21' Under Bed Drawer

[Yakanaka]

I've been looking at all the great mods in this forum and it's time to contribute.
I put in a large under bed storage drawer in our 2018 21'. The drawer goes all the way from the stock cabinet hatch at the foot of the bed all the way to the black water tank at the head of the bed.
There's a base track that gets constructed first with three 2" casters and then gets fitted into position and screwed to the floor.
The drawer itself has 2 fixed 2" casters and one drawer front caster. The front caster is mounted on a spring loaded hinge that folds up out of the way when the drawer is closed. When the drawer is opened, the front caster swings down to support the drawer as it is extended. There's 2 blocks at the front that stop the spring hinge in the extended position. These blocks require some skill to cut.
This design doesn't require hefty, high capacity drawer slides and the drawer front won't flop down as the drawer is extended.
The parts are all typical hardware store supply and 1/2" plywood.
I made the drawer as deep as possible but this could easily be revised for bins. With the high sides, you do need a cut out on the sides to be able to lift the drawer out of the track.
So without further ado, here's the pictures and the plans.

[EdColorado]

Very creative.
Ed

[Lisa M.]

Really nice! I could fit lots of stuff in there! I think I would need it sub-divided a little: I’m one of those people who like roll top desks with all the little cubbies too. But if I subdivided it, I couldn’t fit the broom!

[cpaharley2008]

Thank you Derek for posting these pictures, very helpful for others.

[SFmiguel]

Thank you Yak Man for posting your pics and diagrams. I just finished my version of your under bed drawer. A simplified version without the spring loaded caster on the drawer front. I wouldn't have thought of casters and would have used long drawer slides with beefed up support. Your plan is great. Thanks again, Mike

[tractors1]

I used to sell & install similar drawers for the 21s using full extension 36 inch 100 lb guides. Very heavy assembly when all done; put a good dozen screws into the floor with a 1/2 inch mounting base.



Decided to go the same slider approach and use plastic for both the drawer and sled it slides inside instead. Probably saved a good 25 lbs when installed!


Did a similar with removable dividers for our extra door next to the bath. Nice to be able to rinse out the muddy hiking shoes box.

[Effie]

Nice design, I'm in the process of designing something similar for my 19, this will help, thanks for sharing.

[jeffrow]

Originally Posted by tractors1

I used to sell & install similar drawers for the 21s using full extension 36 inch 100 lb guides. Very heavy assembly when all done; put a good dozen screws into the floor with a 1/2 inch mounting base.



Decided to go the same slider approach and use plastic for both the drawer and sled it slides inside instead. Probably saved a good 25 lbs when installed!


Did a similar with removable dividers for our extra door next to the bath. Nice to be able to rinse out the muddy hiking shoes box.

Are those made of something like marine board?

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by jeffrow

Are those made of something like marine board?

Nope, solvent welded ABS. Same material as black plastic plumbing drain pipe. No glue.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Effie

Nice design, I'm in the process of designing something similar for my 19, this will help, thanks for sharing.

Like these for under the bench at the entry? Two smaller drawers clipped together for access out the optional bench drawer, total 36 inches long.

[Greggo]

Originally Posted by tractors1

I used to sell & install similar drawers for the 21s using full extension 36 inch 100 lb guides. Very heavy assembly when all done; put a good dozen screws into the floor with a 1/2 inch mounting base.

Hi Charlie. Ours are still going strong after 3 years. I esp like the wardrobe closet boxes. His and hers clothes. I installed the shelves high enough we can slide an 8" Sterlite box under for our coffee stuff.

Greg

[tractors1]

[QUOTE=Greggo;301169]

Originally Posted by tractors1

I used to sell & install similar drawers for the 21s using full extension 36 inch 100 lb guides. Very heavy assembly when all done; put a good dozen screws into the floor with a 1/2 inch mounting base.

Hi Charlie. Ours are still going strong after 3 years. I esp like the wardrobe closet boxes. His and hers clothes. I installed the shelves high enough we can slide an 8" Sterlite box under for our coffee stuff.

Greg

That's why I prefer solvent welding plastic over glue. It doesn't separate like glue can.

[Effie]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Like these for under the bench at the entry? Two smaller drawers clipped together for access out the optional bench drawer, total 36 inches long.

Where did you get the ABS? I found some on Amazon, expensive stuff.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Effie

Where did you get the ABS? I found some on Amazon, expensive stuff.

I get it wholesale for my business. Local supplier in Oregon, runs about $60 for a 4x8 ft sheet of 1/8th inch thick if you buy 10 or more sheets and pick them up instead of shipping.

[cpaharley2008]

Charlie has been making widgets and gadgets out of plastic for awhile. He provided a handy plastic lip for my E19 over the exterior refer vent that kept water out of the compartment as well as shelves and containers for other members. Very handy with plastic and items for your Escape.

[stephen99]

Another happy Charlie Y customer here. We got the long under bed box for our 21 from him. Holds lots of stuff and easy to access.

[Greggo]

Originally Posted by stephen99

Another happy Charlie Y customer here. We got the long under bed box for our 21 from him. Holds lots of stuff and easy to access.

Try the wardrobe boxes. Very handy and if you offset them, there's room left for hanging a couple jackets.

[Jake930]

Originally Posted by stephen99

Another happy Charlie Y customer here. We got the long under bed box for our 21 from him. Holds lots of stuff and easy to access.

Me too. I made a slide out under bed drawer for our 21, but it proved kind of heavy for my wife to use. So I got one from Charlie with the slide, works great!
Needless to say, she’s happy, I’m happy, thanks Charlie.
We also have the wall pockets behind the toilet that Charlie make, also the soap dish and towel rod.

[rotorbudd]

I'll chime in on Charlie's products too.
Got 2 under bed drawers and a bunch of overhead dividers. Everything Is sturdy, well built, but still lightweight.
The dividers really help keep things from sliding around in the overhead while traveling.
Couldn't recommend them more.

[Donna D.]

Charlie's products are terrific. I've got two drawer toppers and the laundry basket for under the middle step of Ten Forward. Fabulous!