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Expected Life of a Tuffpak
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I have a Tuffpak that is about 12 years old but I haven’t used it since 2019. It has just been sitting in an extra bedroom for the last 6 years. Prior to that I think used it on 5 or 6 trips.

I was just curious how long others have used Tuffpaks.

Thanks!!!


Go Duke!!
 
Posts: 1339 | Location: Texas | Registered: 25 January 2009Reply With Quote
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The end cap carry strap broke on mine last trip. A call to tuffpak and I got a new strap and rivets to fix it. I don't see why one would not outlast its owner.
 
Posts: 1616 | Location: NC | Registered: 10 June 2002Reply With Quote
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I've had mine for about 13 or 14 yrs maybe longer and it appears to still be in good shape.


Zim 2006
Zim 2007
Namibia 2013
Brown Bear Togiak Nat'l Refuge Sep 2010
Argentina 2019
RSA 2023
Tanzania 2024
Zimbabwe 2025
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Posts: 328 | Registered: 26 February 2013Reply With Quote
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I have had mine since 2009 and it has taken 6 international trips and 5 or 6 state side trips.

the only issue that I have is you need to put some lock-tite on the bolt for the locking mechanism.

no issues with the strap as I keep it tight and never use it.

I do put a purple luggage strap around the case through the handle part to ease In spotting at the airport.

on some trips, there have been numerous cases and they all looked the same, except mine.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"You've got the strongest hand in the world. That's right. Your hand. The hand that marks the ballot. The hand that pulls the voting lever. Use it, will you" John Wayne
 
Posts: 1693 | Location: West River at Heart | Registered: 08 April 2012Reply With Quote
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.

Timely thread for me as I am looking for a new case that will hold 2-3 guns. Have read that a Tuffpak can hold 3 sleeved rifles with scopes. Anyone got any experience that they can share here - especially the older Tuffpak users.

Not looking to derail this thread but rather adding on if thats ok Wink

.


"Up the ladders and down the snakes!"
 
Posts: 2450 | Location: South Africa & Europe | Registered: 10 February 2014Reply With Quote
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I'm not sure how long I've had my Tuffpak but it's made a lot of trips across the pond and still looks good.

My Tuffpak holds two scoped rifles and a double with room for an ammo belt on top.
 
Posts: 1879 | Location: Sinton, Texas | Registered: 08 November 2006Reply With Quote
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I bought my TuffPak in 1996 for my first safari, to RSA. Then it went back in 2002 to Zimbabwe.

I took it on a couple of domestic hunts; it's been sitting in my garage for the last 11 years.

Except for a few scuff marks it looks the same as the day I bought it almost 30 years ago.


LTC, USA, RET
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Proud son of Texas A&M, Class of 1969

"A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" Robert Browning
 
Posts: 1565 | Location: Native Texan Now In Jacksonville, Florida, USA | Registered: 10 July 2000Reply With Quote
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I've had a TuffPack for ~20 years, but honestly don't use it that often these days. It has been on multiple international and domestic trips, and always worked just fine. Most of the time I now prefer a Pelican case for my rifles.

The 50 pound weight limit on many airlines is the major issue for the TuffPack. If you are on a ticket that allows 70 pound bags, it is very useful. I don't think most soft cases provide sufficient cushioning, and I like to stuff additional gear, clothing, padding, etc., into the TuffPack. You will very quickly exceed 50 pounds if adding more than the rifles. I do still take it to Alaska, as I can usually get a fishing pole or two in the case along with the rifles. I find this less of an advantage when traveling internationally, so opt for the Pelican case on those flights.
The TuffPack definitely has its advantages, but like most everything, there is no "perfect" case for all situations.
Bill
 
Posts: 1117 | Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | Registered: 19 March 2002Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Charlie64:
.

Timely thread for me as I am looking for a new case that will hold 2-3 guns. Have read that a Tuffpak can hold 3 sleeved rifles with scopes. Anyone got any experience that they can share here - especially the older Tuffpak users.

Not looking to derail this thread but rather adding on if thats ok Wink

.


Here is how I pack my Tuffpak:

I have taken 2 rifles (bolt out and in the side of the case) and some times a shotgun in soft cases

I put my backpack in the bottom filled with my rangefinder and ammo belt and carriers.

next you place your rifles barrel down in the soft cases.

I usually will have a plastic bag with clothing gifts for the crew. Hats & Long sleeve t-shirts.

then weigh the case. I try to be at 48.5 pounds. that has worked for me at the airline scales.

by packing your rifles this way you are able to slide the rifle out for inspection and then replace it in the soft case when you need to do this in Africa.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"You've got the strongest hand in the world. That's right. Your hand. The hand that marks the ballot. The hand that pulls the voting lever. Use it, will you" John Wayne
 
Posts: 1693 | Location: West River at Heart | Registered: 08 April 2012Reply With Quote
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I have taken 3 rifles in mine a few times.

I had to pay over weight fees when I did so.

Getting 3 scoped rifles in their cases into the tuffpack isn’t a problem. Making the 50# weight limit when doing so definitely is.

I’ve had mine since 2010, and it’s been on 20-30 hunting trips through the airlines. One of my better luggage purchases.

I still have the Storm case I started with, and it’s in good shape, but I tended to get into over weight limit with just 2 rifles with it, and they often required rezeroing on arrival. It may well be that back then I left the bolt in the gun that was causing the problem. Nevertheless, I use the tuffpack except for 3 gun events (because placing a bunch of AR mags works better in the storm case).
 
Posts: 11954 | Location: Minnesota USA | Registered: 15 June 2007Reply With Quote
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Mine came from my Father. He must have bought it close to 30 years ago. I can’t count the number of trips it has made internationally and domestically. Two cased scoped rifles with jackets, etc. as extra padding has been close to the weight limit, but never over.

I loaned it to my buddy who is an outfitter in Argentina to replenish his shotguns. He can get four Berettas/Benellis in sleeves without a fitment or weight issue. He has done that at least three times now. They are only allowed to import two guns per year, but he always has an employee or family member to make four guns.

He is also a big golfer and has stuck clubs in there with the shotguns. That reminds me, it resembles exactly that, a hard case for golf clubs, which lessens scrutiny from the unknown person.

It has plenty of scuffs, but the integrity is sound. It has definitely paid for itself many times over.


I meant to be DSC Member...bad typing skills.

Marcus Cady

DRSS
 
Posts: 3524 | Location: Dallas | Registered: 19 March 2008Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Texas Blue Devil:
I have a Tuffpak that is about 12 years old but I haven’t used it since 2019. It has just been sitting in an extra bedroom for the last 6 years. Prior to that I think used it on 5 or 6 trips.

I was just curious how long others have used Tuffpaks.
I’m curious how these cases hold up during long-term storage. I also have a Tuffpak that hasn’t been used in years — no visible issues yet, but I wonder about the gaskets degrading. Has anyone experienced problems after leaving them idle? And where do you store yours at home — dry place or any humidity risks?
Thanks!!!
 
Posts: 13 | Registered: 27 June 2025Reply With Quote
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Mine was stored inside in a semi climate controlled environment for the past 20 years. It was in a garage for about 10 years prior.

If you have doubts, treat it like a baggage handler and see what happens.


I meant to be DSC Member...bad typing skills.

Marcus Cady

DRSS
 
Posts: 3524 | Location: Dallas | Registered: 19 March 2008Reply With Quote
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Ive had mine since before I moved to Idaho 41 years ago, and its been to Africa 50 some odd times is my best guess...My traveling days are over, I will sell it for any decent offer???? any offers, its as good as new.


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42554 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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Mine has made over 30 overseas trips and quite a few domestic trips....its scuffed up and beat up but still works great!

I don't look like a newbie when I'm dragging it around Wink

I have taken three rifles in it many times....but yep...overweight!

.
 
Posts: 43558 | Location: Crosby and Barksdale, Texas | Registered: 18 September 2006Reply With Quote
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