Drawer System Pros and Cons (3 Viewers)

[Presidio]

I’m thinking of getting a drawer system built for my 80 and I was wondering what the pros and cons between having them finished in the black hexclad wood or having them carpeted? I fish a fair amount so wet waders and wading boots will get tossed back there from time to time and I was thinking the hexclad might be best vs having carpet soaking up the water and not drying out. I may have it built with a fold out sleeping platform and I thought carpet might be warmer and more comfortable compared to the Hexclad.

Hexclad is about $200 from the local guy that I plan to have build them out. Thx.

 

[SoTexCruiserDoc]

My drawer system is steel and covered on top with the indoor/outdoor carpet stuff (similar to what ARB uses, etc). I have no problem with putting wet waders, boots, whatever on there. Doesn’t hold moisture and cleans up easily.

 

[Marco Lau]

Pros: organizing tools and added storage space, elevated platform for a 12v fridge and slide
Cons: added weight, cost, etc.

 

[reklund5]

I just this winter installed some ARB drawers into my 80 and LOVE them. If I was throwing wet waders and boots back there frequently, I'd likely get one of those rubber cargo liners and place on the top of the drawers just to keep my OCD about a clean vehicle at bay. Maybe a muddy boot mat for a mud room cut to fit or the like would be sufficient.

 

[SpenserAK]

Marine carpet is my pick for your multi-use scenario - a bit more resistant than normal indoor/outdoor. I'd probably also get some sort of plastic tub/tray to bring when wet/dripping gear will be involved.

 

[Dr Gil]

I've had a drawer system / sleeping platform for 10 years plus. I too do a lot of fishing. Mine is carpeted birch wood, so it's really heavy and robust. A large plastic bin can solve the problem of the wet waders. Yes, it's more cost and extra weight and it's relatively permanent, but you will adjust you daily life around having the drawer system. I am so glad that I have that drawer system, because when you use it and need it you don't think about the the cost or the inconvenience of the days you didn't have it. I am 100% all for a drawer system..... if you use it for what it's designed for.

 

[Presidio]

Lots of good info. I didn’t even think about getting a tray back there. I have one in my wife’s GX and it catches everything. And marine grade carpet is probably the way to go. Thx!!!

 

[surfpig]

Lots of good info. I didn’t even think about getting a tray back there. I have one in my wife’s GX and it catches everything. And marine grade carpet is probably the way to go. Thx!!!

Yup, same. And the indoor/outdoor carpeting can be easily replaced if it gets nasty.

 

[LockedCollector]

Reason (Con) that I haven’t purchase a drawer system is because I have more than one and different rig that I use to camp. So my preference is to have my gear in mobile bins that I can shuffle around (between rigs and even stack in my garage).

 

[Marvelicious]

Pros: they're great if you're an organized person.
Cons: if you aren't, your cargo area just got smaller and heavier.

I've been living with a set since I bought my truck and honestly, they aren't my jam. Things just don't go back into them... ever. I realize this is a ME problem, but I've come to the conclusion that being an organized person simply isn't in the cards for me. I think I'd be better off with exposed locations that are easier to access and more importantly, easier to put things away. "First order retrievability" is the terminology Adam Savage (one of the Mythbusters guys) uses to describe that kind of storage.

I'm absolutely not trying to talk anyone out of drawers, just saying if you've got a tool box at home with a bunch of tools that aren't in it, you might want to save your money!

 

[MikePL]

The only cons are weight but honestly, 60lb won't make a huge change. It's like carrying a dog in the back. Of course there are much heavier drawers so look for the ones make with better materials. The pros are a huge improvement in organization, the possibility to sleep without removing the back seats. Whether you want luxury ones like bamboo or more utilitarian ones like bedliner-covered plywood, it's up to you.