It’s very helpful to have truck stops with so many amenities for drivers and shops. That’s gold for this industry compared with Europe, where drivers often sleep on the side of the road and don’t always have a place to take a shower like we do in the U.S. But the problem in the US is the shops. They can handle oil changes, tires, and small jobs, but there’s usually no chance to do larger repairs. They often pay less and end up hiring new mechanics with little or no experience.

We had a problem with a wheel bearing, kingpins, the wheel hub, etc. What should have been a 2-day job turned into a 2-week job. They messed up so much because they didn’t have the experience.

Then a different truck broke down with a differential issue. After one week, we had to tow it to another shop because they couldn’t finish it. And the list continues. The takeaway is very clear and simple: when it’s a big job, look for a smaller shop with a strong Google rating and a good reputation. Find a place with old-school mechanics and real experts, not a shop that only knows how to replace parts.

Another problem with the big truck stop shops is that they’re focused on making money, and the most money is in small, fast jobs like oil changes, tires, starters, roadside assistance, etc. Because of that, they don’t have much interest in complicated repairs, where the profit margin is usually smaller and the job takes longer.

The last problem is turnover and shift changes. You start talking with one person, and by the time the job is done, it’s someone else, with little communication between them. You end up explaining the problem all over again, and what you want, again. It gets even more complicated when the new mechanic blames the previous mechanic for messing something up and wants to redo the work “the right way.”

It’s too much to go through, so do real research before you tow your broken-down truck to any shop. That one decision can be the difference between a quick fix and a disaster.

If you pick the wrong place, a “small” job can turn into a $10,000+ problem fast. Not because the part is that expensive, but because of everything that happens around it.

This is a true road story for a lot of us. So, before you tow, slow down and choose wisely. Because the risk is real, and the cost is real.

Disclaimer: This article reflects our personal opinions and experiences as a trucking company. It is not legal, financial or insurance advice, and it is not meant to accuse any specific person, company or profession of wrongdoing.