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RealRides Volume 10: Chuck Telesca

Updated on Oct 30, 2025

At RealTruck, we’re more than your basic, everyday, consumerism-focused brand. We’re a family that shares a central interest—a ubiquitous enthusiasm for automobiles and aftermarket modifications. Our staff doesn’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk—or should I say, drive the drive?

One such team member who falls under this umbrella is Vendor Relationship Specialist Chuck Telesca. As a 33-year veteran of the industry, Chuck knows a thing or two about building a sweet ride, and his current Jeep Wrangler JL stands as proof.

Learn more about Chuck, his position with RealTruck, and his past and present builds in this month’s RealRides feature, where we dive into the lives and passions of our employees. But first, I’d like to answer the question: “What is RealRides?”

Table of Contents:

What is RealRides?

Meet Chuck

What Kicked Off Your Love for Autos?

Chuck’s Jeep Wrangler JL

What is RealRides?

Where most automotive publications and retailers publish readers' rides segments, we opted to flip the script and pay homage to our employees in a monthly RealSource feature. Here, we allow our staff to show off the trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs that make them tick. Whether past or present builds, this series demonstrates that our employees aren’t just RealTruck people, but real truck people with an affinity for all things automotive.

That way, when you reach out to our dedicated staff for questions and order assistance, you know you’re speaking directly to an enthusiast with your best interests in mind.

Meet Chuck

Now, let’s pass things over to Chuck for an introduction. After all, this is his RealRides feature!

What Kicked Off Your Love for Autos?

For as long as I can remember, cars, trucks, and Jeeps have been more than just vehicles to me—they’ve been a lifelong passion. It all started back when I was 16, growing up in New York, where I caught the car bug early and never looked back. Whether it was wrenching on muscle cars or building up trucks and Jeeps from the ground up, I found joy in turning wrenches, learning what made each vehicle tick, and making them my own.

What Road Led You to RealTruck?

In 1985, I moved from New York to Florida to be closer to my family—and, of course, to continue my journey in the automotive world. That move marked the beginning of my professional career in the truck accessories industry, and I’ve been going strong ever since.

Over the past 33+ years, I’ve seen this industry evolve in ways I could never have imagined when I first started. I spent 18 years at Truck Pro/Designer Truck Accessories, where I held various roles and gained experience from every angle of the business. In 2009, I joined RealTruck, where I’ve now been for over 16 years.

What Is Your Current Role at RealTruck?

About eight years ago, I was given an opportunity to join the Merchandise Team. It started with supporting Category Managers and assisting with product management, and over time, I worked my way into the Senior Merchandiser role for E-Commerce.

Today, I proudly serve as a Vendor Relationship Specialist. In this role, I connect directly with our vendors and manufacturers to ensure the information on our site is accurate, up-to-date, and helpful to customers. I help onboard new vendors, organize product training sessions for our sales and service teams, and stay on top of product changes, vehicle fitments, and installation instructions.

My job is all about making sure that customers — whether they’re first-time buyers or longtime gearheads—get the best information and support possible.

What About RealTruck Aligns with You?

My career here has taken me through an incredible range of positions—from sales and customer service to tech support manager and night manager at the call center. Every role taught me something new and kept me close to what I love—helping people find the right products for their vehicles and sharing knowledge that makes their builds better.

Chuck’s Current Ride: 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL

Currently, Chuck has transitioned into the Jeep scene, building an impressive 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL with parts and accessories from RealTruck. As Chuck states:

Right now, I’m putting my energy into my 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL—and I’m loving every minute of it. Whether I’m driving it daily or working on new customizations, this Jeep is a constant reminder of why I fell in love with this world in the first place. There’s always something new to add, tweak, or improve—and that’s exactly how I like it.

Check out the current build list for Chuck’s Jeep below:

Chuck’s Previous Build: 1982 Toyota SR-5

Before the Jeep, Chuck had a highly personalized Toyota pickup sporting a slew of unique modifications, including:

7" Superlift suspension lift
3" body lift
15x10 Appliance chrome wheels wrapped in 36.5" Grand Prix mud tires
22R engine with 5-speed manual transmission
A custom rear cab cutout opens up to the bed

Final Words from Chuck

We want to thank Chuck for taking the time to dig through old photos and recap his builds. Let’s wrap up this feature with some final words from Chuck.

Building and customizing vehicles has been in my blood since I was a teenager, and working in this industry has allowed me to live that passion every day. I’ve been lucky enough to turn a lifelong hobby into a career, and I’m grateful for the incredible people I’ve met along the way—from co-workers and vendors to customers and fellow enthusiasts.

Whether it’s under the hood, behind a desk, or talking shop with a new vendor, I’m still that 16-year-old kid at heart, excited about every build, every upgrade, and every mile on the road.