I had a positive experience today with a mechanic. I blew a new tire as I drove into a Pilot parking lot in Georgia. It sounded like I rolled over a bomb!! In my rearview mirrors I saw the dust and debris fly up in the air. As it turned out the tire blew one side over the rim. The tire guy came out and put it back on. As I move my trailer it blew again within about 50' from where it was repaired. I drove with him back to his garage and bought a rim to put on my trailer. It isn't an aluminum wheel, but it gets me going again. The final bill was for .9/hr labor at $82/hour and $1/mile each way. Labor came to $81 and the rim was $111. Even after adding sales tax the entire bill was less than $200. I don't think they have a minimum charge. I called another shop and they charge $160 just to come out. I could not believe that I have found an honest shop. If you need any sort of mechanic work or tires and are in south Georgia they are in the old TA truck stop at exit 97 off I-75. That is in Cordele, GA. The truck stop is closed but the shop is open. The name of the shop is Rockhgouse Truck & Trailer Repair. If I am in the area and need help I will certainly give these people a call next time. I don't usually plug shops, but I was really impressed that he didn't charge more. He told me that they are trying to work with OOIDA to give them a 10% discount. He also said that they really want to cater to owner operators. I like to see honest people succeed.

If anyone else has a shop that they have gotten good service and fair pricing perhaps you could post it here for others to benefit.

 

I've had a good experience with two shops.

The most recent one was with Jellico Truck shop just below the KY line in TN. TNDOT stopped me and gave me a level 1 at exit 144 of northbound I-75. But, when I got to the end of the ramp, I had to make a hairpin turn back onto the get-on ramp and pull off to the side. Swinging the rig a wide as I could, and cranking the wheel all the way to the stops (something I very seldom ever do) my left air-line to the brake chamber sprung a small leak. But, DOT could hear air when I stepped on the brake, and of course, that's an "out of service". Jellico shop sent out a truck with two guys and replaced the air hose so that I could get on my way. I looked at the bill and could not believe it. $75. That's it. No service call, no mileage, just $75 for the hose and labor.

The other one was a number of years ago, and I believe the shop is still there, although, I have not had reason to go back there since. On I-10, exit 53 (I believe it was), just north of the Oasis truck stop. I picked up the empty trailer in Mobile, and was going to pick up the load in FL. I stopped at the Oasis truck stop to check how clean the trailer was, and found a hole in the fiberglass top. The shop just to the north of the truck stop charged the company $117 to put a permanent patch on it, and the company was so impressed, they wanted the phone number, contact person, and all. Both beat the daylights out of Little America in WY where a little 1/2" water hose cost me $368.

 

Good for you G! It's nice to catch a break sometimes.

 

That is true, Rosty. I figured that these people would have charged me for putting the tire back on again, but they didn't. All they did was charge for the wheel. If it had been a TA or other shop I have no doubt that the bill would have been at least double what I paid these people. Guys like this deserve to succeed. Next time I am in the area and need something, rest assured I will try to wait until I can find these people.

 

Well, if you're ever around my area and need a mechanic let me know. You would have the same experience with the shop I use. It's a husband and wife operation and he won't jam anyone up. He also worked for Caterpillar for 23 years or so and knows the product inside out.

When I was in Buffalo and my driveshaft went out, I took it to Hunter Buffalo Peterbilt. I also had a small fuel leak. They tried to tell me I needed plungers and barrels in my fuel pump, about 1000.00 repair. I remember the guy telling me not to listen to anyone that said it just needs o-rings.

I limped it home, took it to Bob, told him what they told me and he said "Bullsht", needs o-rings, and then explained to me in detail why. I won't bother to bore you with the details but he was right. Put o-rings in and it's been fine since.

Millenders Garage
Hampstead, MD

Tell em Dave sent ya, maybe I'll get a free hour of labor. :lol:

 

Here goes my 2 cents

I have found a jem of a shop here in Elizabeth, NJ, where my company is based. 90% of the time i get my own parts, since there is a few parts stores in the area, and I have a few friends there who hook me up with "big account/mechanic" pricing... but for ther labor...

The place is all jamaican, so they can take their time, but let me tell you, they do quality work, and on the cheap too...

Last time i was really impressed with them. List of things they replaced: Rear muffle, with the stack on top, one cab airbag, one brake chamber(the only part i didn't have at the time, b/c i thought it was a minr air leak, so this they provided...) and changed the ouil in the power steering gearbox. labor and break chamber included it totaled a whopping $120. i couldn't belive it eiother. and they were at it for a good 3.5 hours or so...

another time (the first time i went there actually) i only had to replace the elbow below the muffler. part cost me $80 or so from the parts store, and labotr here was $60. he was at it for a good hour and a half.'

so all I can say is thesde guys deserve every penny, averey truck that rolls thru their lot. I had nothing but god experiences, granted you have to have patrience, but it pays off.

Faith Truck Repair
725 Spring Street, Elizabeth, NJ‎ 07201
908-353-6660
faithtruckrepair.com

Dave is the man there, andI'll always bring my truck there to do anything, unless i'm stranded...

 

I had a good experience in Dallas several years ago. I broke an axle and another driver pulled me out of rush hour traffic to his mechanic. They are near Freightliner and Truckpro on Carol Ln. It is a couple of blocks off Irving Blvd. I thought that they were very fair with me and have used them several times since if I need something done when in Dallas. The name is Midnight Mechanic. I don't have the phone number, but I would think that he is still in business and doing well. I was in a real bind when I broke that axle and he got right on it. It took longer to get the parts than it did to do the work. I believe the axle had to be ordered. These were real nice people.

 

Squaw Creek exit I-29 exit 79 in Mo. blew an air hose to the rear brake chamber, total bill including new hose, $32.50

 

It is hard to believe that you could get out of any shop for $32.50. :thumbsup: