A road trip through Western New York in your RV or motorhome should be one of the most enjoyable experiences on the road — open highways, scenic stretches along Lake Erie, and easy access to destinations like Niagara Falls and the surrounding region. But when something goes wrong with your motorhome on I-90, I-190, or Route 33, the situation can feel overwhelming fast. RVs and motorhomes are large, heavy vehicles that most standard towing companies aren’t equipped to handle — and being stranded far from home in one makes a breakdown feel even more stressful than usual. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, when your RV or motorhome breaks down in the Buffalo and Erie County areas.
Step 1: Get Your RV Off the Road Safely
Your first priority when something goes wrong is getting your vehicle off the travel lanes as quickly and safely as possible. If your motorhome is still moving — even slowly — guide it onto the shoulder, as far from the travel lanes as you can manage. Class A motorhomes and larger RVs are wide vehicles, so make sure you’re fully clear of the white line before stopping. Turn your hazard lights on immediately, and if you’re carrying reflective triangles or road flares, set them out behind your vehicle to give approaching traffic as much warning as possible. A large RV parked on the shoulder is more visible than a car, but faster-moving highway traffic still needs time to react.
Step 2: Stay Safe While You Wait
Once your vehicle is stopped and hazard lights are on, think carefully about where you and your passengers should be. In most situations, staying inside the motorhome is safer than standing outside near traffic — your RV’s size actually offers some protection in that regard. If you’re in a spot with a wide shoulder and you feel safe stepping out, stay on the side of the vehicle furthest from traffic and well away from the rear. If you have pets or children with you, keep them secured inside until help arrives. Avoid standing behind the vehicle — rear-end approaches by distracted drivers are one of the most common secondary incident types in roadside situations.
Step 3: Assess the Situation Without Making It Worse
While waiting for help, a basic visual assessment can be useful — checking for a flat tire, visible fluid leaks underneath the vehicle, or an overheating warning on your dashboard. This helps you describe the problem accurately when you call for towing. However, avoid attempting repairs on the highway shoulder yourself unless you’re dealing with something very straightforward, like checking a fuse. RVs and motorhomes are complex vehicles, and an incorrect roadside fix attempt can sometimes cause additional damage or create a safety risk.
Step 4: Call for the Right Kind of Help
This is where many RV breakdowns get more complicated than they need to be. Not every towing company is equipped to handle a motorhome or RV — standard light duty tow trucks aren’t built for the weight and size of a Class A or Class C motorhome. Calling the wrong company can mean a long wait, only to be told on arrival that they can’t actually tow your vehicle. When you call, make sure to clearly describe your vehicle — the class of motorhome, approximate length, whether it’s a gas or diesel pusher, and whether you’re towing a trailer or vehicle behind it. This allows the towing company to dispatch the right equipment the first time rather than arriving unprepared.
Moss Heavy Duty Towing provides medium duty towing for motorhomes and RVs across Erie County, equipped to handle these vehicles with the care needed to avoid damage during towing.
Step 5: Know What Information to Have Ready
When you call for help, having the following information ready speeds the whole process up significantly:
- Your exact location — mile marker, exit number, or the nearest highway sign
- The direction you’re traveling
- Your RV class and approximate length
- Whether you have a toad (a vehicle being towed behind your motorhome)
- A description of what went wrong — tire, engine, electrical, etc.
- The number of passengers, including pets, so the towing company knows what to expect on arrival
Step 6: Deal With Your Toad or Trailer
If you’re towing a vehicle or trailer behind your motorhome — common with Class A drivers especially — this adds a layer of complexity to the towing process. In many cases, the toad or trailer will need to be disconnected and handled separately. Let the towing company know about it when you call, so they can plan for the additional equipment or vehicles involved. Trying to tow a motorhome with a car still attached behind it isn’t something most towing setups can safely handle.
Step 7: Plan for Where Your RV Goes
Unlike a passenger car breakdown where the nearest auto shop is usually a straightforward option, motorhome and RV repairs require a service facility equipped for large vehicles. Before or while you’re waiting for the tow, it’s worth thinking about where you want the vehicle taken. If you’re traveling through the Buffalo area and don’t know local repair options, a quick search for RV service centers in Erie County can help you give the towing company a destination. Having a destination ready avoids delays once your motorhome is loaded up and ready to move.
Common RV Breakdown Situations in Western New York
A few specific situations come up more often than others for RV travelers passing through Buffalo and Erie County:
- Tire blowouts — RV tires carry significant weight and can fail without much warning, especially in summer heat on long highway stretches. A blowout on I-90 needs careful management given the size of the vehicle.
- Overheating — especially with older or heavily loaded Class A motorhomes climbing grades or sitting in slow traffic during summer months.
- Dead batteries — both engine batteries and house batteries can cause issues, and diagnosing which is the problem isn’t always straightforward.
- Getting stuck — RVs have a higher chance of getting stuck on soft ground in rest areas, campgrounds, or pull-offs, particularly after rain.
Get Help Fast When You Need It
Breaking down in a motorhome far from home is stressful, but following these steps keeps you safe and gets the right help on the way as quickly as possible. The key is staying calm, getting off the road safely, and calling a towing company that’s actually equipped for RVs and motorhomes — not one that will show up and tell you they can’t handle the vehicle.
Moss Heavy Duty Towing provides medium duty towing for RVs and motorhomes throughout Buffalo and Erie County, covering major routes like I-90, I-190, and Route 33, day and night. If your motorhome has broken down in the Western New York area, call (716) 923-7804 for fast, professional help.