TMT Front Bumper - BUYER BEWARE

[MTN4RNR]

In my opinion, The post is an irrelevant post against a company which do a great finish work in off road accessories from a country that have more years of experience on an extreme off road and background than a lot of countries in the world where almost everybody 99% drive Toyota ( truck and cars) I meant real Toyota FJ 40, FJ 60, FJ 80, Hilux, FJ Cruiser, 4 Runners and Land Cruisers since late 60's ...

My quesiton to MTN4RNR : Are all the roof tent replicas from each other? they are all have the same design ...

Drive Safe and Always remember to take your trash with you

I’m not knocking on TMT 4x4’s or Venezuela’s place in the off road world or what they have done to get there. I’m laying out facts. They bought a product from a company that developed the design from a blank slate and produced a very similar product a few months later. It is what it is, make of it what you want.

As for the tents, I don’t have any facts about them or the market between different vendors so I’ll decline to comment.

 

[MTN4RNR]

I definitely think the original post was relevant and warranted. It’s good to know that corporate espionage occurred and can be traced. I also think you’ve done a great job of keeping the discussion civil and on track.

OA

Thank you, I appreciate that :cheers:

 

[Trixx]

Well - the good news is that TMT doesn’t have a single buyer so far in their group buy lol.

That being said - if they want to flourish in Venezuela off others designs, much less harm in that.

This thread is a good read as I have had an idea for an item I want to start producing that I foresee being copied very quickly if it picks up like I expect it may. I haven’t mentioned it anywhere for the sole reason of not wanting it to be ripped off. Looks like I’ll need to make sure once releasing it I’m fully ready to start a good amount of production before it can be copied by all the other off road shops. Might almost be worth offering them a cut of the product if they advertise it on their site in return for them not producing a similar product of their own.

 

[calcrc]

I’m not knocking on TMT 4x4’s or Venezuela’s place in the off road world or what they have done to get there. I’m laying out facts. They bought a product from a company that developed the design from a blank slate and produced a very similar product a few months later. It is what it is, make of it what you want.

As for the tents, I don’t have any facts about them or the market between different vendors so I’ll decline to comment.

Hi man, this - They bought a product from a company that developed the design from a blank slate and produced a very similar product a few months later.- how do you know that ? Have you seen or know someone who told you ?

Just curious, as I wanted to ask someone on the forum for rocksliders blueprints so I can make them myself. But I never did ask because I think I can do it myself and take my own measurements. It was only out of lazyness and to make my project go a lot faster.

You sir are like the Patent Police

Thank for letting us know about TMT.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Hi man, this - They bought a product from a company that developed the design from a blank slate and produced a very similar product a few months later.- how do you know that ? Have you seen or know someone who told you ?

Just curious, as I wanted to ask someone on the forum for rocksliders blueprints so I can make them myself. But I never did ask because I think I can do it myself and take my own measurements. It was only out of lazyness and to make my project go a lot faster.

You sir are like the Patent Police

Thank for letting us know about TMT.

Yep, TMT purchased a bumper from Relentless Fabrication before releasing their own similar product. Relentless Fab has an invoice verifying that purchase and shipment of product to TMT. So it’s a factually based claim.

Glad to help out :thumb3: Good luck with the sliders!

 

[Inv4drZm]

This thread is a good read as I have had an idea for an item I want to start producing that I foresee being copied very quickly if it picks up like I expect it may. I haven’t mentioned it anywhere for the sole reason of not wanting it to be ripped off. Looks like I’ll need to make sure once releasing it I’m fully ready to start a good amount of production before it can be copied by all the other off road shops. Might almost be worth offering them a cut of the product if they advertise it on their site in return for them not producing a similar product of their own.

Low-pro rear bumper center section with recessed hitch, integrated recovery shackle mounts, and an option for a swing-out?

 

[Trixx]

Low-pro rear bumper center section with recessed hitch, integrated recovery shackle mounts, and an option for a swing-out?

I actually plan on designing and building these bars that will protect the underside of the doors and kick off the 4runner when caught on rocks. I will call my new invention, “sliders.”

 

[83Mule]

There hasn't been a ''Blank slate'' in this category IMO since the SS came out......just ''Variations on a theme''. I personally like the C4 from a ''Look'' standpoint. To each His own.:amen:

 

[MTN4RNR]

There hasn't been a ''Blank slate'' in this category IMO since the SS came out......just ''Variations on a theme''. I personally like the C4 from a ''Look'' standpoint. To each His own.:amen:

They’re all in the same category of bumper, same as the full replacement plate bumpers are. By blank slate I mean they started with the frame caps and went out from there. They might all look relatively the same, but each company can design their own mounts, bracing and intetnal structure to support the unit itself and the winching mechanism.

 

[Taco04]

That does suck for Relentless fab they make some great stuff but unfortunately is seems there are knock offs of almost everything now a days...
It reminds me back in the day when WFO9 posted this...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/192911-here-nice-looking-2014-plate-bummper.html

 

[delloro]

I work in the off road industry and this happens all the time. It's nothing new. A lot of the stuff sold in the industry are re-branded stuff from the same manufacturers also. It sucks for sure but its the sad truth. R&D= rip off and develop . Also, looks like there isn't a way to buy that stuff in the US anyway so they aren't really stealing from the US market that Relentless is in.

And, they are in Venezuela. The country and the women are beautiful, but inflation is bigger that a politician's ego and they are running out of food. They have enough problems. Not that what they did is right....

 

[Coler2002]

The only realistic thing you can do as a company is to bust ass and provide the best damn product you can as quickly as possible. We do that. I think Relentless does that as well. They will be fine.

This^

I work in the jewelry industry, I have had my designs copied. One time someone bought one of you items and made a mold of it. The items that they sold had our stamp on them! Its annoying when it happens but the people that cant make there own designs are usually too lazy to make a good product or provide good service. A free market will weed out the shitty businesses.

Trying to legally protect your design/Item is costly and its easy enough for people to get around it.

As far as this product is concerned SSO was the first one to make a slimline winch bumper for the 5th gen. Yet we don't see the OP posting about C4 or Relentless knocking it off.

There isn't much you could do to make yours different. Its a very narrow design window.

 

[4runnerVenezuela]

TMT fab process

TMT maintain high standards of quality to offer the best 4x4 accessory to the offroad market, taking care of the original design of the vehicle and the safety of the driver and passengers.

In present, TMT 4X4 ACCESSORIES is listed as one the best Venezuelan company in the manufacture of bumpers and accessories for 4x4 vehicles, due to the high quality and fast delivery.

Working along with Toyota of Venezuela, TMT bumpers were selected to equip the line of TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 70 SERIES 2007 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION. All tested by Toyota in Japan.

Hope pics help to see the quality and materials used for this bumper. 6mm steel.

 

[rayofsi]

so who has money shots of the backside of a relentless?

 

[5280 TRail-Runner]

TMT maintain high standards of quality to offer the best 4x4 accessory to the offroad market, taking care of the original design of the vehicle and the safety of the driver and passengers.

In present, TMT 4X4 ACCESSORIES is listed as one the best Venezuelan company in the manufacture of bumpers and accessories for 4x4 vehicles, due to the high quality and fast delivery.

Working along with Toyota of Venezuela, TMT bumpers were selected to equip the line of TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 70 SERIES 2007 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION. All tested by Toyota in Japan.

Hope pics help to see the quality and materials used for this bumper. 6mm steel.

Any legitimate company would at least address the claims of you stealing another company's design but the fact that you guys don't even bother to address it says a lot about the company. Posting here must mean sales must not be doing well.

 

[rayofsi]

Any legitimate company would at least address the claims of you stealing another company's design but the fact that you guys don't even bother to address it says a lot about the company. Posting here must mean sales must not be doing well.

he posted the back sides. probably because there's something substantially different compared to the relentless?

 

[5280 TRail-Runner]

he posted the back sides. probably because there's something substantially different compared to the relentless?

Yes, I understand that was the intent. Still, doesn't change the fact that they have not tried to address the claims of them ripping off another company's design. Posting pictures of the backside is almost like saying "see we didn't copy someone else design because our backside and mounting is different".

Also, to claim that their products are tested in Japan is a big claim and without proof,it is nothing more than fluff. If their products are in fact tested in Japan, they would proudly put that all over their site and the products that have been tested.

As many have already stated, this practice of companies copying other companies design is nothing new but when its blatant and obvious, its hard not to let it bother you. Maybe for me, its personal because I had the very same thing happen to me here on the forums or maybe its the fact that its a company from another country stealing form hard working americans. In the end, I think [MENTION=82791]Relentless[/MENTION] will be fine but its shady business practice on TMTs behalf.

 

[flea1983]

Yes, I understand that was the intent. Still, doesn't change the fact that they have not tried to address the claims of them ripping off another company's design. Posting pictures of the backside is almost like saying "see we didn't copy someone else design because our backside and mounting is different".

Also, to claim that their products are tested in Japan is a big claim and without proof,it is nothing more than fluff. If their products are in fact tested in Japan, they would proudly put that all over their site and the products that have been tested.

As many have already stated, this practice of companies copying other companies design is nothing new but when its blatant and obvious, its hard not to let it bother you. Maybe for me, its personal because I had the very same thing happen to me here on the forums or maybe its the fact that its a company from another country stealing form hard working americans. In the end, I think [MENTION=82791]Relentless[/MENTION] will be fine but its shady business practice on TMTs behalf.

I have no dog in this fight, but if the backside and mounting brackets are different, along with the front designs, I don't see where they're shady. There's only so many ways you can have the front look, it has to follow the design of the body somewhat. If they copied the back of the relentless also I'll agree that's shady but since Tmt posted a picture of their back I would guess it's different.

 

[nb rob]

the recovery tabs look good! Nice welds, and good thought put in to axial stress.

Not sure how the competitors look.... and I guess my post doesn't suit the scathing theme of this thread. Sorry.

 

[83Mule]

So, it turns out the mounts are very ''Stout'' after all....not just surface welded! The fact they bought a competitors product before making improvements or adding features is not a ''smoking gun'' like a dead-nuts copy would be IMO.:decision: