Quick Facts:
- Picks: Seven truck bed drawer system and slide options, with specs and owner notes where available.
- Best overall: DECKED Drawer System, $1,699.99 for every midsize and full-size fit, price checked October 28, 2026.
- Best bed slide: DECKED CargoGlide, from $1,499.99, price checked October 28, 2026.
- Height lost: About 12 inches for full drawer systems, 4.5 to 6.8 inches for a bed slide.
- Drawer weight: 82 pounds for one ARB drawer up to 265 pounds for a TruckVault, before gear. Tuffy lists no weight.
- Top owner complaint: Lost bed height for tall loads.
- Best for: Truck owners who keep recovery gear, tools and camp kit in the bed full time.
9 min read
In This Guide
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Why a Truck Bed Drawer System Pays Off
A truck bed drawer system turns an open bed into locked, organized storage. As a result, your recovery gear, tools and camp kit stay in the truck between trips. Instead of unloading bins to reach one strap, you pull a drawer and grab it. In addition, a flat deck gives you a level platform for a fridge, bins or a sleeping pad.
Quick Picks
- Best overall: DECKED Drawer System, for midsize and full-size pickups carrying gear full time. $1,699.99, price checked October 28, 2026. Select your make, model and year on the DECKED page to see your fit. Check Price at DECKED.
- Best bed slide: DECKED CargoGlide, for capped trucks and heavy loads. From $1,499.99, price checked October 28, 2026. Check Price at DECKED.
- Best modular pick: ARB Outback Roller Drawer RD945, for one side of the bed or an SUV. $1,099.95 at ARB USA, price checked October 28, 2026.
- Best premium build: TruckVault, for a custom wood vault built to your truck. Priced by quote.
We dug deep into Reddit, TacomaWorld, Expedition Portal, IH8MUD and other owner forums to see how these systems hold up. The pattern was consistent. Owners love gear kept dry, organized and locked away. However, the most common regret is the bed height they give up.
I drive a 2025 Chevy Colorado ZR2, so the midsize numbers are the ones I weigh first. For me, the biggest draw is a locked home for recovery gear, since it never leaves the truck. Below, you get the specs side by side and the strengths and trade-offs owners report for each pick.
Truck Bed Drawer System Specs Compared
Every truck bed storage system below trades bed height and payload for organization. Therefore, compare height, weight and load ratings before you compare looks. Prices come from each maker’s site and were checked October 28, 2026.
| System | Type | Top Load | Weight | Height | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DECKED Drawer System | HDPE drawers, steel frame. | 1,000 lb midsize, 2,000 lb full-size. | 177 to 233 lb. | 12.2 to 12.3 in. | $1,699.99. |
| DECKED CargoGlide | Steel bed slide, 75% or 100% travel. | 600 to 2,200 lb. | 87 to 443 lb. | 4.7 to 6.8 in. | From $1,499.99. |
| TruckVault Standard 2 Drawer | Coated wood drawers. | 2,000 lb. | 130 to 265 lb. | Not listed (6 in deep drawers). | By quote. |
| ARB Roller Drawer RD945 | Single steel and plywood drawer. | Not listed (275 lb per drawer). | 81.6 lb. | 11 in. | $1,099.95. |
| Front Runner Pickup Drawers Large | Two steel drawers. | Not listed (250 lb per drawer). | 172 lb. | 11.8 in. | $1,799.40 on sale. |
| Tuffy Model 257 | Steel security drawer. | 2,000 lb. | Not listed. | 10 or 14 in. | Not listed on Tuffy’s site. |
| BedSlide 1000 Classic | Composite bed slide, 75% travel. | 1,000 lb. | 105 to 206 lb. | 4.5 in. | $1,552 to $2,039. |
Two patterns stand out. First, full drawer systems sit about 12 inches tall, while slides stay at 4.5 to 6.8 inches. Second, weight swings from a single 82-pound ARB drawer to a 443-pound CargoGlide XL. Also, every pound comes out of your payload.
A good truck bed organizer setup also needs the small parts. For example, add a thin rubber bed mat, tie-downs on the deck and bins sized to your drawers. Below, a grid covers those pieces.
Small Parts for a Drawer Build
6-Pack Heavy-Duty D-Ring Tie Down Anchors. 6000 Lbs Breaking Streng…
Best Overall: DECKED Drawer System
The DECKED Drawer System is our top pick for most pickups. It costs $1,699.99 for every midsize and full-size fitment, price checked October 28, 2026. Also, the HDPE drawers ride on a galvanized steel frame with stainless hardware. DECKED builds it in the USA.
Full-size versions carry 2,000 pounds on the deck and 200 pounds in the drawers. Midsize versions carry 1,000 pounds on top, plus 400 pounds in a single wide drawer. The system stands 12.2 to 12.3 inches tall and weighs 177 to 233 pounds. DECKED calls it weatherproof and says a locked tailgate keeps the drawers out of reach. A keyed lock set adds a second layer, from $55. For Tacoma owners, our DECKED Tacoma fitment guide matches each system to each bed.
What DECKED Owners Report
Owners praise smooth drawers and a top solid enough to stack bins on. Many also describe dry drawers after years of rain, snow and car washes. On the other hand, a smaller group finds fine dust inside without a topper. Heavy-use owners report torn handles, cracked drawer faces and tight weather stripping, while others report years without trouble. The trade-off I’d weigh hardest is bed height, because the deck sits about a foot above the floor. In addition, the drawers extend about 70 to 87 percent, so the cab end of each drawer takes a reach.
Install takes about 2 to 3 hours, and freight ships free to the lower 48 and Canada. The limited lifetime warranty covers the original purchaser only, so check this before you buy a used unit. On the DECKED page, select your make, model and year to see your exact fit.
Match Your Truck to the Right DECKED Drawer System
Pick your make, model and year on the DECKED site to see your fit. Weatherproof HDPE drawers, free freight to the lower 48 and Canada, and a limited lifetime warranty.
Check Price at DECKEDBest Truck Bed Slide: DECKED CargoGlide
A truck bed slide brings the whole load to the tailgate, so you stop crawling into a capped bed. The DECKED CargoGlide starts at $1,499.99 for a full-width model, price checked October 28, 2026. Full-width models run to $3,299.99, and a half-width CargoGlide 600 sells for $899.99.
Ratings run 600, 1,000, 1,500 and 2,200 pounds. Standard models extend 75%, while XL models reach 100%. Because the deck sits only 4.7 to 6.8 inches tall, a slide keeps most of your bed height. Weight runs from 87 pounds for the smallest half-width model to 443 pounds for the largest XL. The frame uses powder-coated steel and a 3/4-inch marine-type plywood deck, and DECKED builds it in the USA.
Owners with a topper often call a slide mandatory, since it ends the crawl to the bed’s front. In contrast, some owners report a plywood deck cupping over time and side trim working loose. Opinions also split on 75% versus 100% travel. Some say full extension earns its higher price, while others reach everything at 75%. If you already run DECKED drawers, a CargoGlide mounts on top with a $100 bracket kit. However, the midsize 1,500-pound model drops to 869 to 888 pounds there.
Bring the Whole Load to the Tailgate With CargoGlide
Choose 75% or 100% extension and ratings from 600 to 2,200 lb. Made in the USA with free freight and a limited lifetime warranty.
Check Price at DECKEDOther Drawer Systems and Slides Worth a Look
DECKED sets the benchmark, but these five systems fill needs it leaves open. 4wdTalk earns no commission on them, which is why they carry no buy links.
TruckVault: Premium Wood Build
TruckVault builds a truck bed storage system from coated wood with sealed, keyed drawers. Also, its Standard 2 Drawer carries 2,000 pounds on top and 300 pounds per drawer. Pricing comes by quote. Used outlet pickup units show original prices of $3,225 to $8,430. Fans praise the build quality, while critics cite heavy boxes and older drawers binding under load.
ARB Outback Roller Drawers: Modular Steel and Plywood
ARB sells single drawers, so you fill one side of the bed or an SUV cargo area. The RD945 costs $1,099.95, weighs 81.6 pounds and carries a 3-year warranty. Owners describe solid, quiet drawers when bolted down correctly, while older posts report failed slide locks and cracked plastic trim.
Front Runner Pickup Drawers: Two Steel Drawers
Front Runner’s Large pickup drawers weigh 172 pounds and rate 250 pounds per drawer. The kit sold for $1,799.40 on sale against a $2,999 list price. Front Runner sells them as universal drawers, so check the 48.4 by 42.5 inch footprint against your bed. Its Wolf Pack drawer kit is designed for beds under a canopy or cover.
Tuffy Model 257 and BedSlide: Security and Slides
Tuffy’s Model 257 uses welded steel and a Pry-Guard locking system, with a 2,000-pound top rating. Tuffy does not list a price on its site. Meanwhile, the BedSlide 1000 Classic is a 1,000-pound slide priced at $1,552 to $2,039. Its 5-year warranty extends to lifetime when you register it. Pick Tuffy if theft tops your worry list, and BedSlide if you want a composite slide in place of steel.
How to Choose a Truck Bed Drawer System
Check what sits above the bed before you buy a truck bed drawer system, because satisfaction tracks it closely. Owners running a mid-rise or high-rise topper, or a tall rack, report the most success with truck bed drawers. In contrast, owners with a low cap or a tonneau are the ones selling their drawers. If you plan a rack, our best bed racks of 2026 roundup covers the pairing.
Measure the Truck Bed Height You Give Up
A full truck bed drawer system takes about 12 inches of bed height. Measure your tallest regular load first, such as a cooler with the lid open, a dirt bike or a dog crate. Next, subtract 12 inches from the space under your cap or cover. If the load no longer fits, a slide or loose bins work better.
Budget the Weight Against Payload
A midsize DECKED system weighs 177 to 204 pounds before you load a single tool. Add a topper, a fridge, water and passengers, and the total climbs fast. Several owners added springs or airbags after installing drawers. Check the payload on the Tire and Loading Information label in your driver’s door jamb. NHTSA’s tire safety page shows where to find it. Then read our breakdown of payload capacity and GVWR before you buy.
Loose gear on the deck counts against payload too, so pick sealed hard cases sized to the space. Our guide to overland storage boxes covers sizing and mounting. The grid below adds the pieces owners pair with drawers.
Deck Gear and Security
Pelican 1170 Case with Foam (Silver) | Watertight copolymer case wi…
Drawer System vs. Bed Slide
Choose drawers when you want a truck bed organizer with locked, sorted storage. They also add a flat deck for sleeping or stacking bins. Pick a truck bed slide when you want large items at the tailgate. For example, think of a fridge, a generator or totes. A slide also keeps most of your bed height.
Entry prices run close: $1,699.99 for a DECKED truck bed drawer system versus $1,499.99 for a CargoGlide, both price checked October 28, 2026.
When a DIY Build Makes Sense
A DIY build makes sense when you own the tools, have free weekends and want drawers sized to your own gear. Builders report simple plywood drawers built with straight cuts. One builder’s waxed oak runners on laminate have lasted a decade under heavy tool loads. Even so, one TacomaWorld builder spent about $1,500 with tools and ended near DECKED’s weight. For a broader plan, see how to maximize truck bed storage without losing daily-driver use.
Final Thoughts
My pick for most overland pickups is the DECKED Drawer System. It gives you dry, locked storage for gear you never want to pack twice. Its deck also holds a fridge and bins. Finally, the flat price across fitments and the limited lifetime warranty make it the easiest truck bed organizer to recommend.
Still, be honest about bed height. If you haul tall loads or run a low cap, the 12 inches will frustrate you. For those trucks, a CargoGlide or BedSlide keeps the bed open and brings the load to you. Meanwhile, ARB drawers suit a smaller budget or one side of the bed. TruckVault suits a buyer who wants a custom wood build.
Since I drive a midsize ZR2, the midsize DECKED is the one I’d shortlist first. Whichever you choose, weigh it against your payload first and measure your tallest load. For more build ideas, browse our overland gear guides.
FAQ
Is the DECKED drawer system worth it?
Most owners say yes for a truck carrying recovery gear and tools full time. You get weatherproof, locked storage and a deck rated to 1,000 or 2,000 pounds. However, if you often haul tall loads, the 12 inches of lost bed height outweighs the benefit.
Are truck bed drawers waterproof?
Mostly. DECKED calls its system weatherproof, and many owners report dry drawers after years of rain and car washes. Fine dust still gets in for some owners without a topper.
How much bed height does a drawer system take?
DECKED systems stand 12.2 to 12.3 inches tall. Single drawers such as the ARB RD945 stand 11 inches, while bed slides stay at 4.5 to 6.8 inches.
Do drawer systems fit every truck?
No. Each truck bed drawer system from DECKED and TruckVault fits specific makes and bed lengths, so select your exact truck before you order. ARB and Front Runner sell modular drawers, which also fit some SUVs.
Should you build DIY truck bed drawers?
A simple plywood build suits a light budget. However, some builders report a polished build costing close to a commercial system, with no warranty.