Labor flat rate book for trucks?

only thing that i have come across with flat labor rates on big trucks is having the overhead done.

 

Why should there be, trucks have too options and too many configurations to compile one.

 

Dad retired from R.F. Steiners in Huntington after about 30 years. Most all his work was flat rate, newer trucks may have gotten away from flat rate though. Hard to figure flat rate when dealing with a blob of wires imo.

 

I've never worked flat rate as a tech ever and I've worked on everything from trucks and trailers to giant mining shovels and a lot in between. There is just way too much varience between trucks and their options to be able to work flat rate. You could have 2 Peterbilt 379's side by side and they could have different engines, hood lengths, transmissions, sleepers, wheelbase, axles/suspensions, etc. It would simply be too much trouble to try and come up with flat rate times when there are so many different variables. Besides that, do you really want a guy rushing to throw that new clutch in or rushing to finish the inframe because he's running short on time?

 

Yes, a man in a hurry is apt to make mistakes, if you listen to those complaining. And I agree, trucks can look the same but be spec'd different at the factory, and that can change repair time. Shop foreman at Steiners (GMC / International) dealership wanted all mechanics to use air tools and cut corners when possible to save time, Dad still used his basic hand tools and ratchets. But he did a lot of redoes on jobs performed by other mechanics. In the early 80's a nationwide test was given with roughly 75,000 people taking the test, Dad was 1 of the top ten to pass. They all 10 got a week of wining and dining with their spouse at the expense of GM in Detroit. Guess that's why he ended up with all his plaques, pewter statues, and belt buckles laying in a corn crib covered in cob webs. Not bad for a man that only had 8th grade education.

 

No kidding that's pretty cool. Every shop I worked for more or less said to us "it takes what it takes as long as you aren't standing around seducing the canine it's all good." The guys I work for now even made a point to say that they would rather eat an extra hour of labour on a bill than see a service redo the following week.

 

Way back in '95 I got charged 3 hours "Book Rate" for rocker adjustment on my still very new Cat-liner. Truck was done in one hour. After $300 and P&M-ing by me I went and ordered the service manuals for truck and engine and started buying the big expensive tools I needed.

Been in the shop for water pump and fuel pump gasket under warranty. After warranty she ain't been in any shop since. Just my own driveway.

 

I hear ya. Being a tech myself I see firsthand the bad techs that shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a wrench. I never take my pickup to the dealer or shop unless it's for a wheel alignment. My KW is the same story.

 

Your employer has a good view. I remember dad talking about "mechanics" Steiners would hire and end up being warm bodies. Had one guy that was suppose to be a International guru, they put him on an electronic DT series engine replacing an injector. He never drained the oil rail going to the injector, changed out the injector then wondered why it had a noise in it. Dad ask him if he drained the oil rail, no he said, was obvious at that point he ended up with a bent rod from the oil draining in the cylinder after pulling the injector. Little things can cause major problems. Be safe.