Complaint to Toyota on Trail tires

[2JZTT]

I am suggesting to everyone that is unhappy with Toyota's decision to put weak sauce tires on a "TRAIL" version to let them know. I emailed them today about this issue. It has been bothering me since I bought mine.:ybrick: It wouldn't have taken much to make this small change. I know I will change them anyways, but its just the point of the matter. The Jeep Rubicon has off road tires. Why can't the Trail? If you all think I am whacked and out of my mind, please let me know. If you agree please email them too.

 

[JB.]

I am suggesting to everyone that is unhappy with Toyota's decision to put weak sauce tires on a "TRAIL" version to let them know. I emailed them today about this issue. It has been bothering me since I bought mine.:ybrick: It wouldn't have taken much to make this small change. I know I will change them anyways, but its just the point of the matter. The Jeep Rubicon has off road tires. Why can't the Trail? If you all think I am whacked and out of my mind, please let me know. If you agree please email them too.

1. It would affect their price/cost targets
2. It would affect mpg and, thus, cafe
3. The demand may not be as high as you think due to people, on one end, who don't off-road, and people on the other end who want to choose their own off-road tire.

 

[BlairB]

1. It would affect their price/cost targets
2. It would affect mpg and, thus, cafe
3. The demand may not be as high as you think due to people, on one end, who don't off-road, and people on the other end who want to choose their own off-road tire.

:iagree:

and 2JZTT, very cool Supra!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

It is to keep costs down and I'd rather choose my own tire for off roading so I'm fine with it.

 

[Jesse1983]

i like to pick my own off-road tire too, but i agree it should come with something capable off the lot. not something that should come stock on a minivan.

 

[chimyz]

He's got a point...this is the trail edition! The FJ offroad package even comes with more trail worthy tires.

 

[Mdrei]

i like to pick my own off-road tire too, but i agree it should come with something capable off the lot. not something that should come stock on a minivan.

:iagree:

KDSS, Rear Locker, Crawl, greater approach/departure angles, etc, etc. Then, go half-ass on the tires? These companies buy tires by the thousands so the price difference is marginal. If they quadrupled the marginal cost and passed it on to the customer who would have balked at purchasing their Trail for a few $100 more?

On the flip side, the current stock tires on the Trail haven't hurt their sales. And, as mentioned, the majority of the buyers won't even notice. It's all business.

 

[jca21]

i agree, the trail should have come with some decent AT tires, even though i prefer to choose my own tires it still should have come with better tires off the lot.

 

[4RBob]

I agree, any kind of "off-road" trim pkg should come with an aggressive AT, at the very least.

Stop worrying about Toyota's bottom line and demand more!

 

[chimyz]

Went for a small trail run yesterday...the tires got me stuck. Some mild AT tires would have had no issues.

 

[Thai]

I am suggesting to everyone that is unhappy with Toyota's decision to put weak sauce tires on a "TRAIL" version to let them know. I emailed them today about this issue. It has been bothering me since I bought mine.:ybrick: It wouldn't have taken much to make this small change. I know I will change them anyways, but its just the point of the matter. The Jeep Rubicon has off road tires. Why can't the Trail? If you all think I am whacked and out of my mind, please let me know. If you agree please email them too.

x2. Agree 100%. The FJ special editions all come with BFG AT KO and, recent editions, with sliders. In addition, i would argue further that KDSS should be STANDARD equipment on the Trail. Again, just look at the Rubicon...it has front disconnects standard, as well as the 4:1 transfer case, lockers, rocker panel protection, and BFG MT. The 4runner Trail does not even come with sliders nor any rocker panel protection.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

How much do the special edition FJs cost? Aren't they still a bit cheaper than a TE with all the goodies.

Alot of people on this forum were complaining about the price of the TEs before they came out and such off road goodies like tires and sliders would add more to the cost and tires and sliders are easily added aftermarket unlike crawl or KDSS.

 

[redcbs]

How much do the special edition FJs cost? Aren't they still a bit cheaper than a TE with all the goodies.

Depending on the "package" roughly $11-8K cheaper than a decked out trail.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

That's what I was figuring and I think keeping the Toyota as much under $40k is a selling point and offering such a special edition might push the sticker well over that mark. The FJ is a cheaper starting point and I'd rather have the electronic goodies vs better tires and sliders but the dealer should offe them as an option and I'm betting dealers will offer their own in-house mods like many dealers did with the FJ and Tacomas for those willing to part with more cash.

 

[Elk Hunter 2]

I posted the same observation earlier, when I saw a Trail parked next to a SR5 on a dealer lot near my home. My GMC Jimmy and Chevy Blazer both came with better tires when new!!!

 

[harper7]

That's what I was figuring and I think keeping the Toyota as much under $40k is a selling point and offering such a special edition might push the sticker well over that mark. The FJ is a cheaper starting point and I'd rather have the electronic goodies vs better tires and sliders but the dealer should offe them as an option and I'm betting dealers will offer their own in-house mods like many dealers did with the FJ and Tacomas for those willing to part with more cash.

A completely loaded FJ TT's MSRP is $37,539 according to the Toyota website for my zip,so they are not that far off.

I admit,they should have put more aggressive tires on a truck they themselves marketed for offroading. Surely ,it must have come down to research and budget restraints.And you know maybe they were right as I doubt tires has held anybody back from buying one yet.

If somebody wants or wanted better offroading tires on the Trail Edition,all you had to do is demand it from the dealer when you bought it.Everything is negotiable in a new car deal. You think they are going to let tires stand between you and a deal.After you get the finance dealing out of the way.Look em in the eyes and say "Replace those street tires with BFG's and it's a deal".The "Fish On" theory works both ways. They want to sell you a new car, your almost in the boat,and tires to a dealer are cheap!They usually have tire shops they use regularly and can trade them in.

Either that or immediately go to a tire shop and trade in your new ones.Most big tire shops will give at least $75 a tire towards new ones. That's what I and a bunch of people I know did. I traded my Limited 20's for SR5 17's and traded the tires in to Discount Tire at $75 a piece in the first week.My 2006 4Runner I bought new had the Dunflops and I made them change to Michelin Cross Terrains to seal the deal. They did'nt even flinch,salesman came back from the Manager,stuck out his hand and said "do we have a deal then"