You're right about that. I pulled into Freightliner in NM, thought they might have decent labor rates. $104.50 per hour. I got back in my truck and I still need something done with my throttle sensor. It's tight.

 

Almost any of the western dealers are more expensive than those on the eastern side of the Mississippi. An independent shop is usually much less expensive when you can find one. The down side is the warranty. Of course, it seems that most of the big dealers can find a way to not honor a warranty. I spoke with my local MHD Kenworth dealer a couple of weeks ago. They are going up on their rates again. They don't seem to understand that we are in a serious economic slow down. They may just find themselves without so much business if they continue raising prices. They have been trying to sell me more trucks. I only go to the big dealers when there is no other place to get the work that I need done. At the prices these big shops are charging you could afford to take a chance on having to pay twice and not spend any more money.

 

I'm with Gman, whenever possible I use a "local" shop.
Couple of months ago blew a turbo on 287 in Tx. Local guy came out to the truckstop and fixed it. $200 and this included having to run 40 miles each way to meet a parts guy bringing one from Ft Worth.
If I could have got it into a dealer in FW would probably have been $500 in labor plus the always added "Misc. shop supplies, enviromental tax and city tax.

 

Yeah, I just never found a good, local shop. There's a place in Florida I like to go, but I don't go down there anymore. You've got to find a place that is both competent and has a relatively cheap, easy access to parts. I just haven't found it. It's one of the biggest hangups in my operation right now.

 

I have a few people in different parts of the country that I prefer to use. When I find a good shop I try to keep a card to remember them. Unfortunately, there are times when things happen and I can't get to one of those shops. It is great when I can make it. You just don't need to spend over $100/hour plus all the BS charges such as shop fees, etc., If these shops can't make it on $100/hour they need to get out of the business. I would like to see OOIDA or the ATA take on the shop fee scam. The problem is that there are shops all over the country that are doing the same thing. One tire shop that I used to purchase tires started the shop fee and I stopped doing business with them. I bought a lot of tires from them over the years. Earlier this year I told them why I haven't bought any tires from them. They put into their computer that they would not charge me at any of their shops around the country. However, they have attempted to do it on a couple of occasions. Fortunately, I was able to catch it before paying the bill. It actually worked in my behalf to go elsewhere for my tires. My distributor is selling me tires for much less than this bigger company. I believe the large company has about 140 locations across the country. The distributor only has a single location. I like the prices and service that I receive from the smaller company. Most small shops are more fair than the large ones. Most will only charge for the time they actually spend working rather than out of a book. That in itself could save a lot of money. Next time you need work performed you may want to check around to see if you can find a local shop.

 

I am the same with tires Gman. I have a little local two man shop here in town I deal with exclusivly to get new tires, only use Michelin all around. When I replace tires I do the whole unit weather it be Jeep, trailer or Stinger (12 tires each one) Oh and the tractor, 14 tires. They charge me book price, less a quantity discount, and a dis mount/mount charge and throw in balancing. I carry 4 ready mounted wheels/tires with me and they will sort thru them so's I have the best of the bunch as spares and allow either a good trade in or core charge on the old ones. Plus if one of them is out in the service truck and see's me parked at the normal place they will stop by and check tire pressures, that's service

 

You can't find service like that with the big shops. That is great that they will actually check your tire pressure for you without asking.

 

I have a load that goes from VA to CA.

100ft long
28ft high
33000lbs
must be broken down
Is this something you can haul?

 

He might need to know the dimensions after it is broken down - Length x width x height.
He will have to leave part of his rig behind, to get it within legal limits - weight wise.

 

same here on local shops. I just bought 4 kelly kda lugs for $309.00 a tire installed. kelly was not my first choice, but I doubt anyone could beat that price on that tire.