DIY Camp Kitchen Slide Out Drawers - Building the ULTIMATE Van Life Setup

G'day everyone! Welcome back to another episode of our van build journey. In this video, I'm tackling the construction of custom storage drawers for our camp kitchen slide out system, and we're getting close to the finish line with only three drawers left to complete!

Working around my day job and daily responsibilities like walking the dogs, I've been squeezing in building time whenever possible. The challenge is balancing power tool usage with being respectful to the neighbors - no loud tools before 8am! So I've developed a system where I prep everything in the evenings with power tools, then use quiet hand tools in the early morning hours before logging on for work at 9am.

Today's focus is on the top drawer for the passenger side of our camp kitchen slide out, which will house all our dry goods like canned foods. This drawer design is unique compared to the others we've built. While our previous drawers used a combination of 19 x 42mm timber with 12mm plywood, this specialized container drawer uses 19 x 42mm timber flipped on its side (42mm on the flat) with 6mm plywood for both the base and sides.

The reason for this different construction approach is functionality. This drawer needs to be more of a solid container with walls on all four sides, accessible only from the top. We'll be storing items like canned beans, tomatoes, and other foods that tend to rattle and bounce around while driving. Unlike larger items such as kettles and toasters that naturally stay within their designated footprint, smaller canned goods could easily fall between the drawer mechanisms and the drawer body if not properly contained.

The hyperlapse footage shows the progression we've made over these busy few days, with drawers coming and going as we perfect the fit and finish. Each drawer is custom-built to maximize storage efficiency in our camp kitchen slide out system while ensuring everything stays secure during travel.

Building a van conversion requires patience, especially when juggling work commitments. My routine has become: morning prep work with hand tools, full work day, lunch break for some sunshine (though not enough time for major construction), then afternoon building sessions when I can fire up the power tools and make real progress.

This particular drawer will be essential for our camp kitchen functionality, keeping all our pantry staples organized and easily accessible. The solid-wall design ensures nothing escapes, while the top-access approach makes it easy to see and reach everything we need for meal preparation.

Join me as I walk through the construction process, share the challenges of building around a work schedule, and show you exactly how this specialized storage drawer comes together. Whether you're planning your own van build or just enjoy watching the process, this episode offers practical insights into custom storage solutions for mobile living.

Timestamps
0:00 DIY Camp Kitchen Slide Out Drawers | Building the ULTIMATE Van Life Setup
0:17 Current Progress & Limitations
0:53 Plan for the Top Dry Goods Drawer Build
1:54 "Lionheart Forgiveness" by Anahata Source

Special thanks to Anahata Source for the chilled music!

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