Industry Leading Quality is Intentional

Whether looking at engineering, fabrication, hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical functions, these all require a thoughtful effort toward quality.  Quality is at the forefront of everything we do here at Miller Industries.  Knowing how well something performs extends past the individual components and into how well the components work together- this is key. 

As a manufacturer we hold a coveted ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality.  Certification to ISO 9001 illustrates that we possess a robust quality management system dedicated to the repeatability of the product, control of internal processes, and continuous improvement. 

This quality certification system encompasses all aspects associated with the manufacturing process to include verification of customer requirements and supplier development.  Maintaining these standards is something that our team here at Miller Industries is proud to accomplish.  What's more the quality we strive to maintain is best seen in the success stories of those who operate our equipment every day. 

Manufacturing Process

The process of building a towing and recovery unit is one that takes a lot of deliberate skill.  When purchasing a  Century, Vulcan, Chevron, or Holmes unit there is a lot of manufacturing foresight that proceeds you ever taking delivery of your new investment. 

These are some of the steps in our manufacturing process that help to breed a quality product:

• Quality Steel:  Using only the highest quality steel that has been tested allows us to achieve the highest ratings possible for the equipment we produce.  
• Having the Best Welders:  Ensuring that ever weld is flawless is something that can not be overlooked.  Each and everyone of our welders passes rigorous testing to even be a part our Miller Industries manufacturing team.  Specially programmed robotic welding also helps to augment lengthy welds that would otherwise fatigue a person, thereby helping to prevent errors.  We also have our own welding training program and parter with local colleges and high schools.   
• Metal Preparation- High Pressure Particulate Blasting to remove rust, corrosion, and contaminants from the raw metal surfaces.
• Primer- Providing a baked-on base coat of primer that helps to seal and protect the metal surface from the elements, while also providing a base for the final top-coat paint to adhere to. 
• Preparation for Paint-  Reviewing surfaces for any defects, and filling gaps, sanding imperfections, all provide for a flawless look to your new investment.
• Finish Paint-  The final paint application is completed in a sealed enclosure that keeps out contaminants from the air.  All paint is perfectly sprayed onto the surfaces with all overspray being filtered to prevent contaminating the environment.  Even the inside surfaces of booms are painted with a high pressure application wand.    

•  Continual Testing and Monitoring:  Throughout the manufacturing process we employ testing in every stage to help maintain quality, but also to promote continuous improvement.  

Design Engineering

Engineering functions to reduce wear on components and to improve the durability and the longevity of a unit are critical factors of quality that we think are important.  One example of this is the separate hydraulic and electrical channel routings found on our Century^®, Vulcan^®, and Chevron^™ car carriers.   

Our patented LCG™ design provides for greater versatility by providing a lower approach angle during recoveries.  The LCG™ design also helps reduce the chance of injury by allowing the operator to stay on the ground while securing the vehicle to the carrier deck.  

Another example of quality-by-design is found in our second-generation wheel lifts found on our Century^® and Vulcan^® autoloaders.  The diameter of the pivot pin was intentionally made larger to three inches and the housing and grease fitting are recessed to prevent unnecessary abrasion and wear as the wheellift is deployed.  Other features include enclosed L-arm hydraulic cylinders for better protection against damage and check valves located directly on the hydraulic cylinders that provide for maximum safety.  An advanced hose tracking system helps prevent rubbing and damage to the necessary hydraulic hoses found on the Miller Industries^™ line of autoloaders.   

Value & Maintenance Costs

When making the decision to purchase a Car Carrier, Light-Duty or Heavy-Duty Wrecker, or a Rotator the first choice for some is whether to buy used or new.  It is the same with automobiles, or is it?  Wreckers and Carriers while mounted on a vehicle of there own, are used for work purposes, and often carry heavy loads.   While our brands of Century, Vulcan, Chevron, and Holmes, are the highest quality in the towing & recovery industry, they still require routine maintenance just like every other piece of industrial grade equipment. 

Purchase price is a factor where typically a used unit can be cheaper, but that isn't the end of the story.  Often while a used unit might save you money on the front end, it can cost you a year or two down the road in maintenance costs.  As any unit and chassis ages or it approaches the end of its duty cycle it will require more and more maintenance.  

Chassis maintenance cost is something to consider heavily.  On a new unit you have a best-in-class warranty from Miller Industries, where as on a used chassis your maintenance cost is essentially unknown.  With the prevalence of clean diesel engines there are a whole new level of considerations from days passed.  The longterm maintenance expense of a clean diesel is high, thereby making the chassis warranty, specifically the warranty length and what coverage is included, that much more important.  

Maintenance is critical to the longevity of any wrecker or carrier, and with used units it is up to the previous owner to ensure the equipment was maintained.  While units are designed for specific uses, those ratings can be affected by not only maintenance, but also by improper usage and environmental conditions such as weather(heat/cold), road chemicals, and rust.  If looking at a used unit, always make sure you purchase it from a one of Miller Industries exclusive distributors.  Our vast network of distributors will ensure that the used equipment is up for the challenge and that you get everything possible out of your investment.  

Efficiency, Features, Performance

The decision of buying either a used or a new wrecker or carrier, presents a few other things to consider outside of general age and wear on the unit.  Another that can cost you when selecting a used unit is the lack of efficiency and performance.  Depending on the age of the unit, MPG's of the chassis and overall speed and performance of the unit can be the difference between catching that next tow in time or missing it.  Efficiency and performance are something that is constantly improving here at Miller Industries, and the same is so in the truck/chassis manufacturing industry.  In addition, their are other features found on new units, such as integrated telematics, programable light bars, onboard power inverters, advanced controls for efficiency, and overall design features like the channel routings found on our newer generation car carriers and tool box designs for more storage.  When it comes to used units, our distributors can often provide after-market upgrades to provide some of the same features found on newer units.   All of these factors lend themselves to the old adage "You get what you pay for", and this is even more relevant if what you pay for is what your business depends on.  

When deciding the right choice for your business, whether new or used, our knowledgable distributors can help you select the right Century, Vulcan, Chevron, or Holmes unit for your needs.

Getting the Most for Your Investment

In today's world of towing and recovery one this is still the same; trucks are still an integral part of the wrecker or carrier.  All the way back to the early days of Holmes wreckers they relied on trucks to support the wrecker unit.  Today is no different.  What is different is that pretty much everything about trucks has changed from those early days.  Today we see high-end after treatment and emission control systems being the standard for many truck chassis.  On a class-6 or class-8 chassis they are an integral part of the overall cost of ownership. 

Key Factors to Consider for a Chassis Warranty.

• Engine: The cost of engine replacement can be huge, and you want to make sure that your warranty covers this.  Also, look at the length of warranty to ensure that you are getting the most bang for your buck.
• Transmission: When using a truck with a towing unit attached, one this is certain- your transmission can have a tremendous load on it.  Whether towing a trailer or disabled casualties you want to make sure that your transmission is covered by your warranty.  Overheating, stripping of gears, or other unexpected hazards can occur, and you want to ensure your new wrecker is covered.
• After-Treatment: A truck's after-treatment system can be very costly if not properly maintained.  Depending on what the issue is costs can range anywhere from around $1,200 for a sensor to over $10,000 for a full system replacement.  If purchasing a wrecker or carrier the last think you want is to have an issue with the after-treatment system.  These are costs that you want to ensure are covered under your warranty.  
• Resell Price/Length of Warranty:  When purchasing your new wrecker, the last think you might be thinking about is selling it.  However, if you are in the market to buy with the possibility of trading up to a higher capacity unit or perhaps just to get the latest and greatest new technology, then resell price is something to consider.  If your chassis warranty lasts long enough, then when it is time to trade in your wrecker or carrier it will be worth more when covered under a warranty.  The warranty stays with the unit, but this is only the case if the warranty last long enough- so make sure to check the length of the warranty.  

Please see these helpful guides on Miller Industries chassis warranties:

These reference sheets can be used to compare with other chassis warranties out there.  If you have questions, our network of knowledgeable distributors is ready to help.  

Where to Purchase or Invest?

Miller Industries has the largest and most experienced network of distributors who sell and service our products within the United States, Canada, and worldwide.  You can use our convenient distributor search tool to find a distributor in your area.  As a global provider, we also have distributors outside of the U.S., to include England, France, Japan, Australia, South Africa, to name a few.