I saw this thing on Beerstalker's gallery.

I can't find any information on it. Is there a web site?

Beerstalker.....is it water proof? Pretty much theft proof? Is it thick enough to store a couple of shotguns or rifles, with some high density foam?

Thanks.
Jim

 

Just saw your message. I can't really help you out too much with finding info on it. I used to have a plastic one made by Steel horse, but it started breaking apart. I knew steel horse made an aluminum one so I started looking for that and eventually came across the Tailgator on eBay. I was never able to find a manufacturer website or anything, and never thought to look in the materials for one once I got it, sorry.

As far as the unit itself I am pretty happy so far. It seems really sturdy, and I attached it to the tailgate with about 20 self tapping screws so I doubt it's coming off. It has a locking latch mechanism that seems to be pretty tough, but if someone wanted in bad enough I'm sure a nice crowbar could probably get in. But really, if there willing to go that far nothings safe anywhere in your vehicle.

It would have no problem holding a couple of guns, and I think that it actually had an optional gun insert that had sleeves for 3 guns. I can't imagine that would be easy to find now though. Right now I have the insert that came with it in, but as you can see in my gallery half of the stuff I carry cant fit in it. I've actually been thinking about removng the insert and bolts that hold it and glueing a couple of peices of foam in. As far as waterproof goes I can't really tell you. I have had my topper on most of the time since I bought it. I have my topper off right now, and it is snowing so I'll go check it in a little while.

Like I said though, if you are interested just search as much as you can for stuff like tailbox (steel horse's name), tailgate toolbox, and Tailgator Toolbox. Sorry I couldn't help more.

 

Just my two cents, but don't do it. I had one of the aluminum treadbrite (diamond plate...whatever you want to call it) models (it was not branded as a Steel Horse, but it was identical to one...kind of like Beerstalkers....hmmm) in my previous truck. I had so many problems with it that I eventually pulled it out.

While it did have weather seals all the way around, I never got it to seal worth a damn. Between adding more seal material, caulk sealing, and some "tweaking" of the actual box, I got some semblence of water resistance, but it was never water proof. Beerstalker may have better luck beings that he's got a topper on his rig.

I've had a strong, gusty wind blow the box closed one night while we were out scouting a hunting site. It blew closed hard enough that it bounced...which allowed about 1/4 of my tools to come flying out. **grrrr** Nothing like scrounging around a mountainside in the dark for wrenches, pliers, sockets, screwdrivers, etc. Good thing there weren't any kids out there.

I swore that I "never" used the box of my truck. (Hell, I even had a hard tonneau cover on it.) But, almost everytime that I actually wanted to haul something, I ran into problems. Prime example: Try closing the tailgate after loading a couple sheets of plywood...didn't exactly think of that before leaving the house. *grrr* And, eventually, I ended up putting a pretty good bow into the damned thing trying to get things in & out of the box of the truck.

As Beerstalker stated, half the crap you would want to put into it won't fit. They made it slimline in hopes that you could slide stuff into the box of the truck a little easier, but this design in & of itself makes it skinny enough that you'll be disappointed most of the time you try to put anything but a standard hand tool or roll of tape in there. I actually had to empty out several pockets of the tool pouch insert that hangs in there in order to get a cordless drill to fit on one end of mine. (Have I mentioned the whole **grrr** factor?!?)

And then, just to add insult to injury. I had removed it in order to help a friend move some furniture. No biggie. Cordless drill made short work of all the screws that hold it onto the tailgate. It was pretty late by the time I made it back to the house...so re-attaching the tool box was the last thing on my mind. It was actually a couple of days before I got around to reinstalling it, and when I did, I found that the previous night's rainstorm had managed to put a startling amount of water inside my tailgate. Now what are the stupid freakin' chances that the rain would come in at just the right angle to enter the holes that were in my closed tailgate?!?! Obviously a lot better than I had ever given credit for.

In the end I removed it & got a more standard, fifth wheel style, tool chest (didn't want an over-the-rail for numerous reasons). It holds everything I have ever wanted to put into it & then some. I can drop my hard, rifle case (two rifles) into it without a problem, and have not had any of the issues I had with the tailgate box.

Seriously. Run away from it. Don't look back.

 

I'm sorry to hear that Deluxe had so many problems with it but I rather like mine. I don't keep anything all that important in it though, so I don't really care if it's completely waterproof. I keep my tow rope, a small air compressor, my trailer hitch, trailer hitch tow hook, trailer hitch lock, trailer wiring stuff, first aid kit, duct tape, and a couple other odds & ends back there. Nothing too improtant.

I just went out and checked and the inside of mine was dry. It has been raining/snowing all day so far and my truck has been parked outside. I have to say I was actually suprised by it not being at least a little wet because I didn't even add the extra weather strip that it came with.

I would have to say though, if you plan to hual a lot of tools back there be ready for a workout. The tailgates on our trucks aren't exactly light to begin with, and when you get the toolbox filled up they can get pretty heavy. I don't really have a problem shutting it but my mom and sister cant do it by themselves.