Fleet maintenance questions, answered.
The questions we get most often from fleet managers and owner-operators in central NC — from scheduled PM to DOT compliance to emergency response. If your question isn't here, call dispatch. We answer phones around the clock.
Keeping trucks running on schedule.
1. How often should fleet trucks be serviced?
Most heavy trucks should see a PM (preventive maintenance) service every 15,000–25,000 miles, or every 6–12 months, whichever comes first. The exact interval depends on the manufacturer's spec, the truck's usage profile, and the operating environment. Our PM program tracks each truck's mileage and schedules service before manufacturer intervals — so trucks don't slip out of warranty or wear out prematurely.
2. What does a typical PM service include?
A standard A-service covers oil and filter change, multipoint inspection (fluids, belts, hoses, tires, brakes, lighting), fluid top-offs, and a digital condition report. B-service adds fuel and air filters plus deeper system checks. C-service adds coolant flush, differential fluid, transmission service. We tailor the schedule to manufacturer spec for each truck in your fleet.
3. Can mobile fleet service work alongside our existing maintenance program?
Yes — most of our fleet accounts use us for mobile PM in their yards while keeping other vendors for shop work, warranty claims, or specialty repairs. We're not trying to replace your existing program; we slot into the parts that benefit most from on-site service.
4. How do you handle our fleet's existing service records?
We import records on day one if you can export them from your current system. From then on, every service we perform gets logged to your fleet management system (Fleetio, Element, LeasePlan, Merchants, Enterprise Fleet, EMKAY, and most others). You keep one source of truth, regardless of who's turning wrenches.
5. Do you serve owner-operators with a single truck?
Yes. We work with single-truck owner-operators all the time — for scheduled PM, DOT inspections, and emergency road service. No fleet minimum. Walk-in welcome at our Dunn shop Monday through Friday.
Federal inspections, audits, and paperwork.
6. What does a DOT inspection cover?
FMCSA 396.17 covers nine functional areas: brakes (air and hydraulic), suspension and frame, steering, tires and wheels, lights and reflectors, coupling devices, cab and exterior, exhaust, and fuel system. Each area is inspected against specific federal tolerances. See our DOT inspection page for the full checklist and what we look for in each category.
7. How often do heavy trucks need a DOT inspection?
Once every 12 months for any commercial vehicle operating in interstate commerce or with a GVWR over 10,001 lbs. The annual inspection must be completed by a qualified inspector and documented per FMCSA 396.17. We're qualified to inspect at our Dunn shop or mobile at your yard.
8. What happens if my truck fails a DOT inspection?
We don't issue the federal sticker until the truck passes. About 1 in 5 trucks needs at least one repair to pass — usually air brake adjustment, lighting, or tire issues. The upside: we're a full repair shop, so we quote the fix on the spot and most defects get repaired the same day. You leave with a passed inspection, not a list of follow-ups.
9. Can you do DOT inspections at our yard?
Yes. Our certified inspectors can perform the full FMCSA 396.17 inspection at your yard with portable equipment. We need a level pad, adequate lighting, and the truck pre-cleaned (especially underneath). For owner-operators who can't take the truck out of service, or fleets too large to send through inspection one at a time, mobile DOT is often the better path. See the DOT inspection page for full details.
When a truck breaks down on the road.
10. How fast can a mobile mechanic respond?
Response time depends on your location relative to our staging points (Raleigh HQ + Dunn shop) and the time of day. Most calls in Wake, Durham, and Harnett counties: under 45 minutes during business hours. Calls in further-out service-area counties (Cumberland, Granville, Franklin): 60–90 minutes. We have a live dispatcher 24/7 — no phone tree — and the nearest unit rolls before we hang up.
11. What can you fix on the side of the road?
Most heavy-truck breakdowns can be safely repaired roadside with the tools and parts our service vans carry. Common roadside fixes: tire blowouts and replacement, air leaks and brake failures, jumpstarts and battery replacement, hydraulic hose burst, fuel filter and prime, lighting failures, and emergency DOT-compliance repair. For full details see Heavy Road Service.
12. Do you tow trucks if you can't fix them on-site?
If the truck can't be safely repaired roadside, our sister company East Coast Towing handles heavy-duty recovery. One call, one number — we coordinate the tow to our shop in Dunn or your shop of choice. No separate vendor required.
13. Is there a fee just to dispatch a unit?
We charge a callout fee plus time and parts. Callout is calibrated to drive distance from our nearest unit — typical range $150–$300 for the dispatch itself, billed against the work. If we can fix on-site, the callout becomes part of the job total. If we recommend transport instead, the callout is what you owe for the assessment.
When the truck needs a lift.
14. What size trucks can you work on?
Class 6 through Class 8 commercial trucks at our Dunn shop. That covers everything from medium-duty box trucks up through Class 8 over-the-road tractors. We have heavy-truck alignment racks, air brake test benches, calibrated torque equipment, and the diagnostic tools for all major OEM ECMs.
15. What engine manufacturers do you support?
All major OEM heavy-truck engines: Cummins (with INSITE), Detroit Diesel (with DDDL), PACCAR MX (with Davie), Volvo D-Series (with Volvo Premium Tech Tool), Mack MP-Series. For transmissions: Eaton, Allison, and Volvo I-Shift. Manufacturer-specific repair pages for each are coming — for now see the engine and diagnostics sections on our Repair Shop page.
16. How long do typical repairs take?
Depends entirely on the job and parts availability. Simple repairs (brake job, fluid service, sensor swap): same-day to next-day. Bigger jobs (in-frame engine rebuild, transmission overhaul, full alignment with steering rebuild): 3–7 days. We stage common parts on-site and use overnight delivery for specialty parts. We always quote a turnaround time before starting work — no surprises.
Plugging into your existing systems.
17. What fleet management systems do you integrate with?
Fleetio, Element Fleet Management, LeasePlan, Merchants Fleet, Enterprise Fleet Management, and EMKAY. We can also work with Wheels, Donlen, Holman, and most other fleet management providers on request — the integration is mostly about service records flowing into your existing system. If you're on a system not listed, ask dispatch and we'll work out the data flow.
18. Can you provide invoicing through our preferred system?
For most major fleet management systems, yes — we bill through your existing process so you don't have to set us up as a separate vendor. For accounts that prefer direct invoicing, we accept ACH, check, and major credit cards.
What it costs.
19. How does fleet pricing work?
Fleet pricing is per-service, tiered by volume. The more trucks you run with us, the better the rate per service. Setup is a single phone call — we look at your fleet size and service mix, then put together a pricing schedule. Single-truck and small-fleet rates are walk-in pricing; volume pricing kicks in at around 5+ trucks per year.
20. Do you accept fleet cards, and what payment terms do you offer?
We accept most major fleet cards (Comdata, EFS, Wex, Voyager) plus ACH, check, and major credit cards. Net-30 terms are available for established commercial fleet customers — talk to dispatch about setting up an account after a few months of service history.
Just call. We pick up.
Dispatch is staffed 24/7/365. If you've got a question we haven't answered here — whether you're a fleet manager evaluating a new partner or an owner-operator with one truck and a deadline — pick up the phone. No script, no phone tree. Just talk to a person who knows trucks.