Professional Mobile Mechanic Tools/ Side Work POST YOUR PICS

[kctyphoon]

And just so I contribute something.. This is the box I made to work in my driveway since I don't have a garage.. It's mostly cheap tools, but it works for me and I always have my big tool set and boxes in my basment. This was just meant to save me trips up and down stairs for basic stuff I might need.. Is a Stanley rolling box, and husky bucket buddy organizer I cut up and hung on aluminum rails and then bolted to the boxes sides.. Keeps all the hand tools upright and organized, and the open middle is occupied by wrench rolls and breaker bars.. This box, and a husky mechanics tool set in its own box is really all I need.. Has room to throw my M18 impacts and m12 ratchet too, with tekton metric impact sockets.. You could easliy re-create this box with a better rolling box (husky or Dewalt) and better tools. (Patent Pending)

 

[95m3ltw]

Icon System Combat Vehicle System boxes and a standard tool box. Allows me to carry spares, my computer and of course tools. All loaded into the back of my Rover.

Where do you put the tools/parts for other cars?

I would find it funny if a mobile service tech pulled up in a Rover, I would either think "wow, must be a excellent master tech" or "hmm, is this thing going to stain my driveway?"

Just kidding, driveway full of BMW's and thinking about picking up a Disco II.

 

[jerseykat1]

I used to do side mechanic work, But people are just so damn cheap. I don't do it anymore. Going to try something else.

 

[Finky198]

What about a small U-haul style box truck with a lift gate
Older tool Truck might be a good option Or
A food truck might be nice as some Come with a generator

Use a HF 44" box or 2 install floor and wall anchors , 5hp 60 gal compressor. Get some air operated fluid vacs with hose reels then mount an access panel on the outside . Bolt a few locking file cabinets the wide ones with the flip up. For tool, parts and chemical storage and you could be on your way

I would avoid welding and any other heavy duty services as the tuck repair outfits will likely have the market tapped.

 

[sberry]

When you absolutely positively got to heat and beat it.

 

[kctyphoon]

What about a small U-haul style box truck with a lift gate
Older tool Truck might be a good option Or
A food truck might be nice as some Come with a generator

Use a HF 44" box or 2 install floor and wall anchors , 5hp 60 gal compressor. Get some air operated fluid vacs with hose reels then mount an access panel on the outside . Bolt a few locking file cabinets the wide ones with the flip up. For tool, parts and chemical storage and you could be on your way

I would avoid welding and any other heavy duty services as the tuck repair outfits will likely have the market tapped.

You could try something similar with a van, but then you're already investing money in a vehicle besides using a daily driver.. If you have a pick up or suv you basically got what you need without spending money, but if your buying another truck your gonna need a few jobs just to break even every month before you start making anything.. IMO you would need the business traffic to support a purchase like that first..

 

[Finky198]

I go on the road occasionally with my 98 jeep GC to fix equipment and do field maintainance. I'm using a pelican 0450 mobile tool chest which works great for my specific needs of working on a few specific items. but the amount of additional equipment that I have to take with me on occasion includes specialty tools, air tools, impacts sockets, smaller compressor, small generator, plasma cutter, electrical tools, fluids, parts, large Prybars and breaker bars, 3/4 drive set... By the time I have it all packed it becomes so inefficient that I could never make a profit if I had to make a business of it

Here's about 2/3 of what I listed. I'd like to see you pack that in a pickup truck or suv all stored in enclosed storage so the **** doesn't go flying everywhere. Trust me it's a lot more stuff than it looks like and this doesn't even include the compressor, generator, fluids, and specialty tools, parts or a floor jack for that matter.... Once it all packed thing are barely accessible

I don't know but when I see the utility based truck set ups. I see a lot of wasted space in a mobile mechanic setting. they seem much more suited to a heavy equipment repair or truck repair environment rather then working on cars. And if this is going to be your full-time employment. I would expect that you're going to have to invest something to get this going you're not gonna work out of the pick up truck with the toolbox and a basic set up and be super profitable.

Running out of an normal pick up or an suv would be Absolutely nuts having to load and unload tools boxes, having fixed space for an air compressor, generator, tanks, hoses, extension cords, fluid storage (new and used), Parts storage. at that point it would have to be enclosed for anti theft purposes with a truck cap. Which would basically make the whole system useless. We are talking A mobile repair service not just roadside assistance

Another idea would be to get yourself a car trailer and offer pickup and deliver services. That's if you have your own a place to work on them?

 

[Sycan]

Here's mine, 1990 F700 with a 6.6L diesel and 7000 lb IMT crane.

 

[Biff Tannon]

I'm a mobile Benz tech.
I used a E-250 van.
Keep staple inventory for scheduled maintenance, all fluids, sprays, cleaners, rags, tools, power inverter, small makita quiet hot dog compressor, scan tool generic and MB sds, battery tester, heavy jump box, electrical kit, jacks, jack stands, wheel chalks, van shelving stacked with all my spare break down parts and belts, hoses, filters, brake pads and rotors, lock out service tools, and all other odds and ends to make the jobs simpler.
Drain pans, tarp to protect floors.
My tools are in a craftsman stack on top box with several drawers.

I can get some pics of my rig soon when I get some time.

I was working out of a Ford ranger with a camper too but I oit grew it...the van is sooo much nicer to use.

Some things I'm looking to upgrade:
1. A more powerful power inverter with a battery bank.
2. One of those three deep drawer tool
Boxes from american van to free up the space behind my tool box.

I'm the only mobile guy I know of that actually carries insurance but I've never screwed up a car or had a claim against me.
I keep it simple and don't get into repairs that can go south quickly

 

[FlushingDIYer]

And just so I contribute something.. This is the box I made to work in my driveway since I don't have a garage.. It's mostly cheap tools, but it works for me and I always have my big tool set and boxes in my basment. This was just meant to save me trips up and down stairs for basic stuff I might need.. Is a Stanley rolling box, and husky bucket buddy organizer I cut up and hung on aluminum rails and then bolted to the boxes sides.. Keeps all the hand tools upright and organized, and the open middle is occupied by wrench rolls and breaker bars.. This box, and a husky mechanics tool set in its own box is really all I need.. Has room to throw my M18 impacts and m12 ratchet too, with tekton metric impact sockets.. You could easliy re-create this box with a better rolling box (husky or Dewalt) and better tools. (Patent Pending)

This is a great mobile box! Do you have another box with all your sockets?

 

[echerbst]

I have my own shop and I cannot even imagine how terrible working outside all the time would be. I am also done rolling around on my back doing **** that takes twice as long as it would on a lift. I would say that if you stuck to easy stuff and maintaince then you will be fine. But there a lot of repairs you cant do without a lift these days. Also just so much stuff to go wrong, spill oil on customers driveway etc. Just make sure you have liability insurance for exactly what you are doing. If you are going to do a specific job I guess you would have an idea what you will need but if you dont have stuff and have to go make a tool run, or parts run. Wasting a lot of time and not getting work done.

I do some mobile diagnois for local shops and programming for some body shops and that is good money. But is very costly to get setup with all the oem scan tools and software so that would require a huge investment upfront.

 

[HammerRed]

Does anyone know what is involved to be 100% legal in Ohio? Ive been running a Facebook ad locally for auto repair service to make extra cash for Christmas and to stay off of welfare since im the only earner for my family of 4. Plus Im trying to get as much experience as possible as quickly as possible, and I owe snap on for my scan tool...i want to max out its earning potential..lol

 

[crewchief888]

back in late '14 i got a new truck, '15 chevy 3500HD 4x4 gasser with a KUV body.

just rolled over 75K miles

 

[RevitAuto]

Wow Super cool thread, I am currently on the fence about selling my large truck. My employee, turned very good friend was able to get a better job (I helped and pushed him for it). He still helps part time, but I haven't been able to run 3 trucks myself. You any of you are interested in the set up check it out here!

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/d/service-truck/6244397898.html

 

[sberry]

I may off my big truck too, I really don't use it and might go to a trailer of sorts or rig some of the stuff so it can be loaded with a forklift. I have been looking for another pickup but may look at a van, if I need engine drive welder I could put it on a trailer or shove it in the back. I havnt taken a real welding call in a year or more.
I been wiring some lately and use a common mini van and the projects are big enough that I can toss what I need in it every day and really don't need much stock and only a handful of tools.