quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
I hunted with a guy last year with a Tuffpack, and since I had to cart his stuff home from Africa, I am a little familiar with Tuffpack.

I was not terribly impressed - a plastic tube with guns inside with soft cases. Am I missing something?

If that is all a Tuffpack is, I will take an aluminum case everytime. I don't care how much crap I can put in the gun case - protecting my guns is job No.1, and guns in a softcase inside a plastic shell are not as secure as those compressed between foam in an aluminum case. Perhaps that is why both of my guns were spot on when I arrived. Couldn't say the same for my partner's.

I agree totally in principal. The diference is I think the Browning Travel Vault is the ultimate in protection. It will not dent, mine has what I believe to be tire tracks on it, and my guns have always arrived without any problems and perfect zero.

Harry, I am a very happy Tuffpak user and found you very nice to deal with at the DSCC last year.
The case does need a back up lock mechanism in case the safe lock is broken.

Why haven't you addressed this issue streight up? You owe the gentleman from Norway an apology.


Bullsprig


sc

quote:

Originally posted by douglast:
I think that the concern over the Tuffpak lock is unwarranted. To avoid the potential of having someone from TSA destroy the lock in order to inspect, YOU have to take the responsibility and make sure they do all of their tire-kicking before you allow them to lock it. PERIOD...
Doug

Doug, the bowcase that I had the locks cut on last fall had been hand-inspected and tagged by TSA while I watched in Grand Junction. When I got home (three connections later) the locks and locking rods had been cut off and there was another sticker saying that it had been opened for inspection.

I think that all of the inspectors essentially make up their own rules. If they feel like opening something they will do it whether it has already been inspected or not. They don't get fired for inspecting too much.

I don't know how to prevent that, but I am open to suggestion.

Cable lock?

Has anyone tried lawndart's suggestion (8/22/04 above) to drill a hole in the handle and use a cable lock in an EMERGENCY?

Harry,

I don't understand your position on this. What is the downside to putting a back-up pad lock ring on the case. If one client of yours has the integral lock damaged and as a result his rifles damaged because it couldn't be locked again that would be a shame. If the same happens today, after you have become aware of the problem and could have easily fixed it, that is negligence on Tuffpak's part IMO. It would really be the easiest fix in the world for you guys to implement. The whole my product is the best and is infallible routine isn't going to get you as many customers and may even lose you a few.

So whats the deal? If people are saying that this little change would make them supremely confident in your product why wont you make the change. I mean, afterall, it is your clients confidence that you are after. Isn't it?

I gave the whole "destroyed-lock-on-the-Tuffpak" situation some serious thought a couple of years ago, and the best "easy alternative" I came up with was that I taped some cable ties to the inside of the lid of the Tuffpak so that the inspector could "cable lock" the two ends of the strap together if the lock is destroyed during an inspection (I also tape a note to that effect inside the lid). I make a point to ask the TSA agent to use a cable tie after hand inspecting and locking the case at the originating airport as well (so maybe someone further down the line might get the idea to replace it if another inspection is done).

The same objective could be met with a short "bicycle lock cable", but it would be no more secure, since the strap would be the weak point anyway.

So far I haven't had any problems, but better safe than sorry (especially with such cheap insurance).

Jim

Gary Loveless of Loveless Boots in OKC had to send the TSA boys in LA or San Fran (he was inbound from NZ) his keys to open his case. They admitted they took a hammer and cold chisel to his lock...didn't open. He is still using the same case, same lock, same everything.
Now, remember Russell Taylor (I think that was his name) the service guy that went to Africa and forgot his keys (and money too evidently) well..according to his story as I recall it took him several hours to saw out his lock but he relocked the case by attaching a chain thru the hole in the top of lid where lock had been and thru the handle on the side of the bottom pc. Guns came home fine.
Mbogo 375 seems to have seen the same answer to the question and pre solved a problem which has yet to arise for him. Way to go Mbogo.
Before I came on board with Tuffpak as a dealer (I hold no stock in the company) the case was being marketed as a gun case and that it is, however, I think that is the wrong concept. I see Tuffpak as a case in which one carries gear and if you are a hunter your firearms too.
What I am selling is a well constructed empty hole for money. It transports goods around the world protected...what ever the goods are. How you pack the goods is your choice.
I read the post here from the guys that say they have had no problems and I stand in the booths at Reno, Dallas and Houston and hear what the customers say to us there.
We have listened to what you say and made improvements you have suggested such as the Tuffsak and the newer handle. If we see a problem then we try and correct it. Our object is to sell more case to satisfied customers.
We have not had a problem with our locks, we have not had complaints from people that have actually had their Tuffpaks opened, we have not found a lock that was not some cheesy thing that could be opened with a hairpin that we could use to keep things secure.
We can not be all things to all people but to date we seem to be serving the majority of you well and we do appreciate your business. We are not turning a deaf ear to what you say and the day we find a better mouse trap we will do our best to place it on a Tuffpak.
Just remember one thing....I am not selling a GUN case...I am marketing a case that holds what ever gear you wish to place in it including firearms. I assume you are smart enough to figure out how to protect your gear placed in this case just as you would if you were shipping items in a cardboard box.
The case must work as once again I remind you that all the major sporting arms manuf. are traveling to Reno, SHOT, etc. in Tuffpak cases. One manuf. has purchased 13 to date. They can not afford to arrive at a show exhibiting their product only to find it in various pcs.
If a gun case is ALL you need then Tuffpak may or may not be for you. Your Browning (aka Pelican), SKB, Cascade, ICC, Starlight, etc. may more suit your needs.
If you need a gun / bow and gear case I hope you will consider using Tuffpak cases.
Better tomorrows!

Hi All,

When I was in the market for a gun case, my partner and I decided on a "travel case." We decided on the SKB travel case. A plastic case to put in gear and rifles in their soft case. We didn't see the advantage to the tuffpac for the extra money.

After numerous trips, the travel case situation did not work for me. It began to be a pain to open the case with all the other items inside. It was bulky and hard to fit in vehicles. Most important, the locking situation on the SKB was a joke. Even with a padlock in place, I could pop the latch with a ballpoint pen. The latches were made with soft cheap metal. Many times when we retrieved our cases the latches were unlocked. I spoke to someone from SKB at the shot show and it went over their head. This case is gone.

I then went to a "gun case." I got the pelican 1750, since many people liked it. It wasn't for me. They are too heavy and they will not stand up. Let go of the case and it hits the floor and slides. I hate to have to bend over everytime to pick it up. I did not like the latches, too much play which was a pain to close it up.

I settled on the alum case by Kalispel. It has worked great for me.

I guess what it comes down to is what a person wants. I want my gun protected and the ease of travel. Alum case is light and has wheels and it stands up with no problem and it goes into and out of vehicles with no problem. I don't need a travel case. I have learned to pack lighter. If I have more room, I just stuff more junk to take along or bring home.

Lastly, if anyone wants the pelican case, which has never left my garage since I brought it home for $100 bucks do me a favor and come get it.

Regards, PG

I have used the starlight on three trips to Africa and I can't imagine a better way to protect your rifles. With the Starlight there are three layers of 2" thick foam. You trace your rifles on the middle layer and cut out the foam to fit the exact shape of your rifle. this way any shock is distributed evenly over the entire rifle. If some ape drops the case on end the shock is absorbed by the toe line of the stock, the front of the pistol grip, the front of the scope, the end of the fore end, the nose of the comb, the front of the trigger guard, and the sights and sling studs in addition to the crown of the barrel.

In a case like the tuffpack the crown is the only thing absorbing all the abuse if dropped end down. I could use my Starlight like a Tuffpack by removing all the foam and putting the rifles in soft cases but I don't trust this set-up.

But what really scares me about the Tuffpack is the thought of the it being dropped with the rifle positioned with the scope towards the bottom of the case(ground). I have never seen a soft case that I would trust to protect a scope in such a fall.

That said, you won't hear many Tuffpack owners complain.

Jason

Well, it looks like time has stood still for Tuffpak when it comes to addressing an easily solved weakness.

I wouldn't hesitate buying a Tuffpak in if they incorperated some kind of backup padlock system from the factory.

But why should I as the customer pay $350 for a product, just to have to get out a saw, drill, or whatever tools are needed to make a simple improvment that should be there in the first place?

Agreed. I don't know if I will buy another one either. I hope they get the message. I sent an email to customer service regarding this improvement. I suggest anyone interested do the same. It is on their website.

ErikD
The object of our game is to prevent unauthorized entry. If you take any of the cases to where you can work on unnoticed them you can open any of them buy cutting locks, driving out hinge pins etc. Locks are to keep out honest people.
Now...you have made negative comments about this and that but you have not told us how to actually solve a problem that you see.
In my post about how one person was forced to saw out their own lock due to forgetfulness on their part I told you how they were still able to lock their case and get things home. Once again you took a positive and tried to turn it into a negative.
I suspect that you just don't care for Tuffpak and are most happy to try and fuel controversy about a problem that has yet to rear its head.

To the poster worried about a dead end drop:
As to dropping things on their end. I am not sure a lone soft case would protect your firearm either but many people that are just taking firearms only are placing foam cut outs in both ends of the case.
I use both Boyt and Uncle Mike's soft cases. I like my Boyt best but if I need to take up a lot of width I use the Uncle Mike's because they are fatter due to the foam. Boyt uses a cotton batten between canvas.
Many of us have so much "stuff" in the case that there is usually something else over both ends of the soft case to start with so it takes any 'end only' lick with no problem. My hunting shoes are usually the first thing in the bottom of the case along with a fleece jacket and I never know what my wife packs in the case last. Last time Customs and I found 5 nested wooden bowls she had purchased when I opened the case.
I still think Tuffpak would take an 'end only' dead drop just as well as any case would. I have sold all the major cases in my store... Browning / Pelican, ICC, Starlight, Americase and I can't think of one that I would rank over the other in a dead drop, on end only spill.
Tuffpak is made of the material that the construction trash cans and the dumpster lids are made of and the beehive honeycomb shape gives it strength.
My first safari to Africa was with a Browning Travel Vault which came home with the corner broken off (no damage to guns) and my old metal Cascade case came with one of the over center locks sprung so bad that you had to beat open with a shoe heel (no damage to guns).
To date in 3 or 4 trips to Africa, various places in the USA via air and or UPS plus one trip to South America I have had no damage to anything and that includes the Tuffpak itself. You would think that someone along the way in all those trips would have had the chance to damage something. I have loaned my Tuffpak out for other safaris and the other folks goods made the trip with no damage. That resulted in multiple Tuffpak sales to them. I don't know how they packed.
Again...no way Tuffpak can be everything to all but to most Tuffpak gets top billing and we appreciate the business.
Better tomorrows!

quote:

Originally posted by Don_G:
Doug, the bowcase that I had the locks cut on last fall had been hand-inspected and tagged by TSA while I watched in Grand Junction. When I got home (three connections later) the locks and locking rods had been cut off and there was another sticker saying that it had been opened for inspection.

I think that all of the inspectors essentially make up their own rules. If they feel like opening something they will do it whether it has already been inspected or not. They don't get fired for inspecting too much.

I don't know how to prevent that, but I am open to suggestion.

Don,

Request that TSA car-seal the case when you are present. If it is car-sealed, there should not be any reason for another agent to make entry.

Doug

Question: How many of you who find the lack of a padlock hasp on the Tuffpak to be a deficiency would buy a Tuffpak if it was offered with an optional padlock mechanism?

What if a custom padlock locking system was offered for say, $40.00 installed?

How about a padlock retrofit kit for $25.00?

quote:

Originally posted by sargehuf:
Question: How many of you who find the lack of a padlock hasp on the Tuffpak to be a deficiency would buy a Tuffpak if it was offered with an optional padlock mechanism?

I am disturbed by the lack of a padlock facility and although I currently own a tuffpak (T.P.), I would not purchase another one. Actually I do not plan to take my T.P. to Africa next trip because I am convinced a Starlight case offers better protection.

quote:

Originally posted by sargehuf:
Question: How many of you who find the lack of a padlock hasp on the Tuffpak to be a deficiency would buy a Tuffpak if it was offered with an optional padlock mechanism?

What if a custom padlock locking system was offered for say, $40.00 installed?

How about a padlock retrofit kit for $25.00?

I would definitely buy the retrofit kit for 25 bucks and/or pay for it as an option on a new case. I will not be buying another Tuffpak if the issue is not resolved.

What did I say about Pelican cases being all you need? Get one to put both rifles,and put everything else in those medium size olive containers.The starlight looks like another Pelican case.

quote:

Originally posted by Harry:
ErikD
The object of our game is to prevent unauthorized entry. If you take any of the cases to where you can work on unnoticed them you can open any of them buy cutting locks, driving out hinge pins etc. Locks are to keep out honest people.
Now...you have made negative comments about this and that but you have not told us how to actually solve a problem that you see.
In my post about how one person was forced to saw out their own lock due to forgetfulness on their part I told you how they were still able to lock their case and get things home. Once again you took a positive and tried to turn it into a negative.
I suspect that you just don't care for Tuffpak and are most happy to try and fuel controversy about a problem that has yet to rear its head.

Harry,

It seems you are intentionally misreading my words into something purely negative. I have even stated that I would be interested in buying a Tuffpak if it had the one single improvement that I and others mention. So accusing me of simply being out to fuel controversy is BS. I am merely pointing out a possible improvment of your product. As for me "solving a problem" that I see, what part of "if they incorperated some kind of backup padlock system from the factory" do you not understand. I am not a designer, but I am sure there are some people at the factory that are smart enough to figure out the details themselves, as long as they know what is wanted by the customers.

As for Russel Taylor being able to lock things up again, good for him, but I'm sure even he would have enjoyed having a hole or something already there to just slip a padlock thru, instead of having to go find a suitable chain in Africa (especially since he was apparently without money).

Now do you think some African official would bother to go find a suitable chain if the Tuffpak was opened without the owner present? I think not. However, if there is a padlock inside the case together with a letter politely asking that the case be locked up again with the padlock (if the regular lock was damaged by the customs monkeys), then I think the guns would at least be a a bit safer than with them closing up the case with some old piece of string...

Finally, I suggest you change the sales tactics you have shown here while you're ahead. It seems that you as a salesmen mistakenly think that acting arrogant makes your product look superiour...

EricD
It would seem that Mobo375 solved what has yet to become a problem with his case. One other poster suggested drilling a hole in the handle to run the wire and lock thru. Both sound like something any owner could do if they were worried or concerned.
When Mr. Kaplan decides he can make a worthwhile / practical design improvement to Tuffpak I am sure he will.
As to selling...being as I have made an excellent living doing such for some 40 years now I think I will stay the present course. If I misread pot stirring on your part then maybe you misread arrogance on mine.

quote:

If I misread pot stirring on your part then maybe you misread arrogance on mine.

If this is the case, then I apologize if I offended you.

But I stand my ground regarding who should be drilling holes into the case!

EricD
No problem...nothing like a couple of mossy horns locking up together now and then. Nothing wrong with you standing your ground on your opinion. When and if we come up with a good design change maybe Mr. Kaplan will call it the EricD option!
No Harm, No Foul.
Better tomorrows!

ErikD
I am going to make you an offer that might be of interest to you.
If you can pvt. E mail me the address of a pal of yours in the USA I will ship you a Tuffpak to try for 90 days at no risk. At the end of 90 days you are happy with the case I run your credit card...if not...you send the case home at your expense.
To ship you the case in Norway is too expensive for either of us but for someone to take it to Norway as luggage is easy.
Don't order needless to say until you are ready to go on a hunt as it won't do much good sitting at your buddies house.

500 Grains,
I want to take away all your concerns. I would hate for you to have such a worthless item like a Tuffpak sitting around that you can not use.
Send it back to me in proper condition (I mean both keys and in a good box) and I will refund half the money you paid for it. You will need to show me what you paid for it of course.
I don't want you stuck with goods you can't use for fear it won't work.
You reckon Starlight or any of the rest would make you that offer?

Wait a minute! Let's not stop talking about Mims' personality!!!

I've supported Mims for as long as I have known him. The two offers he just made Erik and 500grains are a couple of the reasons why.

(Can I buy 500's TufPak off you if you get it? )

quote:

Originally posted by Harry:
When and if we come up with a good design change maybe Mr. Kaplan will call it the EricD option!

I expect then the cases to have "ErikD" engraved in large white letters into the plastic!

Not to mention 5% of the cost of every case sold will have to forwarded to my Swiss bank account.

I do thank you for your offer, but alas I have no trip planned in the near future. I will however keep your offer in mind and get back to you when the time is ripe.

Now you're thinkin Longbob!!

quote:

Originally posted by Harry:
EricD
It would seem that Mobo375 solved what has yet to become a problem with his case. One other poster suggested drilling a hole in the handle to run the wire and lock thru. Both sound like something any owner could do if they were worried or concerned.
When Mr. Kaplan decides he can make a worthwhile / practical design improvement to Tuffpak I am sure he will.
As to selling...being as I have made an excellent living doing such for some 40 years now I think I will stay the present course. If I misread pot stirring on your part then maybe you misread arrogance on mine.

Harry,

Do you have auto insurance, health insurance, or life insurance? Think of this as just another type of insurance (TSA insurance ).

I never expected the lock to fail on it's own. Heck, I have used the same Tuffpak on over a half dozen trips to Africa now, plus another with a friend. I even watched it being tossed from the cargo compartment of a SAA jet onto the the runway at Vic Falls airport, and the only damage to case or contents was a few scratches on the outside (this happened another time with a heavy duty aluminum case, and resulted in a hole in the case, plus a bent fastener for the padlock).

That Tuffpak has traveled well over 100,000 miles on airlines, plus many miles in the back of Landrovers, Toyotas, etc, with a stop or two in other exotic places . It is still going strong, and should survive many more trips, if I can that is .

Jim

Here is my Tuffpak in a Pullman car in Africa.

Now that is what I call a combat veteran! What a cool photo.
Thanks for posting.
I have a neighbor one street over that is both a hunter and pro photographer. He too has a TP with hundreds of thousands of miles on it as he carries his light stands and tripods one day and his hunting gear the next. He goes all over the USA taking promo shot for a big condo building corp.
He uses it for hunting trips to MT, NM and will go on his first safari in June.
He laughs and says he can tell you every rent car trunk in the nation that a TP will fit in.
I will admit your case looks a bit more scuffed than mine. Just like the famous Timex saying..."Takes a licking and keeps on ticking!"
Matter of fact...my Rolex says on the face "Timex Indiglo"

I'm headed to Africa this summer, so I'm watching this "discussion" with some interest. Seems to be some validity to both sides.

I had about made up my mind to buy a Pelican because it might work best for my type of rifles, but if anyone has a used Tuffpak that is still fully functional, I am interested in buying used. I don't care if it is scratch free or if it looks like Jim's.

I'd also be interested in a Pelican 1750 (52" long) if anyone wants to unload one. Same deal. So long as it's fully functional, I don't care about cosmetics.

Brent
brentd@iastate.edu

quote:

Originally posted by Brent:

I had about made up my mind to buy a Pelican because it might work best for my type of rifles, but if anyone has a used Tuffpak that is still fully functional, I am interested in buying used. I don't care if it is scratch free or if it looks like Jim's.

Brent
brentd@iastate.edu

Not to dissapoint you guys, but actually my Tuffpak still cleans up rather nicely. In the photo it is covered with good old African dust (red dust in this instance, but dust nonetheless). It does have a few fairly deep scratches, and a BUNCH of shallow ones, but is still in good shape otherwise. Wish I was still in such good condition .

Jim

This is all the luggage I took w me to Africa.

A carry on (green) and a tough pack.



Ammo in locked pistol case inside tough pack.

In Zimbabwe airline security escorted me downstairs into the luggage area and stood w me as I unlocked the toughpack so they could confirm the ammo box was locked.

I would not "dis" the 3rd world airport security in Zim. They need our hunters dollars and treated me like royalty comming and going.

Andy

It is great to see all the photos and learn how you use them.
Thanks for the postings.
Mr. Kaplan loves photos of you and your Tuffpak on safari. Keep them coming.
Better tomorrows.

quote:

Originally posted by Andy:
This is all the luggage I took w me to Africa.

A carry on (green) and a tough pack.



Ammo in locked pistol case inside tough pack.

In Zimbabwe airline security escorted me downstairs into the luggage area and stood w me as I unlocked the toughpack so they could confirm the ammo box was locked.

I would not "dis" the 3rd world airport security in Zim. They need our hunters dollars and treated me like royalty comming and going.

Andy

I thought it was a big No No to travel with ammo in the gun case.

.

Wait a minute -- one of you has his name and address painted on the Tuffpak, another has a flag sticker.

I tried to tape a label on mine and couldn't find anything that would stick. The Tuffpak is the only duct-tape resistant object on earth!

So what's the trick?

Harry,

We like the tuffpak design. I used mine now for several African and Alaska/Canada trips with expected results. I've even loaned mine to clients to use. No Problems. I do believe my new Searcy .470 double will be quite at home in the new Tuffpak I just ordered from you last week. SWEET!

quote:

Originally posted by Harry:

500 Grains,
I want to take away all your concerns. I would hate for you to have such a worthless item like a Tuffpak sitting around that you can not use.
Send it back to me in proper condition (I mean both keys and in a good box) and I will refund half the money you paid for it. You will need to show me what you paid for it of course.
I don't want you stuck with goods you can't use for fear it won't work.
You reckon Starlight or any of the rest would make you that offer?

Harry, I am not trying to sell you a T.P., and this king of sarcastic B.S. offer, which mixes arrogance and ignorance in equal proportions, just turns off actual and potential customers. Be certain that even if the T.P. were the best case on earth, I would not do business with a man who displays such a poor attitude toward customer concerns.

tuff pak still gets my vote after all this !

500 Grains,
You posted your concerns about Tuffpak and I don't see where my offer to unload you out of an unsatisfatory item is being sarcastic.
Maybe you didn't like me asking you if Starlight or Pelican would make you the same offer. Maybe you just read more into my post than is really there.

Harry,

Your so-called "offer" is full of "Gotcha!". Do you really think I have the box? And if a T.P. is so tough, why does it need to be shipped in a box anyway? Of course I could sell it on ebay to someone who does not know about one of my guns getting damaged in a T.P. for 50 bucks less than I paid, so your half price deal is another Gotcha. But you were intending all of that. It doesn't matter anyway because I would not do business with a person who displays such an attitude towards customers.

My advice in the future will be for travelling hunters to avoid T.P. because of:

1. lack of packlock fixture

2. poor attitude displayed by its sales rep. (that would be you)

3. inadequate protection for rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by Harry:
500 Grains,
You posted your concerns about Tuffpak and I don't see where my offer to unload you out of an unsatisfatory item is being sarcastic.
Maybe you didn't like me asking you if Starlight or Pelican would make you the same offer. Maybe you just read more into my post than is really there.

Gimme a break.