Plastic storage tubs or "totes" are an excellent storage solution at a very very affordable price. We've used these for years in previous camping set ups and they're simple, reliable and very accommodating. Most have a clip on lid which helps keep your items secure and out of the weather, great for possums etc and wet weather camping, and most stack easily on one another.

They can easily be labelled according to their contents like cooking, clothes, drinks, tent, 12v etc. That way you can quickly grab out what you need as opposed to having to rummage through one box that contains every item you take with you ... that gets very tiresome very quickly.

A simple modification to one of my storage tubs has allowed my chainsaw blade and cover to poke out from inside the box leaving plenty of room for the associated oils and jerry can to also fit in there, that way it's all ready to go in the one tub.

STORAGE

OPTIONS

Whether you're heading away for a weekend camping trip or setting off on a longer touring adventure, good storage can make a huge difference to your overall experience. Having a place for everything not only makes camp setup and pack down quicker, but it also helps prevent damage to your gear and reduces the frustration of searching for items when you need them most.

The good news is you don't need a fancy canopy or a fully decked-out touring rig to stay organised. Simple storage tubs, cargo barriers, roof bags, tie-down solutions and off the shelf pull out drawer systems can all help maximise the space you have available. The key is finding a setup that suits your vehicle, your camping style and your budget.

Finding the balance between preparation and over-packing is key. While organizing gear with drawers and bags is great, it’s easy to cross the line into "too much."
Every storage system adds tare weight, which increases fuel consumption and strains your suspension. Avoid the "just in case" trap by auditing your gear—if you didn't use it last time, leave it behind. Remember, keeping your setup lean ensures you stay under your vehicle's GVM limit.

Ultimately, be intentional: store essentials securely without turning your 4WD into a rolling warehouse.

There are some companies around that manufacture drawers for specific vehicles or custom applications.
One such company is Drifta Camping & 4WD , based in Gloucester NSW, manufacture custom drawer systems for vehicles.

These fully custom, locally made drawer systems utilise a slide system that is made up of two strips of Teflon on the underside of the drawer as opposed to traditional roller bearings. The advantages of this system are -
1) there's no ball bearings to clog up with grit and grime and - 2) by not having sliders on the sides of the drawers, like with other brands, you maximise the full internal width of your drawers giving you the most storage capacity possible whilst providing a very easy to operate glide in and out 

They can also add additional and sometimes considerable weight to the vehicle which is weight you're constantly carrying around, in a similar way to the ever popular roof top tents.
Many drawer systems utilise ball bearing runners which work great initially however they can foul up over time so you need to keep an eye on them and do a little maintenance from time to time as dust and debris can get into the ball bearings causing friction and affect their ease of operation. If you liberally coat them in a lubricant spray or grease, that helps however if you regularly beach camp, grease and sand ... think a cinnamon donut ! So be aware of this.

Drawers:
On the other hand, some people may opt for a full drawer set up in the back of their vehicle.
These are equally at home in both ute tubs ( usually requiring a canopy over them ) and station wagons like Patrol's, Land Cruiser's and the like.

Drawer systems are a popular option for many touring vehicles, providing a secure and organised storage solution for tools, recovery gear, cooking equipment and camping essentials. Most systems are bolted into existing mounting points in the cargo area, creating a strong and reliable long-term storage setup. Now whilst they provide plenty of room for an awesome "plug 'n' play solution, like everything in life, they too have their pros and cons.

Some of the downside is that once installed, they're not something you can quickly remove if you suddenly need the full cargo area for a house move, hardware store run or weekend project.
So you have to keep this in mind when planning your storage set up.

Now whether you decide on a full drawer system or simply tote style big plastic storage boxes, one of the biggest mistakes people make is carrying too much gear "just in case". Not only does this take up valuable space, but it also adds unnecessary weight to your vehicle. A well-organised setup allows you to carry what you need, access it easily and spend more time enjoying your trip rather than digging through piles of equipment looking for that one item that's somehow ended up at the bottom. I've found over our many years of camping that the easier it is to camp, the more you'll want to do it. So make it as simple as possible for your requirements, wants and needs.

No matter what vehicle you drive, smart storage solutions can help make every camping and touring adventure safer, more enjoyable and far less stressful.
And remember that's what we're all about ... #stresslesscampmore !

functionality. It's surprising how much the bearing slides can actually chew into your storage space.

Storage tubs :

Most tubs are relatively sturdy and unless you really throw them around without care, you should get plenty of trips out of them. We've had one or two break over the years however that was more human error than "tub error".

Whether you chose drawers or tubs ...

add some bags !

Canvas storage bags have also become incredibly popular amongst campers and tourers.

Available in a wide range of sizes, they're ideal for storing recovery gear, cooking equipment, air compressors, power leads, camp lighting and countless other accessories. Many feature clear tops or windows, allowing you to quickly identify what's inside without having to open every bag in the vehicle.

Unlike permanent storage solutions, canvas bags offer excellent flexibility. They can be moved between vehicles, stacked neatly in the cargo area, packed into a trailer or removed entirely when not required. They also help keep loose items contained and protected from dust and damage.
For many people, a collection of well-labelled storage bags provides the perfect balance between organisation, affordability and versatility.

There are so many canvas bags on the market now that it can be confusing. Whilst many of the shelf products may suit, you could possibly have to try to fit them into the space you have which isn't always ideal. Being that the vast majority are imported by the container load, it's often one size fits all and you may not find the ideal bag to exactly suit your application.

If not, there are local companies that can manufacture custom bags, right here in Australia, to any size or requirement.
The advantage here is you can provide your measurements and they can make what you need when you neeed it. No waiting for contianers to come in and no minimum order quantity either.
Companies like Drifta, Crazy Dog Canvas, Underkover and AOS Swags & Bags can make up virtually anything you need. Now while these bags may be slightly more expensive than off the shelf imported products, you can get the exact size you need with a quality that is second to none.

Check out their websites should you need some custom sized bags.

These storage tubs can be picked up cost effectively from most hardware's, Kmart, The Reject Shop or dedicated storage businesses in a variety of sizes and styles.