[Tim Fitzgerald]

I am considering buying a mountain top 3 hole slide in box with the two full bottom drawers and front closet. It weights 650 pounds. My issue is that there will be times when I want to remove the box (non training months) or to save fuel mileage on long trips that arent dog related. Just wanted some opinions from those that have a system for removal?? I do not have access to a forklift. I will be using a chain hoist and will most likely build some sort of lift truss out of 6x6s anchored in concrete for the removal process...
How difficult has your experience been with removal, IE hoisting it out then getting it back in.
Also how much did box affect fuel economy..? In addition, it will not be bolted to the bed so what are other anchor options?

I was set on buying a 6 hole trailer but after reading some reviews about the dogs bouncing, dirt, exhaust etc I am pretty sure I want to keep the dogs on the truck for a better ride. Storing my gear in one place was my main objective and i can do this as well as easily access the gear due to the long drawer slides without having to get into truck.

In addition, I can get a better quality built product with the three hole for less money that I would have paid for a trailer built of lesser quality.

Just curious if anyone on here has done this??

Any pictures or set ups would be appreciated. Also the tech from mountain top suggested that I have them install lifting eyes on the box

 

[MIChessies]

I was in your position last fall. After seeing how heavy and huge the boxes were, a forklift was my only option. Believe me they don't MOVE without being bolted down. I drive fast and take corners without slowing down. Haven't lost a dog yet LOL.

I also considered a 4 hole trailer. After watching other trailers being bounced around, I went with the three hole.

I have an F150 with Ecobost and I get 22 mpg on highway and 18.5 in town.

Good Luck but I asked the guys at Mountaintop about a hoist and they were totally against it due to the weight of the unit.

 

[Chris Videtto]

I have the same box from MTCK! I bolted it down by the corners of the floor by the drawers through the bed of the truck. I have not noticed a significant drop in fuel mileage! It is on a 2008 Tundra. I am thinking of adding some suspension upgrades cause it does sag a little! Not sure on taking in and out as mine is in for good! For the most part. Hope that helps a bit!

Chris

 

[Grasshopper]

As long as your hoist will handle the weight (especially of you full drawer system) and you can back your truck directly under it, and can add some eye hooks or something similar to the box and drawer system to give you some attachment points (good luck with this, I know), lifting them in and out of your truck shouldn't be too much of a PITA. Just keep several 4 wheel dollies to set the stuff on so you can wheel it out of the way.

But, if you are wanting to transport your dogs "in" your truck rather than in a trailer for safety reasons, I think you lose out by not having both the drawers and box bolted or attached with turn buckles to the truck bed. It's not the day to day driving that I would be worried about, but if you are in an accident, what keeps the box from flying out of your truck and bouncing down the road?

Forgot to add, I have a MTCK full length drawer system chocked full of stuff (bolted down) with a 2 hole deerskin (secured to the bed with turnbuckles) in my GMC 2500HD and I get almost 22 mpg on the highway. I got tired of hoisting the box in and out of our "farm truck" which is also used to pull a horse trailer, so I got my own truck.

Just a thought,
Kathryn

 

[Tim Fitzgerald]

My thoughts too grasshopper..., I want to use turn buckles or something of the sort. Thanks for everyones replies so far. I plan on bolting the drawer set to the box, just wont be bolted to the bed....

For those that have the MTK, how do you like it and what are the individual hole dimensions? I believe they are 38" deep, seems kind of small??? Does the water inside the tank stay semi cool in summer??, I live in LA, what about summer time box temps?

 

[DKR]

I do it all the time. Take a look at the product review page under Ainley Deerskin link. My box is built in two pieces where the box and drawer are actually separate. The drawers bolt to the bed and the box bolts to the drawers.

Deerskin put 4 d-rings on the box and the drawers, I use tiedown straps I can adjust to get the box or drawers out while level. I had an i-beam mounted in the shop and went to Harbor Freight and bought a hoist and trolley, it takes about 10 minutes to take in and out.

If I could I would suggest you bolt it in the bed a huge bump or an accident could be tragic.

 

[BuddyJ]

Just have Ben weld angle clips in each corner and you can make a four way bridle to lift it out anytime you like. I did not notice any change in fuel mileage in my 1/2 ton ford pickup and I drive interstate to most of the tests and trials. My box also has the drawers and the front closet.

 

[Brad B]

I've taken mine out several times. First using a come-a-long on an overhead beam of some covered parking I had access to at work. Now I use my tractor and some forks on the bucket. Takes a steady hand and the truck has some scratches to show but it's not a big deal to me.
Mine is not bolted down. I have it mounted on 4.6 timbers that allow it to be positioned where I can store wingers and such in front of and under it. The timbers also run the full length of the bed so it prevents the box from shifting fore and aft in the bed.
It's pretty simple to take in and out. I have it out now for some repairs. Takes me about 10 mintues I guess to pick it up and put it in the truck.

 

[dturner]

I have a two hole MTK with drawer. I bought an electric winch from Cabela's on sale for $89. Check the weight ratings. I mounted the winch on a steel rod that is mounted to the ceiling joists of my barn. I back the truck in and lift it out. I drive out and lower the box on platform with casters to roll out of the way. Works great and I can do it all by myself.

Doug

 

[Thomas D]

I have an 06 F-150, and if I remember correctly, the drawer platform did not drop right in over the top.. It had to be put in from the back and slid some. I think it depends on your truck box measurements.

As far as suspension upgrades, get some Supersprings installed. Mine sagged about an inch and after the Supersprings it rides great with no loss of cornering etc. cost about $120.

Just tell John and Ben what you want to do and they will make it happen.

 

[Jamee Strange]

Is this the mileage you get with the box?? Just curious because I too have an ecoboost F150 and those are my averages too. Thanks!

I was in your position last fall. After seeing how heavy and huge the boxes were, a forklift was my only option. Believe me they don't MOVE without being bolted down. I drive fast and take corners without slowing down. Haven't lost a dog yet LOL.

I also considered a 4 hole trailer. After watching other trailers being bounced around, I went with the three hole.

I have an F150 with Ecobost and I get 22 mpg on highway and 18.5 in town.

Good Luck but I asked the guys at Mountaintop about a hoist and they were totally against it due to the weight of the unit.

 

[Tim Fitzgerald]

I now have this box. 750 lbs worth...I have a cummins 5.9 and I do indeed believe I have lost 1-2 mpg with he box. Call it wind drag / weight etc but that is what my trip meter tells me and thats with no water in tank or dogs....

In addition, unless you have a gantry crane or a forlift, box is not coming out period!

Also, Box "Does" move if not bolted down.....IE side to side to the point that I finally had to take action; solved the problem with a four turnbuckles for anchor points.....

 

[Justin Allen]

Can't help with the removal part but no need to bolt it down. My deerskin three hole hasn't moved since I got it a year ago. Never mind. Don't read to the end.

 

[Thomas D]

I now have this box. 750 lbs worth...I have a cummins 5.9 and I do indeed believe I have lost 1-2 mpg with he box. Call it wind drag / weight etc but that is what my trip meter tells me and thats with no water in tank or dogs....

In addition, unless you have a gantry crane or a forlift, box is not coming out period!

Also, Box "Does" move if not bolted down.....IE side to side to the point that I finally had to take action; solved the problem with a four turnbuckles for anchor points.....

I had about 1/2 inch play on each side of the wheel well. I planed some PT pine down to the correct width and made a snug fit between the drawer system and wheel well. No movement now. Box is bolted to the drawer system and drawer system has a tie down on it that is attached to the tie down on the truck. I don't believe you can rely on the weight to keep it in place.

 

[MIChessies]

Is this the mileage you get with the box?? Just curious because I too have an ecoboost F150 and those are my averages too. Thanks!


Yes, after one year I'm still getting about 18.5 to 19 city and 23 on the highway. Just love my F150 and the boxes are working out beautifully!!! I now have 3 dogs and couldn't imagine having 3 cages in my previous SUV!!!

 

[Rhenee Fadling]

We have an insulated Crow River three-hole box, it's 6 years old now. We pretty much have the truck it's in dedicated to being the dog truck. My husband has a backhoe, so he can take it in and out with a strap and the bucket, but we've had it out of the current truck maybe 3 times. We've never felt like it's really had an effect on mileage, it's in a 1 ton Dodge Ram diesel. I can't imagine not having it bolted to the bed, it's bolted to a pedestal, which is bolted to the bed of the truck for the safety of the dogs.

 

[Clark]

Believe me they don't MOVE without being bolted down.

From experience, I can tell you this is 100% inaccurate. Bolt it down.

A 3 hole Deerskin crushed the bed of my F350.

 

[Jamee Strange]

From experience, I can tell you this is 100% inaccurate. Bolt it down.

A 3 hole Deerskin crushed the bed of my F350.

OUCH!! That's no good. Thanks for that info! Sorry to hear that- hope no one got hurt...

 

[Tim Fitzgerald]

Mine is not "bolted as previously mentioned, but it is cranked down with turnbuckles via holes in the corner of the frame to ensure solid engagement at the recommendation of mountain top. As mentioned earlier my box moved in all directions for the day that I did not have it anchored. Roads in louisiana here are pretty rough.... Now I feel good about the security of the box although it is not bolted it hasnt moved at all in one month (measurements taken)