Are you tired of rummaging through a messy toolbox in the back of your ute? Upgrading your vehicle's storage with a drawer or two can provide easy access to your gear and keep things organised. But with so many drawer slide options available, choosing the right one can be tricky. This guide will help you choose the perfect drawer slides so you can confidently build your own drawers.
Key Points
- Types of Drawer Slides: We'll explore the two main types: side mount and base mount slides.
- Load Capacity: Understanding weight ratings is crucial for ensuring your drawer slides can handle the job.
- Locking or Non-Locking: We'll discuss the advantages of both locking and non-locking options.
- Installation Tips: Learn best practices for installing drawer slides for smooth operation and long life.
- Featured Ovesco Products: Discover Ovesco's high-quality drawer slide range.
Choosing the Right Slide
Ovesco offers a wide range of locking and non-locking drawer slides, from light-duty to heavy-duty options. A common question we get is, "How do I pick the right drawer slide?" Let's delve into the different types to help you decide.
Weight Capacity
The weight rating of a drawer slide is essential. Slides are designed with varying profiles and material thicknesses to accommodate different weight loads. While industry standards provide weight capacities based on profile, factors like movement, vibration, and exposure to the elements can also affect performance.
To ensure you choose the right slide, consider the weight of the drawer contents and potential use cases. We provide three weight ratings for each slide on our website: moderate use, frequent use, and transportation use.
Locking or Non-Locking Slides
Drawer slides can come with built-in locking mechanisms that hold the drawer fully extended or closed. While these are called locking slides, we always recommends a secondary locking mechanism, like a shot bolt, for mobile environments where drawers might experience bumps and vibrations.
Side Mount vs. Base Mount Slides
There are two main mounting locations for drawer slides: on the side of the drawer or on the base.
- Side Mount Slides: These are the most common type and offer a good balance of functionality and ease of installation.
- Base Mount Slides: These slides are mounted underneath the drawer and can provide a cleaner look, especially for shallower drawers.
Full Extension vs. Partial Extension
Drawer slides also come in full extension and partial extension options. Full extension slides allow the drawer to pull out completely, offering easy access to the entire drawer. Partial extension slides only extend partway, limiting access to the back of the drawer.
Long Length Solutions
For drawers longer than 1500mm, we offer the OCCO Track. This versatile system combines a simple extrusion with a wheel combo, allowing for complete design flexibility. It's ideal for heavy loads that need to be spread across a long distance.
Putting it all Together - An Example
Imagine you're building a drawer in the back of your 4WD for storing tools. The maximum weight will be around 40kg, with the drawer itself weighing 20kg fully loaded, for a total of 60kg. The drawer is 720mm long, and you want full extension.
Since you don't need locking functionality and the drawer will be mounted on the side, you can look for non-locking slides. With a weight capacity of 125kg, the 712mm slide with a transportation rating of 70kg would be a perfect choice for your needs. Remember to factor in the slide depth for proper installation; this information is usually included in the product diagrams.
By following these tips and considering the features offered by Ovesco's drawer slide range, you can ensure your vehicle drawers operate smoothly and efficiently for years to come.
