A Better Use of Space: I Field Tested the Latest DECKED Truck Bed Drawer System

How do you make such a sweet piece of gear just a bit sweeter? Well, DECKED decided to fine-tune its drawer system to improve it in all the places we didn’t even notice were lacking.

With a new, square-shaped drawer box that increases overall storage capacity, a fuller extension that makes the back of the drawer far more accessible, improved truckbed space usage with the ammo can storage boxes, and a heap of other little additions, the new upgraded DECKED Drawer System promises to be a step up in all directions.

With a predecessor that seems pretty dang sweet to begin with, it’s hard to imagine that these improvements would really make a huge difference. Turns out … they do.

In short: Without adding any additional weight to the overall setup, the DECKED Drawer System ($1,600) improvements mean more storage, easier access, and a weatherproof storage option for all your gadgets and gizmos. Though, just like the previous version, it does mean giving up a bit of that sweet, sweet truck bed space.

The Big Improvements to the DECKED Drawer System

Increased Drawer Extension

The drawers slide out further than they used to. This isn’t a huge change, but it is a noticeable one. The back of the drawer is much more flush with the opening, meaning you don’t have to struggle to reach in for the little stuff that gets shoved to the back.

Larger Drawer Capacity

The drawer itself is noticeably larger. Reconfiguring the shape to be more square means you get over 10% more storage capacity than the previous version of the drawers.

Added Cargo Tie-Downs and Ammo Can Storage

The added D-Rings (above red) in all four corners is an awesome addition for those of us who need to strap things in and might not have access to the factory-installed truck bed attachment points after installing the DECKED system.

The Ammo Can Storage (above blue) is probably not something you’ll utilize for everyday items, but it does offer storage space where it was once just inaccessible. These removable boxes pop in and out and can be opened for additional storage you might not need to access daily.

Included Accessory Packs

Depending on which system you choose for your truck, you’ll get an accessory pack with storage options for your system. Without listing all of the options and configurations, the full-size truck bed system comes with:

• 1x Sixer 16
• 1x Halfrack 32
• 2x Drawer Dividers
• 1x Drawerganizer
• 4x Stash Bins
• 4x D-Ring Tie Downs

Testing the Upgraded DECKED Drawers

This has been a longer-than-planned test simply because I wanted to be sure about the weatherproofness’s longevity. As a hunter, I plan on tossing some heavy, drippy cargo onto this box. I don’t want those fluids and gunk to make it inside the drawers to my precious cargo.

That all being said, I tested the hell out of these drawers. I was not nice to them. I threw stuff on them with fierce disregard for their well-being.

In conjunction with a Leitner Rack and a Roofnest Falcon 3 Evo, I couldn’t possibly fit more storage into the back of my truck if I tried.

The DECKED Drawers have held everything from groceries to dogs. They’ve been separated into hunting gear on the left, fishing gear on the right, and just a catch-all for everything when the weather turns quick.

Currently, one drawer is my camp drawer for early-season scouting. The previous version of the drawers wouldn’t fit my rooftop tent ladder. These bigger, more square drawers fit it perfectly, with room to spare.

I’ve built so much trust in the drawers that I use them to store optics and rifles. That should speak volumes to how much faith I have in the tightness of these drawers.

What the DECKED Drawer System Does Well

Everything. Not to sound too won over, it does everything it’s supposed to, and it does it well. My life is lived out of my truck, and I’ve never been more organized or more confident that my stuff isn’t being ruined by weather or stolen by a-holes.

The increased extension is super helpful for someone like me. I have a hard time reaching stuff because I apparently didn’t eat enough veggies as a kid. Those additional inches being brought forward mean I don’t have to hobble up on the tailgate to reach the back of the back.

Waterproof/Weatherproof/Dustproof

The DECKED drawers keep everything out. The company claims that it isn’t quite Tupperware waterproof, but dangit, I’ve put my drawers through rain, sleet, carwashes, heaps of snow, dust, debris, and blood. Not a drop or a dollop has made it inside.

Storage Options

The included accessory pack is probably sufficient for all your organizing needs, but you can always add more. I plan to add several more for the sole purpose of having swappable boxes.

Right now, I have a Halfrack 32 as my toolbox, with jumper cables and all the tools I could possibly need to get me out of a pinch in the field. I also have a Sixer 16 for a general-use tackle box, full of line, hooks, some go-to lures and flies, fillet knives, and whatever other odds and ends I can think of.

I plan to grab a few more of each so that when the seasons change, I can swap out my fishing box for an ammo box, or a bowhunting box, or a camp kitchen box. This way, nothing is forgotten; nothing has to be unpacked and repacked. It’s a simple box swap-and-go.

Where It Falls Short

The only place the DECKED system actually falls short is by not being short at all. Yes, storage is rad, but it costs space.

Depending on what your truck bed setup is, you may not even notice the loss in bed depth. If you have a rack system like my Leitner Rack, you’re going to notice that there’s a whole lot less headroom when you’re crawling in and out. You’ll also have a higher hoist when loading things into the back of your truck.

This is something to remember if you’re on the shorter side. It’s also something to keep in mind if you find yourself loading things with some serious height, like dirt bikes or mountain bikes. Trust me when I say that a 50-pound bag of feed feels heavier when being loaded into my truck now. Those elevated inches matter.

If you use your truck bed to haul a mass of things, you have less volume. That’s just the tradeoff for the storage.

But that’s all a reach for a flaw. It isn’t really a flaw at all, as much as it’s just part of the setup. For me, that trade is well worth it.

Is It Worth the Price Tag?

I wouldn’t trade this setup for pretty much anything else. It keeps all of my gear clean, dry, secure, and organized. For people who are always on the go, particularly those on varying adventures, the DECKED Drawer System ($1,600) is worth its weight and then some. The price is more than reasonable for a setup that is secure and capable of keeping your gear pristine.

For me, the value of the items in the drawers far exceeds the price of the setup itself, and that fact just hammers home the value of these drawers. They keep my most important gear safe and secure, and the peace of mind alone is worth it.