I am a driver not a mechanic...!!

My philosophy has always been if I have the knowledge and means to fix it myself I do so... This whole "I'm a driver, not a mechanic" crap is BS... You may not be a mechanic... But you aint a driver either when your sitting stranded on the side of the road waiting for road service. I've spent many hours rolling around under my company truck on the side of the road with tools and spare parts in order to get moving again... But I have NEVER been stranded waiting for road service to make a repair.

 

AND WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

This guy has it figured out... If one has the kniwledge and means to make a repair they are paying themselves by doing so. How? You ask... By maximizing the amount of time that driver is able to actively engage in work that the company pays him to do.

 

When I was OTR, there were times when easily replaced items were a non problem repair.
I had Company/Owner supplied Tools as well some of my own (from a current existing roller toolbox when I gave a go at Wrenching on Class 6, 7, 8 Vehicles in the 2000 decade).
MAJOR PARTS were replaced in Shops or at Base.
Fuel Filters were done with Oil Change Services, NOT BY I.
Wipers were easy peasy as were adding fluids.

Mechanically Challenged Drivers, best to leave Repairs/Replacement to Qualified Personnel lest extra problems manifest to equal increased down time.
MANY OWNER-DRIVERS changed out Alternators, Starters, Belts, Turbos, Air Chambers, Lights, Air Lines and other Parts on sides of Roads/Highways as well on Dirt and Paved Lots!

For those of You that claim "not mechanically efficient", please do not attempt ANY repair beyond Fueling lest thou maketh more work for a Qualified Replacement Technician.

CHEERS!!

 

When I was active I had no issues with changing out a wiper or a light. As I mentioned yesterday in another thread I kept tape and MANY bungee cords. Years ago I even changed a tire during my break. My primary aim was to get moving ASAP. There is one thing a driver can do however that in my view can save them some major heartache. Learn how to diagnose some problems. Learn how to get fault codes also. Not all service trucks have every part you might need on their truck. I sit once for almost 5 hours waiting on a mechanic to return to Phoenix and back just to get a sensor that without the engine would not run. YES, you are NOT a mechanic, but I think you should at least have a basic understanding of what makes that truck tick!

 

We sent two owner operators rush loads of Dry Bulk from NJ to Oregon. The older truck developed engine problems and was rebuilt in the parking lot of the hotel.

I remember a few guys; real crusty old timers, who carried starter and alternator, belts and water pump 'just in case'

 

I was a mechanic not a driver
Now it has flipped around
I am a driver not a mechanic

It’s America , you don’t have to do what you don’t want to do. Remember Veterans Day and Memorial Day they gave us that freedom let’s not give it away

 

Yep ... Lights for sure on the tractor but for some reason lights on the trailer seem to go haywire on me so I leave that for the pros.

 

If I had a driver that refused to do small repairs I would go pick him/her up, drive them home and say the truck will be down for a week and just get someone else to drive it.

Seriously, how lazy are you to figure out a quick repair.

 

What if you fall off the tire changing a wiper blade and fracture a hip , then what.
Comp could fight that claim , not your job.
Changing a tail light with a flat head screwdriver and poke yer eye out , then what.the

 

Not sure about others, but I don't ever remember standing on a tire working inside my engine compartment. I always stopped my wipers at their high arc and used a stand. A driver is more likely to slip on the steps going up or down the side steps than falling off a tire.