Drawer/Storage for an Electric Cooler/Battery Questions

[ChasingLowRange]

As promised, here are a few picks of my Colfax campers platform. Kit is super nice and well designed. Assembly took about 2.5 hrs. I’m a woodworker and could have tackled this myself but this kit was very affordable and saved me MANY hours. I got the standard hight kit which is 7.6” tall. It’s the only height that offers the kitchen pullout shelf. However it does pose some issues with the cooler. My 12v electric will just fit at 23” but at 5’, 9” makes it challenging to see in it. I just ordered the lowest medium size cooler I could find (Engel 45qt @ 14” tall) which works well. In retrospect I may have gone with the “shorty” version which is 2” shorter.

I am also looking at this exact colfax campers setup, fridge on top of the drawers. How much length do you have to sleep? Im 6', 2" and was looking at moving to this setup over a ground tent.

 

[Redfred]

I am also looking at this exact colfax campers setup, fridge on top of the drawers. How much length do you have to sleep? Im 6', 2" and was looking at moving to this setup over a ground tent.

Total length with sleeping platform in is 77.5”.

 

[ChasingLowRange]

Total length with sleeping platform in is 77.5”.

Really appreciate it. Should be more than enough room. Planning a 2 week CO trip, so want to be comfortable.

 

[MAC25LC]

Here is my setup for sleeping and IceCo Cooler. Only used it twice, but works pretty well. Looking for solar panel setup on top, the 200W I have is to big.

 

[evillinux]

Here is my setup for sleeping and IceCo Cooler. Only used it twice, but works pretty well. Looking for solar panel setup on top, the 200W I have is to big.

This is honestly the original type of setup I was aim to do with having 2 drawer systems because the organization is just so perfect it seems. I have quickly realized as I've slowly condensed my camping gear that - A) I got too much crap and don't need like 40% of it lol. B) A lot of stuff I do bring is weird sizes and/or shapes so drawers would make it difficult. I do absolutely love your seat, it is so clean, simple and what I was dreaming/thinking of doing.

Attached is the latest and finalize design of the platform. I raised in another 2" inches because I needed to fit my gas grill under the platform and the previous height it just didn't fit. I also have a support board that can be added/removed to give structure when the battery/cooler/tent is sitting on the top. Also the camping table that is in the picture may be swapped for something smaller when I do my ~2day camp trips versus doing something 3+ because it is heavy and semi-bulky.

Needless to say, I'm still beyond happy with how the setup has come together. I've added a handful more of the tie items and extra alligator straps in the back just to use as needed. I've also found/figured purpose for the roof rack which I'm working to use to put fishing rods up top since I don't have any that breakdown and fit in the back for trips.

 

[ultane]

Sure, pics --I set this up this real fast right before a trip in the fall, and I haven't gotten around to converting it into a more permanent setup yet. But I for sure like the fridge in this spot. I may or may not keep the power bank/ Jackery 1000 there too. Here's a shot from the front seat, looking back, and then a second shot looking in from the rear driver side door.

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[evillinux]

So final update the platform failed spectacular pre-Big Sur trip, during Big Sur trip and now as of this post being lumped back home to be completely redone. Both legs on each side folded and crumpled because I realized switching to my canvasback mat and not having the groves from the OEM heavy plastic mat allowed it to move side to side ripping out the screws and crumpling everything.

Outside of that it help up well for about 6hr of the trip to Big Sur before hitting the 1 coast and the zig-zagness of that highway and movement made it crumple and fault.

When I get back I think I might just breakdown and do the drawer setup I want and just never take it out because I really do love having it in the back of the LC. Also hauled probably good 150lb+ of gear in the back that my friend forced me to haul because he took his little civic hybrid and hauling 3 people on our trip. I don't recommend agree to hauling other people's stuff and their kid when you have a large vehicle for trips lol.

Any who, Big Sur was amazing and so was Monterey and the Bay aquarium highly recommend both and the areas for anyone looking to visit. Absolutely scenic driving, views and place everywhere to go!

 

[ultane]

Any who, Big Sur was amazing and so was Monterey and the Bay aquarium highly recommend both and the areas for anyone looking to visit. Absolutely scenic driving, views and place everywhere to go!

I agree. The Monterey Aquarium is awesome. It was crowded when we did our NC to the Redwoods trip, but still worth it.

 

[kidcruiser]

So final update the platform failed spectacular pre-Big Sur trip, during Big Sur trip and now as of this post being lumped back home to be completely redone. Both legs on each side folded and crumpled because I realized switching to my canvasback mat and not having the groves from the OEM heavy plastic mat allowed it to move side to side ripping out the screws and crumpling everything.

Outside of that it help up well for about 6hr of the trip to Big Sur before hitting the 1 coast and the zig-zagness of that highway and movement made it crumple and fault.

When I get back I think I might just breakdown and do the drawer setup I want and just never take it out because I really do love having it in the back of the LC. Also hauled probably good 150lb+ of gear in the back that my friend forced me to haul because he took his little civic hybrid and hauling 3 people on our trip. I don't recommend agree to hauling other people's stuff and their kid when you have a large vehicle for trips lol.

Any who, Big Sur was amazing and so was Monterey and the Bay aquarium highly recommend both and the areas for anyone looking to visit. Absolutely scenic driving, views and place everywhere to go!

Sounds like a great trip. If you liked your setup, you might try adding wood glue to all those places where wood pieces are butting up to each other. Then rescrew for screws to act as clamps while glue dries. Glue should be way stronger than just screws. Just make sure you are gluing wood to wood, no paint or varnish in way.

 

[evillinux]

Sounds like a great trip. If you liked your setup, you might try adding wood glue to all those places where wood pieces are butting up to each other. Then rescrew for screws to act as clamps while glue dries. Glue should be way stronger than just screws. Just make sure you are gluing wood to wood, no paint or varnish in way.

Thanks for the suggestion, that might be the way I do it next time. Unfortunately the legs need a back support to create a box-like shape to hold things properly since it has the ability to wiggle side-to-side is what I realized during the trip. I'm debating on a prebuilt solution that truly fits perfectly into the spot because I do love the setup and having this cheap build I did proved that I'd more than likely leave it in the LC and be happy with it.

For any one curious here is the aftermath of failure and what all was packed into the the whole cargo and back seat area, see attached pictures. Basically, because I sized the platform to be easy enough to insert/remove the legs had room to wiggle back and forth. For anyone who has drove on the coastal 1 highway up to Big Sur knows it is bit curvy on the turns and unfortunately that allows the platform to move side to side and the legs gave up under the weight/motion of it moving.

The trip was a lot of fun for me and I am so glad that I got to see and hug my some redwoods because you never know when you might not get to see/do these types of things. I'll make a post specifically about the trip for other folks that are interested and such. If I do fix and/or switch to something new I'll post up there. I would say the one thing I was really bumped is I didn't get to use my electric cooler which I was looking forward to, unfortunately I had to haul half+ my friend's gear plus one of his kids because he took his Honda civic hybrid. All in all, successful trip to see some amazing sights and enjoy Big Sur, the Aquarium and also my favorite place Gilroy the World Capital of Garlic .

 

[ultane]

Sounds like a great trip. If you liked your setup, you might try adding wood glue to all those places where wood pieces are butting up to each other. Then rescrew for screws to act as clamps while glue dries. Glue should be way stronger than just screws. Just make sure you are gluing wood to wood, no paint or varnish in way.

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[TheMightyGoose]

This is honestly the original type of setup I was aim to do with having 2 drawer systems because the organization is just so perfect it seems. I have quickly realized as I've slowly condensed my camping gear that - A) I got too much crap and don't need like 40% of it lol. B) A lot of stuff I do bring is weird sizes and/or shapes so drawers would make it difficult. I do absolutely love your seat, it is so clean, simple and what I was dreaming/thinking of doing.

Attached is the latest and finalize design of the platform. I raised in another 2" inches because I needed to fit my gas grill under the platform and the previous height it just didn't fit. I also have a support board that can be added/removed to give structure when the battery/cooler/tent is sitting on the top. Also the camping table that is in the picture may be swapped for something smaller when I do my ~2day camp trips versus doing something 3+ because it is heavy and semi-bulky.

Needless to say, I'm still beyond happy with how the setup has come together. I've added a handful more of the tie items and extra alligator straps in the back just to use as needed. I've also found/figured purpose for the roof rack which I'm working to use to put fishing rods up top since I don't have any that breakdown and fit in the back for trips.

This setup is great. A piece of horizontal bracing is really all you need. Secure it to the legs and base.

The reason it failed is because you didn’t have anything to strengthen the vertical legs. You can probably fix it and just run some 3/4” plywood strips, maybe 4” or so between the vertical legs and screw them to the vertical legs. Not sure if what I’m describing is clear, but think about the back of a cabinet. You’ll see horizontal ‘nailing strips/blocks’ at the top and maybe bottom of the cabinet. They keep the cabinet square and add a tremendous amount of strength. I think you can easily fix this with some new legs and the strengthening blocks. You could also add triangular shaped wedges but that’s a lot more work.

It will be MUCH stronger if you do that. And it should work with your current setup. Might need a new leg if that collapsed one is destroyed. But I really think this can be saved and not repeated. You just need to brace the legs.

 

[evillinux]

This setup is great. A piece of horizontal bracing is really all you need. Secure it to the legs and base.

The reason it failed is because you didn’t have anything to strengthen the vertical legs. You can probably fix it and just run some 3/4” plywood strips, maybe 4” or so between the vertical legs and screw them to the vertical legs. Not sure if what I’m describing is clear, but think about the back of a cabinet. You’ll see horizontal ‘nailing strips/blocks’ at the top and maybe bottom of the cabinet. They keep the cabinet square and add a tremendous amount of strength. I think you can easily fix this with some new legs and the strengthening blocks. You could also add triangular shaped wedges but that’s a lot more work.

It will be MUCH stronger if you do that. And it should work with your current setup. Might need a new leg if that collapsed one is destroyed. But I really think this can be saved and not repeated. You just need to brace the legs.

Ya I realized when I swapped flooring materials from the plastic lined OEM mat to my canvasback setup i need to brace the system better. I might reuse the setup in the back of my Tacoma for misc camping purposes with better supporting brackets, but I did order a Colfaxcamper storage drawer system which I am still waiting for it to be delivered. I'm hoping in the next week or two I'll get notification that it is finished and shipping, the wait is killing me. I'm really looking forward to having my fridge in the back the majority of the time this summer since I'll get a good amount of use out of it and also the storage system that I ordered.

Overall was fun trial and error setup, I was in a rush in my trip to get this thing setup and working which was the ultimate demise of it. But it helped sell me on the Colfax and committing to a long term goal and plan of the LC being my campering/road-teip vehicle. I love my Tacoma and great for my extended camping when my friend comes and hauling the dog but I cannot wait for all my storage features in the LC lol.

 

[TheMightyGoose]

Ya I realized when I swapped flooring materials from the plastic lined OEM mat to my canvasback setup i need to brace the system better. I might reuse the setup in the back of my Tacoma for misc camping purposes with better supporting brackets, but I did order a Colfaxcamper storage drawer system which I am still waiting for it to be delivered. I'm hoping in the next week or two I'll get notification that it is finished and shipping, the wait is killing me. I'm really looking forward to having my fridge in the back the majority of the time this summer since I'll get a good amount of use out of it and also the storage system that I ordered.

Overall was fun trial and error setup, I was in a rush in my trip to get this thing setup and working which was the ultimate demise of it. But it helped sell me on the Colfax and committing to a long term goal and plan of the LC being my campering/road-teip vehicle. I love my Tacoma and great for my extended camping when my friend comes and hauling the dog but I cannot wait for all my storage features in the LC lol.

Nice. Post some pics of the new setup when you get it

 

[jrmudder]

Could someone with the Colfax drawer measure this for me? From the top of the drawer to the top of the hatch.

 

[sweet5ltr]

So I'm bouncing around different ideas of how I want to build out the LC to be a bit more suitable for weekend overland and longer road trips. The biggest thing I have a bit of trouble figuring out is that I have a 35L Dometic Electric cooler hooked up with its own battery unit (Bluetti). I love the setup, and basically the way I package the LC is I have some REI large storage bags (similar to Rux, Northface, etc like ones) that I'm getting more in the habit of throwing lose gear in and it stacks/throws in the back cargo space easily.

The biggest thing I'm trying to figure out whether a drawer/storage system would be worth the investment would be the platform ability to mount the electric cooler and battery to it and have it be able to slide out to get access to it. It seems like a no brainer to do one of them, but my issue is I'd like the ability to take the system out when I potentially might not want it in there all the time which to be counter productive from the products I've seen. Part of the other quandry I have with storage systems is I'd love to be able to swap the system between my LC and my Tacoma. I like to take both vehicals on trails and other adventures and they have different purposes (Tacoma can get beat a bit more and I'll cry less whereas the LC is still fresh and being babies [as of this post lol]).

Ultimately I'm debating between:
1. Throw the cooler and battery in the back and just have other stuff hold it in place and/or strap it in place. When I need to get access to it I just deal with it in the cargo space or I haul it out and throw it on the ground/table/etc. Basically what I currently do and it is fine, the only down side is if I throw stuff on top I have to move things out of the way, not end of the world just annoying.

2. Obtain a drawer/storage system that aligns to my needs/wants. Potentially one that is a smaller design that is just a sliding system for a cooler and maybe has storage capability under it (optional).

3. I'm not extensive in my DIY stuff, however I have family that is a woodworker and potentially could design a very simple system that would meet my needs. This is potentially the route I'm leaning towards going as it would give me the bit of creative freedom and ability to design/implement what I am looking for. In case anyone gone this route or potentially has suggestions/plans I'm all ears and eyes for suggestions, ideas, etc.

Also for folks who do have/use storage systems do you like your system(s)? Do you have regrets or realization after getting it or using it aftertime that you would design/change of things? I really like seeing people's storage systems with all the pull out and table systems and stuff, but I always wonder how much folks use it and/or is that just an accept apart of daily life of having it in their vehical all the time.

Thanks for any advice, suggestions or other comments!

Just my advice. Drawer systems are heavy and unless you DIY, fairly expensive. It's far easier to use small totes to separate food and equipment, which can then be stacked on the front seats and rear seat where you have an entire row available now for a sleeping area. As for your fridge, place it on the driver's side rear (where you have direct access from the window) and the power station behind it (nearest passenger row). You can run a surge protector from the 120V outlet, to behind and under the seat folding area. That's where you can plug in you surge protector to all your other devices.

This is a $100 solution versus often, a $3,000 solution. Two endless straps can secure your fridge to the tie down points in the rear. I have never needed to slide my fridge out in 16,000 miles to access what's in it. If you raise the floor up with a drawer system, then you'll need to spend several hundred on a slide, and IMHO, I'd go with a tilt slide out or a slide / table setup (as the fridge is now significantly higher so the tilt is great to have) so add in even more expense.

I also don't like the raised sleeping platform arrangement, because it removes way too much headroom. Most people who do this end up removing it all over time. It's a big compromise. Creating a container based storage solution allows you to remove what you want, when you want, whenever you need to after the trip. Takes minutes to load before the trip.

This won't win you any contests on IG but it works very well. If you truly need more space, I'd invest in a small trailer based camping solution with a RTT, hot water system, water and fuel storage, diesel heater, etc. - or continue building out your Tacoma. LC is great, just needs to be sorted out in a way where all the space is usable / makes sense.

 

[evillinux]

Just my advice. Drawer systems are heavy and unless you DIY, fairly expensive. It's far easier to use small totes to separate food and equipment, which can then be stacked on the front seats and rear seat where you have an entire row available now for a sleeping area. As for your fridge, place it on the driver's side rear (where you have direct access from the window) and the power station behind it (nearest passenger row). You can run a surge protector from the 120V outlet, to behind and under the seat folding area. That's where you can plug in you surge protector to all your other devices.

This is a $100 solution versus often, a $3,000 solution. Two endless straps can secure your fridge to the tie down points in the rear. I have never needed to slide my fridge out in 16,000 miles to access what's in it. If you raise the floor up with a drawer system, then you'll need to spend several hundred on a slide, and IMHO, I'd go with a tilt slide out or a slide / table setup (as the fridge is now significantly higher so the tilt is great to have) so add in even more expense.

I also don't like the raised sleeping platform arrangement, because it removes way too much headroom. Most people who do this end up removing it all over time. It's a big compromise. Creating a container based storage solution allows you to remove what you want, when you want, whenever you need to after the trip. Takes minutes to load before the trip.

This won't win you any contests on IG but it works very well. If you truly need more space, I'd invest in a small trailer based camping solution with a RTT, hot water system, water and fuel storage, diesel heater, etc. - or continue building out your Tacoma. LC is great, just needs to be sorted out in a way where all the space is usable / makes sense.

Yeah my DIY setup blew up on the full trial run which was amusing and it fit the needs at the time, it really need a brace to stablize the legs and/or some beefyness of it. I'll probably repurpose it to the back of the Tacoma when I need something that I can get stuff slide under and above, that was the main original function.

I have the $100 setup in the LC and it works decently, but it did not cut my needs when I went on my Big Sur trip and also the other planned camping and road trips that are coming up throughout this year and next year. Also it is semi-rare of me to invest into a semi-large purchase into one of my vehicals so the Colfax Camper setup I am buying is a bit special to me and honestly will probably get my LC to the 98% build point that I have dreamed about. Also having the drawer system is just far more functional for my day to day life and ability to keep some of my camping gear in the LC so I can run home and grab my canvas tent and like 1 extra tote of misc which ultimately will probably go into the drawers themselves and I can set off in my advantures.

I get very uneasy doing major modifications to either my Tacoma or LC give the nightmare I deal with my old '97 4Runner and its endless laundry list of front end items and also the garbage beyond garage suspension the previous owner installed and really just screwed everything. I look at a storage system/drawer system I bought as non-invasive to the vehical compared to trying to modify major suspension or other functionality which if I had money, time and knowledge I'd love to do, but I'm so scared to do any of that from my 4Runner. Ultimately the storage and drawer system will get my LC to the 98% build point that I have been dreaming about and I'm really excited at it. The other 2% is probably cosmetic goofy stuff like more stickers to cover the back drawer sliders when the Colfax is installed, I got a large among lined up from my time already which just makes me more excited about that.

I definately don't disagree that the $100 setup is a great venture for many people and I am a person who has run with that type of setup in my 4Runner and in my Tacoma for many years utilize the basic equipment that I've collected over the year. But I am excited to finally make the LC be that platform that truly aligns to my wants and needs for organization, storage and just simplisticness to get outdoors more. I like to live by the moto more solutions less excuses and having the platform helps with the solution and cancels our excuses that I try to tell/sell myself on why I can't get out more, now I have far less reason if all my gear is ready to go in the back to just load the tid-bits of things and hit the road and enjoy life.

 

[EOD Guy]

Yeah my DIY setup blew up on the full trial run which was amusing and it fit the needs at the time, it really need a brace to stablize the legs and/or some beefyness of it. I'll probably repurpose it to the back of the Tacoma when I need something that I can get stuff slide under and above, that was the main original function.

Extruded aluminum is the way........

 

[evillinux]

Extruded aluminum is the way........

Yup I have the same aluminum that I used for the top part that I was going to use to build a box like 3 part with the original wood platform. I did and still love that platform, it really did work out fantastic and I am glad it will continue to serve functionally for my Tacoma after being nuked in Big Sur lol.
Funny enough my dad was looking into extruded aluminum for some of his own project items in his garage at my parents. So thanks again for the recommendation on that we've continued to find utilization for it. I have some other misc projects to use my scraps of it also. The gift that keeps on giving with that stuff!

 

[TheMightyGoose]

Just my advice. Drawer systems are heavy and unless you DIY, fairly expensive. It's far easier to use small totes to separate food and equipment, which can then be stacked on the front seats and rear seat where you have an entire row available now for a sleeping area. As for your fridge, place it on the driver's side rear (where you have direct access from the window) and the power station behind it (nearest passenger row). You can run a surge protector from the 120V outlet, to behind and under the seat folding area. That's where you can plug in you surge protector to all your other devices.

This is a $100 solution versus often, a $3,000 solution. Two endless straps can secure your fridge to the tie down points in the rear. I have never needed to slide my fridge out in 16,000 miles to access what's in it. If you raise the floor up with a drawer system, then you'll need to spend several hundred on a slide, and IMHO, I'd go with a tilt slide out or a slide / table setup (as the fridge is now significantly higher so the tilt is great to have) so add in even more expense.

I also don't like the raised sleeping platform arrangement, because it removes way too much headroom. Most people who do this end up removing it all over time. It's a big compromise. Creating a container based storage solution allows you to remove what you want, when you want, whenever you need to after the trip. Takes minutes to load before the trip.

This won't win you any contests on IG but it works very well. If you truly need more space, I'd invest in a small trailer based camping solution with a RTT, hot water system, water and fuel storage, diesel heater, etc. - or continue building out your Tacoma. LC is great, just needs to be sorted out in a way where all the space is usable / makes sense.

Those Gregory Alpaca boxes are the best! I love the whole system. They can be strapped to the roof if needed as well. Easily moved around camp. And I agree about the fully built-in drawer systems. They look really cool but you sacrifice so much usability of the SUV. And the weight is a big hit for the actual gains you get. And then the fridge is so high, you need a stool to get stuff out of it. Just not for me. My fridge box can be unbolted in about five minutes or less. I like EODs recommendation for extruded aluminum but I’m a wood worker. Not a metal fabricator guy. If I meet a metal fabricator guy who can build me a new box for a reasonable price, then I’d love to do that.