My First Crosstrek Upgrade: Installing Nomad Kitchen Co. Drawers for Ultimate Utility
- Dale Lauterback
- Sep 20
- 3 min read
The journey to building the ultimate adventure rig starts with smart, functional upgrades, and for my new 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness, that began with organizing the rear cargo area. The first big modification? Installing two Nomad Kitchen Co. Original Drawers, a 17-inch and a 20-inch, to create a compact, yet highly capable storage solution tailored for outdoor travel, camping, and photography adventures.
Discovering Nomad Kitchen Co.
I first came across Nomad Kitchen Co. at the recent Overlander Expo, where their booth featured a fully built Subaru Crosstrek setup that immediately caught my attention. Seeing the drawer system in action in a vehicle similar to mine really sparked my interest. I knew right away this was the kind of functionality I wanted to bring to my Crosstrek.
Why Nomad Kitchen Co.?
Nomad Kitchen Co. has built a reputation for crafting durable, adventure-ready drawer systems perfect for overlanders, road trippers, and weekend warriors alike. Their Original Drawer units are lightweight, modular, and rugged enough to handle life on the road, making them an ideal fit for the Wilderness edition’s utility-focused DNA.
Building the Perfect Fit
The Crosstrek’s cargo area, while surprisingly roomy for a compact SUV, has a noticeable trunk lip that can make drawer access a challenge, especially when fully loaded with gear. To overcome this, I built a custom platform that raises the drawers just enough to allow smooth, uninterrupted drawer operation over the rear trunk lip. This small adjustment makes a big difference, ensuring that every inch of the storage system is usable and efficient. When constructing the platform, I made some space under the drawers to store a tarp and poles
Drawer Configuration
One 17-Inch Nomad Original Drawer – Perfect for organizing smaller camera gear, backpacking tools, and essentials that I need quick access to.
One 20-Inch Nomad Original Drawer – Designed to hold larger camping equipment like a compact stove, cookware, and even a few food staples. Im using this space to store spare parts, air compressor, extra batteries, misc cables, and a Devos camp light.
This setup gives me the flexibility I need while keeping everything secure and easily accessible, exactly what you want when traveling off-grid or chasing sunrise shots in remote areas.
Ready for More Adventures
This drawer system not only cleaned up the back of the Crosstrek, it also elevated it. With the drawers locked in, I now have a functional base to expand upon. Whether I’m adding a fridge slide, portable power station, or a fold-out cooking surface next, the platform is set, literally.
Slight Modification
When purchasing your drawers from Nomad Kitchen, you have the option to add a countertop that fits on the drawer's rails and still allows the drawer to close. The only issue I found was that the Drawer / Countertop made noise when the roads got rough. To solve the problem, I placed rubber strips with adhesive in the rails of the countertop, and the problem was solved. I also found a silicone mat that fits the top perfectly, preventing scratching and keeping items placed on top from sliding around.
If you're building out your Crosstrek Wilderness or any small adventure rig, I highly recommend starting with the Nomad Kitchen Co. Original Drawers. With the right platform, it’s a seamless and incredibly rewarding first upgrade that makes your vehicle ready for whatever lies ahead.
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