This Article is Based on an Interview with Mike Fincham, Mechanic at Universal Truck and Trailer Repair.
When a semi-truck breaks down in the middle of a haul, every minute off the road is money lost. We recently sat down with Mike Fincham, a seasoned diesel mechanic with over 20 years of experience and a lead tech at Universal Truck and Trailer Repair in Cincinnati, OH. He’s seen just about every kind of roadside emergency you can imagine—and shared some valuable insights into what drivers get wrong when calling for Truck Roadside Assistance in Cincinnati, OH.
“There are some things you just can’t prevent,” Mike told us. “But I can’t tell you how many times we’ve responded to breakdowns that turned into bigger problems simply because of poor decisions made in the moment. The right move—or the wrong one—can cost you hours, maybe even days, and a lot more money than you planned for.”
Here are the most common mistakes Mike sees truck drivers make when they need emergency roadside help—and his tips on how to avoid them.
1. Delaying the Call for Help
One of the biggest mistakes? Waiting too long.
“Drivers will try to nurse a truck into the next town or truck stop, and that usually ends up making the problem worse,” Mike says. “If a belt’s slipping or a tire’s going down, just pull over and call. Continuing to drive on a damaged part can lead to more failures—and more costly repairs.”
2. Not Knowing Exactly Where They Are
“You’d be surprised how many calls we get where the driver says, ‘I’m on I-75 somewhere,’” Mike laughs. “That’s not enough to go on when you’re trying to get a tech out fast.”
Always note your mile marker, nearest exit, or a GPS pin. It can shave an hour or more off your wait time.
3. Calling a National Chain Instead of a Local Shop
“Sometimes we hear drivers went with a national hotline and waited forever for someone to show up—only to get someone unfamiliar with the area,” Mike explains. “Local shops like ours know the roads, weather, and common truck issues in the Cincinnati region. That experience matters when you need fast service.”
4. Being Unprepared When They Call
Before you call, be ready to explain your issue clearly and have your truck info ready—make, model, engine type, and DOT number if possible.
“The more we know upfront, the faster we can get the right tools and parts on the truck and fix it on the spot,” Mike says.
5. Not Setting Up a Safe Work Area
“We’ve had techs show up and the driver didn’t put out triangles or warning lights. That’s dangerous, especially at night or in bad weather,” he warns.
Your safety is the first priority. Always set up your safety markers and stay visible.
6. Ignoring Weather Conditions
Cincinnati winters can be brutal. According to Mike, “Frozen fuel lines, batteries that die in the cold, and low visibility all make a simple job harder and slower.”
Be weather-aware, and take steps to winterize your truck if you’re headed through Ohio in colder months.
7. Not Having a Go-To Shop
“One of the smartest things drivers can do is build a relationship with a local, trusted repair shop,” Mike says. “If you break down and you’re a repeat customer, we’ll go out of our way to help you get back on the road faster.”
Universal Truck and Trailer Repair offers 24/7 roadside assistance across the Cincinnati area and prides itself on fast, honest, and experienced service.
Final Thoughts
Breakdowns happen to every truck driver, and as Mike Fincham from Universal Truck and Trailer Repair expressed, responding to problems calmly and appropriately can make a world of difference. Calling the right people makes everything easier. With a level head, a person can deal with even the worst situations with grace.
“I’ve been doing this for over 20 years,” Mike says. “And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the drivers who stay cool, give us the info we need, and call early are usually the ones back on the road the fastest.”
Knowing who to call in case something goes wrong always pays off whether you are managing freight transversing interstate or local freight around Cincinnati. That is what Universal Truck and Trailer Repair serves as. Our responsibility goes beyond fixing trucks—we assist operators in reaching home safely while enabling timely deliveries in order to safeguard their income.
As such, whenever your rig causes you trouble, don’t try to troubleshoot by yourself. Rely on the local experts who actually understand the roads and the weather conditions that you contend with. For reliable Roadside Assistance in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mike and his team at Universal Truck and Trailer Repair provide dependable help at any time of day or night.