Let’s be honest: it doesn’t matter if it’s under the bonnet or atop a tray, ute owners aren’t shy about customising their vehicles. That’s because these tough, all-purpose AWDs are as at-home at a Brisbane jobsite as they are at a Beachport campsite. And when it comes to customisation, premium quality ute tool storage boxes are what make all the difference.
With a wider range of types available than most owners can shake a stick at, there’s literally a box designed and built for every purpose. The most common similarity between many of them, however, is that tools per se are far and away not the only gear it’s made for. Today’s ute and truck tool box can be used for everything from basic cargo and equipment storage containers, to combination canopy/dog box carriers; that’s why when you’re looking into customising your ute, a box is where you need to start.
Simplified Transport and Storage with Aluminium Tool Boxes
Make no mistake: it doesn’t matter if you’re a tradie who’s contemplating putting a mobile welding station together, or a diehard off-roader who never hits the trail with less than two weeks of provisions, today’s multi-purpose truck tool box selection offers everything you need to put together a custom storage solution that’s just right for you.
The flexibility of these heavy duty boxes means that even if you haven’t swapped your ute’s factory bed for a tray, they can be used just as effectively in either configuration. As such, they not only qualify as some of the most practical accessories you can buy, but also as some of the most versatile.
Durable construction is the key to these Australian-made boxes’ exceptional flexibility. Unlike the heavy, old-school steel boxes that are still frequently sold around the country, lightweight, corrosion resistant ute boxes made from marine grade 5052 aluminium are preferred due to a range of features, that include:
- A choice of 2.5mm flat, checker plate, or powdercoated aluminium stock;
- Full TIG welded seam construction;
- Reinforced internal bracing;
- Single sheet roof and wall sections; and,
- Gas strut doors, with full length 304 stainless steel piano hinges.
The 5052’s superior strength-to-weight ratio and excellent workability makes it the perfect choice for ute tool boxes with built-in subfloors. With 50 x 50mm SHS structural bolstering, these modern aluminium ute boxes can be safely mounted anywhere that their weight distribution doesn’t present a problem; and that gives them every advantage for all kinds of storage and transport.
A Range of Tool Box Types for Every Type of Transport
Although aluminium storage boxes are available in a staggering array of configurations, there are really only five main types of boxes to choose from:
- Cross deck tool boxes. Measuring up to 1770mm lengthwise, and featuring either gull-wing or full-length doors, these ute storage boxes are ordinarily mounted crossways on trays and across ute beds, and can be opened from either side of your vehicle.
- One tonner (side opening) tool boxes. With lengths up to 2100mm and heights to 850mm, these full side-doored ute truck tool boxes, including their Pro-Box and Tradesman sub-variants, are the most common tray-mounted units, and are typically outfitted with accessories like drawers, shelves, and parts bins.
- Square-edged tool boxes. In addition to their standard 1200mm heights, these 1900mm long aluminium tool boxes for utes are tall enough for almost any type of cargo, and can be mounted either lengthwise or widthwise on trays.
- Rectangular tool boxes. With a length of only 1800mm and top opening doors, these general purpose ute tool box variations are only half as tall as square edge tool boxes, and are perfect for utes with tonneau beds where they can be mounted either lengthwise or widthwise.
- Undertray tool boxes. These heavy duty ute tool boxes are designed specifically for the empty space ahead of and behind the drive wheels on tray-equipped utes, and are angled to provide extra tyre clearance when going off road.
And it’s important to remember that with few exceptions, these aluminium storage box variants generally aren’t restricted by whether they can be mounted on a ute with a tray, or one with a bed and liner. Square-edged and rectangular tool boxes for trucks are at home on either vehicle and, together with more specialized boxes like drawbar boxes, water holders, and dog boxes, allow you to assemble custom configurations. These not only let you store and transport all your gear and supplies, but also allow you to do it wisely and securely.
Top Quality Tool Boxes Make Security a Priority
With their ability to simplify the way you stay organised on the road, top quality ute tray tool boxes also help reduce the likelihood of your gear getting damaged, misplaced, or especially stolen. Installing an affordable aftermarket G-Sensor security system is certainly a smart, precautionary step to take, but it’s still good to know that these bed and tray tool boxes are already designed to resist intrusion from the elements, as well as forced entry.
Standard ute box construction offers across the board security from the full range of on the road threats, with an array of features that include:
- Stainless steel, folding “whale tail” type T-handle locks;
- Multi-point, keyed security locks with padlockable tabs; and,
- Weather resistant rubber door seals.
No matter if your daily business requires that you always have an expensive complement of powertools with you, or you’ve loaded everything you need to take a six month trip around the big lap, you can trust a properly secured ute storage box to keep your gear safe, dry, and clean.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, with so many types of tool transport and storage boxes to choose from, the range of custom configurations that you’re able to come up with is only limited by your vehicle’s payload, and the amount of available space that you have. And with so many possible customization options to outfit the inside of your boxes with as well, you’re never likely to be at a shortage of storage space.
Today’s multi-purpose tool box selection gives you everything you need to make customizing your vehicle, practical. It’s an investment in your truck or ute that starts paying dividends immediately.
