RealTruck.com is pleased to announce that Jim Gerling has accepted the position of Director of Customer Relations. Jim has over 9 years experience in the Automotive Aftermarket Industry. He previously was the Customer Service manager for ACI, manufacture of the Access Roll Up Cover and SnowSport Snow Plow. Jim has a tremendous work ethic and a great attention to detail. He will not only bring value to RealTruck but will be a strong voice for our consumers, ensuring they continue to get the highest level of service. “I am very pleased to join a established company like RealTruck and look forward to this new opportunity” said Gerling.
When Jim is not working at RealTruck, he spends time with him wife Jenny and their two boys Drew and Quinn. He likes to spend time fishing, traveling and watching sports.
Hi, we here at RealTruck have been getting thousands of inquires wondering what my feelings are about snow removal. (Ok, that’s not true, we haven’t had any, but if we did, this is what I would say to them)
I live in Jamestown, North Dakota where the average snowfall can be anywhere from 26 inches to 40. I live in a normal home with a double driveway about 20 feet across by 40 foot in length. I have looked at all the snow removal options available and would like to share my thoughts on them.
Back Breaker
Shovel: The good old fashioned snow shovel. Where do I start with the problems with this solution? Time, hassle, freezing cold, danger just to name a few. I don’t have time to stand out in the cold and throw snow off to the side with my shovel. Don’t be fooled by commercials that show you just walking behind a shovel and gently pushing it as you go. That does not happen. Snow has a mind of its own and digs in and gets heavier as you go. I watched my neighbor try this gradual stroll down his driveway while pushing his shovel. I think he was even whistling as he did this. It all looked good for the first few seconds, until he hit his first crack in the driveway. He then found himself lying flat on his back watching the snowflakes attack from the sky. Shoveling is only a good option for small sidewalks. And please no one write me about what a good workout this it. So is carrying your child on your back to take them to school. I don’t plan on doing that anytime soon. Sorry Shovel, it’s time for you to shove off.
Snow Blower: Here is the next great invention that 1985 brought. A snow blower. A machine that will actually blow the snow off of your driveway. When I first saw this, we had just gotten our first microwave and cordless phone (the kind that has the really big antenna, but I digress) The snow blower has its place in snow removal. If you get a light powdery snow once in a while and have a semi-large area to clean off, a snow blower is a great way to do that. With costs ranging from $1000 to $1500, it will move some snow. The drawbacks are that I still have time issues and I am still standing out in the frigid winter air. I am not making this up, my other neighbor is a snow blower guy. He literally looks like someone who is going on an expedition to Antarctica when I see him out there at night. Not a bad solution, but not the right one for me.
SnowSport Plow
Snow Plow: Not an option for a guy like me. I drive a pickup and my wife drives a mini-van. There is no way we are spending $3000 on some big bulky plow that will probably do a ton of damage to my vehicle. That’s where the SnowSport Snow Plow comes into play. A light-weight aluminum snow blade that will work with most pickups, SUVs or even mini-vans. I am not going to go into a long description of how the snowsport works, if you want that click here. I will tell you that this is the perfect solution to my situation. The blade literally goes on/off in seconds. I often will plow on Sundays at half time of the game. What about cost? I bought the Snowsport HD complete package which cost me $1450, the same as a high end snow blower. I also checked on a snow service. Their cost was about $500 a month. We get snow at least 5 months out of the year. Not a good option. SnowSport also make different models that start at under a thousand. I never realized that a snow plow would be a viable option for someone like me. If you find yourself in need of an affordable, time saving and effective snow removal solution, the SnowSport Snow Plow could be the perfect solution for you.
This month, all SnowSport Plows including the HD, 180 and ATV styles will offer free shipping and if you order by noon, it will ship the same day.
I wanted to take minute to discuss Customer Reviews. This has become the new buzzword on the Internet. Everybody is now scrambling to get some type of program up where they can showcase what their customers are saying.
I am proud to be able to tell you that this is something RealTruck has been doing for the last 18 months. REAL people giving their honest, un-edited REAL opinion on Vehicle Accessories they have purchased on our website. We do our best to put up all reviews, even if that particular review somehow paints RealTruck in a bad light. We also strive to contact any negative reviews and make the situation right. Ultimately, we want you to know what you are buying and that the best way for you to make an informed decision is to read testimonials from people just like you. We have thousands of reviews on all major products that we sell. Our format allows you to rate the product from a scale of 1 to 5 stars. We also give you plenty of room to share your thoughts on many different aspects of your shopping experience; like the value of the products, the install, the performance of the product and your overall shopping experience with RealTruck.com.
One more reason we hope that you will find exactly what you need for your vehicle at RealTruck.com
Sometimes its good to remember how far we have come. Since we are one of the oldest Truck Accessory e-tailers, we wanted to re-introduce our classic RealTruck logo. To help celebrate, we have come out with our new summer T-shirt featuring this classic logo on the back.
We would like you to have one for FREE. Simply call our toll free line (877-216-5446) and answer the following history question. First five correct callers will get their very own T-shirt shipped out free today.
What was the first item sold by RealTruck.com in 1998?
(We will give you a hint……..We had no idea we were on such a roll.)
(BTW, if you get Bonnie, she will probably just tell you if you ask her nice)
More clues to follow and answer will be revealed later today.
11:00 CST We have our first winner. Dustin L from Minneapolis, MN, still four to go.
(Clue #2. Bring all your friends, our Cover Charge is reasonable)
1:40 CST We have had four winners with one left
(Clue #3 Gaining Access will be a breeze with this product.) Update: We have our 5th winner. The answer was Access Roll Up Cover.
Congrats to Dustin L, Brad B, Lindsey L, Jay D and Will H.
The weekend of May 30th was eventful for a number of reasons for Jeff Vanlaningham, RealTruck.Com’s Vice President. One of those was a visit to Google in Mountain View, California. As Jeff said “its like a college campus and its own world. They even have a slide that goes right by the main conference room window to keep things exciting”. We asked Jeff if it took a trip down the google slide and Jeff smiled and said “no comment”.
I wanted to take a moment to discuss a product we carry here at RealTruck.com. Putco PURE LED Interior Lights. Being the Vice President of a Truck Accessory company, I am often asked if I would like to try a new product for my truck. Now I love to accessorise my truck and am always on the look out for the next “cool” thing. But I tend to focus on the outside of my truck. Grille Guards, Nerf Bars, Tonneau Covers. As for lights, I certainly have tried my fair share of Tailgate bars, Third brake lights and even a front light bar that kind of looks like the front of the Knight Rider car, but interior lights have never been high on my list because I didnt really see the value in them. Wow, was I wrong. I recently was asked by a friend to try these out and I would like to share my thoughts on this product.
Install Time: 2 minutes and that includes the 30 seconds I was channel surfing on the radio station. Install is literally a breeze and trust me when I tell you that if I can do it, anyone can do this.
Actual Interior Lighting: I could not believe the difference these LED lights made in the cab of my pickup. Excuse the cliche, but it is a “night and day” difference between these and my factory lights. These dont just add a bit more light, they give you maximum visibility and illuminate every inch of your interior.
However, the best part for me (being more concerned with the outside of the vehicle like I told you before) is when you come out to parking lot and unlock your vehicle with a remote. Never again will you waste any time trying to find your vehicle in a crowded parking lot. As soon as you hit the remote and your vehicles dome lights kick on, you will know exactlywhere you are parked. The cool moon-like glow that now engulfs my truck and the parking spot make it impossible to miss. I have had these in for a month now and have received no less than 12 positive comments, which by truck accessory standards would make that a record. Oh and by the way, they will last for about 100 years after you have decided to get a new vehicle. This is not meant to be a sales pitch, just a observation from someone who works with and around a lot of Truck Accessories. The LED premium Interior Lights are a great buy.
One of the comments we get the most from callers, is how friendly, the voice answering the phone is. That would be our wonderful receptionist, Bonnie Schielke. Bonnie recently decided to offer a special lecture on business practices. While the meeting was not mandatory, a group of “characters” decided to give her an audience.
Every so often you hear a story that makes you take note. One which motivates you to do something to help because it’s just feels like the right thing to do.
The story of ingenuous and hard working Rachel Harris is a story like that. Here is an opportunity to help someone we feel is deserving; someone who will no doubt pay forward the gifts she receives along the way so others might benefit also. Funny how little gifts seem to pay the biggest dividends. This young woman has a dream to attend to University of Notre Dame and becoming a pediatric endocrinologist. However, financial limitations are preventing her from possibly attaining that dream. She has built a website that outlines her story of determination and hope. If you have the time, please check out her story by following the link here: http://iwanttogotonotredame.com
We at RealTruck want to wish Rachel the best of luck (or the luck of the Irish, as the case may be) on the pursuit of her dream.
RealTruck.Com Automotive Accessories is pleased to Announce Jeff Vanlaningham has joined the RealTruck team as our new Vice President of Operations. Jeff brings with him 5 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industries as the Director of Marketing for an accessories Manufacturer. Prior to being in the automotive aftermarket Jeff worked at Merck and Kraft Foods. Jeff is married to Heidi and has 3 children. Jeff’s favorite accessory products for cars, trucks and suv’s include LED lights to light you his truck and chrome products to help his truck shine.
“We are very grateful to find someone with Vanlaningham extensive experience, passion and enthusiasm to help grow and lead RealTruck” said Scott Bintz, chairman and CEO.
RealTruck has been providing quality pickup truck, SUV and auto accessories to consumers since 1997. Started in Spokane Washington, in the basement of a duplex with a staff of one, we have steadily grown over the years.
RealTruck.com is pleased to announce that Jim Gerling has accepted the position of Director of Customer Relations. Jim has over 9 years experience in the Automotive Aftermarket Industry. He previously was the Customer Service manager for ACI, manufacture of the Access Roll Up Cover and SnowSport Snow Plow. Jim has a tremendous work ethic and a great attention to detail. He will not only bring value to RealTruck but will be a strong voice for our consumers, ensuring they continue to get the highest level of service. “I am very pleased to join a established company like RealTruck and look forward to this new opportunity” said Gerling.
Sometimes its good to remember how far we have come. Since we are one of the oldest 
