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A Family Affair: Lessons From Trucker & Repair Pro Chris Pyles
Chris was born into trucking. Now he's sharing his story (and some great advice) on our Haul Talk podcast.
If you run or repair Cat® truck engines, chances are you’ve got something in common with Chris Pyles. A third-generation trucker from Illinois, Chris has spent his entire life around diesel engines. Today, he runs Pyles Trucking, a growing fleet of 20+ trucks and 50+ trailers, while also working at his family’s shop, K&G Truck Repair.
Chris recently joined us for Season 4, Episode 1, of Haul Talk, sharing real-world advice for keeping Cat truck engines in top shape, managing maintenance and making smart choices that pay off in the long run. Here are some key takeaways — but trust us, you’ll want to tune in to hear the whole episode.
Three Generations Of Trucking
For Chris, trucking isn’t just a job. It’s in his blood. His grandfather started hauling freight decades ago, passing down the trade to Chris’ father, who built a successful trucking business and repair shop. Chris spent his childhood behind the wheel and in the shop, watching and learning from his family’s expertise.
Favorite truck: A 1996 International. When he was about 8 years old, Chris got to sit in the cab as his grandfather drove it off the assembly line.
Favorite engine: “Probably the C13. I have good, good luck with them and I’m gonna stick with them.”
What it’s like working with family: “We’ve had our battles. But you’ve got to take the old with the new and the new with the old and try to work together. Most of the time, we see eye to eye. It’s got its ups and downs, but there are a lot more ups than downs.”
Why Chris Trusts Cat® Truck Engines
Chris knows firsthand that Cat truck engines are built to last. He’s owned multiple C12 and C13 engines, and he trusts them to perform no matter how many miles they’ve seen. What stands out?
Reliability: “The C13s are well over a million miles, and we’ve never had the valve cover off on one, never had the cylinder head off on one. They’re just nice, dependable motors.”
Fuel efficiency: Chris reports getting 7.5 to 8 miles per gallon on his million-mile Cat truck engines.
Simplicity: “They’re just nice, simple, common sense engines. The diagnostics are pretty easy when you work on them.”
Small Business, Big Lessons
Running both a trucking company and a repair shop gives Chris a unique perspective on the industry. He understands the struggles small business owners face and the importance of keeping trucks on the road.
Biggest challenge? Managing time and workload. “It’s a 24/7 job, that’s for sure, trying to keep everything on the road. Trucks don’t want to break down between 9 and 5.”
Why it’s worth it: Trucking is a family legacy for Chris, and he takes pride in keeping his customers rolling. “We’re always trying to squeeze one more truck in there to help somebody out in a pinch, even if we’ve got to stay late or work on a Saturday or Sunday.”
Why You Should Listen To The Full Podcast
Chris isn’t just behind the wheel — he’s also under the hood, making sure his trucks (and his customers’ trucks) keep running for the long haul. If you want real-world insights on:
How to keep a Cat engine running past the million-mile mark
The best preventive maintenance habits for truck owners and repair pros
What it’s really like to balance trucking and repair work
…then this episode of Haul Talk is a must-listen. Tune in now!
