Mack owners repair costs

Call a dealer, talk to the shop and ask what different items will cost to replace. Alternator, starter, AC, Radiator etc
Obviously do you due diligence rather than what one driver says. We all have a horror story to tell about truck repairs.

 

Macks really are not all that much more expensive than the other brands, I have a Mack Vision, Volvo VNM, 2 smaller GMC 6500;s, and a KW T330, all run about the same to keep running. My Freightliner with the C12 Cat was the least expensive truck I ever had, no problems ever except a head gasket when the driver decided to use ether rather than tell me he was having trouble cold starting.

The biggest problem with Mack is the same as Volvo, most of the parts are dealer only, so make sure you have a reliable and easy going dealer nearby. I have found my local Mack dealer, Triple Cities Mack in Scranton, Pa (part of the Cook Bros Truck Parts company) has consistently beat the prices I used to get from Campbell Freightliner for routine and common items like filters, brake shoes, drums, etc.

The other expensive part about Mack, the software is dealer exclusive, you can get a laptop and a software subscription but it will cost you about $3,000 upfront and a annual fee, good news is the same software does Volvo also. Most independent shops do not have this software so you end up going to a dealer for diagnosis, and unless they are both a Mack and Volvo dealer you can't get a Volvo dealer to work on your Mack.

 

brian is pretty much spot on with his post.

only real downside is many parts are dealer only and the dealer network is smaller. also parts that are not dealer only can't be looked up by most everyone else. things like break shoes u joints alternators ac compressors are likely sitting on the shelf at any napa truck parts store but you need to have the part numbers to buy them. walk in and say i need such and such part for a XX mack XXX and you just get deer in the headlights.

 

I started recording the Mack part number when I buy things, then have my buddy at Freightliner which is associated with Alliance Truck Parts cross reference it for me and I record that number as well. This way no mater where I am I can get a basic part with either number. My local Mack dealer parts guy, Chris, is awesome and being they are owned by an aftermarket parts distributor he usually gives me both part numbers for future reference.

 

many times iv just scrubbed old parts to find the numbers and get it to cross reference, my mack dealer is normally in line with everyone else on prices so for all planned maintenance i just call my dealer at home with a parts list send someone to go pick them up and they are waiting for me when i get home. when out on the road a surprise repair i have called to my dealer at home and asked for a part number they have never given me any flack about it. they really have a pretty good part department and the guy i normally deal with is a real good parts guy. i do wish they were a little better about keeping a little more inventory on hand than they do. dealer 200 miles away from home keeps way more inventory on hand.

i always keep a fair bit of regular stuff on hand in my shop. do most my maintenance on sundays when the dealer is closed.

 

i would't say its a lot of trouble. mack makes good trucks, if you have a good dealership near your home 20 i would not shy away from a mack. if you don't however you might want to pass.

 

Unless he buys an Old Mack- Ya know the Good Macks- 300 motors- and Work Horses from He11.