DeWalt TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 DXL 30 in. 2-Drawer Unit

I rolled the DXL 2‑Drawer into my shop and the first thing that hit me was the footprint and mass. At roughly 30 by 22 inches and about 44 pounds empty, it feels substantial in a way that most modular drawer units don’t. That heft translates into stability and durability, and it sets the tone for how this unit behaves on the job: it’s a serious storage component meant to live at the core of a ToughSystem 2.0 stack, not a flimsy add‑on.

Build and design

The shell is polypropylene with aluminum carry handles and metal ball‑bearing slides for both drawers. The drawers lock automatically when closed, and a drop‑down steel bar spans their faces so you can padlock both in one go. That’s a smart, simple approach to jobsite security that doesn’t add fiddly latches to the drawer fronts.

Two details stand out in daily use:

• The slides are legitimately smooth, even under load. Rated at 27.5 pounds per drawer (55 pounds total), they didn’t bind or chatter with a mix of drills, impact drivers, batteries, and mid‑size hand tools.
• The handles are stout and comfortable. You’ll appreciate that because the unit is heavy even before you load it.

On both sides are metal racks intended for hanging tools or accessories. I used them for a drill on one side and a small nailer on the other. They keep high‑use tools at the ready, but they do add a bit of width. In a crowded van or a tight shop aisle, they’re something to be mindful of.

One spec worth noting: there’s no IP rating. These are drawers without a gasket, so they aren’t dust‑ or weather‑sealed. In a shop or inside a trailer, no problem. Out in the open on a wet site, keep it covered.

Setup and integration

Integration with the ToughSystem 2.0 ecosystem is seamless. The DXL 2‑Drawer can stack above or below other 2.0 modules and still gives you access to the drawers—no unstacking required. That matters. Drawers that demand you dismantle a stack defeat the point of modular storage. Here, the face remains usable inside a tower, and the automatic latching keeps the drawers from creeping open when you tilt the stack onto a dolly.

I ran it on the 2.0 four‑wheel dolly and also clipped a worktop above it. The result is a sturdy, mobile workstation with two drawers at a comfortable height. If you’re building a mobile bench setup for trimming, punch lists, or service work, this combination shines.

I also clipped it to older ToughSystem boxes I still use, and the connections held securely. The latch geometry feels right and I didn’t encounter odd misalignments.

Capacity and organization

DeWalt includes ten heavy‑duty dividers, and they’re better than the flimsy tabs you often get with drawer systems. They lock into the ribs of the drawer bottom and sides with a reassuring snap, so your layout doesn’t drift after a few rides in the van. I dedicated the top drawer to small‑ and mid‑size items—drivers, a router base, fasteners, and measuring tools—and the bottom to bulkier items like a compact planer and a pair of sanders.

At 22 inches deep, the drawers swallow more than you expect. You won’t get a full‑size framing nailer flat inside, but most cordless tools with a battery installed fit fine. The dividers make it easy to keep chargers and batteries from roaming, and you can remove sections to create full‑width channels for longer tools.

A couple tips from use:

• Keep the heaviest items toward the back of each drawer so the slides carry the load evenly.
• For small parts, use shallow bins that fit between the dividers—or add foam to create custom pockets. The smooth slides and latching make foam inserts especially effective.

On the job and in the shop

In my shop, the DXL 2‑Drawer served as a base for a portable work surface. I could park a benchtop vise on the worktop above, pop a drawer, and grab drivers and bits without walking away. On a job, I stacked it two high on the 2.0 dolly and pushed it across rough concrete; the drawers stayed shut and the stack felt planted.

Access in a stack is genuinely convenient. I liked being able to leave a compressor and hose reel on lower modules and still reach everything in the drawers. Little things—like grabbing a countersink without unstacking—add up over a day.

One caveat: set this unit on a flat, supportive surface. On an uneven slab, with the whole weight borne by a couple of small feet, I noticed a slight rub on the bottom drawer face when the unit was heavily loaded and sitting directly on the floor. Once I moved it onto the 2.0 dolly or a sheet of plywood that spread the load, the interference disappeared and the drawer felt as smooth as the top one. It’s not a deal‑breaker, but if you plan to run it freestanding, take a minute to check footing.

Security and transport

The integrated steel bar and padlock eye are excellent. Lock the bar down and both drawers are secured—no need to thread a lock through two separate hasps. The automatic drawer latching also helps keep honest people honest; you have to intentionally pull to open, and during transport the drawers stayed shut even when the stack bounced a bit.

Transporting the unit solo is feasible but not fun if it’s fully loaded. Use the aluminum handles and the dolly whenever possible. The handles are fixed rather than folding, which keeps them ready but can catch on tight doorways; plan your path accordingly.

Durability

Nothing on the DXL 2‑Drawer feels fragile. The shell shrugged off scuffs, the slides stayed true after a few weeks of daily use, and the latches maintained consistent tension. The side racks didn’t bend when I used them as temporary grab points, though I wouldn’t make a habit of lifting by them. The lifetime limited warranty adds some peace of mind, but the build quality inspires confidence on its own.

Because there’s no weather seal, dust will collect inside over time if you’re running a lot of drywall or masonry work around it. Blow it out periodically and you’ll be fine. If you need sealed storage for electronics or sensitive instruments, pair this with a gasketed box elsewhere in your stack.

What I’d change

• Broader base contact or a more forgiving foot design would reduce the chance of the lower drawer rubbing when loaded and set on uneven ground.
• An optional gasketed drawer variant would be useful for trades that fight dust every day.
• The side racks are handy but occasionally snag; making them removable without tools would add flexibility.

Who it’s for

• Tradespeople building a ToughSystem 2.0 stack who want drawer access without unstacking.
• Shop users setting up a compact mobile workstation with a worktop and organized hand‑tool storage.
• Service techs who benefit from locking drawers and organized small‑to‑mid‑size tool storage.

Less ideal for:

• Users who need weather‑sealed drawers outdoors.
• Anyone who regularly exceeds 27.5 pounds per drawer; the ratings are honest, and overloading invites problems.

The bottom line

The DXL 2‑Drawer is a thoughtfully executed, heavy‑duty drawer unit that integrates cleanly with ToughSystem 2.0. It offers smooth slides, useful dividers, a smart locking bar, and—crucially—drawer access while stacked. It’s heavy and not weather‑sealed, and care with footing helps the bottom drawer perform its best. But as part of a mobile workstation or a modular tool tower, it’s a workhorse that keeps tools accessible and secure.

Recommendation: I recommend it for anyone invested in ToughSystem 2.0 who wants organized, lockable drawer storage that you can actually use inside a stack. Pair it with the 2.0 dolly or place it on a flat, supportive surface, respect the drawer weight limits, and you’ll get a reliable, durable core for your modular setup. If you need sealed, lightweight drawers or plan to run it loose on uneven ground all day, consider alternatives—but for most shop and jobsite stacks, this unit earns its spot.