"Better Built" Drawers

[Ace Brown]

Been researching storage drawers to replace my homebuilt unit and discovered Cabela's is selling a rugged looking unit, all aluminum, HD slides, locking, and in a size that is almost tailor made for my FJC at 10h x 37.5w x 21d and only $400. They also make a long narrow one at $500. It looks great on paper but wondered if anyone has tried or even seen one yet. BTW this is not the flimsy looking plastic unit they have sold for years.

Ace

 

[1911]

How much do they weigh Alan? Got a link for them?

Thanks.

 

[Ramjet]

There isn't any weight info that i see so far.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Better-Built-SUV-Drawer/717128.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Ddrawer%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchall%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26WTz_st%3D%26WTz_stype%3DSP%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26recordsPerPage%3D80%26search%3Ddrawer%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&Ntt=drawer&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

 

[SWITAWI]

Hmmm. Looks like I found my excuse to wander around the store in Buda tomorrow. I'll look for these and maybe I can borrow a game-hanging scale to get a ballpark figure on the weight.

Threads are always better with pics... :sombrero:

 

[Lichen]

For an FJC, it's hard to beat the Tuffy Box that is specifically made for it. I can't remember what I paid for it, but it holds almost all of my camp equipment, even deep enough for a milk crate.

 

[Pedro]

I am liking the dimensions on the "small". It looks like it might compliment the fridge well. although it might be a couple inches too deep @ 55"

 

[SWITAWI]

Lichen,
I do like the Tuffy box because it is purpose built for the FJ, but it's too tall and takes up too much room for what I want/need. If it was just half as tall as its 13.5" height I'd probably be drooling all over one and its nice, integrated side panels. But I just need a wide, flat space to keep a strap, a couple of shackles, first-aid kit, jumper cables, my hitch, etc. That's more than enough gear for my daily-driver and none of it needs more than 4"-5" of depth to be kept stored. Anything more is just dead weight and I would pull out the cargo carrier and the ActionPackers for the weekend gear anyway. I'll put my eyes on this unit from Cabela's, but it's probably too tall for me as well. I'm glad your FJ's drawer goes to good use and I do like Tuffy's products from what I've seen of them first hand. I really need to get one of their storage console units.

Pedro,
I think I read the dimensions were 10"H x 37-1/2"W x 21"D for the SMALL, and 10"H x 23"W x 55"D for the LARGE.

 

[1911]

Tuffy box would be great if you had to have lockable secure storage, but the price you pay is weight - they weigh 120 lbs. empty, with no dividers or anything in them. I've got too much other heavy crap all over mine to put another 120 lbs. empty on it. YMMV. That's why I was wondering about the weight of the Cabela's aluminum drawers.

 

[targa88]

10" will bring them over the wheel wells. But shouldn't make the platform too high, for those sleeping inside their rig.

Would also be curious how much the Cabelas ALU versions (small & large) weigh and what weight they can support?

 

[SWITAWI]

I might as well fess up... I didn't make it over to Cabela's this weekend so I have nothing to report firsthand on these drawers yet. Probably later this week.

 

[Pedro]

I will be heading to Cabelas for some Father's day gifts. so if they have them I will take some pictures. and report on quality.

 

[Ace Brown]

"Well Built" Drawer Update

I now have my small drawer and some more info on it. Weight on the small unit was 56#. It is not quite as strong as I hoped as when received it was tweaked in shipping but I used my Hi-lift to square it up. I think it is OK but strength would be less then the Tuffy or A/T, but then I don't plan to drive my truck on it. Surprisingly the depth given on Cabelas and Well Builts sites is listed as 21" but it measures out at 26" which was perfect for my FJC. The other dimensions are correct. I think the sliders may not be up to handling a lot of weight, in fact a factory spokesperson told me they were only designed to handle about 100#. I don't plan to load it with tools or other heavy stuff. I am installing a sheet of 3/4" plywood on the box extending close to back of front seats. It will have a shelf at front to extend for sleeping (idea stolen fron Colin). There is lots of storage under the shelf that was originally taken up by the rear seat.

Photos will follow when project finished.

Alan

 

[njjeepthing]

Darn 21" deep would have fit into the back of my LJ, 26" hits the rear seat.

What is their website, btw?

 

[Ace Brown]

The website was (I think) dawswellbuilt.com. But I found it by searching "well built drawer". Also I believe it was listed in an earlier post.

Ace

 

[Ace Brown]

Over a year ago I promised photos of the finished build. Better late, than never. I added the turn bolt catches shown at the bottom of the drawer as the lock was all that held drawer closed. The last photo shows the platform in the bed mode with seats fully forward and folding panel dropped down. Quite comfortable with 3" pad. Pad in photo is my dog's bed from REI.