how mechanically savvy should u be ?

Lol.. yup.. actually was multi tasking and got you confused with OP...

 

This is a real broad topic. I know guys who take everything to the shop and I know guys who take nothing to the shop. Do what you're comfortable with but IMO every owner should be capable of:

-Oil/filter changes
-Fuel/air filters
-Greasing
-Regular inspections (done while greasing/other repair work)
-Basic electrical (like lights and electrical cords)
-Minor repairs like loose bolts or torn air lines.

 

In all honesty, you don't need diesel school to drive a truck. But some mechanical knowledge doesn't hurt. It all comes down to how God programmed your brain. It comes naturally to some, while others couldn't be trusted to open a can of tuna with a can opener. Like the others said, run a company truck for a while before jumping into your own sled. This job isn't for everyone.

 

Don't care if I step on toes.

The CDL test should have a lot of mechanical questions on them, this way people won't get into trouble.

It is an easy test, too easy.

 

Now that is just plain sad.

That's what I like about you. We can disagree like crazy, (and have a few times,) but you say what you think, just like I do.

This is one that I doubt you will ever see. As long as the major bottom feeders keep the lawmakers in their pockets, it isn't going to happen.

 

You should learn the basic ins and outs of your truck. try to eliminate as many trips to the mechanic by cutting away their ability to gouge you on stupid crap. But as far as framework or major welds and adjustments, yeah you'll just have to wear it there. It'll save you a fortune even to know one or two aspects of maintenance. YouTube tutorials can be a godsend in this area

 

Ok, seriously, if the OP doesn't know much about trucks, and wants their own, it's the kiss of death. For a company driver, all that's required today is a cell phone. During my time as an O/O, I did most all my own work, but I saw several fellow O/O's go under, because repairs killed them, and THAT WAS 20 YEARS AGO!

 

I have fun with that. I forget how it goes but there are ways to have fun with people like that.

A example would be a tire man as happened in Western PA, there were two of us identical covered wagons one with a flat.

Tire man asked what kind of tire do you need? "A round one"

Ok,, where is the tire? "On the truck with the flat"

Ok.. pauses... how do I know.. "Well, it's black..."

PAUSED... the two of us had trouble keeping straight faces at this point as he considered the problem seriously.

Bless him, he gave us a good day. The Lord is mighty generous with his gifts but man does he leave something now and then.

 

That's is across the board with any vehicle.. I have an old BSA 650 single thumper that is all chopped out.. was out riding and stopped at a gas station for a break and some water.. there were a few other guys there on bikes, one was on an 883 sportster, apparently the ring leader since he had a Harley.. and there was another one on a Vulcan 650and the last on a Honda rebel 250..

They looked at my bike and started commenting on it.. loved the paint job.. but then asked why I wouldn't put a bigger engine it and the guy on the 250 makes a chucking comment about it looking like a 50cc... so I corrected them and told them it was a 650... to which they said no way.. it isn't even a V-Twin..

I just said no it wasn't, nor is it a parallel twin... it is a single thumper.. and went in for my water..

They will either want to know more or not..

And it the same holds true for truck drivers...

Although I thought that was covered in school..

 

When it comes to this topic there is no wrong answer and no right answer, even for an owner operator. For a company driver understand that in some cases a help call might be coming from hundreds of miles away. In my hometown for years the closest wrecker that could pull a tractor trailer was OVER an hour away. My point? Well as much as you can tell that roadside assistance call the better prepared they might be to get you going either on your way or back to the shop. One of my favorites was the night a guy was stopped out on I 10 out in the middle of nowhere Arizona because his alternator failed and he ran his battery down to the point his lights went out. He was waiting on help to come they got there about 10 minutes after I did but had to go BACK to Phoenix to get what they would have had with them if the driver had some basic mechanical knowledge. This was back in the 90s when there was a sign just before I think it was the next exit after Rip Griffins (now TA) saying last services for a long time. If my memory is correct we were somewhere around the 50 MM. almost 100 miles back to Phoenix. For some reason I long ago forgot going to California was a no go. No you don't have to be able to take a detroit engine apart blindfolded and put it back together, however on those moments that really matter helping get that fix coming is VERY important.