satisfied and have needed it. I used it for a flat tire at a horse camp and also a flat tire on my car one time. I think it’s just us rider .com
I have had AAA Plus since 1995-total coverage[100+ miles]. The only time I pay out of pocket is my yearly renewal $95. I have helped other people with my membership.
We have AAA. They told me that in order to get a flat fixed on the trailer, that the trailer has to be unhooked from the truck pulling the trailer. I also had my pickup hauled 100 miles home one time. Didn’t cost me a dime.!!
We were bringing home a new pony and were on the Blue Route near Philadelphia (say very heavy, very fast traffic) when the truck broke down. I wasn’t the driver or owner of the truck/trailer but I carry US Rider and called them and they found a garage that sent a flatbed for the truck and another truck to tow the trailer all the way home (approx. 20 miles) and we never had to pay a dime. They kept calling til they knew we were home safe. I would never trailer without that coverage! My friend, the owner of the truck, had AAA and called them first but they said she would have to manage to get the rig off the Blue Route and to a garage where they could come get her truck but would do nothing about the trailer or pony. US Rider will find boarding for your horse if you are too far from home. I have heard nothing but good things about them!
We carry USRider because our truck insurance which has emergency towing does not tow horse trailers. Be sure to ask before you purchase coverage from any company if they cover truck, trailer and horse towing. USRider seems to be the only one. We purchased Good Sam RV coverage but canceled it when we found they would not deal with animals. Hope this helps. We can change a flat on the trailer, but not very well the dually. Have never had to use USRider so far. Hope we never have to.
My transmission on my truck broke and I got two tows. One for the truck to the shop and one that brought myself and my horses and the trailer home. I always have premium AAA, it has always paid for itself. I will get 5 free services per year and they will tow me anywhere I want within 100 miles
I had a flat on my trailer and called AAA and they said they would come and fix it but I had to pay for it. Told them I was cancelling my policy!! They, also, won’t tow the trailer with the truck, if you truck breaks down!!
I have USRider, but haven’t used it myself yet. I was with a friend and her truck died with a trailer full of horses, about an hour and a half from home after a trail ride. We called USRider and they said they will cover up to $800 of the tow. They found some place that would come tow the truck and trailer together for $1000, so it would have been $200 out of pocket. She was able to have a friend come out and rescue us instead, but it still would have been a good option.
I broke down with AAA in NC while moving to Fl 3 yrs. ago. Yes imagine a single mom, 2 horses a child and a friend driving a Uhaul truck. The lugs broke and a tire was wobbling. Thank goodness there was an exit and we got to safety before the tire flew off my trailer going down a side of a mountain. When I bought AAA 2 weeks before the trip they told me it would cover the trailer. I was left stranded on the side of the road. Thank God we got off safely. We were stranded for 3 hrs. while my friend went and found a rim and tire and a hub, lugs and nuts plus tools with to get us back on go. It added 4 hrs. On to the trip. It was hell on my horses. US Rider isn’t much more and I would never use anything but them again. The week before my trip I had new tires put on the trailer, new wiring and a brake booster. I’ll never know why the lugs came loose. But the rest of the trip was a success.
Have never towed a horse trailer but have been extremely pleased with Good Sam Roadside Assistance. I know they cover Campers & camper trailers of all stripes and standard vehicles but don’t know about horse trailers. Can reach them easily by phone or on line. I like doing business with them.
Dick Cook
Good Sam does not cover horse trailers.
I have USRider. This past summer we had an issue with our boat trailer and AAA wouldn’t help us. It gives me peace of mind it something were to happen with either the boat again or horse trailer. I also got a discount on a car rental through USRider.
We used to have AAA but they will not tow a horse trailer. I have had a blown transmission and had AAA. I ended up having to call a friend to come get my horses and horse trailer. It was not a pleasant experience. Go with US Rider now although have not used it yet
My trailer did not have LQ at the time.
Hold on. I live in Minnesota. Retired and seeing America from the back of my horse. Here is another aspect of traveling and horses. I’ve carried U.S. Rider for years. Used them twice but not for towing. I needed emergency stabling for 2 horses while traveling through Connecticut several years ago due to a hurricane.. U.S. Rider gave me the names of several horse friendly places in the area. We ended up at an Old West Town (commercial operation) in New Jersey. We waited out the hurricane for 3 days. No charge for stabling as we had our own feed. They gave us the bedding.no charge. We did help clean their barn and feed their animals but had nothing else to do anyway. A few weeks ago we got socked in in Wisconsin. Same scenario. U.S. Rider gave us several phone numbers. We ended up staying at a local horse ranch. Nothing commercial. Just a farmer with room. They put us up for night and provided breakfast. All no charge. Both instances introduced us to some fantastic horse people and AAA would have been worthless in both of these occasions..U.S. rider costs the same and will send someone prepared to help with horses if needed. I wouldn’t consider any other carrier while traveling with horses.
We have Good Sams, as they report they will send a tow vehicle for both the truck and trailer,AND cover both our fifth wheel travel trailer and horse trailer as well as all of our vehicles. We personally, thankfully have not used it, however we watched another rig get towed out of our campground while at Yellowstone. They sent a wrecker for the truck as it needed a flatbed, and another truck for the trailer.
I just tried calling Good Sam and they say they dont tow or do any repairs to horse trailers. 🙁
In Canada it doesn’t include trailers. What’s the sense.
I’m Canadian and you are covered by US Rider in Canada and the US. We have used it twice for two different vehicles and there wonderful. Will tow your trailer with horses on board if need be. Will never buy CAA again.
I had AAA and any time I called them for a tow when I had the trailer on, the first thing they asked was are their horses in the trailer. If yes, they would not tow it.
A friend had US Rider and she broke down with a brand new mustang in the trailer, and between FB and the US Rider she not only got her truck and trailer towed, they found a facility to keep her new wild one at while her truck was repaired. I’m told they will help you find a vet, boarding, and lodging.
We were going to try one of those other roadside offerings only to discover they considered my 1 ton GMC to be a commercial vehicle and would service it but wouldn’t tow it.
We switched to US Rider and they are very hands on, asking if you are safe, if you need anything.. calling back to advise us of any communication they have had with the tow company, and to make sure everything we needed was done.
I blew a tire on I-75 just inside the Kentucky line (from Ohio). I had AAA premium but when the truck got there he didn’t have the equipment needed to lift my trailer. When asked when they could get someone out that did he told me he was it !! and he left…. Luckily my son worked for a company that rented large equipment so I called him and he hooked me up with a private person that got us on our way. Thanks to Art’s Rental and Denver.
Purchased CAA for a trip to Mount Gilead, when my friend and I came to ride with you, but we did not need to use it, but was nice to know that we where covered in Canada and the US…
Heather
Yes, it’s a really good idea. My husband and I discovered it the hard way that our CAA didn’t cover the trailer. We were lucky and able to limp to a dealership, it was extremely hot, which we factored in and left home at 5 am. However we ended up at a dealership that realized they were going to have two horses in their parking lot, and fixed us up immediately and we were on our way.
We are meticulous about maintenance, but stuff happens, and anyone that travels far afield should have that extra coverage. Oh the other thing if your tires are in good shape but a few years old watch out, because they will go!! Just spend the money and replace them especially if your trailer is in the sun, year after year. Own that tee shirt too.
i’ve heard that AAA won’t haul your horses if you break down. can anyone tell me if this is true?
I had AAA and when I had a flat on my trailer, they sent out a local (to the area, it was about 400 miles from home) tow/repair shop and they changed my spare out for me. No charge and I was on my way, total down time about 1 hour. My membership paid for itself that day, for sure:)
I have Us Rider and have had to use key service an towing but fortunately so far just for my vehicles and not while towing my trailer.
Never had to have my horse trailer towed, although it’s really something I should look into more with either AAA or USRider. I’ve heard good things about USRider, but never really thought about AAA.
I did have the unfortunate experience of having a blow out on my trailer — 2 miles from the barn! ugh! I did not want to risk driving to the barn with the flat, and cause more problems. Of course it was in a busy business area, so we ended up going with the “jack the trailer up while attached to the truck with horse still on it” option. Good thing it was “just” a 2 horse BP with 1 horse in it, but I was having a heart attack!
We have USAA coverage and our trailer was atomatically covered at the time. We were traveling down I-75 in Florida when we had a tire blow on the trailer. It happened as we where going over an overpass in Lake City. My husband managed to manuver the trailer over the bridge and onto the shoulder on the other side of the overpass. To our horror, the tire explosion had ripped through the wheel well and skin of the trailer into the horse compartment where our two halter mares where traveling. I usually do not wrap legs in the summer because it is so hot, but for some reason did for this trip. I was so thankful I did because there was debis from the trailer and bits of shredded steel belted tire inside the trailer. I remember pulling pieces out of the mares’ tails. Thankfully, neither was injured. We contacted USAA immediately and they had a wrecker on the way immediately. USAA only uses companies who’s services meet their standards. So, we knew we would be in good hands. We had a friend who lived about 40 minutes away and happened to be home. She came and picked up our Girls and waited for us while we waited for the wrecker. I can’t tell you how nervous I was having to unload those horses on the side of the interstate and then get them on another trailer, but it all worked out well. My husband rode with the wrecker to a repair garage authorized by USAA. The haul didn’t cost us a thing because it was part of the road side service. The repairs on the trailer too two weeks and our deductible was $200 and our insurance did not go up because of the incident. We were very pleased with the service and the fact that the trailer looked brand new when we got it back.
AAA required horses be unloaded & away from the trailer to replace a tire that had blown (near Los Angeles, CA). I was very thankful I was able to get to a large parking lot & only had one horse in it at the time.
I had AAA trailer service for our two horse and four horse. My daughter (21) and another barrel racer were headed to a race in Utah from CA. They got a flat tire in the little piece of AZ that you travel through right before St.George. AAA ‘s response. They told her she would have to unload all horses on to the highway ( I=15) and they would be out when the sun came up. It was about 1:30am. So here the parents of both girls are in CA on the phone with AAA, and got absolutely no where. AZ highway patrol called a truck from st. george. they were there in an hour. It cost me almost 400.00 to put our spare on at 3-4am. the girls followed him to his shop , and we ended up replaceing all four tires, another 800.00 on moms discover. the guy that fixed the tire never unloaded the horses. I dropped the trailer service immediately. It was not their fault, obviously that I had just bought that 4 horse used and the tires were weather worn from the desert heat. But to leave two girls stranded for approx. 5 hrs, expect them to unload horses onto the interstate in the dark, was way beyond what this mother could stomach. I gave my daughter the money to get us rider in her name. If anyone has had a bad experience with them I sure would like to know.
I had a flat tire on I-80, was able to make it off the highway, but with US Rider, you don’t have to unload your horses. I was back on the road in an hour!! First thing US Rider asks you when you call is “are your horses ok?” They even offered to haul water out for my horses while I was waiting.
U.S. Rider isn’t worth the money. They have a limit of $400 and nobody will come for that amout. Maybe a few blocks but not the 100 miles they claim.
I LOVE USRider! I haven’t had much of a problem while hauling yet, but that have helped me even when I didn’t have my trailer on. The have towed my truck to the shop on 2 different occasions. They work hard to help you whenever you need it. Did you know that they do not cover only certain vehicles, but they cover the person! So if you are traveling with someone else, they will help you still. We had a friend drive their trailer off a ditch by turning a corner too tight and they used USRider to help them get it out and only waited about an hour.
I have AAA Plus (for RVs). I am looking to change. I broke down with a tire issue on the truck. They almost didn’t send someone out because I was hauling my horse trailer…empty. The lady on the phone told me they will not work on horse trailers, although that is not what I was told when I joined years before that. I was told I needed the Plus (or RV plan). I have been looking into US Rider, but I haven’t made the switch yet. AAA also had a 4+ hour wait in a rural area. AAA has been wonderful within major metropolitan areas (with no trailer), in my experience. I have used them 2-3 times in the last 15 years. I am interested in what others have to say also. Thanks for posting this!!
Shawn don’t believe AAA on the oh your horse trailer has living quarters its covered. It is not they specifically have a rider in the plan that if the trailer carries any kind of livestock at all it is not covered. I had AAA premium for yrs cause when I first got the policy it covered trailers. They changed it and do not care. Thrre is only 2 companies that cover any kind of trailers that haul livestock. Get 1 of those. I have us rider have used them and had no problems.
We have AAA premium, which covers all our vehicle and motorhome and horse trailer. We broke down 102 miles from home and AAA covered up to 100. The tow company was so kind to tow us all the way home. At the time we had 4 mini donkeys in there. They also stopped at the AG station of Ga/Fla line. We had some chuckles but my babies made it home safe and sound.
I used to have AAA premium and had a flat tire on my trailer. They refused to come and fix it. Said they only cover the truck. I cancelled my account and now have Electric Insurance on my truck and for $10 every 6 months they cover the trailer. Luckily, I have not had to use it, so I really can’t say how good it is.
Yes, I carried it for a few years. When I got a flat on i-80 in Iowa, I called & they could not get to me for hours. I got off on the next exit & had the tire changed at a truck stop right away. I no longer carry trailer road ride assistance.
Hi Karen: Was this US Rider or AAA?
US rider– never had to use it thank God! but have been broke down before I had it. My horses and I spent 4 hrs on a hot July afternoon in a drugstore parking lot. Never again!!