Decked System for Tacoma Worth it?

All, was wondering if could get your input that have installed the DECKED system and actually used it on few trips etc. Is it worth it the money and what you like about and what you do not, what would you do differently?

my current setup is i use 4 Plano boxes but looking for simplifying my setup and easy.

any input would be greatly appreciated.


I would appreciate if those who have it share their input on it.

 

The Decked system empty uses up about 20% of your truck’s payload and leaves a lot of dead space around the drawers. Plano boxes are way lighter, way cheaper and a more efficient use of space and weight.

 

what he said

 

I found a used PackRat toolbox it's more theft proof than Deck'd and weather tight. Found one cheap but they average around $700-800 used around here. Much more low profile than a toolbox and you can still carry stuff on top of them albeit less than before. BUT,,, they are way heavier than a Deck'd system.

 

thats what i am afraid off, keep hearing that its about 200 pounds or something like that.

 

Yep. I actually use the lightest storage available when I can. Garbage bags, cardboard boxes, dry bags and rubbermaid boxes. If I always had a dedicated load, sure. Very few haul the same shit day after day. Weight ruins acceleration and efficiency, not to mention reduced life.
If you don't believe me then gain 150 lbs and let me know what your knees think and how your 100 yard dash times change, not to mention the amount of fuel intake. Vehicles are no different than humans.

 

There’s a number of reasons why I’m not a fan of decked system or drawers. Cost, weight, not moveable around inside of bed, too big and the cover the bedside storage.

I’ve got an open bed with free milk crates and easily removable.

 

I have the Decked system and really love it. But it depends on your needs. What the previous posters said is true, it does eat up some usable space and it adds weight. However, if you need secure, dry storage for items that always stay in your truck, its perfect. It is essentially secure with the tailgate locked, creates a full flat surface on top for storage and the build quality is excellent. I use it for work tools, and it saves me from loading and unloading every night. I change the load out depending on what I am doing (work, camping, riding motorcycles) and it keeps everything organized and secure.

 

@gixxerphil was telling me yesterday that his Decked purchase was the best purchase he has made for his truck.

 

I use mine as a sleeping platform(also have a camper shell). The drawers were just an added bonus.

My truck is more of a camping/DD vehicle. I have a 6x10 utility trailer if I need to haul anything significant. I did pick it up used for $700, so that really made the decision for me.

 

Still on the fence the quality of the decked is top notch but the downside is the loss of usable space ..... If it came out of the truck with less disassembly I would be sold

 

My buddy has one in his Tundra and absolutely loves it.
Wasted space and weight is negligible, IMHO. No matter what one uses as storage, there are always drawbacks. The utility of the Decked far out weighs it's cons.

 

I wouldn’t say weight is negligible when we are talking about Tacomas which go over GVWR if you put a few adults and camping gear in them. To lose nearly 20% of your payload for some storage is a pretty big deal.

 

This one has a full flat surface & two wheeled bins inside it that are 4' long 47L Sterilite and 2 - 1' long 14L Sterilite bins on the end. Bins are carried by Walmart. Built with 1.5 sheets of 3/4 pressure treated T&G plywood, 4 pressure treated 1×4's, 8 galvanized steel braces, 40 screws.

The frame is boards that sit in the pockets built into the box, there are boards used for support in the middle. Cut to perfect length so the bins don't move around. The door in the back slides in place between the plywood floor and the frame of the box.

I put D-rings where needed and coated it with bed liner.

Weight of platform is roughly 72 lbs according to my rough estimates. You can lose at least 20 lbs by going with 1/2" lesser grade plywood. In 3/4" plywood variation it easily supports a Arctic Cat Thundercat ATV ~ 700 lbs on rough roads. Its secure with the locking tailgate, holds all my camping gear on one side, recovery gear, parts & tools etc in a 47 L on the other side. Backpacking type Camp chairs, tarps, tarp poles and camp table in the middle between the braces. Axe, saw and shovel are attached to the slide in door. It uses almost every inch of available space.

The last 13" closest to the cab is a T&G panel...remove it and you can slide in three 20 L military type fuel/water cans, however there is a cost. You lose the 14 L containers on the end...but the fuel cans site as low as possible and don't block your view out the rear window.

I'm 5'11" tall and I just barely fit diagnolly in the box. Cost me about $ 150 to build and about 2 hours of time.

 

That’s a sick setup, realistic and useful, not like the trendy overlanding shit i always see

 

There is no way the decked weights 324lbs. (based on 1620lbs pay laod capasity 2016 tacoma pay laod)
Decked weighs, at the high end 230 lbs
That is only ~14.5% lost payload.
That is hardly a big deal when taking into account the utility it offers.

 

I personally love mine. I picked up this used one a few weeks back. Due to my current situation, I haul the same stuff everyday- all of my tools, jacks, survival gear, etc. I use to have two huge pelican cases but it just wasn’t efficient because they took up 70% of the bed vertically, but only half the length vs 30% of the bed horizontally, full length like this decked system (and I say percentage based to the height of the cab too). I like having a flat storage system that I can still use with all my stuff underneath. Like other people: it’s not for everyone and it depends on what you need

 

I was basing it off a V6 4x4 Tacoma since that’s what most people on the forum have. Payload maxes out at about 1200lbs on those. The 1620lb payload is only if you have the base model 4cyl 4x2 with no added options.

 

Do you have more pictures of your Tacoma? I've been thinking about the soft canopy and have been curious how it will look with my ARB bumpers.

 

One sheet of 3/4 plywood weighs about 70 lb, so you have 105 lb in plywood alone. Add your boards and hardware and you are easily at 175 lb.
If you haul stuff every day (tools, etc) then it makes sense. If you only haul once a month? You are just paying for nothing.