Need everybody's thought been a mechanic for the last 20 years and a cabinet maker at home my question is thoughts on a cheep mobile mechanic no I wouldn't do engines or major repairs I might thinking minor repair brakes, oil etc. any help would be great thanks
mobile mechanic
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cyndi
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Ianumcarl! Welcome to the CRVL forums! We have a couple of mechanics on the forum who do some work at gatherings for various types of payment (meals, cash, tradework) and sometimes none at all. Maybe they'll chime in and be able togive you more information
To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.
To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.
eDJ_
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Welcome to the CRVL Forums 
Back in my School Days I rented a House that had a two stall garage behind it. I had worked at a near by Gas Station Garage (seen in the bottom link) as a kid and my old boss would send me work when he got snowed under. Work I called "running repairs". Basically Oil Changes, Tire Rotations, inspections, and some tuning of engines. He had a lot of customers wanting this cause we did State Safety Inspections and put a stamp on the Windshield....and they figured that if they patronized his business that they would get the benefit of the doubt for passing that annual inspection. So I was inspecting brakes, topping off fluids in Power Steering, brakes, auto transmissions, and the like. Even greasing door hinges, door lock lubrication and all the things a customer couldn't do for himself. Often pulling the drivers door panel to grease the window crank etc as that seems to be the window that gets the most use.
Today I see a lot of these 10 minute oil changes....but that seems to be all that they want to do.
But I'd see a market in "running repair" on the road. What some would call "Shade Tree Mechanic" work. You won't have the overhead of a Garage and as long as the weather permits you could do this outdoors. Or have a Tarp dining fly that you could pull the front of the car under for some shelter. Use plastic tarps on three sides for some cover from the wind even.
But this is how I would approach it if I were to do it. You wouldn't have to charge as much since you don't have the operations cost. You could give the mobile travelers a break. But be careful with the Sticks N Bricks
Garage people who may want you ran off by the local LEO's. As you would be seen as stealing their work....and worse yet being unfair competition.
I would suggest collecting your fee up front too. If you aren't a licensed business....you won't have any recourse if a customer refuses to pay or pikes you saying he doesn't have the money. (if you aren't sure about them..........get under the hood and disable a starter relay or something so they aren't going to go anywhere until they pay you) LOL
Back in my School Days I rented a House that had a two stall garage behind it. I had worked at a near by Gas Station Garage (seen in the bottom link) as a kid and my old boss would send me work when he got snowed under. Work I called "running repairs". Basically Oil Changes, Tire Rotations, inspections, and some tuning of engines. He had a lot of customers wanting this cause we did State Safety Inspections and put a stamp on the Windshield....and they figured that if they patronized his business that they would get the benefit of the doubt for passing that annual inspection. So I was inspecting brakes, topping off fluids in Power Steering, brakes, auto transmissions, and the like. Even greasing door hinges, door lock lubrication and all the things a customer couldn't do for himself. Often pulling the drivers door panel to grease the window crank etc as that seems to be the window that gets the most use.
Today I see a lot of these 10 minute oil changes....but that seems to be all that they want to do.
But I'd see a market in "running repair" on the road. What some would call "Shade Tree Mechanic" work. You won't have the overhead of a Garage and as long as the weather permits you could do this outdoors. Or have a Tarp dining fly that you could pull the front of the car under for some shelter. Use plastic tarps on three sides for some cover from the wind even.
But this is how I would approach it if I were to do it. You wouldn't have to charge as much since you don't have the operations cost. You could give the mobile travelers a break. But be careful with the Sticks N Bricks
Garage people who may want you ran off by the local LEO's. As you would be seen as stealing their work....and worse yet being unfair competition.
I would suggest collecting your fee up front too. If you aren't a licensed business....you won't have any recourse if a customer refuses to pay or pikes you saying he doesn't have the money. (if you aren't sure about them..........get under the hood and disable a starter relay or something so they aren't going to go anywhere until they pay you) LOL
If your idea was a profitable one, don't you think we'd see mobile mechanics everywhere?
They do exist. We use them in the trucking industry. They charge accordingly for laying on a gravel patch under the semi, on a sweltering hot day while vehicles zoom past at 70-75 mph. They are not cheap!
Stocking enough tools, fluids, belts, hoses, parts for a wide variety of vehicles and be a quick roadside service seems daunting. Add into that the travel to and from the location, or to the parts store and the idea of "cheap" soon falls apart.
Weather problems. Scammers. No lift. Big truck/van with the right equipment. Insurance. Licensing. Crawling around in the dirt and mud or snow. Diagnostic equipment.
20 years in the business. Try your idea locally.
Any good mechanic I know is swamped. They work out of their garages because they can provide faster service.
They do exist. We use them in the trucking industry. They charge accordingly for laying on a gravel patch under the semi, on a sweltering hot day while vehicles zoom past at 70-75 mph. They are not cheap!
Stocking enough tools, fluids, belts, hoses, parts for a wide variety of vehicles and be a quick roadside service seems daunting. Add into that the travel to and from the location, or to the parts store and the idea of "cheap" soon falls apart.
Weather problems. Scammers. No lift. Big truck/van with the right equipment. Insurance. Licensing. Crawling around in the dirt and mud or snow. Diagnostic equipment.
20 years in the business. Try your idea locally.
Any good mechanic I know is swamped. They work out of their garages because they can provide faster service.
I do work at a shop and I do have more work then I can handle from home but I want to travel I'm just wondering if I would make enough hauling the tools around or if better off selling most off and finding other means of funding I'm not wanting to get rich off of it just keep it moving
eDJ_
Well-known member
As I read your post and the answers, I wonder what kinds of equipment you have experience working with.
Auto's
Trucks
Outboard Motors (boats)
Motorcycles
Stationary equipment (construction & industry)
Agricultural machinery
Diesel
I often am up early watching an Agricultural Report on TV called AgDay and listen to them talking about Jobs in agriculture that they are having difficulties finding skilled workers to fill. Maintenance of farm equipment is always mentioned. If you were to work on Farm Equipment and travel around he country doing this you may find work where you could lay over working for a week at a time (or whatever time you could agree on even if it is seasonal) in order to fund your travels.
I would suggest that you be clear about seeking temporary work, or taking on short term projects.
If you want to investigate this further you can watch the daily 1/2 hour shows which are archived here:
http://www.agweb.com/agday/
But they are always saying that there are lots of jobs in Agriculture that are available.
Auto's
Trucks
Outboard Motors (boats)
Motorcycles
Stationary equipment (construction & industry)
Agricultural machinery
Diesel
I often am up early watching an Agricultural Report on TV called AgDay and listen to them talking about Jobs in agriculture that they are having difficulties finding skilled workers to fill. Maintenance of farm equipment is always mentioned. If you were to work on Farm Equipment and travel around he country doing this you may find work where you could lay over working for a week at a time (or whatever time you could agree on even if it is seasonal) in order to fund your travels.
I would suggest that you be clear about seeking temporary work, or taking on short term projects.
If you want to investigate this further you can watch the daily 1/2 hour shows which are archived here:
http://www.agweb.com/agday/
But they are always saying that there are lots of jobs in Agriculture that are available.
ArtW
Well-known member
I tried doing the same thing you're talking about, back when I still liked working on cars, it was not profitable for me, YMMV
eDJ_ said:
To make it short I work on all of that at some point I live in small ag town and only one of a handful of people with machinist equipment and my 9to5 job is auto and light truck , I'm not really looking for a job my ? Is will it be worth the space and weight to carry the automotive tools around,
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Wabbit
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How much $ a month do you think would make it worthwhile to you? How much space\weight do your tools take up?That might give some idea of expectations. I would use your kind of service if it was affordable to me or you worked for barter. Setup some storage space near a quartzite(winter gathering area) kind of thing and work the months people are there?
GotSmart
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The problem is that so many people have been burned by shoddy work in the past, and established shops tend to be extremely protective of their territory. In Blyth, the top shop charges about $2 a minute. It also takes care of the LEO fleet.
It might pay, but getting the word out without getting rousted just might be a problem. The month of January in Quartzsite could make you enough to pad the rest of the year. As long as you are willing to work on motor homes.
I made a bit of money as a carpenter on the road. Getting that first job was not easy, but after that the word of mouth kept me busy.
It might pay, but getting the word out without getting rousted just might be a problem. The month of January in Quartzsite could make you enough to pad the rest of the year. As long as you are willing to work on motor homes.
I made a bit of money as a carpenter on the road. Getting that first job was not easy, but after that the word of mouth kept me busy.
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