Are you tired of cramming your camping gear into every corner of your truck, only to spend hours searching for that one essential item? Imagine having everything you need within arm’s reach, perfectly organized and easy to access. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it's time to turn that dream into reality with a simple, yet incredibly effective off-road conversion using heavy-duty locking drawer slides.
This guide is for all the weekend warriors, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts who crave convenience and adventure. We’re going to show you how to create a pull-out storage area in your van or pickup truck that will revolutionize your camping experience. Let's get started on your off-road conversion adventure!
Why Consider a Drawer Slide Conversion?
Organizing your camping equipment can be a nightmare. You want to spend your precious time exploring the great outdoors, not digging through piles of gear. A drawer slide conversion offers the perfect solution by providing easy access to all your essentials.
Benefits of Drawer Slide Accessibility
Drawer slide accessibility isn’t just about organization; it’s about transforming the way you interact with your gear. Imagine pulling out a fully stocked drawer and having everything you need right in front of you. No more rummaging around in dark corners of your truck bed!
Enhanced Convenience for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Convenience is king when it comes to outdoor adventures. With a drawer slide conversion, you can quickly and easily access your equipment, making your camping trips more enjoyable and less stressful. Plus, you’ll impress your fellow adventurers with your slick setup. Maximizing space is crucial for any off-road conversion. Drawer slides allow you to utilize every inch of your truck bed or van, providing a smarter, more efficient storage solution. Say goodbye to wasted space and hello to perfectly organized bliss.
Choosing the Right Drawer Slides
Not all drawer slides are created equal. When it comes to off-road conversions, you need slides that can handle the rugged terrain and heavy loads. Avoid cheap knock off drawer slides and purchase from a reputable distributor who has a solid knowledge base of the items they sell.
Here’s what to look for. Heavy-Duty Locking Drawer Slides.
Heavy-duty locking drawer slides are a must for any serious off-road enthusiast who are looking to convert their truck or van for a camping conversion. These slides are designed to hold up under the toughest conditions, ensuring your gear stays secure and easily accessible. If you are going to build a drawer box, it is essential you use heavy-duty locking slides. These lock in both the closed and fully open position. They do not lock in increments. Mobile applications should always incorporate locking drawer slides to keep heavy items from jostling around while you go over bumpy terrain and prematurely wearing out your drawer slides. Heavy-Duty locking drawer slides come in a multitude of lengths which provide you with many drawer depth options. For bottom mounting options, Fulterer, Heavy Duty Locking Drawer Slides have mounting brackets to provide a second way to fasten your drawer sides to your frame. Those are often listed under the accessory tab for the slides that work with the length required for your build.
Durability and Load Capacity
Durability is key when selecting drawer slides for your conversion. Look for slides with a high load capacity to ensure they can handle all your equipment. You don’t want to be halfway through your adventure only to have your drawer slides fail on you.
Smooth Operation and Ease of Installation
Smooth operation is essential for drawer slides. You want slides that glide effortlessly, even when fully loaded. Additionally, ease of installation is important. The last thing you want is a complicated setup process. Heavy duty drawer slides do not have a detach mechanism. You must install the side member (Cabinet Member) first then attach the slide (Drawer Member) to your drawer. These are designed this way to give you the weight rating required for this type of use.
Pro Tip: There is a lock-release lever on the front of the drawer slides. The Lock handle generally protrudes an additional 1-3/8" (35mm) longer than the length of the slide itself. Lever lengths can vary by manufacturer so always refer to the manufacturer’s PDF file for exact dimensions. Heavy Duty Locking Drawer Slides are beefier than your kitchen drawer slides. They require 3/4" installation width on the side with 1/32" additional width for expansion and contraction of the wood you will be using to build your drawer box. Remember to use all the screw attachment holes to get the maximum load rating based on the drawer slide you use in your project.
Planning Your Drawer Slide Conversion
Before you start installing drawer slides, it's crucial to have a plan. Proper planning will save you time and headaches down the road. There are plenty of pioneers who have already braved this frontier who will gladly offer DIY advice online on exactly how to create your own wilderness wagon offering things to do and avoid in your quest for the perfect build. A quick online search will provide you with countless inspirational ideas.
Assessing Your Storage Needs
Take stock of all your camping equipment and determine what you need to store. This will help you decide the size and number of drawers required for your conversion.
Measuring Your Truck Bed or Van Space
Accurate measurements are essential for a successful
conversion. Measure your truck bed or van space to ensure your drawer box will
fit perfectly. 
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to account for any wheel wells or other obstacles.
Sketching Out Your Design
A simple sketch can go a long way in visualizing your conversion. Draw out your truck bed or van space and plan where the drawer box/boxes will go. This will help you stay organized and ensure you don’t miss any important details.
Building Your Drawer Slide System
Now that you have a plan, it's time to start building. Follow these steps to create your ultimate drawer slide system.
Gathering Materials and Tools
Before you begin, gather all the necessary materials and tools. This includes your heavy-duty locking drawer slides, plywood, framing wood, screws, a saw, a drill, and a measuring tape. Measure carefully. As dad always said, "Measure twice, cut once."
Cutting and Assembling the Drawers
Cut your framing material and plywood to the desired dimensions of the drawer box you are going to build. Remember when building the actual drawers, you need to build them to the specifications found on the PDF you can download from the manufacturer. Take the time to make sure the drawers are sturdy and square.
Pro Tip: Square is the key word here. Drawers and drawer boxes that are out of square will bind the drawer slides and prevent smooth running of the roller cages in the slides. The other issue for a slide that binds if not allowing 1/32" in addition to the required installation width to allow for contraction and expansion of the wood. Remember wood responds to humidity. That expansion allowance is very important. It would be terrible to have your wet weather gear stuck in a drawer that has swollen due to rain/high humidity.
Installing the Drawer Slides
Attach the drawer slides to the sides of your drawer box first. Extend your slides so you can access the drawer member. You may need some sawhorses or a good friend to assist in the part of the assembly. Take care and use all the attachment holes on both members of the drawer slides. This gives you the best results and provides you with the full load rating. Ensure the slides are level and securely fastened. Test the drawers to ensure they slide smoothly and lock in place. For detailed instructions and tips for installing heavy duty drawer slides read our guide here.
Pro Tip: All drawer slides have a load rating typically based on an 18" length, set by industry standards. This rating applies to a pair of slides at full extension. As the slide length increases, its weight capacity decreases—generally by 5% for every 2 inches (50 mm) beyond 18". For instance, a 24" slide would have 15% less weight capacity. There are also occasions when the material you build with will not handle the load you are putting on the slides. That could be a failing point in your build. For more detail, please read our a.
This is very important! The rule for drawer slides is 1.5 times the length of the slide is the widest you should build your drawer box and remain within the manufacturer’s specifications on the load rating. This keeps the slides in the optimal working width to length ratio recommended by the manufacturer. Example: 24" length drawer slides maximum width drawer should be no wider than 36". You may be tempted to "go wide or go home". Just…don’t! You must be able to reach both locking mechanisms to unlock and open your drawer. Not everyone has an NBA player wingspan! Going wider will reduce the load rating significantly.
Real World Advice From The Handy Gal! I once helped a customer who needed to replace 12” deep drawer slides. He told me that the ones they had kept failing. These were in a “Lady’s Secret” type bra drawer. He assured me there was not a lot of weight. We talked about this for 10 minutes and I asked how wide the drawer was in this instance. He informed me it was 48” wide. It was well outside the specs the little drawer slide was designed for. Those extra 30 inches were the failing area of the drawer. Not only was the drawer too wide, it also made the drawer fight itself to open evenly. That was why every time he replaced a slide, it continued to fail. He bought the drawer slides fully understanding that they would also eventually meet the same demise as the other’s he had purchased. Now, bras have no weight themselves to consider as a “load”, but your camping gear sure does! I’m tossing this real-life example out there so you can see how important it is to have knowledge of how drawer slides perform and what could also make one fail prematurely.
SAFETY FIRST: Most importantly, never-ever use these slides as a way to build a pull-out sleep area. Drawer Slides are designed for a dead-load (Inanimate Objects). People moving around in sleeping bags or kids wrestling around on them is not safe, can lead to injury, or death. Be smart, so your camping trip is fun and most importantly, safe! No reputable manufacturer would ever recommend Heavy Duty Drawer Slides to be used for the purpose of supporting people or other living creatures.
Organizing Your Gear
Categorizing Your Equipment
Sort your equipment into categories such as cooking, sleeping, and hiking gear. This will help you know exactly where everything is and make packing and unpacking a breeze.
Utilizing Dividers and Organizers
Use dividers and organizers to keep smaller items in place. This will prevent your gear from shifting around during transit and make it easier to find what you need.
Labeling Your Drawers
Labeling your drawers is a simple yet effective way to keep things organized. Use labels or stickers to indicate what each drawer contains, making it easy to grab what you need quickly. You may know where you store specific items, but your fellow travelers may not be versed in your setup. This lets everyone know quickly which pull-out houses which items.
Maintaining Your Drawer Slide System
Proper maintenance is crucial to ensure your drawer slide system continues to function smoothly and efficiently. Inspect for Wear and Tear: Regularly inspect your drawer slides for any signs of wear and tear. Address any issues promptly to prevent further damage and ensure your system continues to function properly. Make Necessary Adjustments: Over time, you may need to make an adjustment to your drawer slide system. Tighten any loose screws and make sure the slides are still securely fastened.
Enhancing Your Setup
Take your setup to the next level with these additional enhancements.
Adding a slide-out kitchen area
A slide-out kitchen is a game-changer for any outdoor enthusiast. Install a drawer specifically for your cooking equipment, complete with a built-in stove camping stove.
Integrating Power Solutions
Integrate power solutions such as a portable generator or solar panels to power your equipment and gadgets. This will make your camping trips more comfortable and convenient while maintaining a few of the creature comforts of home.
Customizing for Your Needs
Customize your drawer slide system to suit your specific needs. Add extra drawers, compartments, or features to make your setup truly unique and functional.
Real-Life Success Stories
OVISonline has helped numerous outdoor enthusiasts and Pro-Conversion companies alike, live their dream of converting their vans and trucks for all sorts of camping adventures. Here are just a few examples of who purchased their locking drawer slides from us.
Momentum Vans-Lake Stevens, WA.
Rossmonster Vans-Longmont, CO.
Highland Vans-Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Conclusion
Transforming your truck or van with a drawer-slide system is a game-changer for any outdoor enthusiast. Not only does it provide easy access to your gear, but it also maximizes space and adds a level of convenience that will enhance your camping experience.
Pro Tip: One more time. I will stress safety. These
pull-out and the slides have a specific dead load rating. When extended, do not use them
as a step to reach something higher, or as something to lean against while
telling the story of the big one that got away during the fishing trip on the
lake this afternoon. They are not
intended for use as a stair or ladder. A fun outdoor adventure should not end in a trip to the ER by using your slides for something they are not designed for!
If you're ready to take your outdoor adventures to the next level, start planning your custom-built Heavy-Duty drawer slide pullout conversion today. And don't forget to share your success stories with us—we'd love to see how you elevate your camping game!
Happy adventuring!
