AAM HONORS RALPH ACCINNO AT ANNUAL MEETING

David Ayers Leave a comment
Use This Post Clip for Email

Former Board Member Recognized for Invaluable Contributions

Thanking him for his years of service and support, Total Truck Centers parent company The AAM Group presented Ralph Accinno with a custom painting at a special dedication held during its recent Annual Membership Meeting. Accinno, retiring founder of Racer’s Equipment Warehouse in Rhode Island, provided many years of leadership on AAM’s Board of Directors and served as a tireless advocate for the group to affiliated vendors and other members.

AAM President Tim Odom commented, “We could not let Ralph leave AAM without a thank you. Among our members, Ralph was our most vocal supporter, and his endorsements always made a difference to AAM. He gave AAM meetings a unique character by way of his optimism, encouragement, infectious humor and even his occasional antics, which kept us on our toes. Fiercely loyal, Ralph set aside his own needs when the needs of the group or others were greater. I consider Ralph a personal friend, and I want to thank him personally for all he has done to mentor me in my role at AAM.”

L to R: John DeBalso (AAM Vice President of Purchasing and Vendor Relations), Ralph Accinno
L to R: John DeBalso (AAM Vice President of Purchasing and Vendor Relations), Ralph Accinno

Ready to buy? Need help with the install? To find your nearest Total Truck Centers affiliate, see our Store Locator. Or join the conversation at the Total Truck Centers Facebook page!

Though this is not a paid review, this content has been produced by The AAM Group in support of manufacturers with whom it has a business relationship.

To Oil or Not to Oil: (That’s Not Really the Question)

David Ayers Leave a comment
Use This Post Clip for Email

John M. Arnaud

Over the years, the air-filter experts at K&N have proven (in their in-house filtration test lab, no less) that the secret to increasing airflow to your engine without sacrificing protection lies in their exclusive air filter oil. This oil, which permeates a filter’s cotton fibers, grabs dust and other microscopic contaminants and keeps them from entering your system. Non-oiled paper filters don’t even come close.

So the question isn’t whether you should be using an oiled filter (you should); instead, you should be asking “How much should I use?” and “How do I apply it?” The answers to those questions depend on which delivery system you use: squeeze bottle or aerosol applicator. Read on for the scoop from K&N:

Squeeze Bottle

Apply the air filter oil evenly along the crown of each pleat, then allow the oil to wick for 20 minutes before touching up any light areas on either side of the filter.

 

K&N Squeeze Oil
K&N Squeeze Oil

Aerosol Bottle

Spray the oil evenly along the crown of each pleat, holding the spray nozzle about 3” away from the filter. Allow the oil to wick for 20 minutes, then touch up any light areas on either side of the filter.

 

K&N Aerosol Oil
K&N Aerosol Oil

Most K&N air filters are oiled at the factory, so reoiling shouldn’t be necessary until it’s time to clean your filter, usually at 50,000 or 100,000 miles, depending on your application. K&N’s Recharger kits contain everything you need to freshen up your filter, including filter cleaner and your choice of oil dispenser.

Head on over to your local Total Truck Centers retailer to pick up a K&N Recharger kit, or find a local affiliated store using our dealer locator.

If you are a truck aftermarket accessory retailer who would like to become part of the nationwide Total Truck Centers network, please join us today!

Ready to buy? Need help with the install? To find your nearest Total Truck Centers affiliate, see our Store Locator. Or join the conversation at the Total Truck Centers Facebook page!

Though this is not a paid review, this content has been produced by The AAM Group in support of manufacturers with whom it has a business relationship.

Small Business Week Salutes Big Dreams

David Ayers Leave a comment
Use This Post Clip for Email

by John M. Arnaud

 

National Small Business Week starts next week (May 4–8), and Total Truck Centers wants to make sure our local retailers get all the credit they deserve.

Since the early 60s, Small Business Week has recognized this nation’s independent businesses, which generate two out of every three new jobs in this country and help to power our economy from coast to coast. Beyond the numbers, however, small businesses represent a core American truth: the prosperity available to those willing to follow their passions through hard work and determination.

Though Small Business Week is a time to soak in the kudos, it’s also a terrific opportunity to engage your customers and promote your business throughout your local area. Here are some ways you can do just that:

  • Participate in any activities sponsored by your local Chamber of Commerce.
  • Talk up Small Business Week and the importance of supporting local businesses with your customers via social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
  • Extend special discounts or promotions to your customers to thank them for their support.
  • Announce and host an open house in your store to celebrate the occasion. (Email is a great way to communicate a last-minute event!)
  • Partner with a local performance or automotive club to share your expertise on a particular subject or host a workshop. For example, you might demonstrate how to perform an installation or talk about exciting new products.

Total Truck Centers would like to congratulate all of our entrepreneurs who have demonstrated the courage, grit, and determination required to pursue their dreams and help us grow the industry we all love.

Truck junkies: Head in to your local accessories retailer next week to share your support and appreciation. Or find one using our dealer locator.

Truck aftermarket retailers: If you would like to become part of the nationwide Total Truck Centers network, please join us today!

Ready to buy? Need help with the install? To find your nearest Total Truck Centers affiliate, see our Store Locator. Or join the conversation at the Total Truck Centers Facebook page!

Though this is not a paid review, this content has been produced by The AAM Group in support of manufacturers with whom it has a business relationship.

CURT’s TruTrack™ Hitch Is One Heavy Hitter

David Ayers Leave a comment
Use This Post Clip for Email

by John M. Arnaud

The weight-distribution trunnion hitch just got served. CURT Manufacturing, a leading producer of towing products, today announced its new TruTrack™ hitch (17500), which offers advanced design features that deliver the smoothest, safest ride on the market.

CURT TruTrack Hitch
CURT TruTrack Hitch

The TruTrack resists trailer sway in a couple of different ways. First, whereas most traditional weight-distribution hitches use regular spring bars to connect to the trailer frame, the TruTrack features a pair of trunnion-style spring bars and heavy-duty, adjustable support brackets, which are set at fixed positions by the user and hold the spring bars in place, both vertically and laterally.

Second, the TruTrack uses an integrated spring/cam system instead of standard pins and bolts. This CURT innovation builds up pressure to actively stop sway and then relaxes to make smooth turns. Hardened components achieve longer life, while a hex castle nut enables easy adjustment and fits most industry-standard couplers.

Another big benefit of the TruTrack system is the installation: instead of relying on a pile of washers and pins, this CURT weight-distribution hitch uses a pair of interlocking nuts and preset holes that offer specific angles and on-the-fly adjustment—no more tilt-angle guesswork or disassembling the hitch head.

Stop into your local Total Trucks Centers retailer to check out the newest addition to CURT’s towing lineup. Or find your closest affiliated store using our dealer locator.

If you are a truck aftermarket accessory retailer who would like to become part of the nationwide Total Truck Centers network, please join us today!

Ready to buy? Need help with the install? To find your nearest Total Truck Centers affiliate, see our Store Locator. Or join the conversation at the Total Truck Centers Facebook page!

Though this is not a paid review, this content has been produced by The AAM Group in support of manufacturers with whom it has a business relationship.

Rigid’s D-Series Lights: What You Need to Know

David Ayers Leave a comment
Use This Post Clip for Email

by John M. Arnaud

Several times a year, Rigid Industries shines a spotlight on one of its product lines. This spring’s shining star? The D-Series, whose lights are designed to fit into small spaces without compromising lumens or heat dissipation. They’ve also endured Rigid’s famous Torture Tested program, so they’re tough enough to beam you out of whatever trouble you get yourself into.

Rigid Industries D-Series
Rigid Industries D-Series

The D-Series is Rigid’s original light cube. Coming in at a compact 3” x 3” size, D-Series lights mount just about anywhere: pillar bars, horizontal bars, vertical bars, handlebars, license plates, trailers, and more.

Making either 1,568 or 3,096 lumens, D-Series lights offer more surface cooling than any comparably sized light, while emitting a variety of lux patterns: spot, flood, driving, diffused, wide, and hyperspot, which offers an astounding 93,000 Candelas at peak intensity.

Light covers provide both protection and custom light colors. Choose from clear; opaque; translucent yellow, blue, red, green, and gray; black; and even camo.

The D-Series family of lights from Rigid Industries includes the Dually and D2 (land and marine), HD Dually, D2 HD, and all the installation accessories you could ever need. Kits include mounting brackets and hardware, as well as a plug-and-play wiring harness with Deutsch connector and switch.

Stop into your local Total Trucks Centers retailer to check out Rigid Industries’ extensive selection of top-of-the-line LED lighting solutions today! Or find your closest affiliated store using our dealer locator.

If you are a truck aftermarket accessory retailer who would like to become part of the nationwide Total Truck Centers network, please join us today!

Ready to buy? Need help with the install? To find your nearest Total Truck Centers affiliate, see our Store Locator. Or join the conversation at the Total Truck Centers Facebook page!

Though this is not a paid review, this content has been produced by The AAM Group in support of manufacturers with whom it has a business relationship.

Welcome the Omix-ADA Family to Total Truck Centers!

David Ayers Leave a comment
Use This Post Clip for Email

When the road gets rough, Total Truck Centers gets tougher.

On behalf of all our manufacturers, retailers, installers, and distributors, Total Truck Centers extends a warm welcome to Jeep accessories standout Omix-ADA and two of its divisions, Alloy USA and Rugged Ridge.

 

OMIX-ADA
OMIX-ADA

Headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia, Omix-ADA, Alloy USA, and Rugged Ridge bring a wealth of market expertise and a rock-solid reputation to the Total Truck Centers brand. Ready to meet our newest partners? Here are some fast facts:

Omix-ADA

  • More than 20 years in the Jeep accessories business
  • More than 12,000 active SKUs for 1941-and-up Jeeps
  • Products include OE replacements, hard parts, axles, body tubs, and more
  • 5-year limited product warranty
  • Omix-ADA supports a variety of charitable organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, the Boy Scouts of America, the Breast Cancer Research Association, Children’s Heathcare of Atlanta, and SEMA Cares

 

Alloy USA
Alloy USA

Alloy USA

  • Focuses on heavy-duty drivetrains
  • Chromoly and performance axles for Jeeps, trucks, and muscle cars
  • Ring and pinion sets and ball-joint kits for Jeep
  • Other products include SYE kits, differential cable lock kits, axle tube seals, U-joints, wheel spacers, and slotted brake rotors
  • 10-year limited warranty on axles; 5-year limited warranty on everything else

 

Rugged Ridge
Rugged Ridge

Rugged Ridge

  • Innovative accessories for Jeeps (1976 and up), trucks, and SUVs
  • Heavy support for JK Wranglers
  • Product highlights include modular bumper systems, snorkel and flare kits, and all-terrain floor liners
  • Floor liners are covered by a limited lifetime warranty; everything else gets 5-year coverage
  • Sponsors the Trail Access Program, which provides monetary grants intended to preserve natural spaces and maintain recreational access to the outdoors

Omix-ADA embodies what being a Total Truck Centers partner is all about: first-rate products, years of industry experience, and generosity of spirit. Stop into your local Total Trucks Centers retailer to support our newest manufacturers. Or find your closest affiliated store using our dealer locator.

If you are a truck aftermarket accessory retailer or installer who would like to become part of the nationwide Total Truck Centers network, please join us today!

Ready to buy? Need help with the install? To find your nearest Total Truck Centers affiliate, see our Store Locator. Or join the conversation at the Total Truck Centers Facebook page!

Though this is not a paid review, this content has been produced by The AAM Group in support of manufacturers with whom it has a business relationship.

T-Rex X Metal Series

Welcome T-REX Grilles to Total Truck Centers!

David Ayers Leave a comment
Use This Post Clip for Email

Total Truck Centers has added a new member to its industry-best lineup, and these guys define “leading from the front.”

T-Rex Torch Series
T-Rex Torch Series

T-REX Grilles is a Corona, California–based manufacturer of truck grilles on the cutting edge of looks and performance. With several grille lines to choose from, including Billet Series, X-Metal Series, and the exciting LED-integrated Torch Series, T-REX Grilles has an application for every taste. In addition to its wide-ranging catalog of premium grilles, T-REX Grilles produces vents, hood scoops, and a variety of related accessories to top off your truck.

The company stands behind its products, boasting a knowledgeable sales and service staff; CAD-enhanced design and engineering; precision manufacturing techniques; rigorous testing protocols; and several endurance-tested finishes, including powder-coated, electro-polished, and chrome-plated.

Stop into your local Total Trucks Center retailer to check out what T-REX Grilles has to offer—we think you’ll be as impressed as we are. Or find your closest affiliated store using our dealer locator.

If you are a truck aftermarket accessory retailer who would like to become part of the nationwide Total Truck Centers network, please join us today!

Ready to buy? Need help with the install? To find your nearest Total Truck Centers affiliate, see our Store Locator. Or join the conversation at the Total Truck Centers Facebook page!

Though this is not a paid review, this content has been produced by The AAM Group in support of manufacturers with whom it has a business relationship.

Edge Sends Its CS and CTS Displays into the Blind

David Ayers Leave a comment
Use This Post Clip for Email

Edge Products has teamed up with Mossy Oak to product limited edition camo cases for Edge’s Evolution CS (color screen) and CTS (color touch screen) multi-gauge displays. Featuring Mossy Oak’s Break-up Infinity® pattern, these cases become the perfect accessories to take deep into the woods for camping and hunting trips.

Edge Camo Evolution
Edge Camo Evolution

The camo-embossed cases, retailing for only $49.99, won’t be around for long, so Evolution CS/CTS owners should act quickly for the chance to display their passion for performance and the outdoors in the cabs of their trucks. Here’s how the offer works:

  1. Call Edge Products at (888)-360-3343 and tell customer support you want a Mossy Oak case.
  2. Provide a credit card number for payment ($49.99 plus return shipping).
  3. Select return shipping method (next-day $36, second-day $19, third-day $12, ground $5).
  4. Obtain your RMA number and send your CS or CTS to the following address:

Powerteq
RMA #XXXXX
1080 S. Depot Dr.
Ogden, UT 84404

If you don’t already have your own Evolution CS or CTS in-cab controller, monitor, and digital gauge display from Edge Products, stop into your local Total Truck Centers retailer to learn more. Find a local affiliated store using our dealer locator.

If you are a truck aftermarket accessory retailer who would like to become part of the nationwide Total Truck Centers network, please join us today!

Ready to buy? Need help with the install? To find your nearest Total Truck Centers affiliate, see our Store Locator. Or join the conversation at the Total Truck Centers Facebook page!

Though this is not a paid review, this content has been produced by The AAM Group in support of manufacturers with whom it has a business relationship.

New 7” HALO Series Headlights Brighten Race Sport’s Catalog

David Ayers Leave a comment
Use This Post Clip for Email

Aftermarket lighting rock star Race Sport announced a new addition to its projector-style, sealed-beam lineup: 7”, 80-watt LED conversion light kits with HALO rings in two colors: orange/white and blue/white:

Racesport Halo Blue
Racesport Halo Blue

These plug-and-play HALO lights are compatible with most 7” applications. Kits include a pair of lights, each with four 10-watt LED bulbs set in recessed focus opticals. Race Sport pulled no punches with these sealed-beam conversion kits, which come with H4 connectors and include the following features:

 

  • Distinctive white HALO ring turns orange or blue (depending on kit) when signaling
  • Projector LEDs are capable of both low and high beam settings
  • Long life expectancy
  • 1-year warranty

 

Racesport Halo Orange
Racesport Halo Orange

Stop into your local Total Truck Centers retailer to check out Race Sport’s new HALO headlights for yourself, or find a local affiliated store using our dealer locator.

If you are a truck aftermarket accessory retailer who would like to become part of the nationwide Total Truck Centers network, please join us today!

Ready to buy? Need help with the install? To find your nearest Total Truck Centers affiliate, see our Store Locator. Or join the conversation at the Total Truck Centers Facebook page!

Though this is not a paid review, this content has been produced by The AAM Group in support of manufacturers with whom it has a business relationship.

Matte Is the New Black: AVS Debuts Low-Profile Combo Pack

David Ayers Leave a comment
Use This Post Clip for Email

AVS, producer of the iconic Ventvisor™ and Aeroskin™ products, has struck again with a Combo Pack sure to please fans of matte-finish black accessories.

Ventvisor Flat Finish
Ventvisor Flat Finish

These new Ventvisors™ and Aeroskins™, now meaner and leaner than ever, add low-profile stealth and style to your pickup. They coordinate with OE black trim and aftermarket flat black wheels. Sold as a Combo Pack under one part number, these accessories feature AVS’s durable, UV-protected Tri-Flex ™ ABS thermoplastic and a limited lifetime warranty, so you’ll be enjoying them for years to come.

Aeroskin- Flat Finish
Aeroskin- Flat Finish

The AVS Matte Finish Ventvisor™/Aeroskin™ Combo Pack is available for many different applications from 2007 and up, including Dodge Ram; Chevy Silverado; GMC Sierra; Ford F-150, -250, and -350; Toyota Tundra, FJ Cruiser, and Tacoma; Jeep Wrangler; and Nissan Frontier.

Stop into your local Total Truck Centers retailer to check out AVS’s new Combo Pack for yourself, or find a local affiliated store using our dealer locator.

If you are a truck aftermarket accessory retailer who would like to become part of the nationwide Total Truck Centers network, please join us today!

Ready to buy? Need help with the install? To find your nearest Total Truck Centers affiliate, see our Store Locator. Or join the conversation at the Total Truck Centers Facebook page!

Though this is not a paid review, this content has been produced by The AAM Group in support of manufacturers with whom it has a business relationship.