Why isn't Radflo popular?

@Rob Daman I ordered a full set yesterday with reservoirs and adjusters along with Icon RXT leaf packs. I will let you know how it all turns out once they are done. I ordered them from Erick @state48overland who provided great service and a hell of a deal!

 

cool. I've heard a lot of good things about him too.

 

@Rob Daman I have to say there is a lot of "unproven shock" and "quality issue" talk in this thread about Radflo. Just because dudes aren't rocking them as much as Kings, Icon, or Fox on TW doesn't make them unproven. I did a good amount of research and learned about the company and its' roots. They are pretty proven in the race community around the world and have a solid reputation. I have found zero complaints about build quality or machining. I came from Icon on my 2007 Taco (not impressed at all), Fox on my 2010 (even worse in regard to ride quality and corrosion resistance), and have been leaning towards ADS with my third gen. After I learned more about Radflo and the couple hundred I could save vs ADS I had a tougher decision. That being said Joe @Mobtown Offroad just ordered a full set up front and rear with compression adjusters for my 3rd Gen. I will let you know what I think when I actually wheel them. For me a suspension isn't about aesthetics. I am looking for something that is going to ride well on road, flex and ride well off road, and hold up to the elements. IMHO I have not found that with the Fox or Icon products I owned in the past, and customer service with Fox was an absolute nightmare.

 

Ya I saw that Montown started carrying them so they had to be legit.

Thanks for passing

 

It’s simple as to why Radflo isn’t so popular, marketing and resell.

They make all orders in house per order. All parts are machines and assembled in the US. They don’t have a large marketing push like everyone else. They aren’t loading up warehouses and resellers. They don’t give massive discounts to resellers like the others so most resellers won’t push them as hard because they’re making less money per order.

Idk what people are talking about with quality or customer service. I bought a set and ran them for a little while before I started to resell them. They’re a really nice shock. Time will tell with quality but I’m in a heavily salted area and so far no corrosion.

As for customer service they answer the phone as soon as I call. I’ve talked to the owner with tech questions even on a Saturday morning. And I don’t have some special phone number to call. It’s their standard number on their website. Seems like they take great pride in their work and instead of mass production and possible quality issues they keep it in house.

They’ve been around a very long time, 20+ years. They’re worldwide starting in Africa and building suspension for trucks for races and military.

We’ve sold and installed 4 sets in a month which might not seem like much but we are also not an install shop. We will do it but most don’t realize we sell or install practically everything.

I reviewed their stuff for over a year before selling their suspension. I met Curtiss from Radflo at SEMA in 2016 and we talked briefly. I researched them up until fall of 2018 before finally giving them a shot because I too wondered why they’re not heard of, especially on the East Coast.

Again, time will tell on quality. But initial reaction I was impressed with machining and assemble.

I think the other names like Kings, Icon, etc all have a larger following simply due to marketing and reseller discounts.

I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you all have and if I don’t know I can get the answers quick by calling them.

 

Thanks Joe for chiming in.

 

Ive got a set and Have been running them for a year now. I could not be happier with my decision. Very smooth on and offroad with 0 issue. They have great customer service as well and are very easy to adjust. That being said i would recommend them over and over.

 

when I rebuilt some 16 2.5” bypasses and 8 2.5 “ c/o for a gen1 with LT , they reminded me a lot of fox shocks as far as construction (seals , snap rings , looks ). Seemed good to me.

 

There is more to it than just a visual inspection. Shaft material, seal material, piston design and oil all play a factor. Especially when it comes universal fit applications/race stuff.

 

Definitely has crossed our minds.

 

I just had a mini heart attack searching our website.... touché sir, well played!

 

I just bought a set of Radflo 2.5 rears to replace the Fox's I had that started leaking after less than 2500 miles. The Radflos have a higher quality look and feel and the ride is extremely smooth. I'm wishing I had just gotten these from the start. Will likely replace the front Foxs as well sometime in the not too distant future

 

Sounds like just bad luck with them leaking. If it's a minor leak, may just be a loose fitting. Curious to know why you replaced the shocks vs having the leak fixed?

 

I replaced them because Fox didnt have the kind of customer service I expected. I was going to either have no truck for weeks, or buy some cheap shocks and swap them out twice. Made more sense to me to just get new non-Fox shocks

 

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but could you PM me? i have some questions regarding your experience with radlfo. Thanks!

 

So reading this, I'm assuming you agree with the statement that radflos material and internals are inferior to the competition? Legitimate question, I'm looking into a few different shocks now

 

Can I ask what you would have expected Fox to do to provide "the kind of customer service you expect?"

I'm not here to argue with anyone, I'm genuinely curious to know. I've heard this complaint before, even with other manufacturers/industries, and I understand both side of the discussion. I'm curious to know what a "happy middle ground" would be.

 

#1: when your 2 month old product with less than 2500 miles starts leaking you send out a replacement immediately [with CC hold] and have the consumer send the defective part back at your cost. If for some reason it turns it it was consumers fault you charge their CC. otherwise.....happ[ier] customer for not having to wait to get their shock serviced/replaced for weeks.

#2: if you dont do #1 -- at least turn your warranty returns around in less than a week. It was FOUR weeks for me to get this shock back after they determined it was a defect. [[and that was AFTER I called and complained]]

#3 if you dont do #1 and you determine it was your fault -- reimburse the customer for the shipping costs to send defective part back to you

 

I agree completely. Sounds like Fox has terrible warranty policies.

 

So is this the way manufacturers handle warranties in the same or other industries? I mean, if your appliances stop working do they send you a replacement prior to an inspection? Does King/Icon/ADS keep inventory and send out replacements when the customer diagnosis a warranty?

You're implying so strongly that the manufacturer should incur full cost prior to diagnosis or assuming they have available product to do so. What would you expect them to do with product that is sent back for warranty once the replacement is sent out? They aren't in the selling used product market. I agree, four weeks is unacceptable and warranties should be done within a much more reasonable amount of time but I am not getting the vibe that that would appease the majority.

Again, not defending anyone. Not here to argue. Just having a conversation.