Overland Drawer Build- DIY Camping Drawers- Pic Heavy Thread

Very nice sir!

 

Design looks excellent so far! What kind of material are you putting between the extrusions (the blue stuff)? Whats the weight capacity of the setup, like can you stand on it without it giving?

I have a camper above and have always wondered how these extruded cabinets would hold up as a step

 

The black bottom of the cabinets are 1/4” HDPE which I would say is too thin to stand on. The frame would be fine and I’d say is strong enough. The blue sides are 1/4” ply (which is actually thinner than 1/4”) and they won’t carry any load like the bottom panels. If you built a cabinet with a top panel that isn’t inserted into the 1/4” channels than you could easily make it work for a camper

 

You have more information?

 

What do you mean?

 

You have more pictures of the railing and slide set up? Are you using C channels to support the slide on the tailgate?

 

Here’s what I’ve got.

I used 1/2” square tube for the cross braces, 1” angle iron for the long sides, and an aluminum sheet riveted for the bottom. Welded those together with a length of 56” and about 20” wide. I used two C channels that are normally for table saw guides, anchored those to the bed, and 1/4” T slot nuts to anchor the front end of the slide to the bed. I painted a gray line on the side for my maximum pull out distance. That way the slide doesn’t bend or disengage from the C channels. Hope that helps

 

Ok so yesterday was good as it’s finally starting to really come together. Trying to get it done by Friday for an Overland Bound trip I’m leading which currently has about 12 rigs. I’m excited

(My back patio is trashed from this project, it will get clean eventually)

Got the sink/burner top unit installed



Currently I’m sticking with 1lb propane tanks and my plan is to screw in the tank when it’s open and I’m cooking


Simple mount


Finally FIRE!!


Got on my last coat of PU


Got the HDPE boards cut for the drawer lifts and now need to attach them and wire up the electrical

 

This is fantastic!

 

Got my new bed mount worked out, previously I used tiedowns to anchors on the bed, which worked great. But this new design doesn’t have the outer box so I put some 3/4” bolts through the bed that the mounting plate catches to anchor it, and a turn buckle to keep the tension.

This was fitting it, the gap in the bolt is gone, I added a metal plate on top to make the groove tougher, and hooks to hoist the mount and drawer if needed. And of course I painted it


Just got back from the Central California Overland Bound trip that I organized to the Lost Coast. 14 rigs and we had a blast. The drawer is 90% done, I still need to wire up electrical for the lights and sink actuated water pump. But here it is in action and I was really pleased with how it worked.

My GF, daughter, and son’s ghost legs

 

Do you happen to have the parts list that you ordered for this? Did you make the cuts yourself or did you order them pre-cut? This is an awesome drawer system!

 

Thanks!
Somewhere in my emails is my PDF from 8020.net. I think the cost was only about $80 to have all the cuts done and you know they are EXACT. Extruded aluminum is expensive so $80 isn’t bad for perfection. I tapped myself as that is very easy with aluminum, WD40, and a power drill. Originally I ordered the Tri-corners from 8020 then found them half price at T Nutz. T Nutz has good prices but 8020 has more options and as I wanted my drawer to look as sharp as possible. I went with 8020 for all of my rounded, smooth side, and 3x1 sections.

 

Yesterday I got my wiring done on the drawer. I tidied up the wires and added an inline fuse for good measure. I have 3 switches which control the lights and power for the sink. The main power switch is set up at the end of the drawer and it is illuminated all the time in the truck. That way at night I can see where the switch is as it turns on the interior drawer lights and ground lighting underneath. When the drawer is open to expose the sink and burner there are 2 more switches accessible. One by the sink controls the power for the sink pump, it doesn’t turn on the pump as that is actuated by the sink handle. The third switch is by the burners and that controls the light that specifically illuminates the cooking surface. I hate cooking by flashlight, I know 1st world problems. Those two switches illuminate blue when switched on so it’s easy to make sure I don’t leave the sink pump on. This sink/burner set came with a water container and pump which I tested the duration and it gives me 6:30 minutes of continual water, not bad.

I still need to add the rubberized drawer liners which will cover the wires inside the drawers.

 

Water is working, better picture of the illuminated switch, and drawer liners in (which also cover the lighting wires).

 

Loaded up for my trip to Bodie Ghost Town this weekend

 

If you're doing Bodie try to do the tour of the mill with the guide in period costume. Did it years ago. It was great.

 

Thanks for the intel!

 

Well here it is, ALL DONE!

Electrical for the lights, water pump, and plumbing. It works so well I’m stoked.

Thanks for reading along, if you’ve got questions ask, and I’ll see you on the trail

 

Totally awesome Papadave, totally awesome. The bar is set high. Thanks for sharing, I've gotten very good ideas from you and others on these forums, looking forward to completing a drawer system this year as to be ready for next year.

Did you ever work the numbers with respect to the difference in weight between your older wood draw system and this new aluminum one?
Curious about the the cost to benefit of going with the 8020.

 

I would say the new drawer is about 50lbs lighter, but there’s way more functionality with power and water. The cost is MUCH more using extrusions, so if cost is a factor then go wood. Wood is easier to work with and correct mistakes. For me I proved the drawer concept to myself with my wood drawer, I knew that aluminum would be expensive, but I like to camp and hope to have this for years to come so I was ok with the cost considering the long term frequent use. I’m glad some of my ideas have inspired you, I’ve gleaned a lot from guys on here over the past 18 months as well!

Tomorrow I’m meeting up with a guy named Michael who runs Overland Bound and he’s going to do another walk around video of my new drawer, should be fun