2 Year Update as a Diesel Fleet Mechanic in 2024
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- Опубликовано: 6 июн 2024
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IG @nick.nakai
In todays video I talk about how its been going working 2 years in as a diesel heavy equipment hydraulic mechanic. 
Авто/Мото
I was a truck driver for 19 years. Owner operator for 8 years. I decided to park my truck. Rates are bad now. I decided to be a diesel and trailer mechanic. The company I got hired on with is awesome! They gave me a shot, and so blessed they let me in. I been really enjoying it. I don't think I'm going back to driving. I'll take a short load or drop a trailer off at a customer for them but that's it. Been learning a lot. Lot of it comes easy to because I worked on my own truck. I like the people I work with and I get excited to go to work everyday. It motivated me to work on my own stuff and customize my own vehicles now. My confidence on working on my own stuff has sky rocketed. My wife has seen me way happier also. I just been gathering tools and just wrenching on everything. Watching your videos has encouraged me to go get it. I'm so happy with my move. Thanks!
Happy to hear man!
Glad you’re enjoying it pal
Power generation is also a great path. Some of the best working conditions in my 55 year career. Best of luck young man, and work safe.
Ultimate flex is working a fleet job in your city. Short commute and a good pying job
Yea but it seems city/county fleets don’t pay as well at least in my area.
@LetsDriftMedia ur going make flatrate master upset with u and Eric the car guy plus humble mechanic
I'm a diesel tech who has just hit 3 years with my freight handling company and I love it I agree with so much of what you said. I sadly work the graveyard shift 7PM-6AM so it's hard on my wife and daughter but I enjoy it. Keep up the videos and I hope you keep enjoying work as well
It seems like thats the only downside of working on fleets, I'm lucky to work a 2nd shift but have rarely heard of guys working a regular 1st shift schedule. If they do then it's usually only a handful of spots available, usually taken up by the more senior mechanics.
@@potatoboy792 yeah my shop has a handful of senior techs holding down 1 st shift from 5-2 but some are retiring soon and I will get to move over, seems I joined at just the right time
@@potatoboy792honestly 3rd shift is better when you have family. You can see your kids in morning or evenings. You can go to games for kids and don’t need baby sitters cause your wife can work days so no daycare. 2nd shift you never see your family once they are in school. It’s only good if you enjoy bar life
Very blessed to work for a government fleet. Even non government fleet jobs such as PG&E or with local power and water companies should be a goal if you are leaving a mechanic job or just finishing school.
For sure want to aim for a government gig. Just started school and don’t have much experience with cars, so I’m still a noob.
@@Doyouloveapples Word of advice, take the time to read as many textbooks and immerse yourself hard in them. That plus what you learn IN the class room will help you.
Your videos are the reason I jumped ship into diesel! I was stuck as a lube tech at GM and saw an opportunity to work on-site fleet as a PM Diesel Tech. The overtime is nice and there is a decent path with this company. Because we are on-site the schedule is different every day but it keeps it interesting. Thanks for the vids
Glad to hear man good stuff.
@@Minienthusiast yea that’s why I moved around. You can’t stay at a dealership if you hate it there or don’t see a future. You also have to be honest with yourself and ask if you are putting in the work.
@@Minienthusiasti interviewed at toyota and they offered me $16 starting with my experience which was a slap in the face. I went to Chrysler and they started me at $28
What’s wrong with just being a lube tech? It’s a job first and foremost, second it’s easier on the body 😎
@@basedeal nothing is wrong with it if that’s what you want but if you want to move up then off course you want to get out of the lube rack and start doing other stuff.
love the updates man! Swing is super chill. You'll learn more working a day shift also just in generally it's way better. I worked swing most of my career but, quickly learned day shift is where it's at to get better as well as better work/life balance.
Thanks for sharing your story for others to consider when it comes to this industry. You are truly growing your career in a positive direction. Keeping integrity and honesty at the forefront- God bless brother.
Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts on every job you have been at. It’s important for the world to know the pros and cons of each job👍🏽
Hard to believe it's been two years already. Was wondering when you were going to get around to a video though. I gotta say, you've grown up some. It looks good on ya. You do a good job exposing the pitfalls of flat rate pay when there's multiple techs. And the part you said about feeling comfortable about slowing down a tad and making sure you do the job right the first time was good to hear. Good on you man.
Thanks man, and yea time flies feels like just yesterday I was at Toyota.
I started in fleet service 3yrs ago and its been the best thing i ever did. Started in utility fleet a year ago and its been a change working on all weird utility equipment
just now shifting from cars to diesel! going to penske, should be a different journey, cant wait! great vid as always
I really enjoyed this video! Thank you so much for your input!
For those thinking of switching, Also look at the state or local DOT agency’s. Slightly lower pay, but they usually supply all the tools, that & their benefits offset that slight pay drop. Down side is they have to work severe weather events, but then the pay gets much better. I made the jump 15 yrs ago and would never go back to dealer life.
Yep best decision ever!!! Hands down way better then the dealership
i am an apprentice tech! really like your videos thanks for share your thoughts and perspective of fleet and dealership tech!
Thank you for the recommendation, I just bought the Launch Toyota scanner.
I been thinking a lot about my future as a mechanic, like maybe I will keep wrenching till I get too old for it then I will switch to anything that my mechanic experience would fit in, like parts store or something, anything that won’t require much effort as a mechanic
Great honest video. I worked by the hour on farm and heavy equipment. It was never boring. Steady work, steady pay with benefits. I know that by the diversity of equipment you become better overall. I have always cringed every time I spoke to an automotive mechanic or body shop guy about their pay. You always hear about the supposed people that are really making good but you don't seam to ever meet them. I think the only automotive people really making good are shop owners with 6 or 8 fairly decent employees. The owner benefits off each person at the high shop rate and meadeoker wages. It is dis heartening when the shop charges $200.00 per hour and you only make $12.00 to $15.00 per hour. But in working flat rate every one I ever spoke with could seldom even match this rate as an average. Then it's the hassle you have to put up with. Even with low pay when you subtract the tools you have to even start with you realize your actual income went down the toilet. I realize it is a lot of overhead expenses in running a shop. But at the end of the day you have to make a decent living and it cost a lot to live these days.
I later was able to get into industrial maintenance and was mutch more satisfied.
May the Lord bless you automotive tech.
Thanks for giving the industry a great honest view of your progress.
Good to see you uploading work related content again Nick lol, but its your channel so whatever you upload ill respect it. The dealer life is such BS and it wasn't until I left I realized how much of a joke it was. Unfortunately I know a lot of younger techs at the dealer afraid to go fleet and try something new, and are hard core with flat rate. Its such an unstable pay plan, relying on customers budgets to make hours, fluctuating pay throughout the seasons, prioritizing waiters like its mcdonalds etc. Being a dealer guy also makes you super one dimensional and super reliant on OEM or repair info to diagnose something. Going fleet made me think outside the box a little more with electrical and engine performance issues. The dealer is a dying world, where favoritism is everywhere, speed is over quality, although the hourly pay has gone up lately, the benefits and labor times still suck and techs are leaving now more than ever. To anyone that thinks the dealer life is the best way to go, stay open minded and keep your options open.
I agree with everything you said man. Thanks for your input 🙌
Went from trade school to the dealership after watching your journey, then to forklift repair around when you jumped. Best thing that’s happened
When you switched over it made me switch my job haha I ended up leaving my dealership and started working on transit and charter buses. Was awesome money! I was making $30/hr in northern VA which was very nice. Left there to get into the government! I really miss the money but the benefits and opportunities are higher in gov
Haha nice man!
I’ve been getting these recalls on the police explorers you have to remove the drive shaft exhaust both rear axles rear differential and press out and in a new bushing in the rear subframe it pays like 2 hours I can’t do it in less than 4 but they have been paying my time into it
Been there. Did that for 8+ years. My body is paying for it now
Did 2nd shift for 6 months , was lucky enough to get in 1st shift this week to run a service truck and do repairs that 2nd shift couldn’t get around to .
I went from working at pepboys flagging hours but getting screwed over by management by giving my hours to their “master” mechanic too now working at a military base as a mechanic hourly making more . I totally understand why you’re happier now
I recently left the auto industry to get into the aerospace industry. Should have done it 2-3 years ago. Where they actually care about higher education. Pay for your degree and promote it. The toxic environment. Techs handpicking all the gravy work. You know what I’m talking about. I worked at BMW and left to do exotics and came back. Nothing was different besides the vehicles. Same environment all around.
Top content 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
We need more vids nikko❤
I bought the Toyota pocket scanner. Nice addition to my primary one.
Nice. The fancy bi directionals are great but it’s nice to have a quick pocket scanner for when you just wanna pull codes real quick or see if your monitors are set.
The word is safety, safety, safety
Sooooo glad .. you did the Yo Yo Yo !! Love that!!
I left the Toyota dealer after 16 years of service, and Now I work Fleet for the City of LA! , BEST DECISION I have EVER made, absolutely agree with you! Love all your videos!! 🛠️🤙🏼💪🏼
Bro, I love your channel. Thanks for sharing
I recommend trying to get in the city as a fleet mechanic its not as hard as people think, the route i took and most guys i work with at the city is start at any automotive repair shop dealer or independent shop couple years then switch to diesel at a repair shop dont go to a fleet shop where you’ll be doing oil changes and inspections all day it takes way to long to learn like that couple years of heavy duty and medium duty diesel work then apply for the city you’ll be working on everything heavy duty diesel, fire trucks, cop cars, passenger cars trucks trailers and equipment everything the city has, having automotive and truck experience makes it way easier to get in. Most citys have the same schedule as nick 9/80 work days or 4/10 work weeks in orange county early morning shifts and home early plus you get so much to do side work like that plus the benefits and retirement and generous paid time off well worth it best decision i made also leaving the dealership to pursue fleet
The thing about fleet (my perspective opinion and I’m just trying to add on to what you’re saying because not every fleet is the same ) the thing about fleet at my fleet job is there is a lot of guaranteed over time. different states have different standards of living this wages for very similar jobs vary from state to state. Full disclosure I make 26.75/ Hr as a fleet maintenance mechanic in New York State. I have no education, no on the job experience prior to this. I started out in the company in a different dept. the boss new I like working on and fixing my own two personal cars and asked me how would I like to come in and learn anything and everything. I said hell. Started out in 2018 at 15.50/Hr and through learning various new things and over time I’m at my current rate and still growing in knowledge. That’s my point about fleet there’s such a shortage that if you show up give heart and try and stick to it even though 26.75 might seem low to some that where I’m at now compared to 15.50 when I first started as nothing more than a “lube tech” in diesel fleet maintenance.
You wanna put the time in?? 9/10 times given time it’ll pay ya back.
Yeah as he put out there it can get a little boring with “safety inspections” or as we call them PM’s (preventative maintenance) inspections. But that’s the foundation of broadening your knowledge of why something’s broken and how to fix it. Nothings perfect and I’ve had my fair share of bad days but intimately a good career choice.
8 years in fleet overall 21 years in diesel. Probably the easiest job ever same trucks over n over same problems can’t complain.
Hearing stories of other dealerships makes me feel so good about the one I work at, we have a 40 hour guarantee, once a month we have a 5 day weekend fri-tue, and we only work one Saturday a month
Nice that 5 day weekend sounds amazing. All the dealers I worked at also had a 40 hour guarantee per week but that's not much money. Compared to what you could make had you flagged 60 hours or so a week.
@@LetsDriftMediaman even just getting a 40 guarantee sounds incredible
@@LetsDriftMediasome techs at the Toyota dealer I work at are making 200 hour weeks. Not sure how normal that is but our dealership is always jumping with work and we’re all treated fairly. I know some dealerships are a bunch of bs but I’m hoping my isnt
Still at a ford dealership coming up on 2 years was at an independent shop before that
To be honest the fleet side is great you are assured pay only downside is some places it will get very repetitive when it comes to task. Dealerships will give you the training but unfortunately do not pay enough
Heavy equipment is where the money is bro. Hard work for hard men, but big money.
Personally working in both city fleet and dealership it really just comes to determination. If you’re ok making decent money on one brand stick with fleet if you want to just expand your horizons and make more without the stress of being flat rate become a city mechanic and become familiar with anything frome John Deere mowers to full blown snow plows
I love the diversity of vehicles and manufacturers I get to work on. Helps keep you on your toes and pushes you to keep learning.
Just interacting to help the algorithm
Thanks man
Hello Nick...
I like your videos. You should make a video on how to get a job as a mechanic.
I have an old one but thanks for the idea maybe I will do an updated video on that.
I just might jump in diesel fleet mechanic it sounds way more stress free than dealing with the bs in the “dealershits” no service writer bs nor mangers constantly walking around you no feeling of being rushed yeah im definitely arming my self with ASE and try this out
I work hourly only now, will never go back to flat rate again, no more 60 clock hours to flag 45 with no overtime, or have to kickback service writers to get work, or deal with time flagers who " Adjust" your times to balance the bill.
currently a diesel tech student plan on heavy construction equipment mechanic or Agriculture mechanic after the program theyre easier to work on than the 18 wheeler and the bigger the easier to work on
Currently three years in, working for a small tire and service shop less than a mile from home.. hourly wage with no raise possibility or commission, no incentive to learn any auto materiel or certifications. I’ve recently been studying for the ase a1&a8 (actually how I ran across your videos) hoping to test for them within the month. Hopefully all goes according, but seriously thinking about driving 20 miles to a swarm of dealers and seeing what they may offer. Should I try to get my master before jumping to a dealer? Thoughts? Thanks
if theres no chance of progressing or getting more pay where you are at I wouldnt waste my time there. 20 mile commute isnt bad at all im currently doing 50miles each way for work. I would try to get at least 2 ASE certs before applying it will look alot better when you go to apply but everywhere is different alot of dealers will still take you in as a lube tech with 0 certs it just depends on the dealer.
I work in a transmission shop as a r&r guy i do everything except the trans build i do diffs to brakes not often but yeah to just plugs snd wires i dont do a lot of diag my boss is kinda a control freak in that way and its kinda nice but sucks cause i struggle in that and need to get better but if its miss diag it not on me lol but yeah i am hourly i have never been flate rate but i still look at book time to try to beat it and i usally do on the common trucks i do real good but the odd cats i am usally at the book time but the more i beat the time the more the shop makes the more i am value at the shop so i hope i will get paid for that just my thoughts it has yet to happen lol i have thought about leaving but i think i would regret it
big dawg
Im at a heavy duty diesel mechanic at a dealership im about to be there for a year im thinking about going into fleet
Im going to look into fleet work in my area. I dont enjoy working on the kind of vehicles that tend to be fleet vehicles but if the pay is right it beats working on exotic cars but getting paid like I'm working on old piles of junk.
I would prefer working on Toyotas any day over what I work on now but I think its mainly because I am more familiar and comfortable with Toyotas. Feels good to expand my knowledge working on different stuff like I do now. If the pay is right I say go for it just keep in mind when transitioning to fleet it might be a paycut at first but you have to look at the long run after you put in some time and see where you could be.
Bid on apprentice substation electrician, way more money than working in tsd. Day shift too
Question in general what do you think about the Toyota brand in general??
I think they make great reliable vehicles I love Toyotas over any brand.
Let's see what tools you use❤❤❤
Been 15 years in dealership, always wanted to go fleet but dnt know how start??
Look online for fleet mechanic jobs in your area or close by.
I like brand specific like just Toyota once I’ve been here for a while and I really know what I’m doing. I’m gonna open my own shop and work on strictly Toyota that way I know what I’m doing. I can get jobs done quick and fast I’m not fucking trying to learn some different system or brand and how they do their shit.
end of the day they are all kind of similar, just little things here and there that require different procedures. Good luck to you hope you succeed.
I have a friend who works in a fleet shop - great pay, benefits and retirement, but he also works second shift and no kids. I honestly have NO interest in working on those vehicles and I do have a family so I would have to make a lot of sacrifices to work at a place like that. For me, it’s not worth it. But I wrench at a performance shop and hourly, so I’m not grinding in a dealership for flat rate.
Nice man, end of the day you just have to do what works best for you and your current situation is how I see it.
If they just got rid of flat rate at the dealers, I'd actually be in this trade. I need a lot of time to learn something. Went into HVAC, and they pay you to figure things out. Nothing at all like being an apprentice mechanic where they slowly let you do more things, HVAC let's you be put in your own in less than 6 months.
PEACE !! 🤙🏼🛠️
What’s up Nick , stop by sometime !!!
Sup John and will do! Hope all is well over there miss it there.
i’m a federal employee after leaving the automotive business. i make way more now. i saw the fbi is hiring for technicians for their fleet so i’m hoping one day i can do that and make even more
🔥👍✌️
Saw u was a toyota tech was wondering if u can steer me in the right direction have a 2010 corolla and im having hard time pumping gas anything i dhould check first
Possible bad EVAP canister or clogged vent lines running from your fuel neck.
@LetsDriftMedia appreciate the reply bro 👌 I'll check that out
Qq y'all hv discord or somewhere were I can ask questions about automotive?
I do actually havnt been adding the invite lately but here it is.
discord.gg/mq9qCkkJ
Dude how has it been 2 years already
Right???
What if you worked at the dealership making the same amount as before BUT hourly instead? Would that better a better job than working as a Diesel fleet? 🤔
If that were the case I would go back I think, When I worked at Toyota I had a 10 minute commute and also worked day shift, not to mention I was able to record videos for RUclips while working. But Toyota will never pay what im making now.
@@LetsDriftMedia so technically your saying Toyota's main benefit is the convenience? While diesel puts more food on the table? Last question, how much would someone have to know about cars to start a small side job to make some extra cash? Like what if someone only knew how to do brake jobs and change a tire.. what can they do with that?? And where would you start if you were that person?
How hard is it on your body vs the dealership?
I’d say way less hard on the body. Since your not rushing all the time having the chance to take your time allows you to use the proper tools and safety equipment to avoid injury or strains. The dealer is way more back breaking imo
I think you did a very smart move to working as a fleet mechanic working for your state's utility. Better work environment, unionized (although I dislike unions for their political angle), etc. Flat rate seems to be "dog eat dog." Maybe good for a young guy but that dog eat dog work environment in any industry wears on people.
Yea I def didn’t want to be flatrate forever. It’s great when it’s great but more cons than pros. Fleet is still kind of dog eat dog but at least it’s in other ways not your paycheck.
Hey nick love your videos BTW I want to be a mechanic too my question is what happens if you wreck a vehicle on a test drive at a dealership? And do the dealerships test there mechanics for drugs?I think they should !!
If you crash a customers car damages are covered by who ever employs you since they have to insure all their employees. Most likely followed by a long talk with your higher ups and a drug test. Everywhere I have worked drug test their mechanics.
@@LetsDriftMedia how often? Do they tell u
@@austinstellmach usually random to catch you slippin.
There is so many mechanics jobs people just assume it’s cars or nothing
I was going to attend UTI here in SoCal for auto/diesel (I want to go into diesel). Tuition was going to be 54k. Instead I’m going to the local college for free for automotive. I haven’t been able to find anything else local that focuses on diesel. Any recommendations on how to get more training for diesel and hydraulics?
Smart man
UTI is way to expensive, your better off using that money to buy tools, I recommend you immerse yourself on RUclips on how to videos, very informative of how to troubleshoot problems. Or just how to procedure of how to do the job for a particular remove and replace parts and the why’s for replacing parts.
avoid UTI at all costs lol
I wouldn't rec UTI to anyone unless you have disposable income. If you live in SoCal like me then there are plenty of options for auto/diesel schooling. Citrus college has a good program.
@@isorozco511 Yea, they’re just good salesman. I’m attending a local college and don’t have to pay for anything except books. But they don’t have a huge focus on diesel, which is what I ultimately want to do.
Can you give a range on how much you are making? You say a lot but can you give us an idea or good estimate?
Did $130k last year before taxes/deductions. I don't like saying what I make in my videos anymore as people start to think im bragging or showing off and take it negatively.
@@LetsDriftMediai 100% get that but thank you for telling me cause. Good job and I’ll get there someday 💪
Congrats on the two year mark 👍 I feel like dealership is a good starting point for learning how to be a tech and basically how to wrench advice to some of the dudes starting out in dealership give yourself goals take advantage what your dealership has to offer classes and ase reimbursement while your there don’t let the time pass by see a lot of dude that been at dealership for years with nothing to show for don’t be that person
Solid advice man
dealership management always suck. tell me I'm wrong.
Do I need a commercial driver license for a job as a diesel mechanic if not please let me know
No, depends on the shop. I know some international dealers dont require a Class A.
We ball
Would you ever consider starting your own business as a 1099 mechanic ?
Thought about it plenty but I like working for an employer as I can forget about work and enjoy my outside life once I clock out.
Is your shop slowing right now?
No it never really slows down since alot of our work is DOT/safety compliance work that has to be done routinely every certain amount of days. and the repairs never end with majority of the fleet being used regularly things always break over time.
@LetsDriftMedia That's great to know! You hear all these rumors about diesel shops slowing down. I'm looking to getting into the custodian part of working in a shop. Alot of shops actually pay their custodians pretty well!
I’ve never been flat rate. Always hourly. Screw that busting your butt to make 40 hours
😘👍
Ford lightning? Lol, I thought they couldn’t give those away?
There coming 👀
how much can you make per hour doing a job like this?
depends what company and the location. i'm currently at 57$ an hour with a max of $60 for my job title. Very good pay imo compared to any where else I have worked.
@@LetsDriftMedia wow thats really good
You look like you aged 4 years since the last update bro.
Lol I blame the night shift.
Yoooooooooooo
Sup dudeee!
@@LetsDriftMedia dude 😄 just wanted to check in with you. This is a great video. Felt like we were in the garage talking about our finances and how we’re gonna make more money. 💗 which is exactly what me and my homies are doing.
Dude let’s kick it this year! Wrench at the house on a weekend. Apple valley/Victorville is nice and crispy and cold in the morning. I went out there last weekend to pick up a spare motor.
It’s a vibe out there right now
Dont be a car or truck road transport mechanic.
Heavy mining equipment work is where the real money is at. Large mining excavators, drill rigs and electric drive dump trucks. And either go mine owner or OEM like CAT, Liebherr, Komatsu and Hitachi. Real mechanical, electrical and hydraulic work. Doing breakdowns and major outages
Promo'SM
Are yall hiring? Lol
Bro just stay at a job for gods sake😂
Gotta get people to click on the videos my guy lol
Quit, go back to Toyota and then just keep repeating this cycle
Yea?
Know for a fact you didn’t watch the video, he’s not going anywhere. Just a catchy title
Give it couple more years and you’ll grumble about it and quit. You seem to change jobs like you change your clothes.
Lol you must have never worked in the auto industry if you think staying at one job is the smartest choice.
@@LetsDriftMedia i’ve been in the automotive repair industry all my life. The only reason i’ve had to leave jobs is getting laid off. Here in Hawaii you cannot be picky.
@@ratcamaro oh ok than different story for you. Here in CA there’s plenty of options on where to work at. I’d say all dealerships are basically the same though regardless of brand. Same drama and politics. Every job I’ve left was to move onto a higher paying job.
I hated the night shift. But it allowed me to get the skills and knowledge i needed to eventually work the day shift.