Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/324702
June 2014 | Overdrive | 31 assembly line," he says. Gliders used to carry a stigma, says Robert Fitzgerald, co-owner and president at Fitzgerald. "People always believed gliders on the resale side are worth less," he says. "But what we've found now that we've developed a mar- ket is that we can actually get more on the backside." Ervin's Eggen says owning a glider made with original manufacturer's parts "takes away fear of sliding in resale value." Like Fitzgerald, Eggen says he's seen Ervin's trucks hold their value better in the aftermarket than factory trucks. How do warranties work? The glider shell – cab, chassis and wir- ing – comes with a 1-year 100,000-mile factory warranty, says Tommy Fitzger- ald. Peterbilt and Kenworth also have a standard 5-year 750,000-mile warranty on the rears, and Freightliner has a standard 3-year 300,000-mile warranty on the rears, he says. Eaton-Fuller reman transmissions come with a 3-year unlimited mileage warranty. The reman Detroit engines come with a 3-year 300,000-mile war- ranty. The engine warranty also can be done through Fitzgerald. The compa- ny also offers a 5-year 500,000-mile upgradable nationwide warranty that's handled in-house. The warranties are good at any Freightliner or Detroit authorized repair shop, and all the warranty information is already in the system, Eggen says. What are potential hang-ups? • As for resale value, aftermarket senti- ment varies, says Mohler. Many dealers won't buy or trade gliders because deal- ers can't be sure of the origins of the truck's componentry, nor can they apply aftermarket warranties to them as easily. Reputable manufacturers like Fitzgerald and Ervin's can mitigate these concerns, though. • California requires a particulate filter in engines older than 2006. Com- plying with this to enable running in California would mitigate some of the benefits sought in the first place. Be- cause California emissions regulations sometimes have been adopted in other states, avoiding business in California might not be a long-term solution. • Some gliders may not have access to the service network that new trucks would, depending on the components used in the build, Mohler says. Firestone air springs give you increased ride comfort, longer life for your truck parts, and fewer worries about inspections and cargo. Not to mention decidedly less pain in the butt. WIN A SET OF TIRES! Visit RideFirestoneAirSprings.com/Overdrive for a chance to win a free set of tires for your personal vehicle. PERFORMANCE. RELIABILITY. COMFORT. ANYTHING ELSE IS JUST A PAIN IN THE BUTT. Untitled-13 1 5/19/14 2:19 PM Text INFO to 205-289-3555 or visit www.ovdinfo.com Gliders_0614.indd 31 6/3/14 10:47 AM