The term “work-life balance” gets thrown around a lot these days, but no one actually throws out realistic ideas for achieving it. You’ve got your day-to-day job, plus everything else — baseball practices, hunting trips, camping excursions, and that overland route you’ve been obsessively tracing on the map for weeks on end.
All of those activities take a lot of planning and preparation. The thing is, most of us spend roughly 90,000 hours at work in our lifetimes, which doesn’t leave much time for planning them out in real life. You need every advantage you can get, which is a big reason why DECKED was born in the first place. Every little thing matters, and your DECKED Drawer System comes with a lot of little things straight out of the box.
And that’s what we’re covering today. Most people use the same vehicle for work and whatever they have planned on the weekend, and a Drawer System is the perfect way to be prepared for both at a moment’s notice. In this guide, we’re covering some real-world strategies for maximizing your work-life balance, your work-weekend truck, which also means more balance for your work-weekend activities. Let’s dive in.
One Truck to Rule Them All.
When you think about your need for both work and weekend adventures, the requirements aren’t all that different. You need your gear organized. You need it to be protected from the elements. You need it to be protected from theft. You also need your gear to be ready whenever you need it to be ready.
When you have your truck dialed, it creates a snowball effect. You’re more prepared for your work, which means you get your work done more quickly. This means you’re ready to hit the road for the fun stuff when the weekend rolls around. And, when your “fun gear” is already packed, organized, and secured, you can make the most of the rare spare time you actually do get when you’re on the job site.
This all begins with the DECKED Drawer System. It creates ample space in your midsize or full-size truck, adding another level of storage and security so you’re ready to go whether work or the wild is calling.
Does a Drawer System come at a cost? Sure, but anything worthwhile does, and it’s sure as hell cheaper than buying a second vehicle. At DECKED, we’ve worked our tails off to make the Drawer System a “buy once, cry once” endeavor so you know that you’re getting the most mileage out of your system for a lifetime of versatile use. Invest in your truck’s storage, and you’re investing in your work time and your free time.
Work-to-Weekend Drawers
For full-size Drawer Systems, countless DECKED drivers like to keep both Drawers filled at all times, so they’re ready to hit the road. First, pick one Drawer for work. If you tend to use larger tools, simply leave it empty and load it up with your supplies and you’re ready to go. If you use smaller tools/gear, we’d recommend starting with the Halfrack 32. It’s weatherproof and has a removable Divider so you can keep the essentials separated. Speaking of which, if you use a lot of small parts every day (we’re looking at you, plumbers and electricians), then go with the Payloader 32 Bin and our all-new POD System, which can create up to nine different compartments to keep your supplies segmented and easy to find.
In your other Drawer, you can load it up with whatever you need for the fun stuff. The same rule applies for your work gear — an empty Drawer for larger supplies like golf clubs, ski equipment, and more. Or, go with Cases and Bins for smaller stuff. The Honcho 80 is a great option for compound bows, as well as break-apart shotguns for your duck and upland trips. For general camping equipment, the Sixer 16 and Halfrack 32 are great options — weatherproof and easy-to-carry from the truck to the campsite.
Lastly, you can remove your Stash Bins on the side of the Drawer System for storing larger items like fishing rods, skis, and more. Just note that the pass-throughs on the side will be protected from weather, but are open to the elements on the end, so make sure your equipment is in a case and out of sight when you’re parked in public areas.
The Quick-Swap System
DECKED Cases and Bins are great options for those who need both Drawers for work, or if you drive the Midsize Drawer System. By including DECKED Cases and Bins into your setup, you’re adding much-needed versatility in a few different ways. First, you can easily remove Cases and Bins, which means you can store your weekend gear in the garage and utilize your full setup for work when you need it, and quickly swap it out when it’s time to venture into the wild. Second, you can use Cases and Bins for both work and weekend adventures — they’re weatherproof and sturdy as hell, so you can pull them out in any condition for a portable storage system, makeshift seat, or even a work table when you’re in a pinch.
For full-size Systems, we love to keep one Drawer empty (except for your Drawerganizer up front for small parts), which is great for larger tools and supplies. Then, fill up your second Drawer with the Sixer 16, Halfrack 32, or Payloader 32. Use these storage solutions for small tools and parts that you use every day, so you can lift them out of the System easily.
In your garage, you can keep Cases like the Honcho 80 and Halfrack 32 packed and ready to go for your Drawer System. Just lift your work Cases and Bins out, drop your weekend supplies in, and you’re ready to hit the road. Take the large supplies out of the other Drawer, and fill it with items like tents, camp chairs, stoves, golf clubs and more.
Then, when you get back from your trip, simply go in reverse. Unload your weekend gear, re-load your work supplies, and you're set up for a good night’s sleep without the Sunday scaries that come with jumbled work supplies and tools.
Quick Reference Guide
Work Gear + Supplies
- Empty Drawer (full-size system): Heavy power tools (circular/miter saws, framing nailers) and long hand tools up to 48" levels or full-size packout cases.
- Empty Drawer (midsize system): Compact power tool combos (drills, angle grinders), 24" levels, pipe wrenches, and 50 ft extension cords.
- Deep Stash Bin: Heavy utility gear including trailer hitches, tow straps, spray cans, bulk screw boxes, and work gloves.
- Shallow Stash Bin: Precision measuring tools, multimeters, drill bit sets, safety glasses, and small fastener assortments.
- Honcho 80 Case: High-capacity power tool bundles (grinder, impact, drill with chargers) or full 1/2" drive heavy socket sets.
- Halfrack 32 Case: Essential tradesman hand-tool kits, 3/8" socket sets, compact drills, and thermal imaging or electrical diagnostic gear.
- Sixer 16 Case: Electrical diagnostic scope kits, multimeters, small screwdriver sets, and sorted wire nuts or fuses.
- Payloader 32 Bin: Bulk grab-and-go jobsite supplies like caulk tubes, tape rolls, shop towels, knee pads, and heavy ratchet straps.
Weekend Gear + Supplies
- Empty Drawer (full-size system): Large camp setups (4-person tents, 2-burner stoves), hard/soft rifle and bow cases, and takedown fishing rods with waders.
- Empty Drawer (midsize system): Backpacking gear (2-person tents, sleeping bags, camp chairs), breakdown shotguns, soft bow cases, and fly rod tubes.
- Deep Stash Bin: Off-road recovery gear (snatch blocks, soft shackles, mini air compressors), 1-lb propane tanks, and camp hatchets.
- Shallow Stash Bin: Headlamps, power banks, fire starters, multi-tools, bug spray, sunscreen, and pocket GPS units.
- Honcho 80 Case: Full camp kitchen setups (cast iron cookware, mess kits for 4–6) or complete vehicle winch and recovery rope kits.
- Halfrack 32 Case: Freeze-dried meal packs, coffee brew kits, wilderness trauma/first aid kits, and water filtration systems.
- Sixer 16 Case: Organized terminal fishing tackle, fly boxes, hunting optics (binoculars, rangefinders), and personal camp toiletries.
- Payloader 32 Bin: Bulk outdoor layers (rain gear, hiking boots), tarp guylines, firewood bundles, and heavy tie-down straps.
