So we have plenty of people providing fantastic products on this forum for sale. I'm wondering if anybody is out there is making drawers for sale? I'd like to see and support if possible anybody doing such a thing.
Drawer builders on the forum?
- Thread starter aaronrules
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The Trekboxx stuff looks cool, but it is like 4X the price of ARB drawers.
I'm working on a drawer system/sleeper platform with a partner at the moment, but it's early on in the process. Keep an eye out for a practical, inexpensive option coming soon! 
We're both attending HIH this year so that's our goal to get a prototype completed.
We're both attending HIH this year so that's our goal to get a prototype completed.
I'm working on a drawer system/sleeper platform with a partner at the moment, but it's early on in the process. Keep an eye out for a practical, inexpensive option coming soon!
We're both attending HIH this year so that's our goal to get a prototype completed.
I am interested in this as well I am early in my build. So maybe you will have something when I am ready keep me informed.
actually they are about 2x of the s***ty ARB and 8x better
This is how they all start... then you find out in order to make them robust enough etc the costs push north pretty fast.
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I think I made mine pretty much as cheaply/sturdy as possible using skate bearings, basic steel, cheap pine plywood, cheap hardware, and cheap E-track anchor system. Just the small amount of carpet cost north of $50. It probably cost more than $700 or so just in materials. Once you consider all the different components needed, it really adds up fast.
The only way I could see it being done and sold for something less than $500 would be all pine ply construction with Lowes 100# slides and wooden gate loop and hook latches.
That's not even counting labor! The amount of brainstorming/designing time that goes into putting these things together is immense! I have much respect and admiration for guys like @nakman, @TrekboxX and @benc turning their personal build into a business! Very hard to start a business in CA wile making a profit from the beginning!
I love building my own things, that's my time to "zone out". My wife is reading, a bomb can explode 5 feet away and she wouldn't notice! She's always telling me "you should build more of these and sell them!" Wile I'm thinking "the amount of headache would take the fun out of it". I remember Tim "Gamiviti" saying one day: I'll do it for as long as it's still fun!
My point is: it will ALWAYS cost way more and it is NOT easy. So credit to those who are providing these awesome products, even if they come with a bit of a higher price than the big giant companies!
Hey, I'd think the trekboxx would be better (the product looks awesome), but all I see on their site is a $4,695 price and the ARB is around $1K. If Trekboxx has a base system that is closer in price, then it would be a great idea for them to promote it.
I think they are close to 2k when you have 2 drawers, fridge slide, and the side panels.
You mean the ARB is closer to $2k with those options? Even so, if you don't want a lot of options and you just want basic drawers and side panels, it looks like you can get a base model ARB for around $1200 (though I could be a little off).
That doesn't mean trekboxx is doing anything wrong. It might be better for them to focus on a high end market and producing fewer units.
Different strokes for different folks. I don't care if I had unlimited money, I'd NEVER spend $5K on a drawer system. There are obviously people who would, so it's great that there's a product for them.
Well said Paulo, I went over and over a drawer build. All said and done I was nearing $900 in parts and materials......opportunity costs and my time not included. I determined for me it would take took much of my time to build fabricate and finish the drawers. I just don't have a lot of time these days.
I ultimately but ugh ARB drawers and 2hrs later they were installed and in use, well worth the cost for me.
I applaud each and everyone of you that builds and fans things themselves, many great ideas and I look forward to what the OP and some of the replies end up doing.
I ultimately but ugh ARB drawers and 2hrs later they were installed and in use, well worth the cost for me.
I applaud each and everyone of you that builds and fans things themselves, many great ideas and I look forward to what the OP and some of the replies end up doing.
I don't disagree with you. That's why I built my own. For two basic ARB drawers and sides from slee (before shipping) it would be $1506.
How do the ARB drawers attach? My concern is that I occasionally use the 3rd row seats when family visits a few times a year. I'd like a system that is relatively easy to install and remove, but 2 hours every time is a bit much for me.
I was thinking about finding a cabinet maker that could build the drawers for me, mounting it using some tie downs to the cargo hooks or U-bolts to the 3rd row seat anchors and then making the side wings and carpeting it myself.
Something like this:
I was thinking about finding a cabinet maker that could build the drawers for me, mounting it using some tie downs to the cargo hooks or U-bolts to the 3rd row seat anchors and then making the side wings and carpeting it myself.
Something like this:
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Don't you have the ARBs installed in your 100?
How do the ARB drawers attach? My concern is that I occasionally use the 3rd row seats when family visits a few times a year. I'd like a system that is relatively easy to install and remove, but 2 hours every time is a bit much for me.
I was thinking about finding a cabinet maker that could build the drawers for me, mounting it using some tie downs to the cargo hooks or U-bolts to the 3rd row seat anchors and then making the side wings and carpeting it myself.
Something like this:
I don't have the ARB but I'm pretty sure they use u-bolts to the 3rd row seat anchors. I don't think they take 2 hours to remove. I think the 2 hours includes build time as they come partially disassembled.
All said and done, my drawers cost about $350 in materials. Biggest cost was probably the plywood (3/4 and 1/2 europly) followed by the compression latches at $40 a piece. I decided to try using UHMW as slides in order to keep the cost down. ($150-250 for heavy duty slides) Although not buttery smooth, they work really well and have no problem supporting the 80 lbs my tool/recovery/fluids drawer weighs, and I find myself in that drawer a lot
Welded steel frame with ply top and drawers kept the cost down and the rattles gone.
I have no need for a fridge slide system, sliding table top, etc. so my costs were lower. There are things ai would change but I have no problems with keeping it as is.