Why not doing your own repairs will make you go bankrupt.

I think we can all agree, both options have merit and we can all agree that the worst scenario is probably being stuck in the middle, having junk equipment with a loan on it.

So to any newbies out there, I say this, I know it's hard when u get your first truck and sometimes you have to get finance on an old junker, and despite trying your best you bought a POS, be prepared for this and work your ### off at the start to get that first truck debt free.

I see so many people who buy trucks thinking they will make more money doing less work, they actually buy the truck as a way out of being a driver (maybe more here in AUS not sure about USA)

The amount of blokes who buy a truck to do less work is amazing, I know it's different if you own your rig outright and have plenty of back up cash, but if it's your first truck be prepared to put in the miles.

 

Thank you !

 

I've seen that. many a Time...

A good Truck Driver rarely makes a Good Truck Owner.. Business skills are far more important than many understand..!!

 

IF you knew Exactly which components you needed, you could probably save yourself close to 15% on ordering parts yourself, maybe more if you know the reputable off-brands. But thats part of why youre paying him. Especially if hes using oem and standing behind his work.

Must note, year make and model of your truck changes things, some trucks, primarily newer ones have more complicated suspensions, mine was an old dirt simple kw, I didnt have the tools and they had everything in stock, made my decision easy.

 

Same. I am away from home pretty much permanently for now. Doesn’t matter as I don’t have the tools to do something like this anyway nor do I have a place to work on the truck at the moment. I wore out my welcome at the place where I park at home. They didn’t say anything, I made this determination. It was supposed to be temporary and here we are 1.5 years later. So I won’t do anymore work on their property. I feel as if I am using them at this point and that doesn’t sit well with me. And my brother in law works there. I don’t want to create issues for him as he is 25 years in with the company.

The shop had a sign saying he will not use customer supplied parts. I assume either because they were wrong and he had to order anyways or a liability issue happened and someone screwed him.

I do most of the other repairs so I am fine hiring out something like this to someone who specializes in it.

 

And

 

Even though I’m in favor of new equipment I still tote a pile of tools. I carry wrenches from 1/4 to 11/4. Same with sockets and a half inch cordless impact as well as a 1 inch cordless impact and a 20 ton bottle Jack. Backouts, taps, chisel. You name it and there is a decent chance I got it.

old habits die hard. But it has gotten me out of several binds. Being able to do simple stuff. Hoses, fittings, wiring for lights is way more important than knowing the big stuff. The little things are what will leave you stranded waiting for the over priced T/A “technician”. Big jobs can be farmed out if needed.

 

I am to the point now my tools and spare parts have surpassed available storage in this flat top. Going to mount a smaller job box on the catwalk and get all this crap out of here. I couldn’t pick up a lizard if I wanted to. Unless she is ok with being mounted on a pile of Dewalt cases/bags and 1/2 socket case. Put a foot up on the salt bucket for leverage.

 

It’s all about leverage. That lesson will carry a man through life.

 

If I ever roll this truck, cause of death will be battery powered grease gun or unopened can of Monster. That ain’t no way to go. But I would insist it be listed in my obituary.