Cargo Drawers Feedback

I looked at drawer systems and decided against on grounds of weight, complexity and expense. Instead we set up a system of screw down tracks in the floor of the vehicle with removeable tie down points . We carry everything in strong stackable plastic crates that tie down over the stacks with nylon straps. Fast and easy. Light and cheap.
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Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 23:23

Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 23:23
Nice, Until the item you need it right at the front and on the bottom and you have to pull everything out to get to it.

But to each his own.

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AnswerID: 405296

Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:34

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:34
Yeah, it needs a little foresight and thought about where you put things. We have used different coloured boxes for different types of items which helps. Some items that you might need real quick, like toilet paper, tend to have back ups elsewhere. But really, I can't think of anything that we have had to access that fast? Tool box and aircompressor are always at the top. Firts aid is in the cabin. Water available from tank and tap. It really only takes a few seconds to uncinch a stack of crates. We have two or three stacks of up to three crates, depending on how it is set up for that trip. We use quite large tubs/crates (mostly the stacking Nylex type with lids) so even if you neeed the bottom, one, it doesn't take much to get down to it.
Things like chairs and stove that you do need instantly, go on top of the stack, with pillows or doona wedged around them (We also have a cargo barrier).
Once set up with the boxes we want for a particular trip, the straps stay in place for the entire trip and you just loosen them off to get stuff out and pull them down tight when finished. I use a long strap that forms a loop with a cam buckle, so you just pull the strap threough the buckle and it latches itself.
Another advantage is that when we set up camp, all the boxes come out we just position them where we want them. Foof box/cooking gear box/tools etc.
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Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:47

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:47
Should have also added, I got the idea after looking at the setup used by a doctor on the Simpson Desert bike event. I noticed that he kept a lot ofl his medical supplies in much smaller plastic boxes stacked and secured this way and seemed to have no problem getting at what he wanted fast. Many of you will know him, so Dr. Greg, take a bow.
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Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 23:33

Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 23:33
Hi Mfewster - A good way to go - The most efficient use of space if you do it right.
AnswerID: 405299

Reply By: Off-track - Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 23:46

Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 23:46
This thread is useless without pics. :-)
AnswerID: 405301

Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:38

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:38
You are right. My vehicle currently is loaded up with a whole lot od other stuff that I don't want to move around, but I will try to get it cleared and show the set up as we use it for camping soon.
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Reply By: Best Off Road - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 07:32

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 07:32
Weight, complexity and expense are three significant issues. Many 4wd wagon units weigh 80 kg plus, cost over $2000 and take hours to install.

For that very reason we developed an alternative; weight 40 kg, cost under $1000 and 10 minutes to install into existing mouht points in the car.

Of course your setup will be far more cost effective than any drawer system and if it suits your needs, the DIY alternative is an excellent one. The only disadvantage is that you do not have a solid "false floor" to store items above your boxes.

Cheers,

Jim.

AnswerID: 405307

Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:42

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:42
I should have mentioned. The track we use is the stuff that Qantas uses in their cargo bays and to secure seats down. Flat track, but with point along it where you put in plugs that you use as tie down point, so you can either have a flat floor or just put in plugs where you need them. You can get it from TJM 4WD shops. Not very expensive.
One of the reasons we went this way is that the old 60 series didn't come with ties down points. Now we have them anywhere we want them
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Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:53

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:53
Whoops, I keep thinking of other points I should have added. A big plus is that when not travelling, I have a big empty space in the back of the truck with lots of tie down points for carrying any loads I might want in there.
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Follow Up By: Best Off Road - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 09:34

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 09:34
Sounds like you've got it well sorted. A little ingenuity goes a long way.

Thanks for the information on the tracks, I'm going to investigate that; I could welll have a use for it.

Cheers,

Jim.

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FollowupID: 675024

Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 13:40

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 13:40
Image Could Not Be Found

Hi Jim, hope this image will show up. The back of truck mis jammed with work gear and all camping gear is packed away under house so I don't want unpack and set it all up just fro a photo at this stage, however I cleared a corner of the truck to show a bit of the track that makes this work. I have points like this in lots of places around the rear floor. A couple of plugs shown also, one plugged, the other out. Also seem to have brought back more Simpson Desert than I realized. The track comes in metre lengths and you cut ut to whatever you want, I have some long and some short runs at different points. Obviously, this is a short run at one of the points I use to tie down the fridge, so not much adjustment needed, always in same spot.'Hope this helps
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Follow Up By: Best Off Road - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 13:46

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 13:46
Thanks Mike,

I'll definitely get some of that, looks like it has many uses.

Regards,

Jim.

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Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 09:31

Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 09:31
Jim, I went past the place where I giot the track. I gave you the wrong place. It is available at Opposite Lock 4wd shops. Mayu be at others also, I don't know.
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Reply By: vk1dx - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 09:36

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 09:36
We also looked at that. But we got drawers instead.

All we have to put in the car for a trip is the food, fridge and clothes and off we go. Everything we need for cooking, camping and recovery etc is already in the car in the drawers and under a bed extension beyond the drawers that comes up to the rear of the front seats. When at home, without the fridge and clothes, its a huge flat empty space for whatever we want. We can make up our mind to go and be gone in half an hour. Going for longer requires a little more shopping and prep.

I do understand where you are coming from. As they say each to their own. We are lucky in one way, in that we don't have to worry about extra passengers. You come with us = you bring your own car.

At least starting off without drawers shows means that if you had got drawers and didn't like them you didn't waste any money.

Enjoy

Phil

AnswerID: 405326

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 09:40

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 09:40
Don't know if this link will work but this is the car on facebook.

Our car
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FollowupID: 675025

Follow Up By: PradOz - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 11:18

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 11:18
You have to sign in to facebook to view and when you do it says the content is currently unavailable.
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FollowupID: 675047

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 12:55

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 12:55
Sorry. I am not a member so I cannot upload the photo.

I tried.

Phil
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FollowupID: 675087

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 13:03

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 13:03
Try looking at my profile. Same user: vk1dx

Maybe that will help. Beats me as I don't really use facebook much.

Phil
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FollowupID: 675088

Follow Up By: Member - Amy G (QLD) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 19:10

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 19:10
Hi Phil,

Your privacy settings on Facebook are such that no one other than your friends can see your photos.

To post pics on the board, open an account at http://www.photobucket.com, upload your photos to that and then post them to the board using the 'Insert Image' button just below Submit!
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FollowupID: 675159

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 19:34

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 19:34
There isn't anything flash about the drawers. They stop at the back of the second row of seats and a flat extension goes forward to the rear of the front row of seats. This gives us a flat area about the size of a double bed. On this is the fridge ona drop down frdige slide from Platinum. Thats the only loss of area. All the camping, water and gas stogarage is under this flat board. If its wet we can sleep in the back if needed. Or if on your own why bother putting up a tent.

Sorry but I dont want to open anynew accounts anywhere. facebook was a pain until I made it private. No more thanks.

Like I said its nothing special.

Cheers

Phil
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FollowupID: 675161

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 21:45

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 21:45
Lets see if this one works.

Our car
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FollowupID: 675204

Follow Up By: PradOz - Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 at 12:27

Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 at 12:27
Nice and neat set up - would love it myself, ahh one day....

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FollowupID: 675273

Reply By: Member - Geoff H (QLD) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 13:39

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 13:39
Hi Guys,

I used the plastic crates for years until I got sick of digging through everything to find one thing. (I don't always pack smart) I was surprised how light they are, my wife and I lift them out of the wagon easily.

The big downside was that I spent 6 days building them, however it's very satisfying now that they're finished.

They fit everything we need and we use the sides to store tarps and floor mats leaving the top shelf for any extra gear.

Image Could Not Be Found

Regards
Geoff

AnswerID: 405400

Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 16:16

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 16:16
Looks good Geof. I had thought about just getting a small wooden chest of drawers and using the Qantas tie down points to put a strap over the top so I could have some easy access drawers and put some sort of clip on the front of each drawer to hold it closed. Thought I could use a drawer unit like that as base and then tie down plastic boxes on top so I could have a mix withsome fast opening drawers, but really, I haven't found accessing the boxes to be a problem, you get to know what you are likely to need en route and have those things easy to get at.
Maybe some of the sturdier plastic drawer units could also be used? Lighter, but I suspect not strong enough. Dunno.
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FollowupID: 675129

Follow Up By: Member - Geoff H (QLD) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 16:41

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 16:41
I used the butchers tubs for about 15 years and loved em for holding fish, food, rubbish whatever. Great on a ute.

If they made them in custom sizes I would have made shelves for the wagon and used them as drawers, but I needed to utilise as much space as possible.

Regards
Geoff
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FollowupID: 675134

Reply By: Member - Scoot (SA) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 19:35

Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 19:35
AnswerID: 405446

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