Drawers or Bins? The Best Way to Organize Camping Gear For Car Camping

You’ve got a sleeping platform dialed in. Your gear finally has a home underneath.
Now comes the big question:

What’s the best way to organize that space—drawers or bins?

This is one of the most common questions we hear from customers, and it’s a good one. Both options can work well, but they serve very different types of campers. Let’s break down the pros and cons so you can choose what actually fits your style of travel.

Built-In Drawers: Clean, Slick, and Committed

There’s no denying it—drawer systems look awesome. Everything has its place, access is simple, and you never have to pull gear out to get to what’s underneath.

Why people love drawers

• Easy access to gear without unloading your trunk

• Everything stays neatly organized

• Fixed in place and secured to the vehicle

The tradeoffs

• Heavy and expensive — often $1,000+ before installation

• Permanent — once they’re in, you’re committed

• Lost space — drawer frames take up valuable storage volume

Bottom line:
Drawer systems are great if you’re building a dedicated overland rig and want a permanent setup. They’re less ideal if you use your vehicle for daily life during the week and camping on the weekends.

Gear Bins: Simple, Flexible, and Efficient

Gear bins might not win any style awards, but from a practicality standpoint, they’re hard to beat—especially when paired with a sleeping platform.

Why we like bins

• Affordable and lightweight

• Available in tons of sizes to fit your exact layout

• More usable space since there’s no bulky drawer structure

• Fully removable—your car stays a car

The tradeoffs

• You may need to slide a bin out to access it

• Not permanently bolted to the vehicle floor

Bottom line:
Bins are the most versatile solution. They work just as well for weekend trips as they do for longer adventures—and when you’re done, they come right out.

Our Take: Bins Win for Most Campers

For the vast majority of people, gear bins are the most practical, flexible, and cost-effective way to organize gear under a sleeping platform.

They give you:

• More usable storage space

• Less weight

• Zero commitment

And most importantly, they adapt as your trips (and gear) change.

Drawer systems absolutely have their place—but unless you’re building a full-time adventure rig, bins usually make more sense.

Pro Tip: Organize by Use, Not Category

Instead of “kitchen bin” and “clothes bin,” try:

• Camp setup bin (headlamp, gloves, tools)

• Sleep bin (pillows, sheets, extra layers)

• Cooking bin (stove, fuel, utensils)

It makes camp setup and breakdown faster—and keeps you from digging around in the dark.