Mobile Mechanic Setup Advice

[mryuck]

Hello all,

Thanks for the great responses to my last post regarding technician wages. Today I was out doing some work for a side customer in their gravel driveway. As I left, I was contemplating the frustrations of working "out of your zone." Being away from my toolbox and shop equipment can really slow down and complicate otherwise simple repairs. Even the most thought-out preparation leaves you at risk of forgetting an important tool. To that end I'm thinking of outfitting an old van I have for mobile car repair.
I don't have a good space at home to fix cars unfortunately, so taking to the road seems like a good way to make extra scratch. I have to accept the inevitability of working in gravel, dirt, and unfriendly weather (Western washington, so lots of rainy days).
Mobile mechanics- what kind of tools and tricks do you use to make your work more comfortable? Do you have a creeper you especially like for gravel and dirt? How do you keep warm and dry? I'm open to any and all advice.

 

[sselander]

Not a mobile mechanic, but I do work on cars in my parents old gravel/dirt driveway.
An outdoor rubber mat works better than a creeper. HD sells it by the foot (it is on big roll in the store).
Jack stands and lifts can be problematic also. I cut some square plywood squares for the stands and a larger rectangular piece for the lift. We have a portable tent/canopy in case it rains.
It ***** compared to an asphalt driveway, but I have to work with what I have.

 

[Chief919]

My bread and butter for many years in the Army was fixing stuff in the field and anywhere needed.

For working on gravel roads and anywhere else one of the military closed cell sleeping mats is great. Lays out flat, padded enough to not be uncomfortable, quick and easy.

 

[JVB]

Dicks field and stream or even online 10x10 quest brand canopy for under 50$ . Once set up initially it can get setup in around 30 seconds. Great for some shade or keep you dry.

 

[ericb445]

I work on Back Up Power Generation out of a service truck. I use the hell out of the free moving Blankets from Harbor Freight, kneeling in snow and mud is a lot better on a moving blanket. If they get too gross, I have a new one waiting. I watch for the free coupons all the time.

 

[seanb02]

I don't use anything other my coveralls for crawling around vehicles during field repairs. If you are used a cushy shop with a concrete floor and nice creepers the first few times will be miserable. For quick repairs you get used to it after a while. Longer repairs would justify a big chunk of cardboard.

I'm more curious how you are going to be setting up a van for automotive repair? I worked out of the back of a Suburban for a while before buying my service truck. Having the utility boxes on the side of the truck were a huge time saver from getting in and out of the vehicle for tools constantly.

Another point to consider is liability if doing repairs for more folks than just your friends and family during your mobile repair. Folks are very happy suing for things in todays world and you need to have your ducks in a row rather than a shade tree approach.

 

[ZRX61]

I saw a great van today for a airfield mobile mech, it was a '64 Metro Mite with a SBC. Really liked the rare side door set up. It's in Gresham Or.



https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/q81/s720x720/52161584_10213816050775371_7496752105340796928_o.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.**&oh=5fb40de3a366cb1d871876ef724f9372&oe=5CDF072A

 

[Gurp]

I had a buddy do mobile worl for a while he kept to Montezuma style boxes to help keep him organized.
He also brought generator with him too. Small flux core and a 220v stick welder. He worked out of a full size work van. When it would get dirty we used to write free candy of the side of the big white boat all the time lmfao

As far as laying in various surfaces went he carried some bubber matting and a sleeping bag.
A pop up canopy with a few blocks for anchors os a must if rain is in the forecast.
3/4 plywood for jack stands and jacks helps a ton too.
Big thing was he had everything he needed at home and loaded the van accordingly.

 

[WittHay]

Knew a guy that worked out of a older Toyota mini van. Main big tool chest in the back. Floor jack, jack stands, small air compressor and other stuff through the side door. Just worked on cars, suvs and smaller pickups. Seemed to work for him.

The only time that guys fix stuff out in the rain that I know of, is commercial truck breakdowns that are a quick fix and construction equipment that is critical and the company gets charged extra.

Outside car guys are usualy on blacktop or concrete on non real rainy days as in light showers. Usually when its rains, it pours and is also windy.

 

[Sycan]

To have everything you need weight becomes the biggest issue. I started with a F250, then F600, then F700, and now a Freightliner. Maybe working on cars you can adjust for the weather, but big trucks have to roll. That means snow storms, cold, extreme hot, gotta be prepared. One of the best creepers I've found is heavy cardboard that I get from an livestock feed store, they are a liner to protect bags on pallets. Weight is a constant issue, there are alot of benefits if I keep this under 26,000 lbs. If I was doing a van I would look for at least a 3/4 ton

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I have a Snap-on foam pad I saved from the work dumpster 10 years ago that has been great for kneeling or crawling under vehicles, even if overpriced, I'd buy a new one tomorrow if I needed to. The thick waxed cardboard out back of grocery stores works great too, since it won't **** up any moisture.

As said by others, the pop up canopy is a must have to stay dry. Also a good under hood light too see what you're doing.

 

[mryuck]

Thanks everyone! The heavy duty cardboard seems like a great option- my auto parts store has some multi-layered stuff that they use for transporting batteries and the like. I like not spending money when I don't have to pop up canopy is also brilliant and simple.
I do have a 2500 express van right now that already has some contractor shelving installed. i think it would be a solid choice for a worksite vehicle, although it might need more repairs in the near future than I'm willing to invest in. I sorta just need to start with what I have... further investments like a portable air compressor or better vehicle are almost certainly down the road.
I'm thinking about getting a little buddy propane heater just to warm up numb fingers and a small inverter just to keep cordless tools charged.
As for liability... I think at this stage, a lot of that has to do with what kind of work I'm willing to take on. Although I'm open to ideas about how to protect myself.

 

[crewchief888]

i work for a const eq dealership, and have been a field mechanic most of the past 30+ years ive been wrenching.

a small inverter is good for charging cordless batteries, but i monitor my battery life and prefer to recharge once i get home.

one of the best things ive ever found for kneeling on is the cushion from an old office chair. plywood bottom and plenty of padding.

i have a piece of 5/8" plywood 18" wide 3 1/2' feet long to bridge "gaps" when i'm kneeling or laying down.

in cold weather i keep a couple pair of gloves warming/drying in the truck, and very rarely shut the truck off while i'm working, unless i'm inside a building.

jacket, and a pair of insulated bibs for really cold days (below 10F) along with a baklava.

layering clothes, med base layer pants or longjohns, long sleeve t shirt, short sleeve t shirt, all under my normal work uniform.
if i need a jacket, i'll toss on a hi viz FRC. couple stocking hats, (in case i'm getting snowed/rained on)

i wear insulated/waterproof hunting boots all winter.


our lift truck guys all run 3/4T vans. my service truck is a 1T dually, gasser 4X4 with a KUV service body on it.

 

[skouby]

Been a field mechanic on and off for years. Best thing I have found for wet/muddy condition to lay on it horse stall mat. I cut the mat in half, its kinda heavy but thats what makes it good. It wont move around when you shimmy around under the vehicle, its easy to clean and oil and brake clean doesnt bother it.
If its dry out, I just lay on the dirt.
If it's raining I normally just deal with it, but if its really raining I throw up one of those 10x10 canopys, even though for what I work on it normally wont go over the truck.
I have worked out of several different vehicle types from vans to trucks, in everyone I have put my montezuma cross over box in it. Keeps the basic tools organized well.
Field work makes most job take longer compared to being in a shop. That just the nature of the buisness. You have to be fairly well thought out, last thing you wanna do i run out of penetrating oil, brake clean, welding supplies, etc half way through the job and have to pack up all your **** to run a couple miles down the road to pick some up.

 

[DFB]

Cardboard is your friend

But this roll mat is my favorite...makes a great cushioned ground insulation, my old bones are loving it. Wicked lightweight but pretty tough for the money and easy to roll up

https://www.harborfreight.com/anti-fatigue-roll-mat-61241.html

Everybody seems to be using popups lately, especially general contractors keep their compound saws under them.

I work outdoors ALOT and have wrenched without a garage bay too most all my adult life.
Just a few weeks ago we did the brakes on all four wheels on my brothers truck out in the yard temps were down to zero at night and only 20's in the day. When I was logging my land we blew the hydraulic pump out on the CAT skidder, R&R'd it was 15 below zero. If its real bad get a salamander unit.

Above all else stay in the sun and on the leeward side with the wind

 

[jjkrjh]

I was in a service van for many years.

Use a toolbox with friction slides. Roller slides move to easily. Every turn, stop ect. the drawers are slamming and destroys the toolbox. Put tools away greasy. Rain and severe temperature changes cause them sweat and rust. Especially in the winter. The tools start out at a freezing temp., and heat up and frost over.

Corrugated plastic is way better than cardboard. You can lay it down on the ground and slide on it pretty easily. Water won't soak it, and can be cleaned off of any oil and grease. Can also give you a flat surface to tear something apart on. If it's windy out stand it on edge to block the wind from blowing your draining oil everywhere. A big enough sheet can be used as a makeshift roof. Corrugated plastic is used by some for shipping protection and thrown away after use. Here is a link so you have an idea of what I'm talking about.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004U6UESS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Drain your air compressor after every use. Lots of water/tank rust issues and will freeze in the winter.

Having a power invertor really makes things alot nicer. I used mine for grinders, soldering irons ect. But the best was running a fan when it's hot out. Used a stanley squirrel cage fan that was small in size but moved alot of air. It could be layed to blow under the equipment also.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001BJDUQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[LXCam]

For the mat this is my suggestion. I've got one I bought a few years back and talk about handy. It's soft and water proof, cleans off easy and doesn't take up much space when folded up. Plus it makes for something to sit or kneel on when working low instead of being on your knees. You're young so that probably means nothing to you, but that'll change.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...6AKa5uW7yhZxheSa4sCZtuo5OfSSFXbsaAivQEALw_wcB

As for setting up a truck. Spent a lifetime working remotely, how much ya wanna spend.

 

[DGersic]

As for liability... I think at this stage, a lot of that has to do with what kind of work I'm willing to take on. Although I'm open to ideas about how to protect myself.

Find a lawyer. Set yourself up as a company, limited liability corporation. Also, pay your taxes as a business. Deductions get interesting here, too.



Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[AL`]

For the mat this is my suggestion. I've got one I bought a few years back and talk about handy. It's soft and water proof, cleans off easy and doesn't take up much space when folded up. Plus it makes for something to sit or kneel on when working low instead of being on your knees. You're young so that probably means nothing to you, but that'll change.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...6AKa5uW7yhZxheSa4sCZtuo5OfSSFXbsaAivQEALw_wcB

As for setting up a truck. Spent a lifetime working remotely, how much ya wanna spend.

Those look kinda nifty. Just checked and Amazon has a few different brands of the same for a little cheaper:

Pro Lift C-5006 Foldable EVA Mat

ABN Foldable Garage EVA Foam Mat

 

[CJM8515]

Im not a mobile mechanic, but what I do as an auto damage adjuster means I might be crawling under a car to get pics or look at damaged stuff. Wanna know whats generally free and a nice mat to lay on? The spare tire cover of most cars! I took one out of a fullsize suv and the carpeting is pretty weather resistant and the bottom on this one is plastic not cardboard.



When i used to be a road mechanic I had a tarp, a canopy I could set up, a mat to lay on, a 5x8 sheet of ply to lay on if needed and to tool on using a creeper. I also carried 2x4, 4x4, 2x8 and 2x10's to support a jack under or use as extra height as well. You really need to pare down the tools as well, think about what you most commonly use then dump any extra.

 

[Rarified27]

Find a lawyer. Set yourself up as a company, limited liability corporation. Also, pay your taxes as a business. Deductions get interesting here, too.

Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

LLC can take a while without the right help, even years in some cases. It's freaking awful this even needs to be considered, but a sad reality.

 

[Roundhouse]

What kind of pop up tent y’all using that doesn’t take three people to put up ?

 

[Lassen Forge]

I saw a great van today for a airfield mobile mech, it was a '64 Metro Mite with a SBC. Really liked the rare side door set up. It's in Gresham Or.

https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/q81/s720x720/52161584_10213816050775371_7496752105340796928_o.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.**&oh=5fb40de3a366cb1d871876ef724f9372&oe=5CDF072A

We had an old bread truck we gutted, rebuilt, and ran - boxes, tanks, generator, compressor, drill press, work bench and lights... and even had a comealong mini-crane... shelves for parts, stock to fab stuff... it was paradise, and had I not had my current jb thrown in my face I would have bought out my old boss. Hell of a lot of fun - just make sure you cover your overhead costs.

Anyway, that pic reminded me of what we used to run. Pretty cool!

What kind of pop up tent y’all using that doesn’t take three people to put up ?

EZ Up. It takes all of a couple minutes to get it set up. Wish they had these when I was working as a field wrench... paradise.

 

[richfinn]

Hello all,

Thanks for the great responses to my last post regarding technician wages. Today I was out doing some work for a side customer in their gravel driveway. As I left, I was contemplating the frustrations of working "out of your zone." Being away from my toolbox and shop equipment can really slow down and complicate otherwise simple repairs. Even the most thought-out preparation leaves you at risk of forgetting an important tool. To that end I'm thinking of outfitting an old van I have for mobile car repair.
I don't have a good space at home to fix cars unfortunately, so taking to the road seems like a good way to make extra scratch. I have to accept the inevitability of working in gravel, dirt, and unfriendly weather (Western washington, so lots of rainy days).
Mobile mechanics- what kind of tools and tricks do you use to make your work more comfortable? Do you have a creeper you especially like for gravel and dirt? How do you keep warm and dry? I'm open to any and all advice.

Choose your work very carefully

Concentrate on profitable jobs that regular shops can't do well (driveability/auto electrical/diagnosis) and not backbreaking grunt work like transmissions and engine teardowns without a lift.

You need to compete on skill level/product knowledge not pricing.

If you can specialise on a few popular brands or services (that aren't well catered for in your area) with good equipment...be that guy!!!

Forget creepers and buy waterproof foam mats, everything takes longer working on the floor without a lift and parts delivery service.

People who use mobile service come in three flavours in my experience

1. Cheapskates (who will try not to pay you and tell lies)

2. Convenience customers (who just want stuff fixed ASAP)

3. Recommended by friends and family customers

Concentrate your service to type 2/3 and avoid the hassle of type 1 at any cost!!

Don't try to be a complete bumper to bumper repair service, be realistic and understand the limitations of working from a van, draining oil and fluids will be messy and a PITA

The only truly waterproof clothing is made from PU/PVC anything breathable (gore-tex etc.) your getting wet/cold working underneath vehicles.

You will need to be reasonably fit and healthy to deal with this kind of work on a regular basis.

 

[craftsman creep]

Hello all,

Thanks for the great responses to my last post regarding technician wages. Today I was out doing some work for a side customer in their gravel driveway. As I left, I was contemplating the frustrations of working "out of your zone." Being away from my toolbox and shop equipment can really slow down and complicate otherwise simple repairs. Even the most thought-out preparation leaves you at risk of forgetting an important tool. To that end I'm thinking of outfitting an old van I have for mobile car repair.
I don't have a good space at home to fix cars unfortunately, so taking to the road seems like a good way to make extra scratch. I have to accept the inevitability of working in gravel, dirt, and unfriendly weather (Western washington, so lots of rainy days).
Mobile mechanics- what kind of tools and tricks do you use to make your work more comfortable? Do you have a creeper you especially like for gravel and dirt? How do you keep warm and dry? I'm open to any and all advice.

A good brand of battery power tools helps

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Hmm, old thread, but Ive been doing it 20 years.

+1 for cardboard. Even a tiny inverter runs hf led shop lites a very long time. Be sure your customers know their referrals reflect on them.

Sometimes I wonder...in 100 years it won't matter which/how many POS' I fixed, but if I made a cool stack of rocks it would still be there.