Early Preview - Bed Sliders and Drawers

[Moonlit]

Dam ! Serious commitment to testing! ;-)

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[AdventureLab]

Dam ! Serious commitment to testing! ;-)

Ha ha. Something like that. He's definitely one of the luckiest people I know, all things considered.

 

[Aemonn]

Looking at the CAD video vs the prototypes, will the final slides be slightly wider than what we see in the photos with the prototypes?

I think that might be adding to the confusion regarding use of space--the cad looks better fit and spaced than the prototypes to me.

 

[AdventureLab]

Looking at the CAD video vs the prototypes, will the final slides be slightly wider than what we see in the photos with the prototypes?

I think that might be adding to the confusion regarding use of space--the cad looks better fit and spaced than the prototypes to me.

Yes, the production slides will be about an inch wider. I agree about that causing part of the confusion. I thought the same earlier, but didn't mind the extra explanation.

The slides that are in the photos are actually from our Gladiator line. Since our rails use the same pattern throughout every vehicle, we're able to offer a ton of different sizes. So, if you only wanted a narrow slide, you could use one of the other ones. Or, if you only wanted a short slide (ie fridge only), you could use one of our SUV slides (ex. https://americanadventurelab.com/product/mass-storage-fridge-slider/).

 

[ADVNTURR]

Appreciate all the work your team does in bringing out products for our trucks. These look good and the ability to run single or dual slides seems beneficial. I'm sure it's probably not possible, but it would be nice is the single slide only required half the base installed so that the other half wouldn't have the "crossbars" in the bed.

Side note, would you be willing to share any info on the slides assuming they're commercially available (even if by PM)? I'm contemplating making slide out solar for my rack and your slides are about the right length, height, and double locking as would be needed.

 

[Momon]

Keeping with our recent tradition, I wanted to bring you all in pretty early on this project. We’ve got an exciting new system in the works – 54" Bed Slides and Drawers – and I thought I’d share an early CAD preview to get your thoughts. I’ve attached a short Solidworks screen recording below showing the 54" slide paired with our new 6" drawer shell.

Some key features we’re building into this system:

• Fabricated entirely from lightweight 5052 aluminum
• 54" locking slides – lock in and out
• Slide rating at ~500 lbs
• Modular system – a 6" drawer shown here, with a 4" drawer also coming
• Ability to stack drawers and slides for custom setups
• Easy install/uninstall when paired with our BASE floor rails

This is still early, so your input is extremely valuable. What would you like to see in these components? Accessories, mounting options, dividers, latching styles – we’re open to ideas.

More information on our Ford Ranger BASE System can be found here - https://americanadventurelab.com/product/ford-ranger-bed-attachment-system-base/

Looking forward to hearing your feedback. Thanks for helping us shape these products before they hit production!



Here are a few shots of the prototypes we have in the truck now and that we used on the Trail Hero Expeditions show.

Agree with wasted space between the slides/drawers. ,You can make them mount closer. This might be due to the predrilled mounting points on your BASE system. Which brings me to my suggestion. Make the BASE system a T-track. Its is way better and has unlimitted mounting options and an “infinite” mounting location points. It also costs less to produce as you dont need to pre drill at fixed mounting points and tap it. I have the MASS on my jeep and have the same problem with limited mounting locations.

 

[Aemonn]

Agree with wasted space between the slides/drawers. ,You can make them mount closer. This might be due to the predrilled mounting points on your BASE system. Which brings me to my suggestion. Make the BASE system a T-track. Its is way better and has unlimitted mounting options and an “infinite” mounting location points. It also costs less to produce as you dont need to pre drill at fixed mounting points and tap it. I have the MASS on my jeep and have the same problem with limited mounting locations.

As per the most recent posts, the prototype is using sliders from the gladiator platform which has a narrower bed. The final slides will be more in line with the video of the CAD--about 2 inches wider total (1" per slide) if my understanding is correct, which should make for a better fit.

 

[AdventureLab]

Here's an updated CAD model. These parts are sitting beside my desk, ready to go into our RR to debut at the Raptor Rally next week. Can't wait for you guys to see these! It's sooo much storage. The slides and drawer are all 3mm 5052 aluminum. Drawer slides are 54" huge. The drawer slides are zinc-coated steel and have a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.

I should be able to post some updated photos and video early next week.

 

[AdventureLab]

Here's a look at a new divider design I came up with. We'll be using this design in all of our new products going forward. The dogbone shape is for a L-track connector so you can add tiedown points anywhere quickly and easily without having huge holes in the floor of the drawer/slide. The slots in the top are for 1" cinch straps. It's the most functionality I can pack into a divider..... so far.

Two of these will ship with the slide and two with the drawer. They are spaced evenly at 100mm.

 

[E40]

Cant wait!!!! Based on the CAD, it seems like the drawer will clear my retractable bed cover’s storage bin.
Btw, whats the height of the drawer? Also surprise us with a big intro discount for the forum members.

 

[AdventureLab]

Cant wait!!!! Based on the CAD, it seems like the drawer will clear my retractable bed cover’s storage bin.
Btw, whats the height of the drawer? Also surprise us with a big intro discount for the forum members.

I like your negotiation strategy! I would definitely be down for a launch-discount on these. I really like how you guys contribute to these product R&D threads. It's a huge help for me during the design process. The feedback had a huge impact on our Rear Seat Delete.

The drawer is 7" tall and the rail it's bolted to is about 1" above the peak of the bed floor corrugations, so about 8" above the bed floor.

 

[AdventureLab]

Here's a preview of the big slider. This is the widest truck slide we have made to date and it's a ton of room. Everything is 3mm 5052 aluminum. The drawer slides we use are 54", full extension, lock in and lock out, lifetime warranty. Fully bolt-in.

The 6" drawer will go in today or tomorrow.

 

[huskyfargo]

I’m gonna need y'all to quit making stuff!!!

…not really, but my wallet is getting thin!

 

[AdventureLab]

I’m gonna need y'all to quit making stuff!!!

…not really, but my wallet is getting thin!

ha ha. Sorry, kind of...

 

[AdventureLab]

And, we have drawers!

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