Ideas for decked slide out bed system but slim

I know many have installed Decked Bed organizer system.
But has anyone found a slimmer version or built one?
My feeling on the decked system is that it takes up too much space and looses too much valuable space. I feel like a single slide out drawer that is half the height of the Decked system would be better.

Now I searched here. However not found something like that. Perhaps I am bad at searching.

Any ideas are welcome

 

Truckvault has one that’s a 6” tall drawer, I’ve been eyeing it. But it’s about three times the price as decked. Probably better off building what you want.

 

Had a decked system in my Tacoma and it was mediocre at best. Lots of wasted space and material. They print all sorts of stuff on the stainless piece above your drawer handles and it all rubbed off with in a month or so, under a camper shell too btw, no sunlight beating down on it. All my inserts had to be removed and cleaned out bc they left drill shavings in all the holes. If they sold those systems for $600 it would be more on the level of their quality. The weight of the system is also an issue , 200+ lbs empty.... That's 200lbs less payload.

 

The problem with Truck Bed Drawers is always going to be the same thing.
There is simply a 48" wide space by whichever length bed you have to work with to build a drawer into at deck height.
All of the other space in the bed is not usable for deep drawer storage at the deck height due to the wheel wells.
So no matter how you design a drawer it has to fit within this space and while there are many different ways to make drawers slide in and out of a truck bed,using full reach slides is going to be pricey.
You also need to deal with the rear of the space that is not so easily utilized in any universal way and still hopefully have a flat usable deck when the drawers are in there.

So in a real sense Decked has come up with a system that is truly genius in its design and if they actually made one for my trucks I would probably have to find a way to get them in there but since they don't I have to find another way and building my own is my only practical option it seems.

Decked is designed so that they can make just a few different parts and combine them into many trucks and always end up with a flat and uniform deck on top.
They are plastic mostly which is cheap and easily molded compared to wood or metal but the design also requires modling to be made to enhance the strength of the parts which will take up otherwise usable storage space to make them more solid.
They seem to only make 4 different drawers for all of the models that they offer in 2 widths and 2 lengths and all of the rest of the system is molded filler parts customized to fit your truck around those drawers and also allow for sort of universal system mounting all within the molded structure.

Again Brilliant!

So you can either get wood or metal drawers from others or make your own but they will be more pricey than Decked if made by others and harder to make if doing your own as the Decked are expensive too but not as expensive as drawer systems made by others from Metal or Wood.

https://leonardaccessories.com/category/truck-toolboxes/storage-drawers

http://www.truckbox.com/pulloutbedpackboxes.html

https://www.extendobed.com/

And these are the ones that I would get if money were no object probably

https://rimrockmfg.com/toolboxes/

Although I like the Cargo Ease a lot too!

http://cargo-ease.com/

 

Thank you all! Looking at all my options here

 

A double drawer allows them to build in a central support running the length of the box, making the top more rigid with thinner materials than a single drawer would require, which probably needs a thicker top to allow for more internal bracing. That doesn't determine the total height of the unit, but I suspect it results in more lost space than a double drawer.

I would research building my own...search the recycling places for some scrap aluminum and hopefully some aluminum diamond plate sheet material. You can get some 5 foot drawer slides that have full extension and support 500 lbs for around $200 a pair.

 

You are hired!

But really, this is a great question that just about everyone is asking. How to ensure you get the most value and usable space while still gaining the organization and storage of drawers. I just wanted to highlight a few things that help when comparing similar products out there or looking to build your own solution.

Wasted space - When comparing other options out there its hard not to notice wasted space around the wheel wells. Our ammo can is the perfect solution to access that space while providing support and structure to our system. What you lose in volume you make up in surface area. By getting up and above the wheel well you will now have more room to load up an ATV, larger sleeping area, or just an easier time with wider objects. If you are looking to fill it up with dirt and need that volume back, our system can easily be removed within 15-20 minutes.

Weight - Our system is made of 77% recycled HDPE injection molded around 33% Steel frame. This is around 200 pounds of material and as a result we have an unmatched 2000 pound payload on top.

Weatherproof - Ultimately nobody wants to have their gear get wet right? Well we have seen many products boasting to be waterproof but the reality is that is just about impossible with the construction of a tonneau cover, topper, or drawer system. We say our system is Weatherproof because it will protect your gear from the elements coming from above. There is a small gap between the drawer and underside of our DECKED platform to help give the drawers a smooth slide. That small gap could allow for fine dust and moisture but you should never have issues with leaking.

Let us know if you have any more questions! We know our system isn't for everybody... but that's because not everyone drives a truck.

 

Thanks for the feedback! Unfortunately the ruler bar that is on the back of the DECKED will rub off and fade with use. The aluminum is laser etched with all of those measurements but there really is not a great way to make that permanently stick.

 

@DECKED, I have a full bedrug...is the only concern going to be wearing down the rug due to the in and out of the drawers?

 

And can I presume that I am correct about the prospect of an 8' system in your future as well?
Because only an 8' bed is really a Truck!?!

 

I am the OP. Per my original post. Your system is too tall for me. I am looking for a slimmer drawer system. Do you have anything like that ?

 

They do not

 

Depending on how shallow your drawer/deck system, you may have the wheel wells sticking up. One of the benefits of a drawer system is to have a flat surface, edge to edge in the bed, for gear or sleeping. Since DECKED is following this post, I really wanted to get one. However, I use my truck primarily for hunting and fishing. And I haul around a 120 qt marine cooler. When loaded, it's freaking heavy. So I made my own "drawer" that for now, utilizes cubbies accessible from the top. However, it's U shaped, and the center is where the ice chest goes. Now, it's held into place without straps when I'm driving and I don't have to lift it as high to get it in. When I'm at camp, I have a piece of wood that slides right into the spot where the ice chest would go so I have a full length flat platform to sleep on. Cheap and easy.

So, DECKED, if you design another one, with the center open like this...I'll be ordering one!!! And I hope you'll give me a good discount for the idea...or at least some credit!!!

 

That’s pretty slick. How did you trim out the cubbyholes so the lids don’t fall in. I don’t even see any screws for those. Nice job. Do you have a few more pictures?

 

Sean, thanks. As you can see from this pic, the cubby lids are cut out with a jig saw. I used a small hole saw to cut out finger holes to be able to pick them up to access. In each corner of the cubby holes, I glued and screwed a small piece of wood to let the lid rest on. I've driven all over the mountains, etc., never had one pop out yet.

 

and please do not get me wrong, the DECKED system IMO is the best option out there generally. For what I needed, this worked, and I could not find anyone who made anything similar to what I made. Plus, it was super cheap and I think I built the entire thing in one day.

 

Here's something new to consider. It's not out yet for a Tundra as far as I know. It's also not inexpensive...

https://gofastcampers.com/collections/bed-storage-and-roof-racks/products/flight-deck

 

Holy shit. $1800 for a 5' bed for what is essentially an expensive deck/cubby system.

 

what is it ? I looked at website over and over and still dont understand what this does ?

 

here's a video to help:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B4h_H2mgR1q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

I see. Makes sense now. That actually gave me an idea.

 

This really depends on your set up. If you have a bed rug that lines the sidewall of your bed you may have issues with installation depending on how thick that material is. For the underside of the system, you should not have any issues of your DECKED system wearing down the bed rug as they slide on fixed wheels and a C channel that doesn't touch the bed rug at all.
Give our support team a call (208)806-0251 or email at orders@decked.com to walk through your exact set up.

 

Thats a great design! Our goal is to always come out with new ways to customize and organize your gear but the primary structure of our drawers comes from the Center Vert which also acts as a C channel to house the wheels for our drawers. This idea would end up requiring two center verts which is possible but not something we have considered yet. We appreciate that feedback and always love hearing from our customer!

 

No plans to make a full 8' drawer system yet... We are working on a few new products that will be a great solution for the 8' beds so stay tuned!

 

I had a full 2-drawer system in my old land cruiser that I also built. It required me building two separate drawer boxes. So yeah, there would be more frame that would take up some of that precious storage space. Obviously, splitting up the drawers to even out weight on each side means the actual drawers are smaller. However, with the center channel open, you'd have a bridge/deck cover like I did for every day hauling on top (or sleeping), make it removable for ice chest or tall objects (check out Edward Shin's IG/Youtube, can't put his ice chest on top of deck with bed rack...not enough vertical space). To "connect" the two drawer frames, you can either bolt each separately to the floor, OR have a special type of frame on the bed floor that connects the two drawers (keeps them apart and stiff in the bed), that you can lock additional DECKED totes to in that center section. Shallow totes that fit under that bridge/deck cover, or optional tall ones that fit there instead of an ice chest.

$$$

And I repeat my request...would love to be the guinea pig for this idea if you need one...keep my truck for as long as you think you need for R&D. Just need back by September for hunting season....

 

I can sense that the wheels are spinning....at least a little bit...I'm in So Cal in case you're interested in my offer....ha ha

 

The wheels are always spinning over here! Thanks for the feedback.

 

After a few months with Decked I think I am out on the drawer system itself rather than the product. I think Decked is excellent if it is what you need. I just think full depth of bed access is a greater necessity than organization. I am probably going to offload mine and opt for the open bed.

 

That is why I am searching for a slim solution. I might just find a bunch of slim outdoor bins with lids and lay them across the bed of my truck.

 

Anyone try these out?

https://store.arbusa.com/interior/storage/drawer-systems/?page=1