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San Diego Heavy Truck
& Equipment Repair, Inc.
About Us
San Diego Heavy Truck & Equipment Repair, Inc.
(formerly George's Mobile Service & Repair)
Proudly Serving San Diego since 1987
We are your high quality, affordable, dealership alternative heavy truck and equipment repair shop in East County San Diego. We specialize in semi-truck repair and diesel service on heavy trucks and equipment.
SDHTER is Your Dealership Alternative
Our mechanics love what they do and because of that they do it well.
We are your "dealership alternative" and we are approachable! You can come to our shop and speak directly to the mechanic – We have one phone number, and you can reach us at any time.
About George
George is a born mechanic.
George started his business in 1988 as George's Marine Service. He worked primarily on large yachts and commercial sport fishing boats until he broke away from that side of the diesel business and decided to work primarily on heavy trucks and equipment.
Mission Statement
At San Diego Heavy Truck and Equipment Repair Inc., our mission is to provide exceptional, reliable, and timely maintenance and repair services for heavy trucks and equipment. We are committed to ensuring the safety and efficiency of our customers' operations through high-quality workmanship and superior customer service. Located in Lakeside, California, we strive to be the trusted partner for all heavy-duty repair needs, fostering long-term relationships with our clients based on trust and excellence.
Vision Statement
Our vision at San Diego Heavy Truck and Equipment Repair Inc. is to be the leading heavy truck and equipment repair service provider in Southern California. We aim to set the industry standard for quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Through continuous improvement, investment in the latest technologies, and the development of our skilled workforce, we envision a future where our clients can rely on us for unparalleled support, ensuring their fleets are always road-ready and operating at peak performance.
We are a State of California PSIP and HD I/M Certified facility.
Why Choose Us?
Here's a story from one of our happy customers...
I had an emergency, needing a place to park a truck and trailer until the new buyer picked it up from Canada. An acquaintance of mine suggested George, the owner of San Diego Heavy Truck and Equipment Repair in Lakeside. They immediately accommodated me and made space for my full sized custom racing semi trailer and long wheelbase tractor. During the 2-3 weeks that my rig was there, I discovered how much more they could do for someone that owns heavy equipment...from IFTA/DOT inspections on heavy trucks to maintenance, repair and fabrication on trucks, trailers and every imaginable piece of heavy equipment you can imagine, this is the "go to" place! Their prices are reasonable and fair. Their knowledge is extensive and their work is done right. They are also friendly to deal with. I always feel that they genuinely care about my needs.
- Don Swanson, Owner, Don Swanson Racing Enterprises
Founder of the Southern California and San Diego Ford Club
Main Services
San Diego Heavy Truck & Equipment Repair, Inc. services and repairs all types of equipment and trucks, trailers, forklifts, boom trucks, and more.
Truck Repair
With our semi and heavy truck repair, we specialize in having quality mechanics who are able to handle any job at any time. Our mechanics love what they do and because of that, they do it well!
Truck Maintenance
Maintenance is the key to having a truck running smoothly. We cannot always know what the future will bring - having your truck or equipment serviced on a routine schedule will help to reduce many costly surprises.
DPF Maintenance
A diesel particulate filter (DPF) is a device designed to remove diesel particulate matter or soot from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine. This is an important area of maintenance to keep your semi truck in tip-top shape!
Computer Diagnostics
These are so important these days and we don’t only have just the ONE program your dealership uses, we have access to most of the major software diagnostic programs! We can program almost anything you might need.
Quarterly BIT/CHP Inspections
Regular inspections are typically required if you are enrolled in the CHP's BIT program. We will perform your inspection and provide you with an inspection result form and/or your annual inspection sticker.
Maintenance & Inspection Reminders
Regular inspections are typically required if you are enrolled in the CHP's BIT program. We will notify you by email when it's time to make your next appointment.
NEW Parts Department
Call us with any questions or specific requests!
You can now CALL our Parts Department at 619-219-9072
Parts Line Card
San Diego Heavy Truck & Equipment Repair, Inc. is proud to offer parts from these reputable companies.
Let us know if you need something specific!
We are a distributor for AMSOIL
San Diego Heavy Truck & Equipment Repair, Inc. is proud to be a distributor for AMSOIL and their premium line of full synthetic motor oils & lubricants engineered to keep your vehicles and equipment running cleaner, longer!
Let us know if you want us to order anything not pictured here!
Currently In Stock
5W30
5W40
10W30
15W40
GASOLINE ADDITIVE
DIESEL ADDITIVE
ATF
Let us know if you want us to order anything not pictured here!
Professional, Helpful & Honest
George Kim Frank very professional helpful honest folks. George definitely one of BEST mechanics around, this guy KNOWS this stuff! Had some issues that were handled BEFORE it became catastrophic.
I would recommend anyone with RV problems to seek them out! (And any kind of truck, also!)
Honest & Hard-Working
George is the most honest and hard working mechanic that I know. He did not quit until the problem was completely resolved, and this issue with my truck was complicated. And Dawn provides the best customer service of any business that I've ever encountered. Thank you both for keeping me on the road.
Great service, fair pricing
We use George's service for all of our trucks. Great service, fair pricing and a local company. Kim and George have never let us down. These guys seem to be 1/2 the cost of the dealer?!
Top notch work
George and his crew are professional and always do top notch work. He’s even saved me on more than one occasion when I was in a pinch. We’re very happy and loyal customers!
More Services
We work on all types of heavy equipment and semi trucks, trailers, forklifts, boom trucks, and more! Here are only a few of the services that we offer...call to ask about your needs today!
CA Clean Truck Checks
CA 90-Day BIT Inspections
CA Annual Inspections
Semi Truck & Trailer Repairs and Welding
Computer Diagnostics & Troubleshooting
Air Conditioning Repairs & Replacement
Transmission Repairs & Replacement
Diesel Engine Repairs & Replacement
Differential Repairs & Replacement
Certified PSIP and HD I/M Testing
Certified Clean Truck Check Testing Facility
Smoke Opacity Testing
Heavy Duty I/M Services
Excellent service & quality of work
Our heavy duty truck needed emergency repair after it incurred damage on the freeway...pulling a 43 foot trailer...with dogs and a child in tow! Stressful! George fabricated a part no longer available and had us back on the road in about 24 hours! Despite no appointment, his busy schedule, and at a fair price! Kim communicated every step of the way and made me feel welcome. Recommended for regular service and major repairs of heavy trucks! Veteran owned!
100% satisfaction
I count on their knowledge and skills to fix any problems we ask them to, with absolutely none of the nonsense or game playing that is so common among mechanics today. George never ceases to amaze me with his diagnostic skills, and I fully appreciate his frankness and honesty. They are always there when I need them, and I can trust them to treat us right. I would recommend their services to anyone!
Friendly & Genuinely Care
Their prices are reasonable and fair. Their knowledge is extensive and their work is done right. They are also friendly to deal with. I always feel that they genuinely care about my needs.
Excellent work and service
We have been a very happy customer of George's for many years. George and his team provide excellent work and service! They are an honest top team with integreity and excellence in every aspect of their business. Not only so they repair our equipment they also provide regular vehicle maintaince and BIT inspecctions.
Updates & News
Keeping you up-to-date with the latest news, alerts, mandates and recommendations.
August 2024
Effective immediately, diesel motorhomes and diesel trucks => 14,000 gvw are required to register and pay their annual fees to CARB (now called "CLEAN TRUCK CHECK").
What is CTC-VIS and do I need to be compliant?
The answer is YES, you do. If you have a Diesel vehicle => 14,000 GVW in CA, operating on public roads and highways, vehicle owners must report, pay annual compliance fees, and undergo emissions compliance testing to comply with Clean Truck Check.
Diesel motorhomes are NOT except:
Diesel motorhomes registered in CA are required to register and test with CTC-VIS.
What if you are already reporting in TRUCRS; do you still need to report?
YES, you still need to report to CTC-VIS.
Will your DMV registration renewals get held up?
YES, they will until you are registered with CTC-VIS and have a passing test.
What if you do not pass your CTC-VIS test?
We are here to help. We specialize in all things Diesel.
See the latest info here on their website:
July 2024
Annual DOT Inspection and/or 90 Day BIT Inspections
If you operate your truck with a GVW rating of 10,000 lbs. or more in California you need your truck inspected every 90 days. This is what typically is referred to as a BIT inspection or 90 day inspection. The California Highway Patrol will want to see your records for the inspections done by a mechanic when they audit you.
What about a annual DOT inspection you might ask? An annual DOT inspection is basically the same thing except the annual DOT inspection is only required every year and is a federal regulation. In certain states their is no inspection guideline that the state mandates and instead they use the federal regulation that your commercial truck be inspection once a year. However in California they require you have your commercial vehicle that is over 10,000 GVW be inspected every 90 days.
What You Need to Know about California’s BIT Regulations
Effective January 1, 2016, major changes have taken affect to California’s Biennial Inspection of Terminal (BIT) program, now called the Basic Inspection of Terminals program. Designed as a performance-based truck terminal inspection system, motor carriers that demonstrate good safety behavior will benefit from less frequent inspections.
Complete List of Highlights:
- Every motor carrier in the state that did not have a U.S. DOT number has now been assigned one. Motor carriers can display either their CA number or U.S. DOT number or both on their vehicles.
- The assignment of the U.S. DOT number will allow the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to upload all vehicle, terminal, and carrier inspections conducted on a motor carrier into the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Safety Measurement System (SMS). This system populates carrier information and safety data in what is termed the CSA – Compliance, Safety, Accountability SMS.
- CHP will utilize the safety data uploaded into FMCSA’s SMS to prioritize terminal inspections. This allows CHP the discretion not to inspect a terminal more often than one time every six years instead of once every 25 months. Clean roadside inspections and no crash history are important factors in whether CHP decides to schedule a terminal inspection – this turns the BIT program into a “performance based program” where on-highway behavior becomes the determinant in scheduling a terminal inspection.
- Significantly expands the number of motor carriers required to enroll in the BIT program. Any motor carrier operating a CMV (a CMV is defined as 10,001 pounds or greater) subject to regulation by the California Public Utilities Commission, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or the California Department of Motor Vehicles will need to be enrolled in BIT. Historically, most operators of trucks under 26,001 pounds were exempt from BIT.
- Fleets operating CMV’s in commercial use of 10,001 pounds GVWR or more not previously required to have 90-BIT inspections will need to comply with all inspection requirements.
- Currently, when a vehicle is leased to a motor carrier for a period of four months or less, the registered owner (lessor) is responsible for it under BIT, including presenting the vehicle for inspection, and all maintenance and maintenance records requirements. The new Basic Inspection of Terminals program will end that practice and the motor carrier (lessee) will be responsible on day one.
- CHP will no longer collect BIT fees. BIT fees will be paid to the California DMV at the time of obtaining a new, or renewing an existing, motor carrier permit (MCP). For motor carriers that possess a non-expiring MCP, they will no longer pay BIT fees since there is no annual renewal for a non-expiring MCP (as long as you keep current with paying annual Unified Carrier Registration fees).
- Also, there will no longer be a separate BIT application to complete for new carrier operations. You will be automatically enrolled in BIT during payment of your MCP fee. The BIT fee will be called a “Carrier Inspection Fee” or “CIT” on your MCP renewal form.
April 2024
CARB (now called "CLEAN TRUCK CHECK") has new rules for Diesel Heavy Trucks and Equipment (over 14k GVW) on vehicles in California.
They now require OBD and/or Opactity testing be performed within 90 days of your 2025 DMV registration. This is why it is beginning as of Oct 2024 to coincide with 90 days prior to your Jan 2025 registration.
CARB is claiming they will hold up 2025 registration renewals if the OBD and/or Opacity testing is not performed 90 days prior to your registration dates.
See the latest info here on their website:
January 2023
Welcome to 2023 and all the new CA rules that CARB sprung upon us!
CARB is an entity that monitors the air quality in our glorious state of CA. Here is a breakdown of what is to come in 2023 and 2024.
CARB has also issued a new, one-page fact sheet that describes HD I/M program basics and vehicle owner responsibilities for 2023:
HD I/M Regulation: Vehicle Owner Basics (12/09/22)
Opacity testing is now required two times a year.
An Opacity Test tests the emissions on all Diesel vehicles over 14,000lbs. It is like a SMOG test, but for Diesel vehicles.
EXCEPTIONS:
- Diesel Motorhomes registered in CA (1x year)
- Agricultural vehicles (1x year)
The following vehicles are EXCLUDED FROM HD I/M Regulations and Opacity testing:
- Zero-emissions HD vehicles
- Motorhomes registered OUTSIDE of CA
- New vehicles, less than 4 years old
Starting in July 2023, EVERY Diesel vehicle over 14,000lbs will be required to pay a $30 fee, per vehicle, per year to CARB.
This is considered a “Reporting and Compliance fee”. You will need to create an account to identify the vehicles that are part of your fleet. Your compliance fees will be paid through a vehicle owners account page on an annual basis.
Call us today to have your vehicle(s) tested.
CARB has also issued a new, one-page fact sheet that describes HD I/M program basics and vehicle owner responsibilities for 2023:
HD I/M Regulation: Vehicle Owner Basics (12/09/22)
Vehicles older than 2013 are required to have an opacity test 2x a year along with an HD I/M inspection of the vehicle. IF the vehicle has a check engine light, it is an immediate failure. This data is sent by us to CARB.
Vehicles 2013 and newer are required to have an OBD plug in test 2x a year. This information is sent directly to CARB through a cloud portal. CARB will send us the PASS/FAIL. We do not have control of the outcomes. This could take up to 72hrs for results. Coming in 2027, OBD plug in test will be 4x a year. Motorhomes and Ag vehicles will continue to be 1x a year.
The dates required for the OBD or Opacity Testing is based on two factors:
- CA registered vehicles are based on the month and date of their registration renewal.
- OUT of state registered vehicles are based on the last digit of their VIN.
We are here to help you with your testing in any way we can.
All of our technicians are certified smoke opacity testers who can to handle your fleet PSIP testing needs.
We will make certain your results are properly submitted and keep a digital record on file for your future compliance needs. We want to make the process as easy as possible moving forward.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to answer any questions you may have – and if we do not have the answer, we will gladly get it for you.