Factors to consider when buying cargo drawers

How to find the right cargo drawers for you

While custom fitting out your four-wheel-drive, ute canopy or caravan can certainly be fun, it can also be overwhelming. Even something as ‘simple’ and ‘straightforward’ as cargo drawers has multiple factors to consider.

To help you find the best drawers for you, here’s our guide to everything you need to know about ute, campervan and 4×4 cargo drawers.

 

What are cargo drawers?

The term cargo drawers are a catch-all label for just about any systemised storage solution which operates in a pull-out drawer system. As you no doubt have noticed, there is a wide range of types of drawer systems and many different aspects to cargo drawers.

What are they used for?

Storage, mostly.

Sturdy, durable and custom cargo drawers can be useful for just about anything. For campers, they are often installed in four-wheel-drives and ute canopies to provide extra storage for gear, equipment and other possessions. Not only do they provide more space to store items, but cargo drawers allow you to enjoy peace of mind that your equipment is secured and safe. Not to mention how much easier it is to keep everything systemised and organised for easy access.

Both 4WD and ute cargo drawers can be customised in a myriad of ways, including incorporation of pull-out fridges, kitchenettes, work toolboxes and other specialised storage containers. 

With a team like ours behind you, you can just about achieve any storage solution you want with cargo drawers. 

How do you make cargo drawers?

At Dunn and Watson, we offer custom fabrication of cargo drawers. While our extensive range of drawers come with an assortment of styles and sizes, if you need custom cargo drawers or have a specific application that’s unique, make sure to reach out to our team.

Our onsite fabrication and manufacturing facilities will ensure you get the drawers you need.

 

Factors to consider when buying cargo drawers

Size

Size actually does matter when it comes to 4WD cargo drawers and cargo drawers for utes. Of course, you need drawers that can actually fit the gear and equipment you want stored. But even more importantly you need drawers that actually fit into your vehicle!

Most utes and 4WDs require rear cargo drawers, but not all vehicles are the same size. Before making any purchase and especially before any attempted installation, make sure that you take accurate and precise measurements of the space available in your vehicle. If you are not sure how much space you need for a particular set of cargo drawers, make sure to reach out to the Dunn and Watson team today. 

Capacity

Nope, capacity is not the same thing as size. Yes, the bigger the size of the cargo drawers the more capacity it will have inside, but more than a few would-be DIY fitouts have stumbled over a mis-calculation of capacity and size. The size of your vehicle space needs to fit the entirety of the drawer system, slides and all. The capacity, on the other hand, is measured in litres and refers to how much space there is contained within the drawer. In other words, how much of your stuff you can fit into it. 

Assuming you have the space, make sure you check the capacity specifications and ensure that it can fit what you need it to fit inside. 

Flexibility

Flexibility is an important factor to take into consideration as well. We don’t mean that the material is flexible, but that the metal cargo drawer system itself is. If you have a particular application in mind, some cargo drawers may be more suited than others.

If you need them to function in a certain way or be able to be modified according to your specifications, it’s best to ensure they offer the right flexibility of use and application from the outset. As always, our specialists here at Dunn and Watson are always on hand to help. 

Materials

Aluminium cargo drawers are probably the most common type in Australia. For good reason too: Aluminium is rust resistant, durable and strong. Nevertheless, there are other options on the market, with stainless steel being but one. If you need a particular type of material, or you need your cargo drawers in a certain colour or finish, make sure to check this before placing your order and purchasing. 

Design

You might be surprised to learn that cargo drawers do actually come in different designs. Depending on the particulars of your application and vehicle, you may need to consider some alternate or custom designs.

There are other design aspects to think about as well. What sort of handle and/or lock do you want? Are you interested in lock-out features so the drawers stay open when engaged? 

The best way to go about determining the right design is to start off with how you intend on using the cargo drawers and for what. You can then narrow down the design options until you find the right one for you. 

 

Where to get the best cargo drawers

So, where do you get the best cargo drawers Australia wide?

Answer: Right here at Dunn and Watson! 

Our leading supply of all things camping, trailer, ute and 4WD accessories includes an extensive range of cargo drawers. No matter the size, use or application we’ll have a stock or custom drawer system that will suit what you need. And if you need a hand, don’t hesitate to give our friendly team of fit-out enthusiasts a call!