Drawer System or Bed Slide...That is the question

any pro's / con's you all can fire away between the two?

 

Why not both? I’ve seen a cargo slide on top of decked drawers before.

 

The big ‘con’ that has kept me from getting a drawer system is the amount of cargo space you would lose.

You get to keep the cargo space with a slide BUT you lose the security of the drawers if you don’t have a shell.

 

I ask because I had the Decked system and really didn't end up liking it so I took it out.....and actually thought about putting in a bed slide on top of the drawers, but decided against it for the same reason it was mentioned about losing bed space. I also have a SmartCap, and still thought the drawers took up too much space. I've seen people get super dialed and oragnized with the drawers, so maybe I'm just not as organized or clever as I thought, lol

 

What about a truck vault setup? They have half and quarter drawers, I believe. Their website is pretty good for playing around with combinations of sizes.

 

Oh yea, forgot about that brand. Weren't they super heavy though?

 

What are you looking to have it do?
If you don't need the ability to store 1000lbs on top of the Decked you could always build your own.
With a few power tools and a little bit of skill you can make exactly what you want for usually a lot lot less than the cost of a Decked.

For me I wanted drawers to keep my camping and bike gear safe on trips and something I could remove easily to still have full access to my bed in less than 2 minutes.
I have built 2 versions of these for less than $500, and I am thinking of building a new one this summer to get it fully dialed to what I want.

Here is a thread with lots of good info on how people built their own setups.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...storage-systems.424709/page-166#post-29612536

 

I’m actually not sure. The one time I was starting to seriously considering getting one of their half drawers, I realized it wouldn’t work for me because my bed stiffeners would prevent it from opening.

 

I am considering one because I need to haul around my quad. It won't fit between the wheel wells. If I put in the drawers, my quad can go in the back and all my tools in the box. I just worry about the beating of being on a logging road all day long.

 

Those Decked drawers are rated to hold 1000lbs on top of them.
If you do get one to carry your ATV on forest roads more than a couple times a year, you will 100% want a new heavier duty leaf pack in your truck. Something like Icon RXT or Deaver.
The decked drawers weigh near 200lbs with a 600lbs atv on top plus gear in the drawers, you will be sagging hard and riding on the bump stops with the stock leaf pack.

 

I’ve been through a pile of bed “setups”. I’ve had a Diamondback, smartcap, snugtop, decked, and a bedrack which also includes pelican boxes (135, 80) and a variety of cooler options, (2 electric, 2 rotomolded), and with the rack has included a roll up tonneau which was replaced by sliding tray. It’s an embarrassing list. The new decked looks nicer, and the function of a bed slide is really nice. I would say get both also, but that should have been my obvious answer.

 

I upgraded my leaf pack to the Atlas pack, rated for up to 1k lbs if I remember correctly and aren’t crazy expensive.

 

Thanks for the help. I will look at the leaf packs for sure. I'm still all stock and I'm 6'-4" so I've also been trying to figure out how to lift the truck some so I don't keep hitting my head every time I get in and out. Sounds like the Icons and maybe some 275's will get me close to 3" higher which would be nice. Doubt I will go to 285's at this point. But yes, I carry a lot of gear with me being a forester; saws, chains, straps, fuel, tools for all sorts of things, so I will for sure be up over 1,000 lbs when the quad is in the back of the truck. Thanks for the input!

 

Sounds like Atlas would be a good fit for you

 

I'd build out yout own deck and drawers. Fairly simple. I made a platform and extension to sleep on when we want to get in to the state parks where my motorhome won't fit. Comes out in 4 manageable pieces in a few minutes when I need the full cargo space. Cost me under $120