cost of service

Cost of Service Comparison

Buying your own smoke machine vs. using a vendor (Glyn's )

Two questions we are frequently asked

Question one: How much does it cost to test my fleet?

Answer: The price of testing a fleet depends on a couple of different factors; how many trucks are going to be tested at one time and how far we have to travel. The more trucks we test at one time, the better (lower) rate you are going to get.
The travel time is less important, because we do not directly charge for travel time; that is, there is no "service charge", "show up" fee, or per mile travel charge. Since this is a "mobile" business, we are always going to be traveling to your location. Geneally speaking, our rates start at about 50 dollars a truck and go down from there. We have large discounts for large fleets (10 or more trucks). CALL US FOR A QUOTE! Flat rate pricing keeps costs down

Question two: Is it cheaper for me to buy my own smoke testing machine and test my own fleet?

Answer: The answer is all most always no, unless you have over 50 trucks and you plan on keeping all those trucks over 5 years. And even then, you would barely brake even at the end of five years if you never had a problem with the smoke testing machine.

Here is why

1st year
The cost of the smoke machine                                 $5,500 to $7,500     depending on model
The cost to send mechanic to school                        $415                         wages + school
labor for mechanic to perform tests                           $750                         50 tests X 1/2 labor @ $30/hr
2nd year                                                                    $750
3rd year                                                                     $750
4th year                                                                     $750
5th year                                                                     $750
                                                                                ---------------
                                                                                    $10,000
Your cost to test your own trucks If you keep all 50 trucks for 5 years, If you keep the same employee, and if you never have a problem with the smoke test machine. Drop the smoke tester head...add $2500, let the battery go dead from sitting for a year between tests...add $250, replace the display keyboard...add $600, pinch a cable for the head or display...add $125, hire a new mechanic...add $415, and so on.

Glyn's price to test the same 50 trucks for 5 years    $10,000 (based on 40 dollars per truck)

Here is something else to consider. Starting in 2010, all light duty diesel trucks, 1998 & later, under 14K gross vehicle weight will have to be smog tested. Thefeore, the smoke test machine will not work for those trucks. See my page "Diesel Smog Testing" for the changes starting in 2010.

Setting up your own testing program

If you do decide to buy your own machine, and you need some help getting your program off the ground, Glyn can help. We can sell you a machine, and get you set up so you will be in compliance with the ARB. We offer consulting services if you have questions or problems.
Just call us 951-663-2079