trail-diamond eeerr gear 9 axle

[iamsparticus]

I saw the new trail-gear axle, rockassualt 9 axle, and then i was looking at diamonds axles and was surprised to see that they are almost identical right down to the description. I might be the only one who noticed but i think its a little unethical to copy someone like that and not even right a original description, but what do you guys think?

http://www.trail-gear.com/rock-assault-axle-housing#trailnine
http://www.diamondaxle.com/rear_nonsteering.htm

 

[bryson]

I think you seem to have missed a few prior discussions about Trail-Gear...

 

[iamsparticus]

i guess so but this is the first major product i have noticed copied

 

[Gravy]

30 spline birfs? the design is a direct copy.

 

[Max Power]

Trail-gear makes great products but they are usually not original designs. I would dare say you could say that about most companies that manufacture products.

 

[ozzy702]

Just to stir the pot a bit, Diamond axle is FAR from being an originator of fabricated housings. They've become popular in the Toyota market but nothing that Brian has done has been revolutionary.

I'm all for Trail Gear bringing this product to the market as long as it's done well. Diamond Axles are overpriced. The biggest thing that Brian does right is make proper length axle shafts for your custom lengths so the buyer doesn't have to guess or worry.

Edit: I really like Diamond Axles and the fab work is beautiful, I'm just happy to see competition in the market at affordable pricing.

 

[SAMI]

Chris Geiger's (helped launch TG) goal is to be the Walmart of the Toyota rockcrawling market. He's worked for Allpro, and Marlin, and left each on less than stellar terms. From everything that I have read about the man, he wanted to make more $$$ by using Chinese manf over US and rip-off others' designs. He was finally forced to start his own company because Marlin didn't want to scarifice the quality that Marlin is known for...

Anyways....

 

[Max Power]

This has been beat to death on here and other forums. If people don't like the way they do business don't buy their products.

 

[SAMI]

^ It's true. Any good blue light specials this week?

 

[ozzy702]

i guess so but this is the first major product i have noticed copied

Most of Trail-Gear's products are copies of other companies designs. All-Pro and Marlin have been copied heavily by Trail-Gear and most of the time Trail-Gear's stuff is just as good, just cheaper since they have serious purchasing power and manufacture overseas.

 

[big cherokee]

yep they have done it more than once

thats why i stay away from them, even if it cost a little more it ethics.

 

[sixstringsteve]

here we go again.

They also develop some really great products (rock assault housings in various lengths (no wait time on the orders), complete tacoma sas kit, tacoma dual case crossmembers, toyota 3-link and 4-link kits, 6-stud d-60 unit hub, long-slip driveshaft, etc.

It really sucks that all their stuff is made in china, I don't love that. And I don't love the way their original t-case adapters were exact copies. Not cool.

But there are a lot of things I do love about them. They're developing more and more products that keep our sport moving forward. They have incredible customer service, they ship what you order, they have good descriptions and excellent install instructions.

There are things that I don't like about TG, but they do deserve credit for designing some great products, despite the obvious copying of other products.

 

[iamsparticus]

I'm not saying TG is bad, crap im a dealer for them, I just thought it was disrespectful to diamond. They not only copy the axle houseing but seriously the describtion is copy and pasted from their web site right down to how they spent year developing it! I think its fine to take a product, tweak it, and figure out how to sell it better than other companies, thats business, but i think it calls for tact.

I think Ruff stuff does it well when you look at their products they openly admit that its nothing new and that others offer the same but then they let you know that they have figured out how to make it more efficent to save you money and such.

I hope that TG dosent become the way Wally world is: big, impersonal and no respect for other companies. They make good products but their has to be more than that

 

[ozzy702]

I think Ruff stuff does it well when you look at their products they openly admit that its nothing new and that others offer the same but then they let you know that they have figured out how to make it more efficent to save you money and such.

Actually Dan's housing are fairly unique. I don't know that they are technically any stronger or better than Diamonds but the process used took him quite awhile to perfect.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'm not saying TG is bad, crap im a dealer for them, I just thought it was disrespectful to diamond.

point well taken, I agree.

 

[iamsparticus]

Actually Dan's housing are fairly unique. I don't know that they are technically any stronger or better than Diamonds but the process used took him quite awhile to perfect.

i wasnt talking about dans axles, his axles are great and original, i was simple reffering to some other parts that he makes that others do, Dan just runs a very neat and clean business, im a dealer for him too and its been a pleasure to work with them, and i think their products are top of the game

 

[bryson]

I just spent a few minutes actually reading the descriptions on both sites, and I didn't find anything that appeared copied/pasted or even mildly plagiarized... Obviously the descriptions will contain similar info for similar products, but it doesn't appear to be verbatim to me. Did I miss it?

 

[iamsparticus]

sorry the places i noticed it were about the drain plug and description of how it was made, i think id have to go re read it, but your right if its the exact same product it would haev teh same build description

 

[Max Power]

Aside from ethical issues what do you guys think of the new housing? I think it looks pretty sweet. If I didn't have so much invested in my rear Toyota differential I would be tempted.

 

[Marsh99]

I find this ironic that you talk about trail gear making similar products...
Didn't you and Jason build me a trail gear bumper? Or should say a marlin bumper

Trail gear is in the business of making money they sell products people want. If they sell the best quality for the best price they get business.
That's the reason I bought the bumper from you, good quailty at a great price.

I hate this argument because everybody throws trail gear under the bus, but everybody buys from them.