Would you start as Mobile or Dedicated shop?

Shop for sure, specialize if you can.

Mobile repair is limited as everything is heavy and eventually it will end up in a bay. The Northeast your area of interest has climate issues for concern. Stay inside, stay warm and safe and make money, no question.

The only way I would go Mobile is on a Diagnosis only gig. No parts changing which could be lucrative if you have the tools, customers and know how.

My 2 cents.

 

In my area, its not cost effective to build a shop or rent a bay. Looking at like $20 per sq ft to lease commercial building.

Edit: $150k sets up a nice service truck.

 

Allstate Peterbilt opened a new dealership and had to go with sales and parts only for 6 months due to not finding certified techs , great time for anyone to open a non Humpty Dumpty shop.

 

Depending on where you are, both or either one can be very lucrative. The service truck does not have the overhead, and is cheaper to get off the ground, if the business is there.

 

If you're willing to get creative, a lot of stuff can be done outside of a shop. I drove past one of those big 10 axle b-train logging trucks broken down in a roadside pullout. Mechanic was swapping in a reman transmission. Probably cost less doing it there like that than hauling in a loader, unloading the truck and towing it 200km to the nearest shop.

 

Got a guy that has his own mobile truck that parks in the yard that I lease space- All he does is work on peoples trucks there... 8am to 5pm Has everything on his truck plus a small container for trans jack tall torches and hardwood blocks- Makes his $400 per day.....Home by 530 pm.

He always has work- Never has to go anywhere...Drivers just dont want to work on their own stuff.

 

I have done several clutches out of a service truck, even swapped out the engine in a dump truck once, and lots of big work on heavy equipment in the field.

 

Working on heavy equipment in a field is one thing.

Changing tires and brake chambers on the side of a US interstate with cars not moving over and whizzing by at 85mph is another.
Having seen fellow tow drivers and mechanics taking months to recover from serious injury from stupid drivers, I am sorry to say.......no amount of money would convince me to become a mobil guy ever again. Just not worth it to me.

 

Its a special breed for sure. I got nothing but respect for all them tow drivers,and roadside mechanics..such a tough and under appreciated job