Reliability and low cost...

Yup. 100%.

When in all actuality all I really cared about was whether he fixed it right the first time for a fair price.

 

The technology has been changing with all them environmental concerns and they are really just throwing untested crap at the problem while not really training the techs. completely. All these computer controlled equipment will bite us in the rear soon, leaving us stranded because we are not being told where to go. I tend to like the older iron a bit better since my initial learning was mechanics',then electrical but this new plastic ####?

 

I was just trying to put it in white folk perspective. Where everything is based on color/race, esp trucking.

All the woes that America trucking is going thru, are "immigrants fault", esp illegal CDL drivers - you know, cheap rates, crappy rattling trucks etc...

How "illegals" get CDL's, i have no idea, coz DMV is pretty strict.

 

@WesternPlains ... You wanted opinion on "low cost".

I gave you one.

I dont know about your comfort level with "immigrants", esp in todays environment... But if you need to effectively manage your cost operations, you will need to cast your net wide, even if it means saying hello to someone not in your immediate comfort zone.

At the end of the day, its your hard earned money, and dealerships dont care.

 

How about I see some truckers and have zero idea how they pass their DOT physical. I’m 52 and healthy and I was stressing about it.

 

read the following information to see how it’s done.
12 States (and DC) That Allow Driver's Licenses for People in the Country Illegally - Illegal Immigration - ProCon.org

 

After that, they can take that license to any other state and get a license in that state.

 

They are put through truck stop parking lot CDL schools at the expense of the taxpayer. I guess the govt is doing their part to alleviate the Trucker Shortage.

 

YES 100%

That happens all the time every day all over the country and I'm sure there are mechanic shops that are becoming wealthy because of moronic Electronics. And yes it has happened to me I don't know how many times as a company driver. Stuck in a dangerous spot over electronic stupidity.

And if you repower a modern truck, meaning like a 90s or how ever new they will permit you to do that, with mechanical engine and you have a nice matched set of tires and you are geared properly, you may not even lose a mile to the gallon. Maybe a half a mile to the gallon if that.

But you notice as soon as the computer trucks have problems, the mileage is the first thing that goes down.

And before anyone tells me how wonderful and dependable and easy to work on computer trucks are, please take a look at the thread "truck 307" and get back to me.

Unfortunately, if you have a computerized truck, that could be YOU.