MadTaco Build

I have been kicking around the idea of building a pull out drawer box for my bed. I t would slide in between the current bed kit giving me a 25" x 8" x 70" drawer for more storage.
So I drew up some plans based off my measurements and needs.



Then today I drove down to the lumber yard to get my supplies, needless to say, I won't be doing a drawer system anytime soon.

A simple drawer system would cost me over $200.00 in materials to build.

 

I have been contemplating a drawer too. It's kind of a pain to pull everything out whenever you want to sleep.

 

Yes it does

 

Thanks for the measurements.
On the fence about drawers, I use 15-17 gallon Sterilite industrial totes, 2 each side, usually with an old strap from a busted ratchet strap tied around either the handle or with these there are slots that one could use maybe- haven’t really set up straps for this generation of totes yet.
A drawer would be great but a big one might be a PITA to remove for full bed use, which will always be needed with my rig.
I am also pondering sectional top for the platform as a dometic is in the future plan.

 

I gotta thank you for the airbag inspiration and how you did it. I have been absolutely loving mine.

 

You're welcome, I finally split the airlines. Now I can level it out and I hope it helps with sharp corners under load.

 

I actually bought parts to be able to run one airline, and have two valves to shut each side off to prevent the air moving under sharp corners. In the end it was just easier to run two valve stems because I had no good place to put the valves.

 

I originally had a single Schrader valve and a tee fitting connecting both air bags. No I have two separate air lines. Much better now.

 

I have been putting this off for quite some time, but I finally bit the bullet and spent some money today. It's a simple drawer system that can be removed pretty easily, but gives me a lot more storage than what I had. I still have to do a handle on it so the temporary one will get replaced at a later date.

 

Nice, looks good, simple is always the best.

Here is my coyote ugly setup. Due for some more reconfiguration, rip down the cleats, add another unistrut spreader and move the middle one aft a little. Hoping to set the dometic on the right side and split the upper platform into a two piece as well as an option for the solid piece(not pictured) it’ll be snug for sleeping but I can work with it for another year or so. Bonus-I can dismantle it all and have an empty bed in 10-20 minutes depending on how much road trip cargo is on board.

 

I grossly underestimated the size of the refrigerator I purchased. There is no place convenient to put it.

 

Solid copy on that. The CFX55IM is almost 18" wide(not to mention 19" tall), so that will take a huge bite out of my sleeping space. My memory foam mat is only about 3-4" thick so some creative thermarest configuration will be in the cards for the long road trips.
Such are the pitfalls of the narrow waistline that makes the 1st gen such a nice off road rig.

 

Well I opted for the Dometic CFX3 55, I thought about the

$780 CFX3 45 -Liter Portable Refrigerator and Freezer, Powered by AC/DC or Solar

CFX3 45 which is about 2” narrower- but preferred the standard ice chest lid configuration as opposed to the ARB fridge style.
Had to order it through Amazon, as Dometic somehow doesn’t recognize my AK mailing address(shipping it to Washington anyway, might as well get the use out of it before hitting road in case there are issues) still got the Black Friday rate though so it worked out alright in the end.

CFX3 55: CFX3 45:

 

Very nice

 

Excited to check it out and it will be a great asset to my off grid existence up north.

 

Got the new handle installed in my drawer.

 

Looks good, sure you aren’t a wood butcher?

 

Oh I can butcher wood

 

Glad I didn’t go for the 75L DZ unit. It seems enormous but it will be doing double duty, in the cabin and on road trips until I get the all of the AE system upgraded at the cabin.

Takes up half of the workbench:

Definitely going to be creative living around it in the back of the Tacoma.

 

Worked a little on my drawer for my truck bed, added another divider and organized it. Also had to rebuild the cup holder on the right rear corner as the other one broke.


I added a curtain to the front of my camper shell. Sewing is not one of my gifts.