GOBI Racks - new product group buy

[MillerPKA]

Hey guys,

Weston with GOBI Racks here. We've been at work on a new concept and decided to launch it through T4R as a group buy. If you're familiar with our racks, no matter what customizations you make they all come with expanded metal floors welded to the rack.

After some surveying and customer feedback, we found some didn't have a need for the floor - whether it was running a rooftop tent or otherwise using the crossbars or other accessories exclusively. Considering the floor comprises half of the rack weight, it was worth considering.

This was part of the motivation for designing the Open Air. This is the same exact roof rack, except now the entire floor has the ability to be removed.

The best part is these racks are a few hundred bucks cheaper with a much shorter lead time. The group buy options are either $1175 for the rack alone, or $1400 for the rack and ladder. Lead times are 30-45 days after the group buy closes.

Here's a link to the group buy and I wanted to attach a few photos below. I'll be around with any questions! Just saw there wasn't a ton of activity in that section so thought it was worth the announcement here.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/grou...n-air-roof-racks-t4r-exclusive-group-buy.html

 

[[email protected]]

Maybe its just me... but I think I would prefer you guys work on the lead time of your current racks(and orders) then pumping out a new group buy for new product. Again.. maybe it is just me.

 

[lewdog998]

Looks pretty sweet.....what are chances you will make a no drill version

 

[MillerPKA]

Maybe its just me... but I think I would prefer you guys work on the lead time of your current racks(and orders) then pumping out a new group buy for new product. Again.. maybe it is just me.

We have! Lead times have dropped now that supply chain has begun to normalize. You can check the header of our website.

Looks pretty sweet.....what are chances you will make a no drill version

ALL of our racks are no drill and always have been. On the 4runner we utilize the factory rack holes. Let me know if I can clear anything up for you.

 

[lewdog998]

ALL of our racks are no drill and always have been. On the 4runner we utilize the factory rack holes. Let me know if I can clear anything up for you.

Good to know...for some reason I was under impression that the front supports required drilling and rivnuts. Thanks

 

[MillerPKA]

Good to know...for some reason I was under impression that the front supports required drilling and rivnuts. Thanks

I think some manufacturers do, but our front brackets lay on top of the weather stripping.

 

[mrblah]

noice!!!!

:surfer:

 

[jmswts]

ohhh, this is so much more functional.. might have to sell my current Gobi rack.

Did I miss it in the GB post, what is the pricing/availability on the new inserts? (found it, $250 per floor insert)

 

[bigbadpoppa]

Love the modular idea and was ready to put my name down until I saw the sticker shock...ouch. $1400 +500 for 2 inserts = $1900.

The regular rack and ladder combo is $1595 (and you guys were throwing in free accessory before).

Looks like a cool concept, I like it!

 

[hardyplante]

Cool concept, like the idea. I already have my Gobi rack though so I'm not going to jump in and sell mine just for this. If this were out when ours was purchased we probably would have gone this route.

 

[MillerPKA]

Love the modular idea and was ready to put my name down until I saw the sticker shock...ouch. $1400 +500 for 2 inserts = $1900.

The regular rack and ladder combo is $1595 (and you guys were throwing in free accessory before).

Looks like a cool concept, I like it!

Definitely understand. This is marketed towards those who likely won't utilize the flooring. Customers who want that from the get-go are definitely better off going the standard route.

 

[usdmej]

Again.. maybe it is just me.

it's not just you, the last thing i want to see from a company with horrific lead times is another product offering

 

[BlakeA]

it's not just you, the last thing i want to see from a company with horrific lead times is another product offering

Yeah, still waiting on my backpack. Ordered rack in March and received it in October. Backpack on backorder. No response to email.

 

[ravens_wood]

Yeah, still waiting on my backpack. Ordered rack in March and received it in October. Backpack on backorder. No response to email.

Ordered rack in January. Rack arrived in July and backpack shipped in December. You're getting closer! :lmao:

Truthfully, totally forgot they included a backpack

 

[mrblah]

Only gobi will say they improved their wait times from very terrible wait times to just terrible wait times, and pat themselves on the back for it.

With that said, they do make good stuff so…….your money and time.

 

[MillerPKA]

it's not just you, the last thing i want to see from a company with horrific lead times is another product offering

Lead times have been steadily dropping since the supply chain has improved. We began a massive upgrade to our operations late last year, but the pandemic has made implementation much slower than we've hoped.

Yeah, still waiting on my backpack. Ordered rack in March and received it in October. Backpack on backorder. No response to email.

Shoot me a PM with your order info and I'll get you in touch with the right person. Those materials had severe shortages at times, and with them being made in-house as well we've been at the mercy of available inventory.

Ordered rack in January. Rack arrived in July and backpack shipped in December. You're getting closer! :lmao:

Truthfully, totally forgot they included a backpack

Only gobi will say they improved their wait times from very terrible wait times to just terrible wait times, and pat themselves on the back for it.

With that said, they do make good stuff so…….your money and time.

I'm going off of what I see being shipped in our headquarters, and lead times have been dropping steadily the last few months. American manufacturing has been volatile the last 18 months to say the least, but we're seeing positive signs of stability. Another reason I'm glad we don't charge customers until the order is finishing production.

 

[[email protected]]

Lead times have been steadily dropping since the supply chain has improved. We began a massive upgrade to our operations late last year, but the pandemic ....

I'm going off of what I see being shipped in our headquarters, and lead times have been dropping steadily the last few months. American manufacturing has been volatile the last 18 months to say the least, but we're seeing positive signs of stability. Another reason I'm glad we don't charge customers until the order is finishing production.

I understand your job and all... but your lead times have been god-awful long before covid came around. I get that its convenient to blame C19... but this isnt the group to tell us that its raining. Tooting your own horns isnt a great sound... just tell us you know that you had problem before and are working hard to speed up the times.

 

[bigbadpoppa]

I dont mind long lead times for a quality product. Especially when they are not charging your credit card until it ships. Really there is no risk.

Wish gobi would ship directly to canada. Using mail forwarder will cost me an arm for shipping and using a local dealer here they do some insane mark ups.

 

[LeekT4R]

Not interested in anything from Gobi until lead times are realistic. Blaming them on the “pandemic” is B.S. because they have been terrible in 2018 and probably earlier.

 

[20h4Runner]

I dont mind long lead times for a quality product. Especially when they are not charging your credit card until it ships. Really there is no risk.

Wish gobi would ship directly to canada. Using mail forwarder will cost me an arm for shipping and using a local dealer here they do some insane mark ups.

I feel your pain, purchased a rack from them back in 2016 and I had to drive to North Dakota, to pick it up and payed huge duty upon returning to Canada. In saying this, it's def a great product...my rack is just starting to show surface rust after 5 years of ownership.