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Some Pics of Billy's Truck after the top ripped off.

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Josh Conrad

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Well, i guess the story is getting around, so I'll fill you in on what happened. As Billy and Mike were heading home from the Nationals in Delaware, the top of Billy's dog box blew off. They had just gone through Sydney Nebraska (just past the Cabela's store) when it happened. None of the dogs were injured and no ca...rs were hit by it, so everyone is safe. All the dogs were in the bottom holes.

They were able to get the top back on temporarily with the help of some of the Cabelas staff. They have about a million heavy duty straps holding it down.

They drove all day yesterday and got to Ainley late last night. The started working on it first thing this morning. Ron pulled everyone off of other projects so they could get Billy back on the road. I spoke to them a few hours ago, and they thought they would get done tonight and start their drive home.......again. they had to back track 750 miles to get to Ron's place, now they have 2000 miles left to get home.

OH, and it is a Bush box, 19 years old. Billy keeps his box in perfect shape, but the rivots in the top were just not serviceable.

BTW, Billy ordered a new box while he was there and already had a new truck ordered for the first of the year. So, he is putting his NEWLY SERVICED BOX AND HIS 2005 CHEVY UP FOR SALE $25000 FOR THE PACKAGE.

these are just two of the many straps used to hold the top on while they made the 750 mile trip to DeBuque Iowa.
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#3 ·
It's a dog box with a SUN ROOF. Dogs love em! Better views, fresh air, soakin' in the rays, the good life. What's not to love?
 
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#4 ·
Wow, all I can say is so glad no dogs were riding on top. Hope the rest of his ride home in uneventfull.
 
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#8 ·
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#10 ·
BonMallari said:
Not familiar with it but if it was that old .....
Click to expand...

If it was that old WHAT ?.....

Might I inform you that 70-year-old DC-3s are still flying and working for a living, and that the average age of piston driven planes is well over 30 years.

john
 
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#12 ·
john fallon said:
If it was that old WHAT ?.....

Might I inform you that 70-year-old DC-3s are still flying and working for a living, and that the average age of piston driven planes is well over 30 years.

john
Click to expand...
More like 75 years old (DC-3), but not an accurate comparrison since aircraft are made differently than dog boxes and routine maintenance/inspections are more stringent.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Thomas D said:
More like 75 years old (DC-3), but not an accurate comparrison since aircraft are made differently than dog boxes and routine maintenance/inspections are more stringent.
Click to expand...
Of course the plane's inspections are more stringent, as well they should be considering the shear and tension forces exerted against them while flying v driving .

But, in both cases, we are talking about a metal skin riveted to a metal frame are we not ?
In which case the culprit may have been fatigue brought about by dissimilar metals if it were a SS skin on an Alum. frame where (?)rivet compatibility may have been the issue.

Who knows for sure, it's just fortunate that it turned out as well as it did.

Am also the owner of a 20 yo box regards
john
 
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#14 ·
A lesson for all of us. We notice when our door hinges / handle mechanism become worn but we need to check the overall structural integrity of our boxes/toppers. They do flex and fastners used in their construction will wear. If you notice any rivet heads missing / loose they need to be replaced and done properly with the correct size {dia/length} and type fastner {others adjacent to them also}. Don't just go to the local autoparts store and buy any old "pop" rivet {non-structural}.

Carl
 
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#15 ·
Bill and Michael were fortunate that the top did not act like an airplane wing and flip the truck. they are also fortunate that it was the National and Bill did not have his usual full compliment of dogs in the topper like at a regular trial stop.someone's guardian angels were definitely looking out for them
 
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#17 ·
While in ND duck hunting this year the guy I was with had a 8 hole topper that almost fell off. The bolts that hold the topper to the box broke and thank God we noticed that the box was off center before it fell off. We were also lucky to find a repair shop within a few miles to put it back on securely. Lesson learned to check all mounts and bolts!!
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Mike Peters-labguy23 said:
While in ND duck hunting this year the guy I was with had a 8 hole topper that almost fell off. The bolts that hold the topper to the box broke and thank God we noticed that the box was off center before it fell off. We were also lucky to find a repair shop within a few miles to put it back on securely. Lesson learned to check all mounts and bolts!!
Click to expand...
Mike, Michael Moore and I just rebolted his topper down. The old bolts pretty much shredded his bed (which it was bolted to) We added 1/2 thick 4" x 4" plastic washers that i had made. Box is back to being nice and snug now. But mike will keep checking them.
 
#20 ·
A Busch Box is one made by Dale Bush of College Station Texas. He has gotten out of the business more or less and now makes stainless cages for zoos, vets, etc.

The Bush Box is actually one of the best made boxes around, double stanless doors and walls and heavy duty insulation. I have one of them as does Karl Gunzer, John and Martha Russell, Loren Morehouse and others.

However, the top is riveted on and will break if enough stress is laid on the truck or over time.

I ran into a washout in a road after a huge rain and did not have time to stop. Where the road once was now had a big culvert and no road around it! I, bounced the hell out of the truck and the rear wheels then hit, knocking the back of the topper off the frame. I took it to a shop and had them bolt it in with sheet metal screws. It's not going anywhere now.
 
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