Toyota Trails-Content

[packman73]

For all you TLCA members out there, let's hear your voices please. This is YOUR magazine and we need to know if the content that is being provided is what YOU as TLCA members want to see.

What do you like about TT, what don't you like?

What would you like to see more of?

What would you like to see less of?

Your voices matter to us, we WANT to hear from you.

[steven4mc]

Thanks for asking.

More...DIY, hands on "How to.." stuff. Also like event calendars and Trail locations.

Less...Event, trips and individual club documentation.

Quality of paper is nice but not necessary vs cost.

[hatman406080]

not much to say next year will be no renewal for me

[Spike Strip]

I like TT magazine, and can't wait to get my sweaty, grease-stained-fingernails on new copies -- But since I'm a relatively newish member, and new to LC's, I'd like to see more tech articles (60 series) and general, owner-issue articles ... Things that impact my daily struggle with the beast and flame my fantasies of future mods. I suppose you don't need to publish what's repeatedly hashed-over on IH8MUD, but for me, I treat the TT issues as reference books, and they gets placed in the library as such.

Frankly, the exotic trip articles rarely get read all the way through (only when I'm bored at work). Not sure why, maybe because I know I'll probably never traipse through the Alaska wilderness (where's that Sarah Palin bikini photo?) or sojourn through South American. My loss, perhaps, but also my reality.

I realize the editors may feel like they're repeating articles, but what is the avg subscription length for subscribers? You have to repeat stuff the new subscribers have not seen. Yes, it'll be redundant for the old-timers (you know who you are), and you risk alienating them, but that's the trade-off for new blood.

Have you thought of adding a centerfold ? Marv Specter in a speedo ?

Thanks for all your hard work.

[TRT2]

I would offer:

Past tech.... delve into old issues of trails and (re) run quality or detailed tech. We have a vast library of tech already written, and many new members like Spike strip who have not seen them. Tech is tech and much of it never changed. Pull old articles, clean them up and run again.

I like to see the member rigs. I would offer to have at least one members rig photos each issue.

This is a dry one... but... more TLCA news and info. The only TLCA info I can gleam is from teh Pres or Editor column. Perhaps a bit more TLCA News and Update. ( but careful, this can be boring.)

Calendar, event registration forms, etc... A Must have. Remember, this is the associations publication. Yes, it should be chock full of TLCA stuff.


just some thoughts off the top of my head... thanks for asking.

[Kaderabek]

Tony,

There was no usable archive provided to me when I took the job. Anything prior to me does not exist in a format that can be updated. We could scan and de-screen old articles but we couldn't update or edit and that process is slow and expensive (and the end product looks bad).

Member Rigs was cancelled because few members sent in content.

Perhaps Jeff and I need to focus more on TLCA news in our columns. Often though, no news is good news and that's what we've had. And if we end up publishing a magazine with fewer pages (in order to cut costs and balance the budget), there will be no room for new TLCA news columns. Something else could be bumped out though or we could publish this type on content on the internet. Plenty of content will be shifting in that direction if the board decides we need to print fewer pages.

The TLCA calendar and the event registrations aren't going anywhere.

This topic was largely covered a few clicks down the page. Lots of good ideas there.

Thanks for your input, Tony.

TJK

[TRT2]

just tossing out ideas and stuff as asked by packman (that is Art, correct?).

but hidden in your response was the inevitable... 'few members sent in content'... myself included.



Thanks Todd!

[peesalot]

IMO Robbie brings a good bit of knowledge and interest to the tech section. I really liked the Rubithon write up. More members rigs would be really nice. more write ups on Roound Up, Moab, GSMTR, etc. A healthy dose of Land Use would be good. I would also like to see a rare vehicle section where those one off customs and factory rare units are showcased. Another idea is to pull the tech write ups off this site with pics and all and get them in there as many people are going back to the old school trail machines that are built on a budget in the driveway and mud's tech articles lend to that type of rig.

Great job on the mag so far, kudos. Keep it up. Thank you, carry on.

[Ian Rogers]

I would love to see more of a grass roots style mag, it could be back and white copied. I always like Mark's (65swb45) stories. I like write up on mods. why is it such a high quality mag, i think its a waste of money every time i pick it up. Just my thoughts

[mikealeus]

I used to subscribe but the format seemed to change over the years to include more excursions and became less technical.

[Blue 60]

Here's a serious suggestion. Go all digital. Ditch the hard copy and do it as a downloadable PDF from the TLCA website via member password. Do to the fact that (I assume) Trails is now created digitally, it would make perfect sense. Would you lose a few members, yeah, probably. But we have already lost a lot. I think that most members are online (do a survey in the next issue or something and host it on the TLCA website as to how many members are online vs. those w/o a home computer,) and a lot of us are on here daily.

With the cost savings Trails could: A) Afford more content (and full color ), B) Not cause an increase in dues, C) Eliminate shipping costs (and not show up wet or with bent corners.), D) Allow more $$$ to be channeled into other areas, and E) Possibly all the above.

We are in the digital age. Let's acknowledge it and move forward. Is it an easy choice? No, but I think it needs to be discussed.

Jim (Blue 60)

[hatman406080]

Originally Posted by Ian Rogers

I would love to see more of a grass roots style mag, it could be back and white copied. I always like Mark's (65swb45) stories. I like write up on mods. why is it such a high quality mag, i think its a waste of money every time i pick it up. Just my thoughts

X2b/w

[D'Animal]

It may be hard to believe, but, you would be amazed how many Toyota 4x4 owners never heard of www.IH8MUD.com

Originally Posted by Spike Strip

I suppose you don't need to publish what's repeatedly hashed-over on IH8MUD, but for me, I treat the TT issues as reference books, and they gets placed in the library as such.

[Blue 60]

Originally Posted by packman73

For all you TLCA members out there, let's hear your voices please. This is YOUR magazine and we need to know if the content that is being provided is what YOU as TLCA members want to see.

What do you like about TT, what don't you like? I like the club trail reports, the editor and pres. columns, and the few expedition/long trip reports (It gives me something to dream about.) I'm not big into the whole tech stuff, but I do understand the importance of that aspect to the do-it-yourselfers.

What would you like to see more of?As mentioned by others, more owners rigs that have interesting mods and such, or are immaculate originals.

What would you like to see less of?The need for the editors and elected members pleading for content and input from the other members and clubs. (Edit: Todd and Art and others should not have to resort to begging us for material for TT. I havn't sent in anything on my own, but I have had a pic or two used in a club event report. I want to see TT thrive, be it digitally or in hard copy. Come on guys, let's step it up.)

Your voices matter to us, we WANT to hear from you.

Art, here are my thoughts.

Jim

[wardfoto]

Jim,
does that last sentence mean you want the content provided by the editor and elected members, or that the phrase average joe needs to be stricken?
Elected members=7 editor=1. Don't see how 8 people are gonna provide enough info to be the only contributors. Remember, while Trails is very nice, it's still a club newsletter, meaning ALL club members are eligible to submit info, stories, pics of member rigs, tech questions, etc, etc, etc.
If the membership doesn't submit, we've got very little content, and may as well go back to the xeroxed black and white days. Which is cool, too. I still go back and read mine all the time.

[Blue 60]

I was trying to reply and rush out the door at the same time. What I meant was that I want the regular members to step up more so that the elected members wouldn't have to be begging us (as they have been as of late) for submissions. Sorry if that read wrong. I'll try to get back in there and edit it..... I hope it reads more clearly now.

Jim

[garner61]

Hello
Doing everything good sofar. I enjoy all the post. Take care have a great holiday. Thanks Garner

[KOWBOY]

How much for the cat?

[Romer]

How about how to do a trail repair on a broken birf in less than 30 minutes, what you need to bring and tricksa for quick job. Other trail repairs.

How about each issue have a BOD member talk about what his job is and how it contributes to the whole TLCA and some info on them personally. Most people don't have a clue about the BOD or what each job does. That will facilitate an open dfialogue from members to e-mail or write their suggestions relative to that job. Need the info on where to mail stuff to.

How about cross TLCA club networking. We do stuff with the Utah guys and the other two Colorado clubs. We have started discussing meeting Wasatch somewhere other than Moab for some wheeling. Also have discussed going to NM to hook up with that club on some of their trails and have offered to hook up with others who want to come to Colorado. It's a way to see more of what is out there on a more personal level without having to do a big event.

Maybe we could do a write-up on what it takes to put on an event. I would be happy to write that one on Cruise Moab.

Kowboy has a great talent for entertaining writing, maybe he could do a short Andy Rooney style column

How about a review of something everymonth like Matt Farr's STC soft top a few years ago. It helped me decided to buy one, before they went out of business.

Ideas are easy to come up with, getting people to write them is harder

[Romer]

Also, how about a section where people can write-in comments on past articles or other topics like some of the other mags do. Just one page with 10-20 short comments.

[77cruiser]

I have have been been a Cruiser owner for 15 years now but only in the last 3 years have been apart of this community. Partly due to money(couldnt afford to do anything to my cruiser) and also just didnt have the time. Now i do and I enjoy reading the TT magazine. It would be cool to have a nice combination of some realisitic builds, or tech as well as some of the expedition stories. I know while I am often intrigued by the level of knowledge of some, my goal with my cruiser is to 1-Learn how to work on it some, 2-read the write ups on great events across the country that I could some day try to attend, and 3-read up on good solid reviews of products that other have experience with both short term and long term. For the most part i do enjoy what is in the TT.
as far as going digital, i spend so much time on a computer that it is refreshing to actually have it in print. do I think some money can be saved on printing cost, Probably, but the amount of money per issue is prob not enormous so if why not do color.
A last page section of readers rigs, or worst stucks, or coolest shots would be great too.
Keep it simple though.Land Cruisers are simple, most of their owners are fairly simple and I for one will tell you my current abilities of working on my own are simple but are getting better.

[Plowboy]

I have every TT from the last B & W. A section on "How about a reprint" would be nice for newer members, like Morgan"s tool for centering front axles. Could they be scanned and re-entered?

[pappy]

Originally Posted by Blue 60

The need for the editors and elected members pleading for content and input from the other members and clubs. (Edit: Todd and Art and others should not have to resort to begging us for material for TT. Come on guys, let's step it up.)

Jim

You know they are desperate when they consider a story from me.

I like TTs. I enjoy the anticipation of waiting for my copy in the mail. Digital magazines/books suck. There is nothing like sitting down with a "good read" and taking one's time, page by page. I like the tech stuff and have learned a lot. But I really like dreaming after reading the expedition stories. That's what LC's are for. Getting out into the boonies, self-sufficient, and not having to worry about your rig. Plus, it's those remote places that get the best vehicles from Mr. T. Great locations with cool rigs add up to the best stories.

[Off Duty]

This is kinda funny for me.

I didn't renew my membership when it ran out because I was planning on selling the crusher.

It didn't happen and I now have a renewed interest in it

That said, I went to the inlaws lake house yesterday for new years day and what did I take with me.....????


An old copy of TT

I'd like to see more color photos of the rescue rigs, expeditionary types and work vehicles, be it ranches, farming, law enforcement or what ever?

Of course the gathering coverages are good too.

I'm not a crawler or a mudder and don't really have the tools to do as much work on my own rig as I'd like (I'm working on that part though), but just the same, the content still appeals to many.
I'm just an old fart that wants to go camping and canoeing and not have to worry about how I'm getting there and back

Final thought-Keep a little of all of it to please the masses and work on editorial content, picture quality and delivery times and you'll be fine IMO.

[DanS HJ-45]

Digital magazines/books suck.

I cannot agree more. As someone who takes my magazines to work (where I have hours and hours to sit in a chair and read to stave off boredom) in the plastic covering and refuses to read a single word when I'm not there, a digital version would hold NO value for me.

There is nothing like sitting down with a "good read" and taking one's time, page by page. I like the tech stuff and have learned a lot. But I really like dreaming after reading the expedition stories.

Agreed as well. I like tech. Even if it's an FJC (which I don't really care about, or will ever own) I still read it. Lots of good ideas there, and who knows--someday maybe I might have to work on one or something.

But I really, really enjoy the stuff about people and the things they are doing. Whether it be an expedition, to trail cleanup or work weekends (the RS wheel bearing party comes to mind) I find that more and more interesting. Interesting side note: from TT I recently learned that some old friends of mine not only have a cruiser, but were at Rubithon.

FWIW--the only other things I subscribe to are Overland Journal, and the American Truck Historical Society's magazine.

Dan

[D'Animal]

Has there every been a Reader Rides section?

The section could comprise of a single picture of a persons rig and a "spec only" type write up on it? Maybe two pages and 8 rigs per issue.

Like Petersons does in there publication.

[Radd Cruisers]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Has there every been a Reader Rides section?

The section could comprise of a single picture of a persons rig and a "spec only" type write up on it? Maybe two pages and 8 rigs per issue.

Like Petersons does in there publication.

I second this idea.

Brought it up a few years ago with no luck.

[pappy]

Originally Posted by Radd Cruisers

I second this idea.

Brought it up a few years ago with no luck.

I believe this has been address. If not in this thread, in another. It was tried. It didn't work.

[Ratpuke]

My only complaint is about the amount of ads infiltrating the entire magazine. I'd prefer to see them all at the end of the magazine - so I can look at them when I want to and they don't take away from the articles. And when I'm looking for a certain ad so I can call them I don't have to scan through the entire magazine.

I wrote up an article on algae in diesel fuel but never saw it go to print... not sure why ;-)

colour pics = good. B/W at back is nice too.

My $0.02

[nuclearlemon]

i'm still wondering if kowboy wants to buy the white cat or the one under the tire?