DECKED SUV Drawer [Review]: Best Range Storage?
DECKED drawers are built for the tradesman and their arsenal of tools, but how does their latest SUV drawer for the Toyota 4Runner(5th Gen) and Ford Bronco(6th Gen) stack up for the range?
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Ever crammed your SUV or truck full of range gear only for it to shift around during the ride and resemble a jumbled mess at the range?
The DECKED SUV Drawer System attempts to clean things up by organizing your SUV and streamlining your gear.
As PPT’s resident videographer and social media guy, I’ve toted around enough guns and gear to open a small gun shop. (Add in some fragile video gear on top and I’m one sharp turn away from game over.)
I’ve been looking for a good way to organize my gear and keep the guns secure on range days. The DECKED system promised exactly what I was looking for — a way to take my range gear organization and security to another level.
Ready to see if the DECKED system is for you? Keep reading!
Table of Contents
Pros
- Easy installation with very little assembly and no permanent modifications
- Extremely robust build quality
- Strong DECKED ecosystem with various accessories
- Highly versatile if you do your part in creating a swappable system
Cons
- Price tag is hefty, but similar to competitors with fewer available accessories
- Drawer does not extend all the way out
- Honcho 80 case does not fit within the drawer or top tray.
- Sharp edges.
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How We Tested the DECKED SUV Drawer System
To get a feel for how the DECKED system performed, I installed it in a Toyota 4Runner and used it daily for two months. During that time, I assessed it for durability, overall usability, and security options.
Those factors, plus ease of installation and features, were all weighed against the cost of the system and against other similar products on the market.
Installation
Installation of the DECKED drawer system is as close to “drop-in” as you can get. The unit arrives mostly pre-assembled and lacks any requirements for permanent modifications.
Four spacer blocks attach to the bottom of the drawers via adhesive strips, and four turnbuckles hook into the anchor points of your 4Runner or Bronco’s cargo space.
The most difficult step is finding a good buddy to help lift the drawer in your vehicle. Prep the cold brew of their choice in exchange for the help!
Build Quality & Features
I quickly realized just how well-built this unit is when lifting it into my 4Runner during installation.
The drawer weighs a hefty 125 lbs. That’s enough to feel robust, but not to a point where it impacts your vehicle’s performance and gas mileage.
The top tray has a rated payload of 300 lbs and features a ruggedized lining. This lining prevents DECKED’s cases and containers from sliding about (more on those later). It also hosts four rails with multiple tie-down points to secure your load further.
Below, the drawer has a rated payload of 150 lbs. It also has a rubberized lining to prevent slippage.
A front compartment spans the entire width of the drawer, but essentially sections into two larger pockets. Finally, the drawer’s top edge is topped with a brushed-aluminum trim piece featuring a handy conversion chart and 34-inch ruler.
Everything has its drawbacks, and the DECKED system is no different. The drawer’s outer edges are a bit on the sharp side. I've lightly scratched my arms when reaching for items in the side compartments. The chances of accidental scrapes could be mitigated if the edges were chamfered or covered with some sort of corner guard.
The drawer also doesn't extend all the way out. This leaves about 10% of its length recessed inside the housing. You’ll have trouble accessing any items at the very back of the drawer if you have items located at the front.
When it comes to durability, I don't see the unit or any of its components failing. I've thrown everything from multiple firearms and range gear to ammo cans filled to the brim with 9mm and .223 into it, and the unit scoffs at the challenge.
It's great not having to worry about overloading this thing, inside or out.
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My Setup for Range Days
Now to the fun part! I take my need for organization to an almost obsessive level. I definitely spent some time figuring out what worked best for me.
Let’s start with usable space.
The unit doesn’t magically create more capacity in the cargo area of your vehicle. I had to remind myself of the design limitations DECKED had to work with as I shuffled my gear around.
You'll lose both vertical and horizontal space, but that's the trade-off.
The drawer system is designed to help you organize your existing cargo space, not increase it. So how much usable space do you have? Of course, it all depends on the amount and type of gear you haul for each range trip.
The most optimal layout for my use-case is storing smaller essentials like tool kits and eye & ear protection in the front compartments, two of DECKED’s Payloader 32s on the top tray, and a single Payloader 32 within the drawer that keeps my magazines and ammo encased.
Remaining space is reserved for a Savior Equipment Coffin rifle bag (34”) and a Vaultek LifePod XT. Aside from a few items mounted to my MOLLE panels for quick access through the 4Runner's rear roll-down window, I've dialed in a layout that works perfectly.
One important consideration is that rifles must be under 34 inches in overall length to fit inside the drawer.
Most unsuppressed AR-15s should fit as long as they're uncased, but longer firearms are essentially a no-go. This isn’t entirely the fault of the unit since the real limitation is the 4Runner’s cargo space. This isn't a huge deal for my personal use, as I mostly shoot SBRs and pistols. However, it's something to keep in mind if you regularly haul longer firearms to the range.
Other Recreational Activities
One of the biggest advantages of this unit is how easily you can transition from range days to other adventures.
Once you have a system in place using Payloader containers, you can quickly swap your loadout for whatever the day calls for.
For example, packing for a weekend family road trip was ridiculously easy. We managed to fit four large duffle bags inside the drawer, along with two Payloader 32s and a small cooler on the top tray with room to spare. The entire family knew exactly where everything was stored, so there was no more digging through a pile of bags that looked like they'd been hit by a tornado every time we opened the liftgate.
I'm not heavily into camping or overlanding (yet!), but the DECKED Drawer System is a natural fit for anyone who enjoys getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
It’s also streamlined my video workflow as videographer for Pew Pew Tactical.
I’ve made the cargo space of my 4Runner into a mobile studio, keeping all of my camera equipment in the drawer while utilizing the top tray as the set.
I understand this is a very niche use for the drawer system, but it demonstrates how versatile and convenient the system can be. Your own creativity is the limit!
Is the DECKED System Secure?
Growing up in some of the sketchiest parts of Los Angeles County, I'm very familiar with the risks that come with leaving anything of value in your vehicle.
That $5,000 beaut’ of a rifle you left sitting in a gun bag can easily be swiped. That said, DECKED offers a combination lock (sold separately) for added security. While I firmly believe that a determined thief can break into just about anything, a lock can deter a less experienced criminal.
At the end of the day, it’s much better than leaving your valuables sitting out in plain sight for prying eyes to see.
All in, I’m much more at ease knowing my guns are secured if I need to grab an ice-cold Slurpee during a fuel stop quickly.
Possible Improvements
A smaller version of the Honcho 80 designed for SBRs and PCCs that fits snugly inside the drawer would be great. The same goes for a case similar to the Vaultek LifePod XT that's designed to store multiple handguns and magazines.
While I’ll admit this is a bit of a wild request, integrating DECKED's CargoGlide in place of the top tray rails would be an instant purchase for me.
I realize it would further reduce vertical space, but having a roll-out surface that doubles as a makeshift workbench would be really sweet. Bonus points if the design allows it to be quickly attached/detached by removing just a few bolts.
By the Numbers
Durability: 10/10
The DECKED SUV drawer unit is absolutely solid, and the drawer rolled out smoothly every time without fail. There are no signs of warping on any of the panels, despite the loading of heavy items.
Access: 7/10
I wouldn’t consider this a fast-access option for “truck guns,” but rather a storage solution during transport. That said, accessing the drawer is as simple as opening the liftgate of your vehicle.
The biggest drawback is that the drawer does not open completely, so accessing items in the rear is harder to access if you have items in the front.
Security: 7/10
While you get an extra layer of protection with the combination lock, the lock itself is quite small and is the only obstacle standing in a thief’s way if they manage to open the liftgate.
Customization: 9/10
There are a ton of ways to organize your gear, with the option to quickly switch your loadouts based on your current adventure. The biggest constraint would be the amount of available space, but the design is limited to the vehicle’s cargo capacity.
Value: 7/10
This drawer is not exactly cheap, but similar alternatives for the 4Runner run about the same price or higher. DECKED’s ecosystem of accessories also makes this a more appealing option.
Overall: 8/10
DECKED Upgrades & Accessories
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Honcho 80 Gun Case and PuzzleFoam
The build quality of the Honcho 80 is impressive, and I absolutely love the latches that disengage directly upwards if the case is snugged up against the wall of a drawer unit.
However, the Honcho 80 does not fit inside the SUV drawer unit specifically, and will sit above the railing of the tray. You’re also limited to shorter rifles/pistols under 34 inches in overall length.
That said, the case is overbuilt and features a key lock and two padlock points for additional security. The PuzzleFoam (sold separately) is also extremely versatile and can be easily adjusted according to your needs.
Payloader 32
As previously mentioned, the Payloader containers are an absolute lifesaver if you’re the type who swaps between different hobbies and adventures.
While they aren’t necessarily the cheapest option on the market, they stack together seamlessly. Also, the rubber lining of the top tray has an embedded pattern that prevents them from sliding. Multiple sizes of the Payloader are available, but my experience is limited to the 32L.
Final Verdict
After a solid two months of frequent use, I've fallen in love with this system.
It excels at keeping my gear organized while doubling as an improvised mobile workbench, photo studio, and weekend hauler. And let's not forget its ability to keep water bottles and toilet paper organized after a good ol' Costco run! Cliché, I know.
Yes, it's a pretty hefty investment, but if you're someone who enjoys multiple hobbies, this system makes switching between them a whole lot easier. It’s amazing how the simple concept of a drawer system can help maximize your vehicle’s versatility for completely different purposes.
My advice if you’re trying to justify the price: don’t limit yourself to a single purpose and explore multiple ways to use the DECKED drawer system to its full potential.
What do you think of the DECKED drawer system? How do you keep your goods organized on car rides? Let us know in the comments below! Need a smaller rifle to stash? Check out our article on the Best AR Pistols for our top recommendations.
Meet the Experts
PPT Videographer and Social Media Manager Jonny Villanueva took the lead on testing the DECKED drawer system and writing this review. Jonny has a passion for visual storytelling and firearms, combining artistic creativity with hands-on industry experience. Jonny holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a specialization in studio photography. With 10 years of freelance photography experience, more than five of those years have been dedicated to documenting firearms and gear testing under Pew Pew Tactical.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers and edited this review. She is an NRA-certified Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.