Mobile Mechanic Van Tour and Setup

[@greghaselhorst8649]

I appreciate your approach to replacing fasteners on customer's car.

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@greghaselhorst8649 oh thanks! Saves me time and money. And protects me in case something bad were to happen later down the road. Most dealerships have a less than 1 day lead time on fasteners. Especially specialty fasteners. Thanks for the compliment, I feel like it’s not a very popular viewpoint.

[@darylsanchez774]

Great job. Very well thought out

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@darylsanchez774 thanks! I strive for efficiency. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

[@austincleator3539]

Great focus on professionalism👍👍

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@austincleator3539 oh thanks! I’ll be doing a video a little later on about that specifically. I feel it’s very important as a technician. Even how you dress and what belt to wear. Thanks for noticing and watching!

[@tpp4007]

Dang, that’s kinda crazy how you can fit all that in the van. Look good how you got it organized.

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@tpp4007 thanks, I’m really glad I didn’t choose a smaller van, because I still feel like I run out of room at times. Thanks for the compliment I strive for efficiency.

[@Imjussaiyanbro]

Baby oil joke no you didn’t 😂 love watching your tour videos

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@Imjussaiyanbro haha thanks. Thought maybe it was too subtle. Thanks for the support! I look forward to making more videos, with more hints and tricks, and more subtle humor.

[@chrisdeming4369]

Love it! I really like your business practices as well. I cant wait to see more from you man. Do you have dreams of owning a shop one day?

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@chrisdeming4369 thanks a lot! I’ve thought about a shop, but I have dreams of making this a mobile only shop with multiple technicians

[@chrisdeming4369]

@QuantumMobileMechanic that would be cool too! I can actually see a big fleet of pink vans looking pretty sweet 😄 speaking of pink you said to say if there was anything you needed and more pink tools is all I can think of 😁 some customers may get the wrong idea though if they see all that pink and your gifted from p-diddy baby oil😂

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@ haha. True! But it’s female friendly and that’s most of my customers. I’m sure a lot of people see the pink and think “haaaaay”. lol but it’s been working for years. My wife was actually the one that keeps telling me to tone it down on the pink. But you’re right I love pink tools. Just hard to find.

[@chrisdeming4369]

​@@QuantumMobileMechanic 😂 "haaaay" yea pink is a bold choice but it looks inviting to me. Looks trustworthy for some reason lol How did your logo come about? Also where are you located if I may ask?

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@ I made the logo myself, an homage to my days as a nuclear mechanic. We’re in SoCal. Checkout QuantumMobileMechanic.com

[@mlieser1230]

Nice setup. I've been using the baby powder trick for years when changing gloves. I too hate having my tools lying on the ground. I usually use a cardboard box with low sides to lay things on.

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@mlieser1230 I got the baby powder trick in the navy. It’s an electrical safety thing. The cardboard box this is a really good idea! I might use something like that for my larger tools, like long handled reachers and torque wrenches. Maybe a cut up storage bin would be good too!

[@NutsandBoltsAuto]

I've always wondered how you get to all that stuff. Do you crawl in it or bend over to get in? I have a high roof Transit that I use for work, and can stand in it without a problem. I can't imagine having to crawl in and out for tools. I see you've minimized that by having the tool box facing the door and also having a "90% box". Even with the high roof, stepping in and out gets some leg workin for the day. I carry a tote for my 90%, I find it easier and lighter. Also, I'd suggest a work bench with a mounted vise.

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@NutsandBoltsAuto the getting in is not fun… I was submariner previously so I’m pretty used to bending over and walking around. As you noticed I do my best to minimize. I didn’t really have the budget for a taller van, but my next one will be for sure. I used to use a tote, it was very light, getting tools was fast, but I kind of wanted more… Yes! I need a work bench and vise. Haven’t really found the best way to logistically install one yet. I thought maybe receiver hitch, or on the side sliding door, or at the rear use a slide out one with flip out legs…. Still trying to figure on that conundrum. Maybe I should just do something, I need a vise. Thanks for watching and supporting.

[@NutsandBoltsAuto]

Don't worry, you really can't have it all. I sometimes run into issues with the high roof not fitting in apartment complexes and parking garages. I'd have to leave the van and carry everything to-and-from. Other times I park outside and drive the customer's vehicle to my van instead - if it can move. About the bench, you really do have pretty much all the space being used, but what about making it like a fold-out ironing board? It can be a slab of butcher block hinged off the floor with legs that drop down as the table is levelled. That can fit on the left side by your ramps. It will only be accessible with the door open, but it'll work. You also won't have to get in the van to use it. Just some food for thought 👍

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@ excellent idea! I love wood working too so that will be a fun project. I kind of thought about elevating the jack, or making a platform above the jack to use some more vertical space. For the van height I had the same concern actually, how nimble it would be so to speak, but you’d also get more surface area to advertise. Like you said, can’t have it all. Great ideas and conversation, this is why I posted this stuff. Thanks again, any other ideas on any other video, I’d love to hear it. Or if you have a tour video too, let me know.

[@NutsandBoltsAuto]

No problem, glad to help. I wish I could do a tour of my work van as well, It's crossed my mind a few times. The issue is that I work for my local Ford dealership, so it's their property. We have 4 vans servicing our area and all of them have a different setup. My understanding is that the Ford reps set them up and sell them that way. One of the vans is a "tire van" which is the biggest turd ever. The tire machine on that van is way undersized, it can't do anything over 18". Forget about working on low profile tires. There's really only so much that's possible on a van setup. They really should have got a full size tire machine and used a box truck instead. For the mobile service, we have 4 Transit vans and we work together with a mobile service coordinator/service advisor. She makes our appointments and manages our schedules. As far as the work we do, it's like 90% recalls. We try to stick to jobs that flag 2h or less and keep the diags to a minimum. Basically, they try to keep the work days as predictable as possible. This way we don't schedule a 6h job only for them to reschedule/cancel last minute and waste time. I've been seriously thinking aboit getting a van of my own and starting this mobile service for real. I'm just not sure if I'd be breaking even compared to what I'm making now. I mean, we're charging $195/h at my dealership right now - that's what most dealerships in my area are charging. I figure I could probably do with half that, but would that be enough? I imagine fuel, insurance, vehicle maintenance would take up most of that labor rate. Anyways, maybe you could do a video about the financials and how you charge. How many jobs you do a day. What's the average day like. That kind of stuff does good on the algorithm, and it's great help for someone on the fence like me. One other thing, you should look into getting the Greenworks 24v cordless jack. It's been my go-to jack for 2 years now. It's a powered bottle jack. Super light and works for most vehicles. It seriously saves your back. Just... if you get one, go to my page and hit a random affiliate link haha 🤣

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@ I’ll check your page out again for sure, I’ve already started looking at it. I can’t wait to make some videos like that. I have to be careful and make sure I don’t get burnt out making videos. My schedule is pretty booked about a week out, so not much time for extra curricular activities like KZbin. I’ll check out that jack from your page too. Maybe get some insight from you on getting affiliate links, haha

[@alexandergunaka666]

You shut the door and given your crank a few shakes of baby powder.

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@alexandergunaka666 Hahaa. Not yet. Always too busy. Plus the baby oil would probably work better?

[@alexandergunaka666]

@ I’m talking about for swass. You dirty dog thinking about getting some pumps in.

[@Chris-x5n6n]

Just wondering, what camera do you use to record your videos?!

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@Chris-x5n6n iPhone 16 pro max. Is it good quality video and audio? Could I improve somewhere?

[@Chris-x5n6n]

@ Yeah the quality and audio are all good!

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@ thanks for that. I know some people go all out with recording equipment. But I’m just trying to keep it easy and simple.

[@Chris-x5n6n]

Do you have any tips on starting a mobile mechanic business?!

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@Chris-x5n6n I have a ton!! I’ll do a separate long form video about it. Best advice: do it by the book start a business, and start slow. Don’t quite your day job so to speak until it starts to take off a bit. Stick around for that business video though.

[@Chris-x5n6n]

@ Okay Thank You!! Love your videos!

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@ thanks. I appreciate the positive feedback. It really helps boost the confidence and willingness to do more videos.

[@alexandergunaka666]

Idk man, first time here and idk. I hear your argument, but idk if I can trust someone against keeping spare nuts and bolts.

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@alexandergunaka666 Hahaa. Fair. I just hate wasting time, especially if I’m not getting paid for it. Imagine charging the customer “30 minutes to pilfer through old fasteners”. When I explain to the customer often times they appreciate having brand new stuff. And it really doesn’t happen very often, at least for me in the type of work I do, and the types of clientele that I have.

[@alexandergunaka666]

@ Buddy buddy buddy they blackout organizers or some back pack tackle box inserts. Organize from day 1.

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@ good idea.

[@ozzmann3217]

Maybe it’s bc I’m a field tech in and industry that is 10s of 1000s an hour they are down but not carrying bolts and fittings to me is the I don’t wanna do it today gotta await on parts be excuse I’ve ever heard buddy

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@ozzmann3217 your not wrong. Commercial field techs, you gotta do what you gotta do to get the job done to prevent down time. It actually costs me time and money to travel back out to a customers location and not finish on the same day. I’d rather finish same visit. It’s very rare that I need to order a specialty bolt like that. Maybe once a year

[@EricB-jx1kb]

nice video, just completely disagree with your stock bolts philosophy.

[@QuantumMobileMechanic]

@@EricB-jx1kb I know it’s not the most popular opinion, I guess it was engrained in me in the military, we use to train up on the USS Iwo Jima, they used black oxide coated brass fasteners in a high temperature steam application and it killed a lot of people. Just paranoid I guess. Hahaa