Victory Roof Rack Safety Warning (please read if you have an over-cab rack)

It’s not about knowing how to fab. Please watch or read the instructions. He clearly states “this is a safe zone!” I would assume It’s a safe zone wouldn’t you? He doesn’t use a drill stop either and his whole drill bit goes inside the truck.

 

My point is, I’ve had great experiences with victory 4x4 and would definitely buy from them again. Great customer service. I now live where it rains a lot. Last thing I want to do is drill holes in the roof of my truck. However, I wouldn’t blame the product manufacturer for an install error. Apparently you now know it’s not a “safe zone” and it’s been put out there. So, if you’re going to drill into your roof, near an air bag, bee careful. And maybe hire someone to install it.

 

I don't understand what you're trying to say.
"Last thing I want to do is drill holes in the roof of my truck." Understandable.
"However, I wouldn't blame the product manufacturer." Opinion. But Ok, np.
"apparently you now know it's not a 'safe zone'" right. by his unfortunate experience, not by a warning from V4x4, who actually told him the opposite....the point of this thread.
"and it’s been put out there" by this thread. right.
"So, if you’re going to drill into your roof, near an air bag, bee careful" That's literally the entire point of this thread.
??

 

Yup, maybe I’m missing the point of this thread. I was saying victory 4x4 has a great product.

 

I’ve been watching this thread since day
1. I’ve also went and checked the LCA threads and also the parking sensor bumper thread.

I’m a huge small business guy and wanted to give victory the B.o.D. I’m just not impressed by the (lack of) response. They’ve been tagged a couple of times. Nothing yet.

There’s also another thread going with the wiring harness iHacker sells. Long story short, Toyota tech says that His harness was rubbing on an AC line and caused a hairline leak. (Whether it actually did or not isn’t the point) - iHacker addresses this immediately and is going to actually link the full thread to his followers for visibility and transparency. That is why he’ll forever get my business and referrals.

I want to spend my money wisely and that is why I chose RCI skids vs the victory stuff.

I’m still in the market for a roof rack, that’ll be stage 2. I hope he addresses this sooner rather than later. I’m a big fan aesthetically of the products. Their Reputation is def salvageable in my eyes. I’d just like to see some ownership.

 

Aaah - gotcha. Yeah, OP started the thread to let folks know that this particular product from them has instructions that are lacking at best, wrong/incompetent at worst. To the point where it can potentially cause a safety issue with the truck. In a nutshell, the install video says where you're drilling is a "safe area" - meaning away from airbags. But it's not. As a result, his airbags were damaged. Lots of opinions about drill stops, incompetency, blah blah, "but he said," "but he didn't say." V4x4 chimed in once - I don't even remember what they said - and that's it. Frankly, they're smart (from a legal perspective) to not say anything at all on this thread.

 

Was thinking that too. Lawyers first piece of advice to anyone, ever, is to STFU. I'll give them that.

 

I hear what you're saying - and I've read the iHacker harness issue, too. But you're comparing apples to oranges. Personally, I'm with OP on this thread. BUT, V4x4 is smart to not engage this thread at all because this issue has to do with potentially compromising a safety system on the vehicle. Read: could hurt or God-forbid, kill someone. They don't want that liability. If they're smart, they'll fix their install video/instructions, not say anything, hope everything is ok, and not spend a dime. OR pay a bunch of money to hire a lawyer, put out a consumer notification advising about the potential of airbag damage, then pay for repairs of damaged airbags $$. The iHacker issue will only make you sweaty if the AC stops working. iHacker has every reason to chime in. Though an argument could be made that he should pay for the AC lines being damaged...but that's a long shot.

 

Edzachery

 

Totally understand lack of instructions. But at the end of the day, what you do is what “you” do. I’ve followed you tube instructions and found flaws. Which is why I use them as “guides”. Ultimately my installs are on me. Trust me, I’ve learned lots of “lessons” by listening to “experts”. I do lots of research now.
I get that the op is giving a heads up the install directions, and yeah, maybe a “be careful with this step” would be nice. But, you are drilling into your truck.
That’s all.

 

You're right. Taking off my customer facing lense and putting on my legal/business owner lenses and its 100% apples and oranges. I do not disagree with that.

I'm with OP as well and also with everyone else who's installed that product. Here's to hoping OP's issue was a fluke and no other installs get into an accident where one of those airbags don't deploy.

 

Same here. And RCI sliders. When it's time for a roof rack for my Leer shell, that'll be Prinsu.

I also wanted to support Victory. I find their stuff visually appealing and their logo is cool. But they're Jeep guys learning about Tundras and using folks here in that learning process.

 

Prinsu is a similar area of drilling. Their video they don't mention dropping the headliner either. They do show using a stepped bit and a stop though. Still, your truck, your damage no matter what precautions you do or don't take and what parts you bolt on.

 

A company did just come out with a no drilling required roof rack in case you guys haven’t seen it.

https://spidernodrillroofrack.com/

 

It's a tough spot for Victory to be in. They've had a couple meetings already about how many of these were sold and what the best next steps should be.

Because it involves the airbags and a significant safety issue, it's a mess for a small business. If they notified their liability insurance, you'll know they're worried. If they dropped the headliner in the install video and their airbags were damaged, it's a huge mess.

 

The truck is still with the dealer and haven’t been repaired. I guess the airbags are not off the shelf item and they had to order it. Each airbag is $1550 (x2) plus replacement harness that is apparently required to do plus labor. Total estimate as of yesterday is $4,653.69. They are not allowed to reuse certain parts. I’m gathering documentation now and will be dealing with V4x4 and will contact consumer advocates in Michigan to see what assistance I can get.

@Victory4x4 and @brimy311 arr putting people’s lives in harms way and they are staying quiet and hope it blows over and go away. This company SUCK and IRRESPONSIBLE!

 

Ouch. sorry dude

 

Dayumm man this sucks. Especially them not saying anything. I’m pretty sure like others said they have the lawyer on standby already as they know they fucked up. @brimy311 was on on Monday so he definitely knows what’s going on. I’m surprised the mods haven’t said a word either? Wonder if they are trying to help in any way??

 

Man, I legitimately had one of their bumpers in my cart before finding this thread. Easily made me decide not to deal with them. If they had come forward taking any form of responsibility - I wouldn't have thought twice about pulling the trigger on buying it, but while the silent treatment may be the best thing legally, it's an absolutely shitty way to give customers any confidence in your product.

 

Not sure what kind of bumper your after but Demello off road has a great one and are in riverside and don’t forget SS built they are by angels stadium

 

Every manufacturer I've bought from has some sort of "we aren't responsible for shit" disclaimer. Most won't even provide directions and say "use a professional for install". Thats classic limiting of liability.

That said, the video conflicts with instructions, the claim that they are drilling in a "safe zone" and providing a tool to use that drills beyond a safe depth is where things get muddy. If they hadn't done those things they could definitely say not their fault. Experienced installer or not, providing those tools and directions puts them in a bad place.

All that aside, their products seem to be untested and I would hate to be like other Tundra guys who are apparently the customer and the R&D team.

Enjoy the flames.

 

Yea idk either. But people are buying them. Looks like epoxy and they lock in place with the mounts.

 

I had no idea Demello was in Riverside, I'm in Redlands so that's a no-brainer.

 

I wouldn't bring the mods into this - they don't bear any kind of responsibility either way.

 

Yea they are down the street from me. They do installs as well.

 

They control who the vendors are on here. Have kicked people off for not handling things the right way as vendors. They should know the situation. Not saying they are going to fix the problem. But they select who the vendors are on here!

 

That's good news, I wouldn't wanna screw up my airbags putting on a new bumper. haha (It's a joke).