Behind the repairs: How Currie Motors Ford of Valpo’s Commercial Truck Center keep fleets running

For many businesses, a commercial truck is more than just a vehicle—it’s a vital part of daily operations. When those trucks need service, having a knowledgeable team ready to address issues and make repairs is essential. At Currie Motors Ford of Valpo’s Commercial Truck Center, the team works behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly.

Don Anderson, Truck Center Technician at Currie Motors Ford of Valpo, describes a typical day on the job.

“We typically have quite a bit of work when we get here in the morning. We work on F-150s all the way up to F-170s,” Anderson said with enthusiasm. “As far as small trucks, medium trucks – most of the stuff we do is all fleet work. You might have six or seven jobs that you’re trying to bounce around and diagnose on a daily basis working on engines, transmissions, turbos, or even just maintenance work.”

What separates working on commercial trucks from other vehicles is that the state of the economy doesn’t influence the amount of services as much.

“Commercial trucks are nice because, from a workload standpoint, a lot of these commercial companies are always going to need service,” Anderson explained. “Someone might put off bringing their personal vehicle in for service when gas prices are high or when the economy slows down, but these companies need to keep it rolling no matter what.”

At the truck center, the emphasis on maintenance work is crucial, especially when handling trucks that have a lot of wear and tear.

“You get a lot of check engine lights and drivability problems, especially with commercial trucks; they run them from morning until night. Sometimes, if there’s multiple shifts, they don’t shut them off,” Anderson noted. “It’s not the same as when you got a standard mom-and-pop car, because these things have a lot of abuse on them.”

While repairs of different vehicles pose different challenges, Anderson considers the most critical one to be the sheer size and everything that comes with it.

“Most have cranes and welders on the back—toolboxes as well. Sometimes, maneuvering everything is a bit more difficult,” Anderson explained. “Something as simple as a wheel and tire assembly might weigh 200 pounds. It’s not the same as changing a flat tire on an F-150.”

Another challenge over time has been the evolution of these trucks. As technology has advanced, this has altered the responsibilities of commercial truck technicians.

“With these trucks, it used to be, ‘Okay, we’re talking about a work vehicle,’” Anderson explained. “Now, you’re incorporating all the electronics and your lane-keeping systems. The Android Autos and Apple CarPlay—this technology is now in bigger trucks. Not only do you have to deal with the actual problems of the truck but also the amenities that come with it.”

Through all these daily challenges, Anderson enjoys being able to tackle the check engine light and drivability issues. He believes one of the best parts of being a truck center technician at Currie Motors Ford of Valpo is the freedom with laying out everything that needs to be done and the order it should be completed. He’s thankful for not only this freedom that the dealership provides him and his team but also the willingness from every department to support one another when necessary.

“I’ve been with four different Ford dealerships since 2007, and I’ve been here 10 years longer than anywhere else,” Anderson exclaimed. “Everybody works together – from sales all the way down to us in the back end service. Everything seems to click and work, and it’s by far the best shop I’ve been in.”

For more information on Currie Motors Ford of Valpo, you can visit fordofvalpo.com.