We had our 2014 Chevy Tahoe for over ten years, and after moving to Idaho slightly more than a year ago, we knew that we would need to replace the Tahoe at some point. We went back/forth with what would be the best option for us: another SUV or a truck. Ultimately, we chose a 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 High Country, and with the purchase of our new truck came the need to rethink how to transport and organize our outdoor gear!
For organizing our equipment inside the truck bed, we purchased the Decked Drawer System with the Premium Pack. I placed the order for the drawer system from Backcountry Upfitters the day after we purchased the truck; it was delivered within a few days. Before deciding on the Decked drawer system, we considered a few other options, including a CargoGlide, the Decked Drawer System paired with a CargoGlide, and a newer Tmat system. It should be noted that we had already decided on the A.R.E. Evolve CX truck cap, we knew that we would have easy access to equipment stored further back in the truck bed, thus making a CargoGlide system unnecessary.
ORGANIZATION/CUSTOMIZATION:
The drawer system has a flat deck, as the name implies, that fits within the truck bed. The deck is supported by a center vert and two outside channels, which support a load up to 2,000 lbs. Our Silverado is a shortbed, so the dimensions I will share will be based on our truck. From the deck to the top of the truck cap is 28″ and from the top of the deck to the truck cap opening is 24″. The system has 2 drawers with 61″ of space lengthwise inside and extending 43″ when open, providing direct access to that space. The drawers have wheels underneath and glide easily when opening or closing. The handles are made of aluminum, and they are solid. Out of an abundance of caution, I installed the locks on the drawers, which is optional.
As for organization, the options are limitless. For starters, you could choose to use the box without any of the available customizations. We chose the Premium Pack because it included a few goodies to get started: 1 – Sixer 16, 1- Halfrack 32, 2 – Drawer Dividers, Drawerganizer, Stash Bins (2 deep and 2 shallow), and 4 – D-Ring Tie Downs. I set up the left drawer with Sixer 16 plus 2 Drawer Dividers and the right drawer with the Drawerganizer.
If we were to add anything additional at this point, it would be the Traction Mat, which helps keep things in place and also makes crawling around on the deck easier on the knees. You may notice a foam pad in a few of the pictures. Also available are D-Co Storage Cases, from the Sixer 16 to the Honcho, in a multitude of colors, which have been introduced since we purchased our Decked Drawer System.
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION:
The main body of the system and the drawers themselves are made of High-Density Polyethylene, which is impervious to extreme UV light, moisture, and harsh temperatures. The subframe is made of galvanized steel.
For installation, there are several videos available that we will walk you through the process, which I highly recommend watching prior to beginning. If assembling yourself, it should take between two and three hours. I assembled this myself, and it took me about 3 hours, including fixing a mistake I made when assembling the drawer hardware. Additionally, I highly recommend laying everything out in the order in which the system will come together. If you happen to have the applicable socket sizes for your power tools, this will also peed up the process; however, excercise caution so you do NOT over-torque.
CUSTOMER SERVICE:
I have reached out to Decked a few times for a couple of minor issues. My initial contact always started via chat, and once I moved through their chat system, they were very responsive. In one instance, there were issues with the wheels; my Decked System was sent with the incorrect set of wheels for the drawers, though I believed I assembled them correctly, something just seemed off. After chatting and then speaking with Decked, the correct wheels were sent. The second item of concern was when I noticed a crack in the left drawer near the handle. Small, nothing major; however, you are spending a significant amount of money, so you expect a quality product. Similar to my first experience, when speaking with Decked, they were aware of a small design flaw and provided an immediate remedy. Expecting a single drawer to be sent, he indicated that a new pair of drawers would arrive in a few days. Getting a company to stand behind its product in today’s day and age is a challenge, not so with Decked. Their support is top-notch, 5 stars and more.
FINAL THOUGHTS:Â
The Decked Drawer System is a fantastic product, American-made and headquartered in Ketchum, Idaho. The build quality exceeds my expectations, the overall design fits perfectly in the bed of the Silverado, the number of customizable options is nearly limitless, and the customer service is outstanding. In the future, if we were to purchase another truck, I would not hesitate to order another Decked Drawer System. If you have questions regarding the Decked Drawer System, do not hesitate to ask. We would be happy to share our thoughts with you.
Overall: Excellent Purchase
Price Paid: $1600.00 plus applicable taxes
Place Purchased: Backcountry Upfitters
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