Cargo Drawers Overview
Sturdy drawer construction is absolutely paramount. It’s not too uncommon to hear about home-made versions spoiling a trip because it was not up to the job. Professionally built
drawers will not rattle, vibrate or come loose even under the harshest
4WDriving conditions.
You'll be surprised how heavy the load in a drawer can become when packing for a big trip. For example; tools, gas bottles and
recovery gear can weigh up to 100kg in one drawer alone! Some things to consider when choosing a quality built cargo drawer system is:
- Make sure you check the load capacity and internal measurements.
- Check for ease of use and test the drawers, are they on rollers, are they smooth or do they stick? Consider that when in use in the bush as the vehicle may not always lie flat. The drawers need to be easy to pull out when needed and stay secured when not.
- A good idea is to get some recommendations and testimonials from other people.
With a lot of commercial products available on the market,
shop around, as you will definitely get what you pay for.
Drawer Construction
Drawer Materials
Sturdy construction of
drawers is very important due to the rough and jarring ride that will occur off-road and the heavy loads that may be carried. Most cargo
drawers for 4WDs are constructed from materials that are tough, relatively inexpensive and preferably light in weight. The list below explains the advantages of the various materials used by manufacturers in constructing cargo
drawers. Each manufacturer will have their own preferred material.
Shop around to choose the system that best suits your needs and budget.
Galvanised Steel
The main advantage of using galvanised steel is: it’s not expensive, easy to work with, commonly found and it comes in a large variety of shapes and forms. Galvanised sheets usually come in 0.9mm, 1.2mm and 1.6mm and can be easily bent into box shapes or channels using a pan brake or a hydra bend machine. Strengtheners may also be used such as: “U” channel and “top hat”. Galvanised steel is usually used in the framework of the cargo
drawers, either spot or MIG welded (much stronger) or bolted with nylock nuts.
Aluminium
Aluminium is quite light and relatively soft when compared to galvanised steel; however, it’s much more expensive. Aluminium can be very strong when it’s used with strong framing concepts and utilising strengtheners such as: rectangle hollow, “top hat” or “T” bar. Some manufacturers are utilizing both extruded and folded aluminium, which provides great strength (around 120kg per drawer), without weighing in as excess baggage. Storage
drawers purely constructed in aluminium can result in up to 60% reduction in weight when compared to other materials on the market. This will obviously provide lighter overall vehicle weight and thus lead to better fuel economy.
Plywood
Plywood was the very first type of engineered wood and it is made up of a number of layers of veneer, each layer glued at right angles to the adjacent layers. These layers are bonded under heat and pressure with strong adhesives such as phenol formaldehyde resin. Plywood is known to resist cracking, shrinkage, twisting or warping and it is generally quite high in strength. 4WD storage
drawers that are made with timber are usually made with marine grade plywood, with highly stressed areas being re-enforced with steel bracing or truss rods. When this method of construction is implemented and used with heavy duty rollers, great strength can be achieved with drawer loadings of over 200kg.
Drawer Quality
Things to look at when it comes to quality components that feature in storage
drawers include:
• Stainless fittings: Are the
drawers made with high grade stainless steel fittings or are they made with galvanised fittings?
• Flush mounted latches: Do they have quality flush mounted ‘T’ latches?
• Do they use quality stainless steel screws, bolts and nylock nuts throughout?
• Are they fully sealed heavy duty roller bearings and are rated at high loads?
• Are these bearings designed to be dust proof?
• Are they finished with premium automotive carpet or industrial carpet?
Drawer Customisation and DIY Kits
Drawers can either be fitted by a professional using their own 4WD templates or fitted by yourself using their kits. DIY kits are designed to fit your make of vehicle and may come to you in flat packs where you put the pieces together at home. These have been professionally designed and they carefully follow the contours of the rear compartment. The
drawers are usually designed as wide as possible with the drawer roller assemblies as compact as possible. All aspects of the design have been calculated for the optimum use of space including the space behind the wheel arches, which can also be utilised for storage.
Drawer Safety and Security
Safety for you and your family must be paramount! Some things to consider when looking into a storage drawer system is:
• Use heavy duty “tie downs” and make sure the tie down points provide extra load security in rough terrain.
• Check the situation for using child restraints. Are anchorage points still accessible or can they be installed in the unit?
• Check whether or not the system complies with Australian Design standard
• Cargo barriers should be installed in all vehicles that carry rear loads. Check to see what options are available with your chosen system. Some systems are designed to suit the popular makes of cargo barrier in either half or full sizes.
• A key-lock is a good feature in storage
drawers if you believe you’ll be leaving gear in your vehicle when it’s unattended. There are occurrences where a vehicle has been broken into, yet all
recovery gear stored in one drawer was not stolen as the drawer was locked. Thieves usually take what is easily obtainable and a lock provides a simple deterrent.
Drawer Layout Options
The two main types of layout options are: “side by side”, where the
drawers sit below the
fridge side by side with each other and “double stacked”, where a
fridge will sit beside two or more stacked
drawers. You will find advantages for both of these systems and it is usually personal preference to a drawer system that best suits your needs.
Advantages of side by side
This system gives the driver a clear view, especially when the driver is looking out of the passenger's side rear door window and the cargo area side window before changing lanes or moving to the left.
Much of the weight sits lower and thus helps lower the centre of gravity. This is important in any vehicle as a lower centre of gravity increases road handling and reduces the risk of roll over.
The “side by side” system can come in two halves and either side can usually be removed to fit a cargo seat or to allow more space for large items. This system costs a little less and you will save money in freight due to the fact they break down into smaller components.
There is efficient use of space between the
fridge and the seat and efficient use of space near the wheel arches. The removable panel for the jack storage area is very easy to access.
Advantages of double stacked
The height of each drawer can be varied to suit your specific needs. You may want to secure larger items such as: gas bottles, cookers and lanterns into these bigger
drawers without the worry of them moving around too much.
There is flat storage space above the
fridge itself due to the “tabletop” design of the top shelf of the drawer system. Here you can place large items such as satellite dishes that need to lie flat.
The
fridge sits up to 200mm lower with the “double stacked” system. Shorter people will find this more practical to access the
fridge without the dangers associated with standing on any elevated platforms.
Fridge Mounting
A storage system should also include a solid provision for mounting a
fridge, with or without a slide mount. Always consider the height and clearance needed to access the
fridge with the lid as a total solution. If you are considering a
fridge slide or drawer, only consider a slide rating that is at least 100kg. Since fridges can weigh up to this weight, someone weighing 90 kg or more should be able to sit on the drawer when it’s fully extended without the drawer and rollers showing any evidence of strain. A storage system should also include a solid provision for secure and easy to use/refill water storage (50 - 70L is ideal for both range and weight).
Other Drawer Options
Some extra options that are also available may include:
• Optional drawer partitions.
• Optional bed extension.
• Optional “lift off” table which sits on top of an open drawer. This is usually constructed from 19mm food contact grade polyethylene plastic.
• Optional access to wheel arch storage area.
• 1 to 5 year warranty.
Drawer Conclusion
Your storage solution should be just that - providing a "home" for everything. Remember, when you travel, you are on holidays and you want to be able to quickly setup camp, prepare your meal and have everything at your fingertips. A real test of a good storage solution is not only one that holds together, but one that adequately stores everything you need safely, whilst being easily accessible.
Portable Fridges
The debate over which fridge is the best on the market is one of the most contested discussions in the camping recreation. In this article we look at the range of features and the major issues to consider when comparing brands and models.
[Feature Story]
Snorkel
Although significantly different, both petrol and diesel engines require a steady flow of air to operate. If the vehicle is not fitted with a snorkel, they do this by sucking air through the inner guard of the bonnet or just behind the grill. These open airways will also allow water to enter the engine if submerged - with disastrous results!
UHF Radio
If you are considering a trip into Australia’s vast outback, then a UHF Radio is an important communications device to have. Besides the entertainment value, such as chatting with other travellers, this radio can be a valuable part of your contingency list.
Recovery Gear Needs
The majority of situations that will stop a 4WD from moving are tyre punctures or getting yourself bogged in mud or sand - and these can happen in the simplest of situations, and for no real fault of the driver.
Suspension
There is an unfortunate but realistic fact about purchasing a new 4WD - it won't come fitted with a suspension system designed to carry the kind of load you'll pack for a serious outback trip. In this article we explain why it is important to consider fitting a new suspension system and what is involved.
Bull Bars, Rails & Steps
A vehicle's bull bar, sides steps and rails are known as its "bar work". Some critics might suggest that bar work is not necessary but for people actually using their vehicles for offroad touring, the bar work provides critical strength and protection and should therefore be considered as essentials.
Accessories
This topic contains detailed articles on the complete list of vehicle accessories and equipment on today's market - includes basic essentials for weekend camping and must-have gear for setting up a 4WD for serious offroad use.
Aftermarket Seats
Unfortunately, car manufacturers don't always expect us to actually take our vehicles offroad - so when it comes to fitting out your vehicle for a major trip you replace your suspension to improve the ride so ... why not replace your seats?
Winches
All travellers should be capable and equipped for winching so in this article we will discuss the various winching methods and equipment on the market. Written in conjunction with one of Australia's most noted experts in winch gear, we will also discuss some important safety issues along with providing some practical tips to suit everyone from traveller to competitor.
HF Radio
HF Radios are a wise consideration if you intend to travel throughout remote regions of Australia. In this article we discuss the usefulness of HF radio in practical situations and explain the many features and services available to enhance your use of the equipment including links to suppliers and manufacturers.
Long Range Fuel Tanks
A large number of outback treks involve long distances between fuel outlets. Jerry cans are dangerous, difficult to store and not as convenient as a long range fuel tank. Fitting a long range fuel tank is a common modification and there are many good manufacturers.
Driving Lights
If you plan to do any night driving in the outback then a strong reliable light source is a must. Bad weather, night driving and the possibility of stray animals all demand the need for a clear view of the road and the standard vehicle high beam is not enough.
Topics Index
Each Topic contains a range of detailed and useful articles on products, services and issues. This section is full of practical tips, ideas, photos and factual information. Each topic has links to relevant Manufacturers, Retailers and Operators that can be found in our Directory; plus links to relevant Posts in our Forum; and links to related Trader listings.
Water Tank
Water storage is a critical issue for all four wheel drivers. Not only do you need to carry large amounts of fresh water, you also need 2 alternate supplies in case of contamination from one source. We suggest a couple of small plastic jerry cans for backup but for the main supply, the best water carrying solution is a stainless steel water tank.
Roof Racks, Luggage Trays & Boxes
In this article we look at the pros and cons of using the roof of your vehicle for storage when travelling; discuss what not to carry on your roof; provide some helpful packing hints and finally some useful buying tips.
Bike Carriers
Using a recreational vehicle such as a 4WD is all about exploring places and enjoying yourself. Taking a push bike can provide you with the added advantage of exercise and exploring that little further in the nice open air.
HF Radio Installation
In this article, we discuss the procedures for installing a HF radio and the modifications that can be considered for a successful installation. We look at the different options and locations on the vehicle to mount the antenna base and provide some cabling and console tips to give that professional look.
Vehicle Shower
Water is the single most precious commodity you need to carry for your trip. Although heavy, we need to carry it for drinking, cooking and washing. When it comes to personal hygiene during remote travels, we often scrimp on the luxuries and make do with a quick wash of the arm pits and other spots. It's this sort of roughing it that puts off some travel partners, but there is a solution.
