Mobile Tire Service Helps Truckers Keep On Truckin’

These days, increased traffic means an increased potential for flat tires along secondary and state highways. And with the busy season of farming and the general influx of oil related trucking activities, coupled with road construction, and the occasional piece of sharp debris, truck drivers often find themselves roadside with a blowout on a tire too monstrous in size to tackle changing themselves.

For commercial truck drivers, help is just a phone call away.

Expanding on their family business and developing a mobile tire service, two Glendive men have devised a speedy service to help get those roadside truckers back on the highway.

Michael Libby, 34, and Brendan Van Wagner, 33, are brother-in-laws who originally went into business together in 2010 when they purchased Birdsall Tire following its closure. Together they own Badlands Tire.

Recently, they decided to equip a 7.3 liter diesel Ford F-250 with the necessary tools and additions that would allow them to travel to truckers with flat tires. “A lot of those tires are massive in size and can’t be changed by the average person and that’s where we come in. We make it a priority to get to the location as soon as possible so they can get back down the road,” Libby said.

Recently, in their shop, they also started installing pickup accessories and audio systems. They’ve managed to delegate the work between the two of them with Libby running the service truck, the pickup accessory installation and oil changes and Van Wagner installing the sound systems and managing the paper logistics of the business.

With 24 hour tire service, Libby said he’s driven as far as Tioga but more generally has a service area that includes Glendive, Watford City, Sidney and Williston. The mobile tire service is also available seven days a week.

“I wanted to create a business that could serve the community. By expanding our services with the mobile tire truck we are able to cater to the trucking and farming industry which is a huge part of our community,” Van Wagner said.

Whether it’s a steady leak or a sliced side wall, flats have the potential to severely puncture pocket books and the longer it takes to fix a flat, the more expensive it can get. “When those semis are parked and out of commission those guys aren’t making any money and it’s just not productive for anybody out there trying to make a living,” Libby said.

Making the service calls a priority means Libby typically leaves the shop within 15 minutes after receiving a call. By keeping all of the varying tire sizes and brands in the shop he can quickly locate and load the right tire for the job. On the average, it takes less than an hour to change the tire out once he arrives.

After changing the tire, Libby bills out for service on location, often contacting the company and handling the paper work before getting back to Glendive. The service charges include the cost of the tire, and an hourly rate. There are no additional fees for mileage.

There is no additional fee for tire disposal.

The mobile service doesn’t include mechanical work on roadside vehicles. However, as they grow and expand their business they may look into additional services in the future.

On a daily basis, back in the shop they wash and service oil company’s and farmer’s vehicles, passenger and light trucks with oil changes and other maintenance services.

“We do our jobs with honesty and integrity. We’re a family run business and we understand how important word of mouth is and happy customers. We treat people the way we want to be treated because that’s how it’s supposed to be,” Libby said.

Before the two went into business with each other, Libby worked in construction for over a dozen years and decided to go into business for himself after becoming injured. Van Wagner also worked in construction after attending Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, N.D.

“I guess you could say I am one of those people who enjoys a challenge and this has been a challenge getting the business going. There’s a big difference between construction and retail and service but this has been fun. Challenging, but fun,” Libby said.

Watching the entrepreneurial duo work together it becomes evident that there is a productive rhythm at work as each seems to anticipate the other’s next move. “When we’re working there isn’t a lot of talking going on but we get in there and we get things done. We complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses well,” Van Wagner said.

They also have an intern, Aleks Marble, who assists them with cleaning and light service work while he is getting work experience.

For the co-owners, family is the close bond that keeps the business intact. Libby’s wife, Amanda, cares for and home-schools their six children while Van Wagner’s wife Carolina does the same for their five children.

When Van Wagner isn’t working he keeps himself busy as a youth pastor for the Glendive Assembly of God Church. Both men consider spending time with his family to be a top priority.

Badlands Tire is located at 1522 Crisafulli Dr., across from NAPA and Kmart in Glendive.

For more information contact (406) 377-TIRE or for after hours service calls contact (406) 941-0426.