The first 10 minutes
Safety comes before the repair. Get as far off the road as the truck allows, turn on the hazard lights and put out the warning triangles.
- Federal rules give the driver 10 minutes to place the triangles once the truck is stopped on the road or the shoulder (49 CFR 392.22).
- On a two way road: one triangle about 10 feet from the truck on the traffic side, one about 100 feet behind and one about 100 feet ahead.
- On a divided highway: about 10 feet, 100 feet and 200 feet behind the truck, all toward the oncoming traffic.
- Stay off the travel lanes. If the truck is in a dangerous spot, call 911 first.
What to tell the shop
A shop can only quote and send the right truck if it knows what it is walking into. Have this ready before the first call:
- Where the truck is: highway, direction, the nearest mile marker or exit, and a pin from the driver's phone.
- The truck: year, make, model, engine and the VIN.
- What happened: the sound, the smell, the warning lights, and any fault codes on the dash.
- For a tire: the position (steer, drive or trailer) and the size printed on the sidewall.
- The load: reefer, hazmat or a hot load changes who can come and how fast.
- How you pay: card, fuel card check, or an account with the shop.
Mobile mechanic, tow or drive in
| Choose | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile mechanic | Tires, air lines, batteries, belts, lights, many sensors | Usually the fastest. Ask for the call out fee and the hourly rate. |
| Drive in shop | The truck can still move safely a short distance | Call ahead so a bay is ready. Ask about parts on hand. |
| Heavy tow | Engine, transmission or driveline failure, or an accident | Costs the most. Ask whether the tow can take the truck to the shop that will fix it. |
Finding the right shop
Search for truck repair, diesel repair or semi truck tire service near the truck, not just mechanic. Car shops rarely have the lift, the tools or the parts for a Class 8 truck.
- Check that the shop works on semis. Photos of trucks in the bays and reviews from drivers are a good sign.
- Check the hours before you call. A shop that closed at five cannot help at nine.
- Ask how soon they can be there or take the truck, and get the price in writing, even by text.
- Call two or three at once if the first one is slow. The truck earns nothing while it waits.
After the repair
Get an itemized receipt with the shop's name, the truck's unit number and the work done. It goes in the truck's maintenance record and, if the driver paid, back to him on his next pay. If the breakdown made the load late, tell the broker with the new ETA as soon as you have it.