Thinking about extra storage space for your tools? If you own a ute, you’ll want to make the best use of the tub or tray to carry everything you need. Toolboxes come in different shapes and sizes, and getting what’s right will depend on the number of tools you need stashed, and the level of security you need.
The choice of materials is one of the determining factors when buying, as are designs and extra features that up usability and also add a professional look to your rig.
Why You Need a Ute Tool Box
Organising all your tools, equipment, and materials you need for the job is best done with dedicated ute boxes. Depending on your size, there are multiple internal compartments, shelves, and drawers to store a range of gear that is also easily and quickly accessible. In addition, tools can be organised into categories, brands or types. And they won’t be jolting around when you’re on your way to work. So, besides knowing where everything is, you’ll also speed up workflow with the right tools and at the right time.
Keeping those tools and equipment secure and spotless is another thing tool boxes are good at. Different materials do this in different ways, and generally larger metal boxes bolted onto trays or fixed to the tubs perform best. You’ll keep tools in good shape and protected from bad weather, and well away from thieves. Secure locks and good thickness mean they’re hard to break into, so keeping your tools in the vehicle overnight or unsupervised won’t be a problem.
Lastly, the range of ute boxes means there are different types for different customers. You can customise your toolbox to the size, materials, designs, and features that best suit your needs. Prices are also affordable for what you get.
Types of Ute Tool Boxes
Toolboxes can be classified by where on the ute they sit, the materials they’re made from, and the shape they take.
On-Tray, Lift-Off, Undertray, and Portable Ute Tool Boxes
The majority of tool boxes are meant to be bolted on the tray or tub, and as such, are usually a permanent fix. They’re typically the largest type and with the largest storage capacity. Undertray boxes make use of the extra space near the rear wheels, and these are smaller and meant for carrying smaller tools or workwear. Portable ute boxes are often lightweight, plastic affairs that are easy to carry and load on and off the vehicle. These often are intended for the tools that you’ll usually use at the job site. Lift-off tool boxes are a more recent edition, and as the name implies can be lifted entirely off the tray when you need to use it for other purposes. The price differences between all types reflect how tool boxes are used and the types of tools they’re meant to store.
Aluminium, Steel, or Plastic
Aluminium is lightweight, strong, durable, and stands up to abuse. If you’re carrying more tools, and need something bigger, an aluminium ute storage box helps keep weight down without sacrificing safety and security. And the vehicle won’t be sagging at the back, even when fully loaded. It can also be optioned in different finishes and coatings that also look good, keep their shine in inclement weather, and have non-slip surfaces.
Steel is the traditional choice, simply because of its perceived strength. It will be stronger and heavier than an aluminium box of the same size. And this can be both an advantage and a drawback. The durability is there, but the weather resistance is somewhat lacking. Look for stainless steel with weather-resistant coatings if you want your toolbox to last.
Steel is also the material of choice in bigger truck boxes with fitted trays and drawers.
UV stabilised polymer toolboxes for utes are another popular addition to the range of different materials. These benefit from being extremely lightweight, but still durable to carry a range of tools. They’re particularly useful for other purposes besides work, like camping and general storage. Most are also portable, so can be used on-site.
Designs and Shapes
Gullwing, cross-deck, high side, low profile, rectangle, and square edge are just some of the shapes and designs that ute tool boxes can be had in. Shapes are more about the number and size of tools you want stored, whereas designs often revolve around accessibility. Gullwing boxes for instance have doors that open on both sides, and this helps in better organisation. High side boxes, on the other hand, will be taller to accommodate larger compartments, or more drawers and shelves.
Features and Build
Prices depend on how boxes are made. Toolboxes for utes built locally will be to a higher standard than most imports. Both aluminium and steel ute boxes are close in pricing, but what sets them apart is attention to detail. Seamless, clean welds and reinforced floors for strength, rubber seals to protect against water ingress and rust, gas struts for easy opening and closing, and secure locks for added security. Plastic boxes also have foam inserts for sensitive equipment and inbuilt, transparent compartments for fasteners. In fact, the internal storage can be customised in just about all boxes. And if you take a man’s best friend with you to work, you can have tool boxes in a combination of metal and mesh.
