Mobile truck repair is the everyday side of what we do. Not every call is an emergency.
Plenty of trucks are sitting in a yard with a check-engine light, a leaking air line, a light that won’t work, or a noise the driver doesn’t like. Taking that truck to a shop means a driver off the road, a tow or a risky drive, and a spot in someone else’s line.
A mobile diesel mechanic fixes it where it sits. For drayage fleets working the San Pedro Bay terminals, that can mean catching a problem between turns instead of pulling a tractor out of rotation for days. For owner-operators, it can mean getting the repair done in the yard overnight instead of losing a day of revenue and a set of appointments.
We work on Class 6 through Class 8 trucks — semi trucks, 18-wheelers, and heavy work trucks — and the trailers behind them: road tractors, day cabs, terminal (yard) tractors, box trucks, dump trucks, and other diesel work trucks.
What our Mobile Truck Repair covers
- Diagnostic code reads and troubleshooting on engine, transmission, ABS, and aftertreatment systems
- Air system repairs — lines, fittings, valves, air dryers, governors, and compressor problems
- Brake work — chambers, slack adjusters, and brake shoes and drums where access allows
- Starters, alternators, batteries, cables, and wiring
- Belts, tensioners, idler pulleys, water pumps on many engines, and coolant hoses
- Fuel filters, water separators, fuel lines, and lift pumps
- DEF pumps, NOx and exhaust temperature sensors, and DPF pressure sensors
- Lights, trailer cords, and seven-way connections
- Fifth wheel adjustment and lubrication, plus locking jaw inspection
- U-joints, driveshaft center bearings, and wheel seal leaks
- Suspension parts — air bags, shock absorbers, leveling valves, and torque rods
- Light welding for brackets, mounts, and step repairs (see mobile welding)
What can't be done on the roadside
Mobile repair covers a large share of what goes wrong with a truck, but some work belongs in a shop:
- Engine overhauls and in-frame rebuilds
- Transmission and clutch replacement on most trucks
- Major collision repair and frame straightening
- Paint and body work
- Warranty repairs that have to go through an OEM dealer
Warranty is worth checking first: if your truck is under an OEM or extended warranty, read the terms before any outside repair on a covered component.
Fix it on site or tow it?
Ask two questions. First: can the job be done safely where the truck is parked? A flat, lit yard is a very different workspace than the shoulder of the 710 at night, or a queue lane on Terminal Island. Second: will the repair take less time on site than a tow plus the shop’s wait? For most sensor, air, electrical, cooling, and fuel filter jobs, the answer is yes.
When a truck is parked somewhere safe — a yard, a dock, or a truck stop — bigger jobs can make sense on site too, because the mechanic can work without traffic going by. Describe the symptoms to dispatch and they’ll help you decide.
What to tell dispatch when you call
The more dispatch knows up front, the better the odds the mechanic shows up with the right parts and tools on the first trip.
- Where the truck is parked and how the mechanic gets to it (gate code, yard contact, dock or row number)
- Year, make, and model — and the VIN if you have it, for parts lookups
- Any active fault codes or dash messages
- When the problem started and whether it’s getting worse
- When the truck needs to be back in service
Truck makes & engines we work on
- Freightliner
- Peterbilt
- Kenworth
- Volvo
- Mack
- International
- Western Star
Class 6 through Class 8 trucks, including engines from Cummins, Detroit Diesel, PACCAR, Volvo, Mack, Navistar, and Caterpillar.
Mobile Truck Repair around the harbor & the South Bay
Scheduled mobile repair is common at the container yards and chassis depots along Harry Bridges and Anaheim in Wilmington; at the warehouses and transload docks off Alameda, Sepulveda, and Del Amo in Carson; and at the distribution yards up through Rancho Dominguez and Compton.
Freeways
Service areas
Mobile Truck Repair FAQ
What’s the difference between mobile truck repair and roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance is for a truck that’s broken down and needs help now. Mobile truck repair includes that, and also covers scheduled or non-urgent repairs at your yard, dock, or truck stop parking spot.
Do you work on trailers too?
Yes. Trailer brakes, lights, air lines, landing gear, suspension, and doors are all part of the job. See trailer repair for details.
Do you carry parts on the service truck?
Mobile mechanics typically carry common wear items like air fittings, air line, filters, belts, fuses, and connectors. For specific parts — a starter, a sensor, a particular valve — give dispatch the year, make, and model so the part can be picked up on the way when possible.
Can you work on my truck while I’m on my break?
Often, yes. If the truck is legally parked at a truck stop and the repair doesn’t require moving it, the mechanic can work while you rest. Let dispatch know where you’re parked and how long you’ll be there.
Do you work on terminal tractors and yard trucks?
Yes. Yard tractors work hard in the harbor container yards and the Carson warehouse district, and they have the same air, electrical, hydraulic, and engine problems as road tractors. Call with the make and the symptoms.
Will I get a record of the repair?
Ask for an itemized invoice that describes the work and parts, and keep it with your maintenance records. Motor carriers are required to keep maintenance records on their vehicles.