Yea that sucks.

Years ago I had a Weatherguard box in my 99 that got transferred over to the 08. It was a beast of a box, used it everyday getting tools in and out of or cutting torches. Had to replace the locks twice, lift cylinders once but over 12 years couldn't complain. It was done in when I put it in a storage container and a large hyd pump fell on it crushing the lid.

I think at the time I only paid $400. The good old days.

 

Just about any product designed and sold at a big box store has prioritized cost over quality.

 

Weathergaurd(not the low end versions)

 

UWS can be bought at Tractor Supply?

I had one on a work truck I bought used. I wouldn’t suggest it for daily use in a work truck. But I dont know if they have different levels of quality. I ran the truck about 25-30k miles and it was about trash when I was done, the new truck owner actually replaced it.


I have just been using trifold or retrax bed covers and crates usually. I don’t know how many work trucks and tool boxes I have had. I would do as others have suggest and go to a higher end weatherguard if you use it daily.


The most important thing is if you are getting loaded daily by different forklift operators (some of these guys shouldn’t be certified!! 😭) you need to consider a cheap tool box or a really heavy duty one and brace the inside up with plywood and 2x4.
I think RKI has a heavy duty sheet metal one.

 

and this is why I have my ranchhand

 

How is the quality on it?

 

Ranch hand is the same as the day I bought it minus scratches and after at least 20 years a bit of minor rust where I took the paint off.

I have used the holes as anchor points lol. No dents no nothing. heavy guage metal.

 

Fiddled around with the box yesterday and managed to get the whole release system working well again.

I am not sure the suggestions to "get a better Weathergurd" would have made any difference in my case because the parts that failed are used on both the low and high end priced boxes. Anyway, better than the others I have tried and it gets a fair amount of use and I have been able to repair it without having to order parts.

 

highway products

 

I've always been a fan of Weather Guard since way back when I bought my first one for my 94 F350, I still have it on my 63 F250, it was daily used for quite a few years with zero issues. I have some cheapo's in my other older trucks I bought for 50-100 bucks here n there, they work, but if I was to use them daily, or needed them to be secure I would upgrade to Weather Guard ones.

 

The new style the hardware is well protected Couldn't find any plastic clips all steel clip's and pins.

 

Highway Products. Mine is 15 years old and still looks good. When I needed new shocks they just sent me replacements at no charge. Cheap is what they are not.

We only use Pro-tech at work. They are great too but I like the Highway Products better and they are local to me.

 

I wish I could use one. I really like having 8' of bed when I need it, but that means all my straps and tools have to live under my seats...

 

I second the comments on Weatherguard, Pro Tech, and Highway Products boxes. I have owned all of them over the years and each was high quality and well built. There are little differences - at least when I owned them.

Weatherguard is usually more widely available and less exclusive. I like their pushbutton locks. They stay in when locked, so you can check and see if your box is locked with just a quick check in the side mirrors.
Pro Tech is available in a really nice, almost mirror finish. They have nice cam locks and a great seal, but the handles to open my single lid box were on the back of the box, in the truck bed, so if you have a load up against the handle, access is tougher. They make headache racks that match and are also awesome quality.
Highway Products also has some really cool finish options and matching headache racks and other items available. Same handle on the back for the single lid box. Super high quality.

On my current truck I went with Chandler Truck Accessories. They have a neat concept with their "ADAPT" boxes, where they run a piece of aircraft seat track with adjustable attachment points inside and outside the box. They have several accessories to go with them. I also have the matching "lo-side" boxes in the same finish and profile. These are comparable in price and build quality as the others.

Kind of depends on what you like, but all are quality, USA made boxes.

 

The push button locks on the low-profile Weatherguard box I bought last year don't stay in when locked. Was kinda bummed out as my previous Weatherguards did... the aluminum is also thinner than older versions I've owned.