Phoenix Reduces Their Models

I guess I would have to ask these questions, just cus I'm curious.  How many units have this part installed?  How many have failed?  If I knew that, then I could/would figure out the percentage of failure and make an educated guess as to whether I should carry a spare. 

I guess I would have to ask these questions, just cus I'm curious.  How many units have this part installed?  How many have failed?  If I knew that, then I could/would figure out the percentage of failure and make an educated guess as to whether I should carry a spare.

I think its like the spark plug issue for the V10. Often talked about, but if you actually do figure the percentage of failure, its not that high. I personally have experience with the V8 plugs leaving parts in the head, but never have seen the threads strip out.  I consulted with several mechanic friends about the plugs, and two had gotten the special kit just for them.... and had NEVER used them This is in a pretty busy shops.

Forums can be helpful, but also misleading.

Corrosion seems to be a VERY common problem for the failure, if not the primary cause. But using this forum, we can empirically deduce that PC's not having a slide have had unexplained failure of this part. With no other apparent cause.     

The fact that it is easy to bypass to 'get you home' makes it low on my worry list. Even if it takes out the relay and fuse, another relay can be subbed out, and I carry fuses anyway. 

Ron , to a point I agree. The exception is tires have a definite life span in comparison and are subjected to different abuses.  IE; I’ve had one blow out and two flats since purchasing this pc. I’ve had several on my motorcycles. One of those was from a 3/8 chunk of rebar on the freeway. That did more than just cause a flat. 

This year our trip was typical for us at around 9,000 miles. We never saw less than three motorists with flats per day that we drove. Some on trailers, some on cars trucks or Rv’s but never less than three per day and our highest day we spotted 6. Keeping track started when my Better half commented that we had flats and no one else seemed to. Granted seeing three in a day against the numbers of vehicles on the road is minuscule.

The spare I do carry is my road side assistance. When I had teenagers it paid for itself over and over. Now it’s just part of my Risk management.

Joseph and Ron and All......

Joseph is right, the best insurance for "events" on the road is roadside assistance.   We use Good Sam Platinum at $130/year.

We have saved far more than it has cost us over the 18 years (and about 200,000 miles) we have had it.  Sure, most years we don't need it.  But those times we have, it was a comfort knowing help was a simple phone call away.

Your mileage may vary

While on the side of I-90 45 miles west of Gillette WY in the middle of nowhere, we called our roadside assistance, AARP through Hartford.  They gave us numbers to call from the roadside with our working cell phone, but nobody would tow a motorhome, and nobody would work on a motorhome.  One repair shop did say that if we could get the rig there, they could get to it in 3 to 4 weeks time. It was doing our own research that we found both a tow and repair facility, then worked through AARP to make it happen with financial coverage which was also a ridiculous process.  They wouldn't forward our PC dimensions and weight, and AARP's questionable payment to the tow truck driver had him not taking prompt action.  We sat on the side of the highway for over 6 hours.  I eventually called the tow truck driver directly, gave our PC specs, and told him I will personally pay him which turned out to be $250.  I cannot recommend AARP/Hartford for RV-related roadside assistance.  Writing this reminds me I need to seek reimbursed.

So with that one-time (only time ever) experience, I can't endorse any kind of roadside assistance.  At least we didn't pay Hartford anything extra to have that terrible performing benefit.

That's why we use a service designed for RV's.  Call an 800 number, tell them what we need, and we get it.  For us, the $10 per month is well worth it.

Ron, I’m sure there are better service providers than what I have or maybe at better prices than what I use. I just haven’t researched enough to know quite yet. You said you called them and they gave you numbers to call. I wouldn’t be ok with any company that worked that way. I have used Triple A for 36+ years. You call them and they order your service and give you an  eta. They then follow up with texts on the ETA as well as when they arrive and a follow up on the service provider.  In Ca typical wait time is 30-45 mins unless you need flat bed and ones not available due to a major accident. Then it can be longer obviously. Once out of state I waited 3 hours. I was over 60 miles from the nearest place with a tow service and they were the only one for the area so not much can be done in that case. Price however for triple A with both of us on it and RV is 170 a year. I have no idea what true comparative services cost.

It sounds like AAA-RV is a whole lot better than the free AARP Roadside Assistance included with my Hartford insurance policy.

And better than AA.