DeWalt TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 DXL 5-in-1 Modular Workstation

First impressions

I rolled DeWalt’s DXL workstation off the truck and immediately understood what it’s trying to be: not just stacked toolboxes on wheels, but a mobile work environment. At roughly 34 x 25.8 inches in footprint and 39 inches tall, it’s closer to a compact jobsite cart than a tower of boxes. It arrives as a five-piece system—dolly base, a shallow 2‑drawer unit, two deep drawer modules, and a reinforced worktop—that you can split apart or use as a single workstation. Out of the gate, it feels purpose-built for people who want to work out of drawers without unstacking towers all day.

Build and layout

The overall construction is what I expect from TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0—robust plastics, metal reinforcement where it matters, and hardware that favors service life over flash. The drawers ride on metal ball-bearing slides and include an automatic quick-latch that pulled each drawer closed with a satisfying engagement. That latch is more than a nicety; it kept the drawers from creeping open while I rolled over cables, OSB seams, and concrete thresholds.

The layout strikes a nice balance:
- A shallow 30-inch 2‑drawer module for fast-access hand tools and consumables.
- Two deep 30-inch drawers for bulkier items: routers, nailers, boxes of fasteners, organizing bins, and small parts in trays.
- A reinforced worktop with integrated screw holes to accept 2x4s or plywood if you want to build out a larger surface or outfeed extension.

Side metal racks are a highlight. Being able to hang a drill, impact driver, or nailer where I can grab it without opening drawers sped up small repetitive tasks. They also give you a place to stage tools as you swap bits or adjust settings.

Modularity in practice

The promise of a modular system is only as good as the friction involved in separating and reconnecting parts. Here, the DXL workstation does well. Each module disconnects cleanly, and the stack re-seats without wrestling. In the shop, I kept the system assembled and used it like a rolling cabinet. On a trim job where space was tight, I split off a deep drawer module and kept it near the miter saw while the rest of the system sat by the entry. Being able to run the drawers while stacked is the killer workflow advantage; I didn’t have to unstack boxes just to grab a chisel roll from the bottom.

If you work from a pickup or service van, there’s another quiet win: the system is designed to be used from a vehicle bed. I parked the dolly at the tailgate, popped drawers open, and loaded/unloaded without dragging the whole cart out. That’s a big help in sketchy weather or on sloped driveways.

Work surface and expandability

The top is more than a lid. It’s a reinforced platform that feels solid under a vise or miter saw stand clamp. I screwed a pair of 2x4s into the integrated holes and dropped a sheet of plywood on top to make a quick 2x4 extension table. For light assembly, layout, or a laptop and plans, it’s a very usable surface. It won’t replace a full bench, but it kept me from setting up sawhorses for short tasks.

Inside, removable dividers help tame the shallow drawer. The deep drawers benefit from TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 trays and foam inserts (sold separately), which slot in cleanly. If you already own TOUGHSYSTEM organizers, the cross-compatibility is convenient. Just know that dialing in an organized setup with trays and foam adds to the overall investment.

Mobility and stability

At 143 pounds empty, this is not a featherweight. The four 6‑inch caster wheels are the right call; they roll smoothly across concrete, pavers, and packed dirt. On gravel they’re competent, though you’ll feel the bumps. The wide stance keeps the stack planted. I purposely pushed too fast over extension cords and uneven subfloor—the system stayed composed and the drawers stayed shut. Stairs are a different story; it’s a two-person job when fully loaded. If you’re routinely climbing walk-up sites, a lighter, two-wheel hand truck plus smaller modules might suit you better.

The handle is fixed, which keeps the push/pull feel consistent. You steer it like a cart instead of tilting it back like a dolly, and that makes sense for a workstation you’ll move around a jobsite or shop floor rather than across town every day.

Capacity and day-to-day use

DeWalt rates the load capacity at 441 pounds (200 kg). I didn’t max it out, but I loaded it with a realistic job mix—cordless nailers, a router kit, sanders, abrasives, fasteners, layout tools, track saw accessories, and a few bulk boxes—and it handled the weight without groaning. The 32‑gallon (122 L) interior capacity goes further than I expected because the drawers are 30 inches wide; long items like levels, pry bars, and a track saw rail clamp fit diagonally without drama.

One caveat: there’s no IP rating. The drawers overlap enough to keep out casual dust and the occasional splash, but this is not a weather-sealed chest. I avoid leaving it in the open when rain is in the forecast. If your work keeps you outdoors in the elements all day, plan on a cover or bringing it under shelter.

Security and jobsite realities

The integrated metal locking bar and padlock eye let you secure all the drawers together. It’s a practical deterrent in shared spaces or during quick coffee runs. Like any plastic-bodied system, it’s not a safe—determined thieves with tools will get in—but it meaningfully raises the bar versus a standard open cart.

The ability to hang tools on the side racks while keeping blades, bits, and consumables in the drawers made me more efficient. I stopped walking back and forth to a bench as often. Little touches, like the drawers auto-latching as they close, matter here; you can nudge a drawer with your hip and trust it to secure.

Setup and transport

Unloading and positioning the DXL workstation is a two-person job the first time simply due to weight. After that, it’s straightforward. The modules disconnect quickly if you need to shave weight to get it into a van solo. Once on the ground, it moves easily on flat surfaces. The packaging kept everything protected, and I had no alignment issues with the drawers or slides out of the box.

Value and trade-offs

The DXL workstation is not a budget play. You’re paying for a hybrid: part storage system, part rolling cabinet, part work surface. Compared to stacking-box ecosystems where you must unstack to access lower boxes, the drawer-first design saves time and frustration. Compared with a traditional metal jobsite chest, you gain mobility and modularity but give up full weather sealing and some impact resistance.

Where the cost calculus makes sense:
- You want to work out of drawers without unstacking boxes.
- You need a mobile work surface with the option to expand using 2x4s or plywood.
- You already own or plan to expand within TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 trays and organizers.

Where it may not:
- You need true weather resistance (no IP rating here).
- You frequently navigate stairs or long hauls without a ramp.
- You’re on a tight budget or prefer to build a piecemeal setup over time.

The lifetime limited warranty is reassuring, particularly for the slides and latching hardware that take daily abuse.

Who it’s for

I see the DXL workstation fitting:
- Finish carpenters and remodelers who work inside most days and want a rolling cabinet they can park near the work.
- Service pros and facility techs who operate from a vehicle and value drawers over crates.
- Small shops that need a movable assembly station with built-in storage.

If your workflow is more sporadic—occasional DIY projects, lots of roof/deck work in weather, or constant stair runs—this is probably more system than you need.

Recommendation

I recommend the DXL workstation for pros and serious users who value working out of drawers and want a compact, mobile work surface in one package. It earns its keep by letting you access everything without unstacking, rolling smoothly over typical jobsite terrain, and giving you room to expand the top when you need a quick bench. Be aware of the trade-offs: it’s heavy, it isn’t weather-sealed, and it costs more than building a stack of boxes on a dolly. If those concessions fit your use case, the DXL workstation is a smart, time-saving centerpiece for a mobile workflow. If not, you’ll be better served by a lighter, more weatherproof, or lower-cost setup tailored to your specific constraints.