A drawer system can make a huge difference to how easy it is to use the back of your 4WD, but choosing the right setup involves more than deciding how many drawers you want.
Your fridge, electrical system, onboard air, water storage, canopy and even where you want your power outlets can all affect the final layout.
That’s why a good drawer setup starts with looking at how the whole rear of the vehicle needs to work.
Start With How You Use Your 4WD
Before choosing a drawer layout, the first question should be what you actually need the space for.
Is the vehicle mainly used for camping and touring? Is it a work vehicle? Or does it need to handle a bit of both?
For utes, we also need to know whether the vehicle already has a canopy or waterproof hard lid, as the drawer system needs to be protected from the weather.
From there, we look at what else needs to fit around the drawers.
Do you already have a fridge, or are you planning to add one? Will you also need a dual battery setup, compressor, inverter, 12V outlets, lighting or fresh water storage in the rear?
The more we know at the beginning, the easier it is to plan a layout that works properly once everything is installed.
Your Fridge Can Determine More Than You Think
One of the biggest factors when choosing a drawer layout is often the fridge.
The size and style of fridge can affect the height of the drawer system, where the fridge can be positioned and how easily you can access it.
ARB drawer systems are modular, with different combinations of drawers and roller floors available depending on the vehicle and setup. Low and mid-height roller floor options can also help keep fridges accessible while still providing storage underneath.
That’s why it helps to choose or at least plan your fridge before locking in the drawer configuration.
Plan Your Electrical and Onboard Air at the Same Time
A common mistake is planning the drawers first and thinking about the electrical system afterwards.
Depending on the vehicle and drawer configuration, batteries and compressors may be able to be incorporated underneath the drawer system or within the side wing areas. An inverter, 12V outlets, lighting and other electrical equipment also need somewhere to go.
The amount of available space varies between vehicles and setups, which is why it’s important to consider everything you want fitted before the drawer layout is finalised.
Planning everything together also means we can think about where you actually want your outlets and compressor connection before panels are drilled and components are mounted.
It can make the finished setup much neater and can save additional labour later if the drawers otherwise need to be removed or modified to add more equipment.
If You Have a Ute, Think About the Canopy Too
If you’re planning drawers for a ute and also intend to fit a canopy, it’s worth looking at both at the same time.
Canopy mounting points can affect the drawer installation, and in some setups the drawer system may need to be removed again to fit the canopy later.
Planning the order of the build from the beginning can save unnecessary labour and gives us a better chance to make the canopy, drawers, electrical and storage all work together.
Tell Us Everything You Want the Rear Setup to Do
One of the easiest ways to end up with a drawer setup that doesn’t quite work is to leave part of the plan until later.
If you know you eventually want a fridge, second battery, inverter, compressor, water tank or extra lighting, mention it when the drawers are being planned.
Even if everything isn’t being fitted straight away, knowing what may be added later allows us to consider space and access from the beginning.
Otherwise, equipment and wiring can end up being squeezed into whatever space is left, which can quickly make an otherwise organised setup difficult to use.
Think Beyond Keeping Things Tidy
Organisation is an obvious benefit of drawers, but a practical setup should do more than just make the back of the vehicle look neat.
Think about the gear you reach for most often and where it should be stored. Consider how easily you can get to your fridge, recovery equipment, tools or camping gear without unloading everything else first.
ARB drawer systems also use key-lockable latches, which can help keep equipment secured and out of sight rather than leaving everything visible in the back of the vehicle.
A good setup should still make sense months or years after it was installed, not just on the day everything is packed neatly for the first time.
The Right Drawer Setup Starts With a Plan
There isn’t one drawer layout that suits every 4WD.
The right setup depends on your vehicle, fridge, storage requirements, electrical system and what you actually use the vehicle for.
At ARB Rockingham, we can help plan the drawer system alongside the rest of your rear setup so the different components work together rather than competing for the same space.
Book an appointment with our team at ARB Rockingham to start planning a drawer setup around your vehicle and how you use it.
