The Power Wagon's tailgate is the right size for cooking — 56" wide, drops to a stable horizontal surface at counter height. Three paths: a Drifta slide-out kitchen module ($1,800), the more straightforward Decked CrossBox if you already have their drawers ($580), or DIY with a folding table + Camp Chef stove for $350. Pick based on how often you camp and how much you cook.
A "camp kitchen" on a Power Wagon ranges from minimal (a stove on the tailgate, a cooler nearby) to a full slide-out module with sink, propane plumbing, prep surface, and integrated storage. Where you land depends on how often you camp and what you cook.
**Drifta Stockton Slide-Out Kitchen** ($1,800) — Australian-built, the reference. Mounts in the bed or to a drawer system, slides out the back of the truck, includes a sink, stove mount, prep surface, storage for utensils + dry goods. The "I am serious about camping" answer. Common 2-3 week build wait time.
**Decked CrossBox** ($580) — bolts to a Decked drawer system (which you'd need separately, $1,400 — see [[pw-overland-drawer]]). Provides a kitchen module above the drawers with stove platform and storage. Less feature-dense than Drifta but bundles into the Decked ecosystem cleanly.
**DIY tailgate kitchen** ($350) — folding aluminum prep table ($120) + 2-burner Camp Chef Everest stove ($180) + plastic dry-goods tote ($30). Setup at camp is 3 minutes. Pack down is 3 minutes. The right answer for 80% of camping use cases.
**Camp Chef Everest 2X** ($180) — the universal stove pick. 20,000 BTU per burner, runs on standard 1lb propane bottles or 20lb tank via adapter, ignition lights with a click, integrated regulator. Replaceable parts. Lasts forever.
**Power Wagon-specific:** the tailgate has a 56" wide drop surface at exactly counter height (~32" from ground). It's almost custom-designed as a cooking workbench. Don't fight that — embrace it. A DIY tailgate setup uses what the truck already provides.
**Propane handling:** any stove burning propane in the bed needs ventilation. Don't cook in the bed under a closed topper. Stoves with low-CO emissions (Camp Chef Everest is one) are fine in the open air with the tailgate down.
**Honest framing:** the Drifta is beautiful and most owners who buy one love them. But for occasional camping (5-15 nights/year), the DIY tailgate setup is the right answer — you save $1,500+ and pack down to a tote that lives in the garage between trips. The Drifta is for full-time overland life or commercial use (guide service, expedition outfitting).
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Drifta Stockton Slide-Out Kitchen Module (Australian premium — most popular) | Drifta | ~$1800 |
| DECKED CrossBox (bolts to Decked drawer system as a kitchen module) | Decked | ~$580 |
| Camp Chef Everest 2X stove (2-burner, integrated regulator, propane) | Camp Chef | ~$180 |
| DIY tailgate kitchen — folding aluminum table + stove + tote | varies | ~$350 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.