Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/596928
GLIDER KITS REDEFINED Bill Downy (Left), Nick Bresaw (Center), Tommy Fitzgerald Jr (Right). F itzgerald Glider Kits set out as a family owned/operated company almost 30 years ago to change the Glider Kit market. Long before the Glider Kit business took off, the Fitzgerald family had a trucking company and a service shop of their own that would eventually lead them to where they are today. "We built our first glider kit over 25 years ago. Over time, the industry has developed a real need for more trucks with less complex engines. Some years later, we decided to shift our focus solely on glider kits", said Tommy Fitzgerald Jr. Today the company is still very much a family business, he added "We really enjoy what we do and are passionate about our work. Everyone here is not just our family. We all work hard for the same goal, and at the end of the day its something we can all be proud of. I believe that this has more to do with our success than anything else." Today, they are the largest Glider Kit assembler in North America. By providing customers with a wide range of popular brands like Peterbilt, Freightliner, Kenworth, and Western Star, they have single handedly changed the industry's view of Glider Kits over the past 10 years. In addition to offering the different brands, they also have a limited number of special edition trucks like the Peterbilt Pride and Class 389 and the Kenworth Icon 900. Fitzgerald Glider Kits offers customers the option to purchase a brand new 2016 tractor, in any configuration offered by the manufacturer. Next comes the option of several pre emission engines to choose from. The Detroit 12.7 liter 60 series motor has been their flagship engine for a long time running. Along with the optional 5-year/500k mile warranty, the dependability and serviceability of this engine make it very appealing to people looking for Gliders. Just like the different models of trucks, some people desire different engine options. That's why Fitzgerald Glider Kits also offers customers a factory reman Cummins N14, a reman CAT C15 engine from Thompson CAT. Every engine is accompanied by the choice of a 10, 13, or 18 speed Eaton Fuller Factory Reman Transmission. "When it comes to purchasing a glider kit, we offer more options then anyone else. We have three different engine combinations, and multiple warranty options to go with them. Because of our buying power, we have more trucks on the ground then anyone else in the glider market", said Tommy Fitzgerald Jr. Even being the leaders in the industry, they still occasionally get asked the very basic question, "What is a Glider Kit"? Luckily, the answer to that question is incredibly simple. A Glider Kit is a brand new truck from the manufacturer without an engine and transmission. All interior, rear ends, and braking systems are pre-installed before they receive the unit. Fitzgerald Glider Kits has mastered the process of taking the 'Glider Kit' and installing the components to work seamlessly with the new truck. The end result is a brand new glider, with an engine and transmission that has been completely rebuilt from the ground up. Couple that with a Nationwide Warranty, and you can see why they are leading the market place for glider kits. For many fleets and owner operators, a Glider Kit offers them a different option to consider when looking to purchase a new truck. Because of the older model engines, you have more options when it comes to servicing the unit. Built with parts that are easily accessed across the nation, and generally have a much lower upfront price, the total cost of ownership and operation is considerably less then a brand new truck. How does Fitzgerald Glider Kits stand behind their product? Today, they are the only company to offer a full Nationwide Warranty, which allows their trucks to be serviced at independent SPONSORED INFORMATION GLIDER KITS REDEFINED