Car, Bike and Trailer Breakdown Recovery...

[epicfail]

Been with the RAC for years (personal cover) and didn't really think about the implications of having extra stuff since I started the cover, e.g three cars, one bike and a trailer.

Bought a boat including the trailer - unfortunately a wheel bearing failed on the A34. RAC wouldn't come out as the trailer isn't covered, they transferred me to their Commercial division who wanted £750 to get me from Oxford to Alton - Hampshire. Ended up using an Oxford based recovery service who did it for £195. Probably the same guy RAC would have used - not really happy RAC would make £500 from a longstanding member.

So - wondering what others do to cover multiple stuff.

I've been driving around in a clapped out Citroen C4 pulling a boat trailer for a couple of years - I guess I'm fortunate not to have had a problem before.

[ian_c_uk]

I recall my parents used Autoaid as it covered caravan / camping trailers etc, but that was years ago so please check if still the case.

[SkodaIan]

For a light unbraked trailer, the best option is to just carry a few tools, a spare wheel, a spare hub and a pot of grease. There really isn't anything else which can go wrong with them other than a structural failure which should be very rare.

There are policies available from places like the Caravan Club which do cover trailer breakdowns but these tend to be quite expensive. The wording of my Suzuki Assistance (provided by the AA) also seems to show trailer breakdowns being covered, but I'd rather not test that out so still always carry the spares.

Bearings in particular tend to grumble for quite a while before failing completely - I've never had to replace one mid journey, but have always replaced at the first sign they are starting to make a noise, even if that's at a destination away from home.

[K50 DEL]

I use Auto Aid.
Broke down a few years ago with a puncture on a run-flat whilst towing my trailer.
Too far from home to drive on the run flat so called Auto Aid.

They ended up sending 2 recovery trucks, one for the car and one for the trailer as they didn't have a recovery vehicle large enough to accommodate both and they didn't have a recovery operative with the correct license to hitch my trailer to the back of a recovery wagon.

No additional charge for the recoveries and no increase in premium the next year.

Can't fault them to be honest.

RAC policy must have changed as many years ago they recovered us when our tow vehicle broke down with the rally car on a trailer - no extra cost then either.