Bed Rail Tie-Down Availability?

Bought my 09' 2 months ago, and one of the bed rail tie-downs was broken. It wouldn't turn freely, and the spring shaft was jammed.

I took it back the very next day to my local dealership, and they said they would order a new one. I've followed up several times with them, and they state the part is "unavailable" and maybe they're "re-designing it".

It's been 2 months! Is anyone else waiting for this part, or had problems with these?

-Rich

 

That's B.S. You should demand that they give you one out of another new truck on the lot. They can replace THAT one if/when the replacement part ever comes in. You've paid for yours (two moths ago!).

 

Ohh believe me, I feel the same way. . I'm half tempted to drive over to the dealership and with a completely straight face tell them I need to go ahead and "return" the truck since they've been unable to make it complete.

Sure, I'm not serious, but if I look serious, they're forced to deal with someone they "think" wants to

 

I called the "Toyota Experience" # that the dealership had given me when they said they were unable to get the part:

(800) 331-4331

I told them about the issue, and politely expressed my dissatisfaction. The woman I spoke with said she'd call me back tomorrow. .

Here's to hoping the "right way" of escalating this yields some results.

-Rich

 

Well great. . .

The lady from "Toyota Experience" already called back and basically repeated the same thing that the dealership told me that the part is "unavailable" and Toyota is researching another vendor to get the part from, and there is NO estimate as to when the part will be available.

Basically no help at all. . .

I don't know what I'm doing yet, but I can tell you at the moment what I want to do is head over to the dealership, take one off one of their new trucks in the lot and lay 50' of rubber on the way our

so. . I should probably think about it for a bit first

-Rich

 

Is this all for one of the cleats that go into the rails?

 

They should, in fact, take one off a lot truck and give it to you. My experience with Toyota's Customer Help line is that it is a TOTAL WASTE OF TIME. They just refer the problem to the same people that cause it!!!!! It is a huge ring around the rosy B.S. experience. Toyota has a very bad habit of always assuming the customer is trying to rip them off.

 

Go grab one from another truck. Walk in and show them how it's busted! Hand em the part and say you guys should do something about this! Then leave.

How this magic trick works- switch the working one with your busted. Hand em your busted. Nifty eh?

 

On a somewhat related note on accessory availability... I called my local dealership wanting to order the cargo crossbars (rails that span the bed cleats so you can attach Yakima accessories). After getting the "it's on order" response for a week the dealership finally called me back and said they wouldn't be available for at least 2 months, Toyota was in the process of getting a new supplier.

Maybe they're doing some kind of big supplier change or something. In any case, in my line of business you make sure that 1) you have enough supply to last you until the new supplier comes online or 2) you have the new supplier shipping product before you cut off the old one. Completely unacceptable to tell the customer that you're out of stock because you're switching suppliers...

Good luck on getting your new cleat. I'd locate one online and ask that the dealer reimburse you the cost.

 

They should give you one out of another truck immediately. Heck... they probably have a pristine one in a USED truck that they could give you and not even have to replace it. It's worth a shot to ask them - in a stern but respectful manner.

Just for kicks, I looked around to see if any were available for sale. There are several on eBay right now: clicky clicky clicky

One of those listed the part number as PT78535050S1 (tie down cleat), so I went to some of the Toyota parts websites and did a lookup on that number. Some said that number was "not found". THIS ONE has it for $20.00 (MSRP is $25.00 ea.). THIS ONE has it for $18.30, but it says "This item is discontinued" - no way to add it to your cart to buy it.

The interesting thing is TRDParts4U.com doesn't list it at all - but they have THIS new "Mini Tie-Down w/Hook" for the Tundra and Tacoma. I wonder if they're discontinuing the "old" ones and switching to those? I hope not... because the weight capacity is listed as only 110 lbs. I think the old ones are something like 200 lbs (but the load has to be within a certain angle up & down on the rail... it's in the owners manual somewhere).

Anyway... good luck with it.

 

OK. BE A HARDASS WITH THEM! Don't leave until you KNOW FOR FACT that the part you need will be in. Go there and "suggest" they take one off a new truck and if they say no then actually tell them you want your money back for the truck since it is incomplete and has been that way for 2 months. If they refuse, tell them to take a part off a new truck or you'll call your lawyer.

Should work. If not, lay some rubber in one of their trucks down their lot.

 

agreed. Say "I took this off a truck on your showroom, heres the busted one. I'm swapping you. Have a good day"

 

Not a problem. Test drive a truck and swap the defective tie down.

 

Hard to tell by the illustration but I think the Rope Hook listed here is the part you're looking for, looks like it's in stock too. If it's the right part I would go ahead and order it, then give the dealership the bill.

 

I guess I ought to pull mine off and put them in the storage bin, huh.

 

That looks more like the D-rings in the floor near the tailgate to me.

 

I keep mine in the cab unless they're being used.

 

Same here!

 

I would switch with one on the lot.

 

I won't use the cleats to strap down my dirt bike (they bend and it worries me) but I love using them for hauling furniture or appliances. I have used them a lot.

I keep 4 ratchet straps in my truck at all times but I keep the bungees in the storage bin (along with a pair of work gloves). I frequently adjust the cleats to set the bungee tension correctly. Without adjustability, you have to have the right length bungee. Big fan of the cleats!


To the OP...I would absolutely put up a fight with the dealer. You bought a $30,000 truck off them and they are going to dick around on a $20 part. I would walk in and ask the sales person that sold me the truck for the manager / owner. He'll make it happen.

Stealing one off another truck is...stealing. You will no longer be able to use that dealership and probably have to speak with the cops as well. Lots have cameras.