Owner-operators will have the chance to win $1,000 if they take part in the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association survey on heavy-truck maintenance.

Owner-operators who took the survey at the Mid-America Trucking Show have a chance to win the money and to make their opinions count with suppliers. Those who missed the survey at the show can still take the survey by logging on to www.research.net/trucks.

It takes about seven minutes to complete the survey. The winner will be drawn at random from completed surveys.

Markinetics Inc., an independent research group, is fielding the study for HDMA. The survey measures heavy-truck maintenance practices, truck use, changes in buying patterns and service work performance.

“Owner-operators’ opinions are of vital importance to heavy-duty parts manufacturers,” Frank Hampshire, director of research for HDMA, said in a statement. “Feedback from owner-operators lets manufacturers and suppliers improve their product quality, service and price.”

The 2002 HDMA study showed drivers were most brand-conscious when they made tire, engine part, filter and wheel baring purchases. The survey also reported owner-operators rank engine tune-ups as the top scheduled maintenance item.

“This wasn’t really a surprise to most people who know owner-operators,” Donna Coleman, Markinetics’ research manager, said in a statement. “As successful business people, they have to watch their bottom line. One key to profitability is avoiding a major repair while on the road.”

The HDMA study was first published in 1978.