Trucking- Good Shop, Bad Shop

If you just need a PM service you’re pretty safe to pull in to a Petro Lube or a Speedco when you’re on the road. But if you need repairs, pulling into the shop at a truck stop can be a little stressful. You’re hoping to find a good mechanic, but your choices are limited. You’re not from the area so you don’t know any independent shops. You pull up to the shop entrance and as you’re walking in to the service counter, you hear one of the mechanics telling the other one how he had to prime that last truck’s fuel filter with gas. You shake your head. You know you’re taking your chances now.

Not to mention, the prices truck stops and many dealerships charge. You might pay anywhere from $80 to $120 per hour. At those rates, you deserve top notch work to be done. It’s been our experience, however, that any time you go into a shop for a repair you should expect to have to go back for the same problem at least one or two more times. So you may end up paying another outrageous fee to have another shop fix the repair the last one didn’t fix right. Top pay just doesn’t equal top quality these days.

You can find truck repair shops at most of the major truck stop chains- Petro Truck Stops, Travelcenter of America (TA), and some Flying J truck stops. Don’t expect to find one at a Pilot truck stop, though a few do have shops, or a Loves Travel Center. We’ve found that you are far better off to develop a list of independent repair shops and services or quality truck dealerships for yourself rather than relying on the truck stop chains.

We’ve gathered together a listing of good truck shops and trucking service providers. If you know of any others, feel free to add a comment and let others know where they can expect to get good quality work for their money.

Good shops:

Aber’s Truck Center

Ashland, Ohio

Volvo, Cummins, Detroit (no warranty offered), Caterpillar (medium duty only), A/C, brakes, clutches, Body Work, General Repairs

800-221-3936

Direct Hydraulics

Las Vegas, Nevada

Welding, Hydraulics, Cylinder Repair, Service Calls Made, Overnight Guarantee on most work, 7 days a week

702-250-2606/702-869-8159

Keith’s Truck and Trailer

Russia, Ohio (route 47 between Greenville and Sidney)

Truck/Trailer Repairs and Service- all kinds

937-295-2561

Laser Line

Filer, Idaho (Twin Falls/Jerome area)

Truck/Trailer Alignments, 3-Axle Alignments, Spin Balancing, King Pin Replacement, Bearings, Mobile Service (they will come to you), Appointments Appreciated, 7 days a week

208-420-3427

Paso Robles Truck Center

Paso Robles, California

Volvo, Cummins, Caterpillar, Brakes, Tires, Suspension, Body Work, General Repairs

800-992-9401