Winter organization made easy. Photo: DECKED
Record snowfall over parts of the western U.S. this winter has made for some amazing skiing conditions and some less-than-ideal travel conditions. That means winter adventurers have to be more prepared than ever this season. And with the DECKED system in the bed of your pickup truck, you can truly be prepared for anything.
We caught up with a member of the editorial team at GearJunkie.com to learn how the DECKED system comes in handy for their winter adventures.
One drawer can be dedicated to safety gear and essentials for winter travel. Photo: DECKED
DECKED In Winter: Safety Gear First
Organization is doubly important in the winter, when most gear and apparel tends to get bigger and bulkier.
Anyone who has spent much time on snowy roads knows that it’s best to be prepared. This means always traveling with a kit that includes recovery gear, some basic tools, and emergency supplies for those times when conditions make getting stuck a near-guarantee.
Our AllGear Editorial Director keeps one drawer of his DECKED system loaded year-round with his emergency essentials. These include MaxTrax recover boards, an axe, a shovel, a tow strap and shackles, a portable car battery jumper, and a warm blanket. He also throws in a small tool kit for any major off-road adventures or longer trips.
Storing this kit in a drawer in the truck bed means that it’s always there in case of an emergency, but it doesn’t take up valuable space used to carry skis, boots, poles and other equipment.
Whether your topper is a hard shell or a roof tent, DECKED helps you make the most of the space at hand. Photo: Chivas Sotelo
Under A Topper
The DECKED system also works well under a topper. While it does limit the height of objects one can load into the truck bed, it also creates a platform for camping in winter, while gear can remain safely stowed away in the drawers underneath.
For winter camping, truck owners can insulate a topper with styrofoam sheets or metallic insulation from home improvement stores. While not as warm as a heated camper, this budget method gives skiers a cheap way to spend the night in relative comfort. (Just make sure to buy a good, well-insulated sleeping pad and warm sleeping bag!)
In that situation, users will often need to move skis to one side or slide them under the car while sleeping. Other gear can be stored in a drawer or in the truck cab at night.
The DECKED system is an easy upgrade for top-tier vanlife organization. Photo: DECKED
DECKED For Ski And Snowboard Gear
While skis are usually too long to fit inside a DECKED drawer (most snowboards, on the other hand, fit with ease) they can easily be placed on top, and any other slope-sliding equipment will readily go into the sliding storage. The drawers swallow ski boots, poles, apparel, helmets, and goggles, keeping them organized and accessible at the base of the mountain.
Because the DECKED system is not accessible with the tailgate locked, this provides a secure solution to keeping valuables locked up and out of sight. For even more security, individual drawer locks are available for purchase from the DECKED accessory line.
For many winter enthusiasts, the DECKED drawer system offers a versatile solution to gear management. Whether inside the drawers, under the topper, or on the deck in the open air, the system expands the utility of any pickup truck bed.
Learn more about the DECKED Drawer System here.
