Mobile Tool Truck Sales Route
Operate mobile tool truck selling tools to mechanics and shops
Overview
Tool truck operators generate $200,000-$600,000 annually with 30-50% margins.
In 2025, mechanics value convenience and credit of tool trucks.
Revenue from tool sales ($50-$5,000 per transaction), tool storage and toolboxes ($1,000-$15,000), diagnostic equipment ($500-$8,000), financing income (interest on tools sold on credit), and route commissions.
Services include professional mechanics tools (Snap-on, Matco, Mac), automotive specialty tools, tool storage solutions, diagnostic and equipment, weekly route service to shops, and tool financing and payment plans.
Successful operators build loyal shop routes, extend credit carefully, maintain hot inventory on truck, provide personalized service, and collect payments consistently.
Auto mechanics and body shops as clients.
Marketing through automotive service shops, dealerships, independent mechanics, racing and performance shops, and route development.
Required Skills
- Automotive Tools
- Sales & Credit Management
- Route Management
- Customer Relations
- Inventory Control
- Collections
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Established franchise systems available
- Recurring route customer base
- High margins on tools sold
- Financing interest income
- Mechanics loyal to tool trucks
Cons
- Franchise fees and ongoing royalties
- Inventory on credit risk
- Collections challenges with accounts
- Long work weeks visiting routes
- Initial route building takes time
How to Get Started
- Join tool truck franchise (Snap-on, Matco, Mac)
- Invest in truck and initial tool inventory
- Build route of automotive shops
- Visit shops weekly with truck
- Sell tools and extend credit to mechanics
- Manage inventory and collections
- Build loyal route customer base
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