Duramax Dually
03-20-2005, 08:52 PM
Installed the Tuffy Bedside boxes today. The overall install started out pretty straight forward. HOWEVER...I use HOWEVER, I ran into numerous issues with the install as I proceeded
Here is my owner card comments.
The PRO's of the BOXES.
1) The boxes are well built, structurally,
2) The locking mechanism is a secure system
3) By adding the boxes I now have the the full length of my bed back and my ATV fits without leaving the tail gate open which was the # 1 reason for the purchase.
4) I was able to get about 80% of what I was carrying before in my 48" Dee Zee tool chest ijnto the 2 new boxes. The floor jack and tool box are out but I can reconfigure a get required tools in there. I probably was carrying too many tools anyway, Most I had not used in at least 2 years
Here are the Cons of the boxes
1) I bought the long unit and the 24" unit with the plan to put them all on one side like they say you can do, Well that is not possible, the bed rail runs out on the Chevrolet before you can move the short box far enough towards the cab. The other issue is the GM strap hook interferes with the box going forward as well. So you can either cut it off or leave it. Either way this means the long box will not sit down on the wheel well as Tuffy stated it can. This was extremely disappointing. Bummer for me was I did a mock up and it fit fine, However it was without the "Universal" mounting hardware. (Shame on me)
2) After installing the Long Box, I realized they had not welded a top seam area which would have led to a serious water leak. I duct taped it for now, will weld when I have some time next week.
3) I also found that Tuffy should spend a little more time on finishing aspect of the boxes. There are least a good dozen edges that will slice you open in seconds. That also is very disappointing. They could have at least rolled the edges, That is metal shop 101.....Good Grief!
4) Tuffy Engineers should spend the time to make mounting hardware specifically for the truck(What would that cost extra,maybe $25 bucks more to the price?) The supplied "universal" mounting kits is for the birds when trying to put the long box and the short box on one side
5) The boxes have a 30-35 degree angle cut at the bottom of the deep end of the boxes heading away from the bed side. However on GM, the bed sits very flat. Very much a 90 degree angle. This angle eats up a bunch of space and if you try and place oil or other liquids they have to sit at an angle.
6) The latch mechanism sits right in the center of open area of the box at both ends. You will definitely catch your hands on this some where along the line.
7) All the bolts that hold the hinge/lid assy to the box are too long and need to be trimmed down to avoid catching your hand or objects on.(Another finishing peave of mine)
Overall, I would rate the boxes a 6 on a 10 scale. I think Tuffy should refine this box. It could be an awesome system, But it appears like a lot of what we buy, It is a hurry up and a lot left to be desired....I think most consumers will pay a bit more for a well built and thought out design(I know I would). As it stands now we are stuck engineering it better after receipt...I seem to have to do that more than anything nowadays....You may ask why I went ahead with the install after all the "Cons" I posted, Well like so many things, we start the install and get to far into it to go back. Had I really looked close, I might have reconsidered...Tough to say, they have good features
I will post pictures tomorrow if anyone is interested.
Here is my owner card comments.
The PRO's of the BOXES.
1) The boxes are well built, structurally,
2) The locking mechanism is a secure system
3) By adding the boxes I now have the the full length of my bed back and my ATV fits without leaving the tail gate open which was the # 1 reason for the purchase.
4) I was able to get about 80% of what I was carrying before in my 48" Dee Zee tool chest ijnto the 2 new boxes. The floor jack and tool box are out but I can reconfigure a get required tools in there. I probably was carrying too many tools anyway, Most I had not used in at least 2 years
Here are the Cons of the boxes
1) I bought the long unit and the 24" unit with the plan to put them all on one side like they say you can do, Well that is not possible, the bed rail runs out on the Chevrolet before you can move the short box far enough towards the cab. The other issue is the GM strap hook interferes with the box going forward as well. So you can either cut it off or leave it. Either way this means the long box will not sit down on the wheel well as Tuffy stated it can. This was extremely disappointing. Bummer for me was I did a mock up and it fit fine, However it was without the "Universal" mounting hardware. (Shame on me)
2) After installing the Long Box, I realized they had not welded a top seam area which would have led to a serious water leak. I duct taped it for now, will weld when I have some time next week.
3) I also found that Tuffy should spend a little more time on finishing aspect of the boxes. There are least a good dozen edges that will slice you open in seconds. That also is very disappointing. They could have at least rolled the edges, That is metal shop 101.....Good Grief!
4) Tuffy Engineers should spend the time to make mounting hardware specifically for the truck(What would that cost extra,maybe $25 bucks more to the price?) The supplied "universal" mounting kits is for the birds when trying to put the long box and the short box on one side
5) The boxes have a 30-35 degree angle cut at the bottom of the deep end of the boxes heading away from the bed side. However on GM, the bed sits very flat. Very much a 90 degree angle. This angle eats up a bunch of space and if you try and place oil or other liquids they have to sit at an angle.
6) The latch mechanism sits right in the center of open area of the box at both ends. You will definitely catch your hands on this some where along the line.
7) All the bolts that hold the hinge/lid assy to the box are too long and need to be trimmed down to avoid catching your hand or objects on.(Another finishing peave of mine)
Overall, I would rate the boxes a 6 on a 10 scale. I think Tuffy should refine this box. It could be an awesome system, But it appears like a lot of what we buy, It is a hurry up and a lot left to be desired....I think most consumers will pay a bit more for a well built and thought out design(I know I would). As it stands now we are stuck engineering it better after receipt...I seem to have to do that more than anything nowadays....You may ask why I went ahead with the install after all the "Cons" I posted, Well like so many things, we start the install and get to far into it to go back. Had I really looked close, I might have reconsidered...Tough to say, they have good features
I will post pictures tomorrow if anyone is interested.