Truck bed drawers - Decked, Truck vault, Frontrunner

[sndmn11]

We have this thing going on, it's great. https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/truck-topper-pop-top-canopy-camper.416839/

I'd like to learn more about bed drawers; experiences, dos/don'ts, etc., and brands. I know there's Decked, Frontrunner, and Truckvault, but there's probably more.

I'd also be interested to see your diy stuff and understand that cost.


The bin against the cab is permanent truck stuff like recovery and a lot of tools. I think I'd use drawers for needed quick access hunt stuff, some of this tools, maybe the bow of it would fit, and other random things.


@KickinNDishin

 

[justinspicher]

I put a set of drawers from Dobson in my GX470 and they are beyond awesome. I keep my recovery gear in a pelican 1750 that I can strap to the roof or put in the back.

 

[180ls1]

The amount of space they take up in relation to the storage is worse than a guy may think, especially with a topper.

 

[sndmn11]

The amount of space they take up in relation to the storage is worse than a guy may think, especially with a topper.

Can you expand on that with some examples?

I put a set of drawers from Dobson in my GX470 and they are beyond awesome. I keep my recovery gear in a pelican 1750 that I can strap to the roof or put in the back.

Stop by next time you come to the big D?

 

[justinspicher]

I can stop by. It’ll be in a few weeks.

 

[justinspicher]

Do they take up space? Yep. Do they help organize? Yep.

 

[180ls1]

Can you expand on that with some examples?


Stop by next time you come to the big D?

There is a certain amount of space lost due to material and clearance on the top, bottom, sides etc… . I think the decked system would be better off 2” taller. It wouldn’t eat up that much more room in the bed but would add a meaningful amount more storage.

See if you can find someone that has one in their truck and take a look.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Like everything, it’s a trade off.

In my 05 tundra I made some out of 2x12 and plywood.
The front was lift up like a tool box
And I had two 48” drawers.
That truck had the plastic drop in bed liner so they slide pretty easy.
But the front box was a pain if there was gear on top.


Then I had a big metal set of drawers.
Truck vault sounds familiar.
Those were great. But 6” too long for the new truck.
I basically set plywood on top for a platform.


I have a gen one decked now. It’s ok and probably the best for use with you’re topo

As the platform and not having worry about wheel wells is great. You can set bins on top in any configuration.

But like another poster said, because they are a composite material there quite beefy to be durable.
The drawers are kinda shaped like a canoe if that makes sense.
Not 90 degrees.
They also come with these little pieces you’re supposed to double side tape into the grooves of the bed floor. I don’t use these because I have a spray in bed liner and don’t think they would stick.

The drawer that has my tools and recovery gear definitely is in worse shape.

I wish the drawers were tall enough to fit my chainsaw. And I cut the edge of my shovel down as well to get it to fit on edge.

I tho the gen 2 decked is better.

Fitting 6pt bulls on top of platform and getting them under the rear opening can be a challenge.
Lifting loaded coolers on top that far away from my shoulders is also a challenge.

I am not very handy at all.
But I think the ultimate design would be one larger drawer with boxes/deviders.
Platform over the wheel wells.
And some kind of cut out/slider for the cooler.
Or the drawer on that side is short and the cooler sits in front.
Or you put a fridge/cooler slide out on top.
That way you don’t have to lift the cooler up.
And it’s easy to get into.

Ohh and with a regular canopy, usually the cooler lids won’t fully open sitting on top of the platform.
Basically the cooler becomes a huge issue/ where it seems dang near impossible to use.

But you may have more room with your Topo.

At the same time, I can’t ever seem to talk myself into removing my drawers.

 

[Kow]

I would measure this by workflow first: what you need to grab fast in the dark, what can stay buried, and how often the bed has to haul tall cargo. Drawer systems are great for organization and security, but most people underestimate how much vertical space they lose and how that affects coolers, dogs, and camp bins.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

I have the decked in a 6.5’ f150 with a midrise topper. So far I like it. Biggest complaint about the decked is the compartment dividers arent that strong. My biggest complaint about the whole works is the dust that gets in. I’ve sealed and sealed some more and it still gets in, other than minor annoyances I call it a win. Drawer in the drivers side is hunting stuff. Passenger side is tools. I put an extra leaf in my leaf packs to compensate for weight and give me a little lift. 2.5” coil overs in front. For my needs there still seems to be plenty of room in the bed with midrise topper.