Thanks @Trudog!
If you check out the link above you can see how I use the VRNCLR Bedding catch to lock the fridge lid in place. It opens plenty to be able to dig around in there with both hands and without having to awkwardly hold the lid. I’m 6’1 so able to easily reach in from the side panel as well.
(Reachability from the side has greatly improved by elevating it and getting it over the wheel well.)
My husband built a sweet draw system that also serves as a platform bed for kids “downstairs”. I can’t imagine not having it but we haul a lots of crap…because kids. We looked at Decked but felt like we’d lose a lot of usable space around the draws so he did it custom (also way cheaper). We even have some hidden compartments in the back that are accessible from above. We were inspired by All-Terrain Family’s “minimalist ultra-light draw system and sleeping platform for overlanding”.
Here is the drawers I built, serves as a nice bunk bed with the gfc! I need to modify them to fit with the bed stiffeners then theyll be back in
I’m going with a yak attack retractor designed for Kayak fishing accessories. It fits into the V2 T-track on the bottom of the sleeping platform and then attach the retractor cord to the power cord. It is a simple solution for me.
That zipper chain looks slick.
I went with compartments and totes still and it works great. Will need to do some mods once I get the gfc. Inspired by Patrick from @takethetruck
There’s a 24” door on the front left that has a 48” storage compartment split to fit my tire chains and tools. The other half stores dry goods. Each corner has hatched to access the space in front of the wheel Wells. The right side of the platform can flip down to the bed to give full access. At the back, on the right side is a 90ah gel battery, that connects to a eco-worth solar charge controller. The right side is open for ratchet straps, bike/sled locks and such.
The big mods with the GFC will be re-notching the side walls to fit the mounting brackets. Aside from that, I don’t think I’ll need to change much. This setup will give full standing height (less 1” from the deck) on the right side.
Glad you found a solution that works for you.
Wow! What a excellent professional looking video. Thanks for sharing your experience and a big thank you for all of your efforts towards sharing that experience. I have been going back and forth with getting a Decked system or not. You brought up the very same problem I was seeing and solved it with getting a ladder. I do have an awning attached to the side and I enjoy having it.
FujiMoGoat, thank you so much for the kind words. I’m glad you got some value out of it. As I am building my truck out I am learning that everything comes with a tradeoff, you just have to pick what is best for your situation. I have the ladder mount on the driver side and I still have the passenger side to mount an awning there if I need to. After I do more trips, I can decide if I need an awning or not.
I worked on building a simple plywood drawer build this past winter and am so glad I did. It brought a sense of organization while out on trips and allows for a nice way to keep camping things in the truck, rather than constantly taking them in and out between trips. There’s definitely components I could build out more/upgrade to more expensive things down the line, but just wanted to keep it simple and low cost to start. Made a quick video about it you can watch here, let me know if you have any questions!
Built these (with a friend - the carpenter clown) back in 2016. I can’t imagine spending as much time in my truck without a drawer system.
Man I really like the drawer solutions I’ve seen here. I’m just a weight weenie and can’t do it. My GFC is #250 and I can’t do another #200 or more for a Decked or home built drawer system. They are handy but I don’t have the luxury, my payload is #1,200 and so I have to do some soul searching everytime I add a ounce of weight.
Makes sense. I can’t imagine my drawers weighting 200#, though I did use 1/2’’ skate deck plywood (with eco glue!) which probably saved a few pounds on the overall weight. Maybe 100#?
Your drawer system looks great!
Did you have to take those out when you got your GFC installed? They look pretty close to your bed rails.
Fortunately, no. 3 of 4 brackets attach to the bed where there’s a cutout in the drawer system. For the fourth, there’s an inch of clearance between the top of the drawer and the bottom of the bracket.
These drawers don’t come out 
. Pretty sure we bolted them to the bed.
We just weighed our diy wood drawers and they’re 75lbs total. We took a miminalst approach. Check out All-Terrain Family’s “minimalist ultra-light draw system and sleeping platform for overlanding” YouTube video
Can you post a link?
Very nice! I already have a jig for pocket holes.
