First major expenses as an Owner Operator on the truck.

Where is the work being done? And that's just expense. Major expense is in the twenty large plus neighborhood.

 

Good maintenance, and always keep in mind if you're easy on the truck, it tends to be easy on you.

 

I would not even let a TA do that kind of job, especially in Ohio. Not kidding.

 

Agreed x100000.

Never, ever, ever...

Change a tire yes, fuel filters maybe, adjust wheel bearing correctly and change a disc rotor, HELL NAH!

Run, don't walk

 

Patch a tire....... 5 hours. Then the kid tears the liner.

Do not walk away.....RUN. Run like you are being chased by the alien.

I've heard more horror stories about TA's in Ohio than all the rest combined.

 

I've got 26 years in as a mechanic, owning a very successful repair shop until I closed it in May.

Stopped at a TA in Ohio, maybe Kentucky about two months ago for fuel filters and grease, check the boxes.

Kid changes fuel filters, engine starts and dies. He asked me to keep cranking, and I asked if he filled the filters.
"Of course", was his response.

I cranked again for probably 15 seconds and told him to pull them back off. Filled them up. Voila!

Then he told me he had to go get one of the "mechanics" to check my tranny.

I told him nevermind. Pulled out and set the brakes, did it myself.