These look pretty comparable. The Dobinson's are significantly cheaper. Any idea whether one set of better than the other?
Dobinson or ARB Drawers (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter hkeller
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I considered both when drawer shopping. IMHO, the quality is similar but there are a number of functional differences and your needs/preferences would be the deciding factor. I ended up going with ARB.
- Dobinsons only offers one height. ARB offers 3.
- Dobinsons is shipped assembled. ARB is mostly unassembled.
- Dobinsons only offers the sliding top on one side. ARB offers their roller floor on either or both sides.
Hope this helps.
- Dobinsons only offers one height. ARB offers 3.
- Dobinsons is shipped assembled. ARB is mostly unassembled.
- Dobinsons only offers the sliding top on one side. ARB offers their roller floor on either or both sides.
Hope this helps.
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks. That helps. The Dobinson height works for me. I don't want the siding top on either side. I would prefer an assembled unit. So I guess it is Dobinson for me.
- Thread starter
- #5
Got it. That isn't a deal breaker for me. Thanks,
How do the Dobinson drawers match up with the 2nd row seats when they are folded down? Flat enough for sleeping?
Markuson
SILVER Star
Yes. Flat enough.
Edit: Answered that in reference to ARB. I think they are the same height in the common size, but better make sure...
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The Dobinsons are an inch shorter (~10" vs ~11" for the ARB). The ARB is very flat with the 2nd row seat when flopped down. Not sure if the 1" drop would be a deal breaker or not.
I’ve been super happy with my Dobinsons drawers. And I own a 100 series with ARB drawers too. The Dobinsons are just as good for my needs. Not modular like ARB but their configuration works for me.
I bought the Dobinson a few months ago. Install was typical, 4 times longer than I estimated or a pro would take (which is my "normal"). I liked that the Dobinson came assembled, as it gave me a mental picture of what the finished product needed to look like - you will take these apart somewhat to get the mounting bracket installed, and then put the drawers in.
A few mods I had to do which I felt like, with better planning on the OE's part, shouldn't have been necessary:
1) I had to drill extra holes in the mounting ribs. Not the biggest deal, but when you are 6 hours into a 2 hour project, just adds frustration
2) They weren't drop in, I had to "trim" the plastic wheel well covers on the inside of the vehicle - which involved laying the whole drawer kit inside at an angle (I tried to shove it down, just wouldn't work), using a pencil to trace out where I'd need to cut, then carefully, with a battery saws-all, cut plastic out while trying to save the insulation. It took 2 or 3 trims per side, as I wanted it to look as good as possible. After one side was done, I repeated this process on the other side. Not a one man job, but my 15 year old daughter is awesome. We probably took the assembled drawer kit in and out 10 times or more, trying to get it just right.
3) the side panels don't close well, and the right side (looking from the rear) doesn't close at all. If I had waited to the very end to torque everything, I may have been able to prevent this - however, I waited as long as I thought i could on several screws/bolts. I need to find a latching system that I can put on the outside of the lid, that attaches the vertical wall underneath it.
Having said all this, the drawers are great, super sturdy, and I'd buy them again. The side panels are big enough to put something significant in, so the left side is going to be LiPO4 battery system area, which is the side the slider is on and will be convenient to the fridge (that post is coming later).
In terms of what I wish the had - I wish there was a drop in kit for one drawer to be kitchen - i.e. popup stove, easy to clean panels, etc - but I'll eventually figure out something, I've got a couple relatively cheap ideas to make that work.
A few mods I had to do which I felt like, with better planning on the OE's part, shouldn't have been necessary:
1) I had to drill extra holes in the mounting ribs. Not the biggest deal, but when you are 6 hours into a 2 hour project, just adds frustration
2) They weren't drop in, I had to "trim" the plastic wheel well covers on the inside of the vehicle - which involved laying the whole drawer kit inside at an angle (I tried to shove it down, just wouldn't work), using a pencil to trace out where I'd need to cut, then carefully, with a battery saws-all, cut plastic out while trying to save the insulation. It took 2 or 3 trims per side, as I wanted it to look as good as possible. After one side was done, I repeated this process on the other side. Not a one man job, but my 15 year old daughter is awesome. We probably took the assembled drawer kit in and out 10 times or more, trying to get it just right.
3) the side panels don't close well, and the right side (looking from the rear) doesn't close at all. If I had waited to the very end to torque everything, I may have been able to prevent this - however, I waited as long as I thought i could on several screws/bolts. I need to find a latching system that I can put on the outside of the lid, that attaches the vertical wall underneath it.
Having said all this, the drawers are great, super sturdy, and I'd buy them again. The side panels are big enough to put something significant in, so the left side is going to be LiPO4 battery system area, which is the side the slider is on and will be convenient to the fridge (that post is coming later).
In terms of what I wish the had - I wish there was a drop in kit for one drawer to be kitchen - i.e. popup stove, easy to clean panels, etc - but I'll eventually figure out something, I've got a couple relatively cheap ideas to make that work.
New to the 200 forum. Do you guys not post pics??????
No trimming of plastic wheel well covers necessary with ARB. It's a really tight fit, and you will have rub marks, but it does fit.
The access covers in the side wings (fit kit) fit nicely with the ARB (I assume this is what you are refering to?).
I would like a drawer system but are these things actually like $900 per drawer? Then you have to buy the side skirt kit to make it complete? I see the prices on local venders and have to think that’s for the full set up. Or would like to think so. An eleven inch full set up is what I’m looking for.
Yes, I meant access covers, good catch.
@Rooskey , I think I paid $1500 ish for the Dobinson, and it came with everything.
@bencallaway , I’m not much of a pictures guy, I get too wrapped up in the install process and forget. However, I am planning to take some pics for my aux battery thread (though I already forgot to take some pics of how I did the pre-wiring).
I know, really? That's almost as much as an oil change on a Lamborghini.
CharlieS
GOLD Star
I realize this is not the original topic, but if you are looking for a more economical way to get into a set of drawers, the Reef drawers are a good place to start. They're more of a project than just installing an ARB or Dobinson system, but they are a lot less expensive (and appeal to me as a DIY-er).
