When it comes to pricing, truck mechanics tend to charge more than regular mechanics. For example, if you specialize in working on big box trucks, you may charge more than an average mechanic. The same goes for working on medium-duty rides and motor homes. However, if you specialize in working on large trucks, you should charge at least 10% more than a typical mechanic. Other vehicles that you may work on include ambulances and construction vehicles.

Average Hourly Rate

The average gross pay of a truck mechanic in Emmaus, United States is $56,897, or $27 an hour. This is a higher rate than most mechanics, and it includes a bonus of $1,838 per hour.

Based on survey data of employers in New York, truck mechanics earn between $42,023 and $64,286 per year. The average salary for an entry-level mechanic is $35,000 per year, while the highest-paid earn over $64,000.

The hourly rate for truck mechanics varies widely, and it depends on the industry you work in. The average salary for heavy diesel mechanics ranges from $23,000 to $61,700 per year.

While you can make more than $30,000 per year by working in a high-volume shop, there are also many other considerations to consider when setting the rate. While low labor rates are great for new businesses, they can work against you if your shop becomes too busy.

Average Repair Cost

In the latest quarterly benchmarking report for truck maintenance costs, Fleet Net America released results for the third quarter of 2019. The results revealed that the average cost of a mechanical roadside repair is now over $400 – an increase of 24% over the same quarter last year.

Truck maintenance costs vary by make and model but are generally higher for luxury and premium brands. The breakdown below shows how the average cost for roadside repairs varies by make and model.

Among the top five VMRS systems, the 034-lighting system led the way with a $545 average. In the truckload segment, the most expensive mechanical repair was the 023-clutch system.

Brakes were the second most common, followed by lighting and power plants. Exhaust systems and tires were among the least expensive. Compared to their peers, truckload operations struggle with lighting and exhaust systems.

Fueling Costs

Operating costs per mile for a commercial truck can be high. On average, a commercial truck will burn more than seventy thousand gallons of diesel per year.

Fuel costs can easily exceed four thousand dollars a year if an 18-wheeler needs to be serviced frequently. On average, a truck driver will spend $0.04 per mile on coffee. That adds up to about $600 per year.

The rising cost of diesel cuts into margins and other component costs, including empty-cargo “deadhead” miles. Fuel costs are also putting a strain on truck mechanics’ ability to pay for roadside assistance and other services.

These costs can be especially difficult to absorb in an industry that is already grappling with a lack of port space and supply chain issues. Fuel prices are only going up. If you’re truck maintenance, it’s likely that you’ve seen the resulting impact on your bottom line.

Tire Replacement Costs

As the economy continues to grow, the costs of tire replacement are increasing. This is due to a few factors, including the price of raw materials and freight. There is also an increasing demand for replacement tires in the market. This trend is expected to continue until at least 2020.

While this trend is not equally felt across all types of tires, it is certainly helping to drive the price of new tires upward. Here are some things to consider when planning your fleet’s tire budget.

Final Words

The typical tire replacement interval is six years, but this may vary depending on driving habits. Tires that are rarely driven may last longer.

The average life of a truck tire is a solid six years, but it may be a little longer or shorter depending on driving conditions and other factors. For example, steer tires may last 200,000 miles before they have to be replaced. Truck mechanics recommend minimum tread wear of 4/32 inches, although this is not always the case.

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