Need Some Advice With Setting Up Truck Bed

[rich_c]

I am reaching out to the Ranger Hive Mind for some advice:

I am stuck between purchasing the Decked Drawer System or getting BuiltRight panels and a bed cover.

My use case is kind of mild: I enjoy the outdoors. I go hiking, fishing, and hunting, and I want something I can put my gear in when I go out. I am not overland camping or anything extreme, and some of the options that came up in my research seem like a bit of overkill... and expensive. I am also not using the truck for work, beyond driving it, so no toolboxes and materials getting thrown in the back -- unless I'm working on a DIY project at home.

I like having access to the bed, so I have ruled out a topper. I know a soft topper can be folded down, but I do not want one. Likewise, I do not want a rack system on my truck.

So I have narrowed it down to a Decked drawer system or a set of BuiltRight panels and a bed cover.

Is anyone here doing either of these, or has in the past? If so, what are your thoughts on the set up, good or bad?

Thanks in advance.

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[Ranger_Rocks]

We have a 2020 SuperCab with 6' bed. Our needs and usage are similar to yours. Simple storage, occasional hauling, mild off-roading, and good bed access.

I considered a decked drawer system, but that was too "permanent" for my occasional needs and not simple to install/remove/store. I try to minimize the amount of "unused" stuff sitting around in our limited garage space.

I have full length left/right side BuiltRight panels and a RetraxPro XR tonneau cover. Both are well made and rock solid. I also have the full set of six bed tiedowns, had to buy two.

NOTE:

• The forward ends of the BuiltRight panels are partially blocked by the Retrax canister.
• BuiltRight panels may need notching/trimming around tonneau cover clamps and Wolf Haus 12V bed outlets. I notched mine, then applied touch-up paint to the bare metal.

I have only removed the Retrax cover once temporarily to haul a new boxed TV with the tailgate closed. My wife and I are able to do this. Any other hauling is done with the Retrax cover locked open.

For simple, flexible, expandable, bed storage, I use Greenmade large plastic totes from Costco. Both totes and covers are heavy duty. Height is perfect being just short of the Retrax Cover. Tote covers are notched in both directions for cargo straps. I toss in as many totes as required for the task at hand. Tie them down with cargo straps, then off we go. Waterproof and dustproof. While not in use, both totes and covers stack neatly for storage.

Our SCab rear seats and headrests are always removed. We keep two large totes on the rear seat decks for cab storage.

Our truck also has factory spray-in bed liner which helps keep the totes (and other cargo) from moving.

 

[rich_c]

Thanks for the reply, @Ranger_Rocks. I appreciate it.

The one thing that makes me hesitate buying the Decked system is that it might make carrying my kayak a little more difficult. There are a few access points to fishing spots I go to that do not have parking available for a trailer, so bed loading become a necessity. I do not have a garage (yet... trying to get the CFO on board with the idea of having one built), so if I had to take out the Decked system, it would go into the storage unit.

I think I am going to go with the BuiltRight panels and do some research on bed covers. I do not have an outlet in the bed of my truck, so that is not a big deal. Nothing is ever permanently in the bed, either. I think the panels will give me more flexibility for my needs. And since I just had a Line-X dealer do the spray in bedliner to my truck, it will be easier to sell my wife.

 

[Cabose-1]

I had a home made decked system. Copied the measurements off line. It made the bed "floor" so much higher that even one gallon oil jugs would reach over the bed rail. It took up too much bed space and for times i needed the tailgate down so an item could lay flat it held said item in the air. Imagine a sofa. I use a touneau cover, whatever its called and a big plastic bin for a toolbox i can easily move in and out.
You will have to modify the builtright system for the tie down points for the cover. Not a big deal, for creative minds. So, nothing too perfect out there, just depends on your ingenuity to make your bed solution.

 

[rich_c]

Thanks, @Cabose-1!

I was already looking at the panels and figuring out how to make a rod holder using T nuts in the 1/4-inch slots. Everything else can be handled by tote boxes held by straps or bungee chord.

Still looking at the tonneau cover options that are available.

 

[LaBalbe]

My usage is similar to yours, and I've had a tri-fold tonneau and spray-in liner since day one. Like @Ranger_Rocks , I use a couple of bins for bed storage of things that would otherwise roam around the bed; they went in fairly quickly after I got the truck. A while back, I picked up a pair of BRI panels from another member here, and have been very happy with how they've helped organize my bed. Here's some pics:

Bed is still mostly available for the occasional over-sized load:

I've also had skis, sleds, Christmas trees, and other assorted things propped out of the bed (tailgate closed, tonneau open; all properly secured), but I don't have any pictures.

 

[lariat]

I am reaching out to the Ranger Hive Mind for some advice:

I am stuck between purchasing the Decked Drawer System or getting BuiltRight panels and a bed cover.

My use case is kind of mild: I enjoy the outdoors. I go hiking, fishing, and hunting, and I want something I can put my gear in when I go out. I am not overland camping or anything extreme, and some of the options that came up in my research seem like a bit of overkill... and expensive. I am also not using the truck for work, beyond driving it, so no toolboxes and materials getting thrown in the back -- unless I'm working on a DIY project at home.

I like having access to the bed, so I have ruled out a topper. I know a soft topper can be folded down, but I do not want one. Likewise, I do not want a rack system on my truck.

So I have narrowed it down to a Decked drawer system or a set of BuiltRight panels and a bed cover.

Is anyone here doing either of these, or has in the past? If so, what are your thoughts on the set up, good or bad?

Thanks in advance.

I have the Ford drop in liner ($400)....been working fine.

https://www.ford.com/cl/accessories/bedcargo-area/liners-and-mats

 

[rich_c]

Thanks for sharing the pictures of your Ranger, @LaBalbe! It helps with visualizing my set up better.

@lariat: I removed my drop in liner and went with Line-X. I bought my Ranger used and whoever had it before me did not clean underneath the liner at all. There were leaves, wood shavings, and saw dust caked on underneath, so it had been there for a while. Several spots had been rubbed down to bare metal, also.

I am trying to get the most use out of my bed space that fits my needs when I am carrying stuff, specifically when I go fishing or hunting.

 

[lariat]

Thanks for sharing the pictures of your Ranger, @LaBalbe! It helps with visualizing my set up better.

@lariat: I removed my drop in liner and went with Line-X. I bought my Ranger used and whoever had it before me did not clean underneath the liner at all. There were leaves, wood shavings, and saw dust caked on underneath, so it had been there for a while. Several spots had been rubbed down to bare metal, also.

I am trying to get the most use out of my bed space that fits my needs when I am carrying stuff, specifically when I go fishing or hunting.

I never when with a spray in liner as it have required stripping out all the paint and I wanted to avoid that, however, spray in liners sure look good once applied!

 

[QuickSilver]

My favourite setup in my truck bed is a big slide tray I made, I love being able to grab and tie down anything without climbing in. I also made my own panels for the sides and find them useful but can live without them.

 

[theprinceofsnj]

I have a bed box. I bought many moons ago for my 1997 Ranger XLT.

 

[awd.nv]

I went with the BuiltRight panels and a Bakflip cover. Old picture but I got some of these pouches shown on amazon and they have done well enough. 3yrs on the truck and no tears. I keep misc tools and recovery gear in them. Allows me to have my bed ready which I use weekly for kids hockey bags (one being a goalie lol) and FedEx trips.

Bags on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/AMYIPO-Tacti...i=B07GKXTYP3&ref_=pd_basp_d_rpt_ba_s_9_t&th=1

 

[LaBalbe]

Thanks for sharing the pictures of your Ranger, @LaBalbe! It helps with visualizing my set up better.

@lariat: I removed my drop in liner and went with Line-X. I bought my Ranger used and whoever had it before me did not clean underneath the liner at all. There were leaves, wood shavings, and saw dust caked on underneath, so it had been there for a while. Several spots had been rubbed down to bare metal, also.

I am trying to get the most use out of my bed space that fits my needs when I am carrying stuff, specifically when I go fishing or hunting.

You're welcome. Since I took those pictures, the cargo bar has moved lower to being between the wheel-wells, rather than putting pressure directly on the panels. It works just as well there, and gave me the space to add a third camp chair and a camp table alongside the bins.

 

[rich_c]

Thanks for the continued replies, everyone! I appreciate it.

@awd.nv, your set up is similar to @LaBalbe's. After a bit of research, I am going to copy you both: BuiltRight panels and a hard tonneau cover. I think that will give me the most flexibility of bed access and fit my use case nicely.

 

[awd.nv]

Thanks for the continued replies, everyone! I appreciate it.

@awd.nv, your set up is similar to @LaBalbe's. After a bit of research, I am going to copy you both: BuiltRight panels and a hard tonneau cover. I think that will give me the most flexibility of bed access and fit my use case nicely.

No problem, happy to help.

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