🖼️
The project:
I wanted a better way to organise my camping gear and create a practical kitchen setup in the back of my ute without spending thousands on a commercial system. I designed and built this custom slide-out unit with a large benchtop, hidden storage compartments and heavy-duty drawer slides. It gives me a solid food preparation area that packs away neatly while still leaving plenty of room for the rest of my camping gear. The project was built to be strong, functional and easy to use on weekend camping trips.
- Materials:
- Structural pine for the benchtop
- Black melamine panels
- Heavy-duty full-extension drawer slides
- Aluminium square tube
- Marine carpet
- Wood screws
- Nutserts and bolts
- Timber stain and clear polyurethane
- Construction adhesive
- Silicone
- Sandpaper
- Tools:
- Drop saw (mitre saw)
- Circular saw
- Jigsaw
- Cordless drill/driver
- Impact driver
- Drill bits and hole saws
- Rivet gun
- Clamps
- Tape measure
- Combination square
- Spirit level
- Orbital sander
- Countersink bit
- Socket and spanner set
- Screwdrivers
- Files and deburring tool
- Pencil and marker
- Step 1:
Step 1 – Building the slide-out frame
I started by measuring the available space in my canopy and designing a layout that would maximise storage while leaving enough room for my fridge. The main frame was built from aluminium square tube to keep it lightweight but strong. Heavy-duty full-extension drawer slides were installed for both the main slide-out and the secondary bench slide. Before moving on, I checked that everything extended smoothly, remained square and locked into place without binding. Getting the frame and slides right was the most important part of the build and made the rest of the project much easier.
- Step 2:
Step 2 – Building the drawers and benchtops
With the frame complete, I built the drawer carcasses and fitted them to the heavy-duty slides. I then cut, sanded and finished the timber benchtops before mounting them to the frame. A second slide-out bench was added underneath to provide extra food preparation space when needed. I test-fitted everything several times to make sure the drawers opened smoothly, the benchtops lined up correctly and the whole unit packed away neatly. At this stage the kitchen was fully functional, with plenty of storage and two generous work surfaces ready for camping.
- Step 3:
Step 3 – Finishing the drawer fronts and benchtops
To give the kitchen a clean, factory-style finish, I fitted custom drawer faces and wrapped them in automotive marine carpet to match the rest of the canopy interior. The timber benchtops were then sanded smooth and sealed with multiple coats of clear polyurethane to protect them from moisture, spills and everyday camping use while highlighting the natural timber grain. Once everything had cured, I reassembled the unit, adjusted the drawer fronts for even gaps and carried out a final test to ensure the drawers, slide-out bench and work surfaces all operated smoothly.
