When you put a canopy on your pickup truck, you get a huge, dry space for your gear. But there is a hidden problem: if you just throw your bags and tools inside, your truck bed will quickly turn into a messy, dark cave.
Crawling on your knees in the dark to find a flashlight is no fun. To enjoy your camping trips, you need to organize your space. Here are the best ways to set up a smart storage system under your truck canopy.
1. Drawer Systems (The False Floor)
A drawer system (like the popular DECKED system) is a favorite for truck owners. It acts like a "false floor." It gives you two long, heavy-duty sliding drawers that sit on the bottom of your truck bed. You can put all your heavy tools, recovery gear, and cooking supplies inside the drawers.
The best part? The top of the drawer system is completely flat and very strong. You can easily put a mattress on top of it to sleep! If you want to build the ultimate overland truck organization setup, a drawer system is a fantastic starting point.
2. Sliding Cargo Trays (Bed Slides)
If you don't want small drawers, a sliding cargo tray is another great choice.
A cargo tray is a giant metal platform that holds everything in your truck bed. When you open your tailgate, you simply pull a handle, and the entire floor slides out toward you. This means you never have to crawl inside your canopy again! You can stand outside and easily reach your heavy cooler or heavy toolboxes.
Before you buy a drawer or a slide, you need to know your exact bed length! Check out our quick guide on how to measure your truck bed to make sure you order the right size.
3. Wall Storage (Keep the Floor Clear)
If you use a drawer system, you lose about 12 inches of height in your truck bed. If you have a low canopy, you might hit your head when sitting up.
If you want to keep your floor totally empty for sleeping, you should use the walls instead! You can do this by installing metal grids on the inside windows of your canopy. Read our guide to learn what the function of MOLLE panels is. These panels let you strap first aid kits, small bags, and flashlights directly to the wall.
4. Heavy-Duty Plastic Bins (The Cheap Way)
You do not have to spend thousands of dollars to be organized. The cheapest and easiest way to organize your truck bed is by using heavy-duty plastic storage bins with good lids.
You can color-code them: use a red bin for cooking gear, a blue bin for sleeping bags, and a black bin for truck tools. If you want more creative and cheap ways to organize your gear, check out our list of 7 incredible truck bed storage ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I fit a drawer system and a rooftop tent? Yes! The drawer system goes inside the truck bed, and the rooftop tent goes on top of the canopy roof. Just make sure your truck canopy is made of strong steel or aluminum so it can hold the heavy weight of the tent and the people sleeping in it.
Do sliding cargo trays take up too much space? They do take up about 4 to 6 inches of height on your truck floor. However, the convenience of never having to crawl into your truck bed usually makes it worth the small loss of space.
Are drawer systems waterproof? Most high-quality drawer systems are highly water-resistant, but not 100% waterproof if submerged in a river. However, because they are sitting safely under your waterproof truck canopy, your gear inside the drawers will stay completely dry!