Imagine the Perfect Drawer System not be exactly what you want or fulfill your particular needs, and pre-made modules can be very pricey. Drawer systems are a hot topic these days. Before you go out and purchase or build an expensive setup for your rig, we have some suggestions that may help to custom-fit the right system to your needs. Drawers help keep things organized, a place for everything and everything in its place. They make it so much easier to get to things without having to dig through deep totes. Our experience is, if we can’t get at something quickly, we usually go without. There are pros and cons of buying a system that is pre-made versus building your own. Purchasing a readymade unit is less hassle, usually takes less time, is often well-engineered, and is likely easier than designing your own. However, what others offer may
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For building inspiration, check out other people’s systems and manufactured ones, too. Collect the elements that will best serve your needs. Then, begin to map out how you will build it. Start by measuring your available space and decide how you want to secure it. For safety, the drawer system needs to be securely held in place. If permanently mounted, it can be bolted down through the floor. If removable, consider using the factory d-rings on the cargo floor. It’s important to determine what will be put in the drawers. Lay your probable contents out on the floor in the way you plan to store them. You will want the most-used items towards the front of the drawer. Heavy things like tools and recovery gear should be kept down low. Measure the space your gear takes
up. This will establish each individual drawer’s depth and width. Will you need a space for a cooler or fridge? Most people carry one or the other and want easy access to their food and beverages. We created an upright set of drawers on one side and put our fridge on the other. Will you be using the top as a sleeping platform? These questions will help establish if you want a vertical or flat top-drawer box. You may want your drawers to double as counter space or be able to use it as a table. Your drawer system can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. It doesn’t have to be pretty or fancy. We drew our design out on paper several times as we thought of new features we wanted to include. If you have little or no experience in woodworking, look at your house furniture for ideas how to join the panels. The easiest joints to make are simple butt joints with glue and screws.
