K&R Truck repair, I-96 at M-40 exit in Holland Michigan gets my approval. For the years that I drove here in Michigan, we always had all of our really heavy work done there. They do the work well, fast, and they stand behind their work. We have had everything done from complete engine overhauls to brake jobs, to body work, and they alwys came through and did the work right.

They are also a major body shop, and the only one that I know of where I would ever consider buying a rebuilt truck from. I have seen them take trucks that would be considered a total, rebuild them properly, and then resell them. And they stand behind their work.

I do the TA thing also,get that premium lube and service done, for 219.00,always add a gallon of Lucas in it and get my free gallon from TA, of oil. Get my drivers points there. I like Ta,have a comdata card,no flying js to use on east coast with it. I do like the KWIKFILL on 80 in PA., theres a big yellow garage out back,I believe its 122mm on 80. Those guys are great,have been going there off and on for over 30 years.They grease your truck right and shake everything for looseness,they found a loose universal once and saved me a road service ,that was the first time I went there..When I can ,I stop there. Another place is BLACKS TRUCK REPAIR,its on 84 at old exit 5, in Lake Ariel,the twin gables Tk stop is there,great little motel there,home cookde food too. I eat and sleep there alot. BLACKS has a really nice owner and he lets you watch mechanic and doesn't screw you. I have used them twice for a road call and they come right out to you. Great folks there.

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Hello everyone,

I think it would also be a great idea to compile a list of repair shops to avoid! We have finally found someone reliable, but we really got hosed by another shop first! So, just in case anyone is in the area, I would stay away from Commercial in Oak Hills/Hesperia, CA. They are located near the Pilot truck stop by the I 15 and 395.

#1 on my list would be Bridger truck repair in Belgrade,MT
The owner is an great technition ( ASE master certified, trains wreckmaster) and employs only the best the area has to offer.

#2 would hafta be Grizzly Diesel in Helena, MT. After working for one of his local competators (I QUIT) and having a few other bosses who sent my company trucks to them they are hands down the best in this little slice of heaven.

ONLY my opionon folks but i know a few who'd agree with me

I don't want to diverge this too much, I will be bobtailing my newly purchased 86 WS 4900 which has a Cat 3406B from Brewster NY to Socal in August, I want get this fully serviced, lubed & checked, like to have by-pass filter installed & oil analysis done, I know the rear brakes are low but legal, so these will need to be renewed. I had planned to go to Custom Diesel Service in Allentown Pa as its what I liked from searching the net ?versus my proposed route, since this subject has started I am noting the list , would like to hear any other recommendations I plan to NY I-84 - PA - Mo to wheel polishing shop - I-40 - NM - Las Cruces then run I-10.

At Benton Harbor, MI, Closson does most of the trailer repairs and road calls. Of course, they also work on tractors and motor homes, but the dealerships in South Bend along with the Ryder and Penske shops at Benton Harbor get most of the tractor business. My employer has two trailers at Closson now, and I hope to bring them another one tomorrow.

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I stay as far away from Petros as I can, very few good contacts with them, especially the one in Carlisle PA! Having said that, TA recently bought the Petro chain, so maybe things will improve.

The TA's are hit and miss. Depends on who is working that day. The one in Erie PA is excellent, but skip Greencastle PA - too small and too busy.

I will say that the TA's were usually faster than the company shops and better as well. Then again you get what you pay for -- if you are going to pay half the rate as a dealership, that will leave you with inexperienced or incompetent workers and the results will be consistent with their lack of ability!

For road service - Jet Truck and Trailer in Milwaukee WI. Their trucks are well equipped and stocked, like a small garage on wheels. Mechanic knew what he doing and had it done quick!!!

__________________
Worrying about the past is like trying to drive forwards while looking in the rearview mirror!

best towing for showing up within an hour and Not Hoseing us on bill has got to be C&H Towing in Council Bluffs.
worst repair and rip off anyplace in Lake Station

I've been an auto tech for the past 15+ years. With my career taking me into management and putting me in large chains such as Goodyear and Firestone I want to point out one thing that most of you already know.

Any chain can have good and bad stores. As hard as it is to believe I was fired from Goodyear (and I am quoting what is in my personel file to this day) "dismissed from service for being too honest.....". I had a tech and a store manager basically having a god complex. I was the Service Manager. That particular tech was always pushing the envelope of safety. NOTHING I said or did was ever allowed to be enforced. Horseplay that left a Lube Tech bloody, ok with the manager. One day he "jokingly" threw a 3/4 wrench at a fellow employee, breaking his nose. I of course gave my statement since I witnessed it personally. After doing that OSHA was called in. Following their investigation the shop was fined heavily and given I think 90 days to make some changes. Upon re-inspection they of course interviewd a few of us again. A day or two later the DM and the companies "problem solver" came in and fired myself and the guy whose nose was broken. I of course requested they put into writing the reasons for my termination. I guess he had to make his report match what he gave me lol what an idiot!

The point is I still think Goodyear as a whole was a decent company. Now they arent so good. But back then they were. However my shop was a joke, over priced, dangerous, dirty, and all the horror stories you hear. So you cant always judge a chain by one store.

Of course you guys all know far more about the truck stops than I do. And yes some chains are just bad chains. Take Econo-Lube for example there. Their policy is "paint it blue call it new, paint it black put it back". My days there were VERY short lol but it was a great learning experience. And yes that is a chain policy not just a store saying. They sell you your own old part back with a new paint job based on if you wanted "new" or "reman" parts. You can bet if an econo lube ever tells you that any part on your car is bad.....that is likely the one thing they found that was in the best overal shape, allowing them to warranty a part they never replaced.