Gauging Interest in a value-priced 100 Series Metal Drawer System

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OregonLC

OregonLC

10 Year 15 Year
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Have some plans CAD'ed up for a simple steel drawer system. Full extension ball bearing slides. Steel carcass with steel box. Locking compression latch. Plywood top. It's out for quote now to a couple of fab shops. Would be plug-n-play with factory hard points. The concept would be to initially have four options: a) full height drawer (drawer top even with folded 2nd row), b) half-height drawer, c) side trim, d) top extenders that provide a fully flat top all the way back to the first row. May also offer modular dividers for the drawers. Target audience would be someone who wants a value brand of drawers that are simple but solid and at a price point less than the other offerings.

If we do it, it will be on the side so realistically I *might* be able to get a prototype build by the end of the year with a v 1.0 out in Q1 depending on how well the prototype works.

Any interest? If so, at what price point would you be willing to buy a p-n-p steel set vs. making your own plywood set?
 
The price of quality rear drawer systems is pretty much ridiculous. I think there is a real opportunity for a new market entry for a quality drawer set up (rattle-free pair of drawers and a flat topped fit kit) for under $750. If you can do that I'd be interested.
 
I will second that, but simply add that that sounds like a lot of extra weight. Though I would rather carry an extra 100lbs than pay $2k
 
Interested @$600 to $700 price point. How much do you think they would weigh?
 
Subscribed.
 
My broke arse will never be able to afford commercially made drawers, but based on the astronomical cost of most commercial options you'd be doing the community a huge solid by offering a more reasonably priced set.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. We're definitely shooting for 'value' pricing. They will definitely be solid and functional or we won't do them. Hard to say exactly on the price point now but the previous posts are similar to what we're thinking.

What's the opinion on finishes? Zinc steel would probably be the least expensive. Powder coating would be at the other end of the cost spectrum with painted in the middle. We're thinking of smooth external sides with pre-cut holes for the optional side trim attachments. All mounts would be from underneath so nothing would stick out the sized. Top could either be cabinet grade 3/4" ply or carpet covered.

As far as the weight goes, these things aren't small so they're going to be heavy. The existing offerings are in the 90 lbs range and I would expect the same. We did get some bent sections made out of 10 ga Aluminum (.1019) and it's just not stout enough to take the vertical load that we expect to be piled on top of the enclosures. We can get Aluminum to work, but you'd more than double your manufacturing cost by the time you engineer it up to the same performance level so for now we'll be sticking with steel. If there's strong demand/interest for lightweight we'd be happy to go down that path but it would likely at $100-$200 to the per drawer cost.

Stay tuned. This is going to be a slow process, so please be patient.
 
Subscribed....Do remember you are losing at least 90 pounds from the rear seats. Heavy, and stout are fine for me. :)
 
Interested to see what you come up with. Solid, non-squeaky drawers @ $600-$700 would be great.
 
OregonLC said:
Have some plans CAD'ed up for a simple steel drawer system. Full extension ball bearing slides. Steel carcass with steel box. Locking compression latch. Plywood top. It's out for quote now to a couple of fab shops. Would be plug-n-play with factory hard points. The concept would be to initially have four options: a) full height drawer (drawer top even with folded 2nd row), b) half-height drawer, c) side trim, d) top extenders that provide a fully flat top all the way back to the first row. May also offer modular dividers for the drawers. Target audience would be someone who wants a value brand of drawers that are simple but solid and at a price point less than the other offerings.

If we do it, it will be on the side so realistically I *might* be able to get a prototype build by the end of the year with a v 1.0 out in Q1 depending on how well the prototype works.

Any interest? If so, at what price point would you be willing to buy a p-n-p steel set vs. making your own plywood set?
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I've been waiting for something like this for a long time. I'd definitely be in.
 
Subscribed ... a drawer system is on the planned addition list and I'll be following to see what you come up with.
 
It would be interesting to find out how much the current commercial draw systems are marked up. I have always assumed there is a large markup on these draw systems. However, if it was easy to make a cheaper set then I assume somebody would've done it by now.
 
SanDiegoCruiser said:
It would be interesting to find out how much the current commercial draw systems are marked up. I have always assumed there is a large markup on these draw systems. However, if it was easy to make a cheaper set then I assume somebody would've done it by now.
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Probably not a huge demand for them.

Im interested.
 
I'm interested too! I would also consider a kit where the hardware and plans are included for me to just cut up some plywood and put together.

Gil
Ventura, CA
 
gil12 said:
I'm interested too! I would also consider a kit where the hardware and plans are included for me to just cut up some plywood and put together.

Gil
Ventura, CA
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There are a number of quality plywood builds here on MUD that you could research and copy. Ply it a great and strong solution, however you will sacrifice volume due to the width of the material. It's less expensive and the vast majority of folks have the skills and tools to make an acceptable product. Don Warfield over at Warfield Offroad (warfieldoffroad.com) leads the class with wood draw solutions if you're looking for ideas. There's just an extra feel of solidness and ruggedness to a metal drawer solution that is befitting of our rigs.

If we build one, it will be a primarily metal unit with a ply top similar to the professional units by the greats like ARB and Slee. However, our goal is to keep it simple and value priced while not sacrificing utility or strength.
 
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Some design questions to toss around:

1) Drawer slides are by far the most expensive single component. We're going to go with a minimum of 250lbs rated slides (per pair, evenly loaded). What is the acceptable level of blind space in the back of an extended drawer? While it's possible to go with full extension sliders, these add costs and the leverage arm creates a growing moment as the drawers extend. Would a 10" blind space (the part of the drawer that doesn't fully expose) be acceptable in a 38"drawer that is 10" deep? That would still extend the drawers roughly 4" beyond the lip of the gate. I don't think extending the drawers further buys you anything as you don't gain any reach once it's past the gate.

2) Is there any strong desire to have drawer slides with a lock-open feature? The advantage would be drawers that stay put when pointing downhill. Pretty significant cost option as it moves us up a class in drawer slides. Most likely this would be an upgrade option users could select.

3) How important is it to you to have positionable dividers in the drawers? If important, what's the right number? 2? 3?
 
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