Who has some miles on the new UpTOP Snorkel?

I'd reach out to the actual company with your order #; they don't seem to be active around TW as often as they used to be.

 

Just saw it yesterday while stopped at a rest stop on I80. Plan on it. Just didn't know if this is a normal thing since it's my first rack and wanted to check with the other rack owners in that thread.

 

At least since June 14. Saw it when I was looking at the page trying to find info about a redesign. Probably posted in response to this thread's challenges. What an awful company.

 

No, it's just the result of a shitty design. Too small a bend radius, then the press brake did what it was told and the aluminum started to tear. Hate to say this, but that probably existed when it left the shop.

 

Haha, I saw it through Sherpa Equipment company response on IG with a video of a scanner they use.

Thats just a manufacturing issue likely due to a few issues. That was torn during the bending process.

 

Sherpa gained alot of customers through UpTop's pride filled shenanigans from the sounds of it. I think business politics/personal opinions/douchebaggery/etc in business posts is bad practice, but they've got more money than me, so what does my opinion matter lol.

 

@Ahomeofbones: don't feel too bad about your cracking issue - I looked through some of the pictures on their site and they couldn't even get it right for the advertisement on some of these. I wonder if this stops the "yeah the snorkel sucks but I love their roof racks" line of thinking. This is the quality you're getting for $1600, with little support from the company.

 

Thats just wrinkle paint for even better durability than all its competitors!

 

I saw the same thing on IG, tbh made me want to buy their competitor's roof rack when the time comes lol

 

I was one of the early preorders but I still haven’t installed mine. When I received it, I thought it looked like it might choke the supercharger so I held off on my install. I’ve been following the Yotawerx Magnuson tune threads and saw the posts about this being an actual issue. Today, I saw this thread and decided to send an email to UpTop to find out what my options are. I got a reply this afternoon that they are working on a larger intake tube to allow for increased air flow. They don’t currently have an ETA but it is “the top list on our project”. I was offered the option of a return or waiting to see what that solution is, with still being able to return it.

 

I'm not up on the social media but it speaks volumes to their lack of engineering if they are not using 3D scanners. This would back the point I made that whoever designed their snorkel has no idea how to test the flow of it using any simulation software as it would be done using a virtual 3D model. He probably wrapped his mouth around the tube and sucked as hard as he could then said it's similar to when I sucked a golf ball through a garden hose. This company is a joke.

 

I think I'd just return it and support someone worthwhile. Whatever fix they come up with is unlikely to be supported by any hard data and even if (gigantic if) they do their due diligence and actually show some numbers, they've still done some damage to their company's name and reputation in handling this.

 

There is zero risk in waiting. It’s July now and I got this in March. I’m not sure how many other companies would allow a return at this point. In my experience, they made a mistake and they are attempting to fix it. If I had installed this, I’d probably have a different attitude about it.

 

ON the factory snorkel you do not have to turn it around, drain holes in the lower section of the body only in the winter you need to flip it..

 

The only risk is waiting and relying purely on faith in a company that hasn't really stood by any of their products. They could easily come back later and be like sorry but its too late, you need to buy another one.

But thats a risk you are willing to accept (doesn't mean there isn't risk).. Personally I would send it back and wait to see what actually happens as they may never really fix it. Returning it now while the offer is extended is truly no risk to you.

 

Return it now before the company disappears or decides to not want to honor their mistake.

 

I'd most definitely return it if it were me; and it has nothing to do with whether I like the company or not. Here's my thought process:
-You're holding onto a part they've deemed useless to you/you'll eventually have to send it back anyways
-If SHTF with the company, they "could" run off with your money and it'd be far too outside of your CC dispute window
-I'd rather be holding onto my money, and set it aside for the new part (or different brand part if you choose) rather than a useless part that loses value each day
-The offer currently stands for a return; you're relying on their integrity for it to stand at a later date - history proves that even beloved TW entrusted vendors can screw the pooch and F the entire community.
-They don't have an ETA; they likely don't have a plan at all
-They bash other vendors for using modern technology while give everything the good ole one eye squinted looks measurement; they likely don't have the means necessary to develop, much less test their products.

 

Maybe I should call them back and ask for my Restocking Fee to be refunded as well. Since that seems to be what they are offering other customers now that they know their product is flawed. This snorkel clearly reduces air flow to NA engines as well. I am surprised they are still selling it. They are asking for a class action lawsuit that would likely ruin/bankrupt their company.

https://www.classaction.org/defective-products

"When a company releases a defective product into the marketplace, those who bought the product may be able to file a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer. Often, these cases seek compensation for the cost of the product itself, as well as any damage it caused to the consumer and his or her property."

Cost of the item itself? $699-$999 depending on sales price.
Cost of a new fender? $250, maybe more to paint match?
Cost of any damage caused to the consumer and his or her property? Is starving your engine of air (let alone a $10k SC) for hundreds of miles at elevation likely to cause engine problems down the road? Replace my engine? And my super charger please. $25,000.

So, cheap side looking at minimal $1300 per customer.
Expensive side is north of $25k (engine + SC)
NA engine only, subtract $10k, so $16k?

Time hundreds of customers. Each new sale just adds to the class member count. 500 units times low end is nearly 3/4 of a million dollars.

My favorite emoji on this thread:

 

I'd most definitely politely take nothing less than the restocking fee back as well. I'm sure they can talk circles around why thats not possible or not going to happen, but it usually takes someone pioneering a suit before things ever change. Usually a good attorney friend drafting a letter to send to them will do the trick, but thats costly for an average person that doesn't have attorney friends.

 

I’m guessing that won’t go well.

“In no case shall upTOP Overland, our directors, officers, employees, affiliates, agents, contractors, interns, suppliers, service providers or licensors be liable for any injury, loss, claim, or any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, special, or consequential damages of any kind, including, without limitation lost profits, lost revenue, lost savings, loss of data, replacement costs, or any similar damages, whether based in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise, arising from your use of any of the service or any products procured using the service, or for any other claim related in any way to your use of the service or any product, including, but not limited to, any errors or omissions in any content, or any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the service or any content (or product) posted, transmitted, or otherwise made available via the service, even if advised of their possibility.”

Why not just call them and be reasonable?