Aluminium Ute Toolboxes
Which ute toolbox should you buy? For most Australian tradies running a dual-cab with a tray, the highest-value setup is a pair of under-tray boxes for daily hand tools, plus one 1400–1700 mm side box for bulky gear. Buy aluminium rather than steel — an aluminium box saves roughly half the weight, and on a modern dual-cab every kilo saved comes back as legal payload. Prices here run from $180 for a drawbar box to $1,250 for a 2100 mm full-door unit.
All 137 configurations below are designed and tested in Australia, built on an extrusion-based structure rather than sheet alone, and fitted with stainless steel T-handle locks. Full buying advice: the ute toolbox buyer's guide.
- Under Tray
- Side Open
- Gullwing
- Top Open
- Trundle Drawer
- Dog Boxes
- Drawbar
- Truck Toolboxes
- Tub Toolbox
- Campers & Caravan
Which style suits which job
| Style | Good at | Typical buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Under-tray | Daily hand tools, jacks, straps. Keeps the tray deck clear. | Tradies loading pallets or timber on the deck |
| Full door | Maximum access — see and reach everything at once. | Electricians, plumbers, lots of small stock |
| Half door | Retains a lip so gear can't roll out on a slope. | Uneven ground, heavy consumables |
| Gullwing | Gas-strut doors lift up — no outward swing needed. | Tight metro car parks and laneways |
| Top open | Long, shallow — levels, conduit, rods. | Plumbers, sparkies, surveyors |
| Trundle drawer | Turns dead under-tray space into one long run. | Anyone carrying long, awkward items |
| Dog box | Ventilated, lockable, compliant dog transport. | Farmers, graziers, rural contractors |
| Drawbar | Chains, jockey wheel, levelling blocks. | Trailer and caravan owners |
Sizes and prices
| Box | Price | RRP |
|---|---|---|
| 720 mm drawbar box | $180 | $200 |
| 1700 × 500 × 500 mm top open | $495 | $550 |
| 1200 × 600 × 850 mm full door | $700 | $800 |
| 900 × 600 × 850 mm half door | $720 | $800 |
| 1400 × 600 × 850 mm full door | $850 | $900 |
| 1700 × 600 × 850 mm full door | $1,008 | $1,120 |
| 1800 × 600 × 850 mm full door | $1,035 | $1,150 |
| 2100 × 600 × 850 mm full door | $1,250 | $1,450 |
| Caravan / generator box, from | $895.50 | $995 |
| 500 mm full dog box | $999 | $1,350 |
| 800 mm half dog box, black | $1,550 | $1,700 |
GST inclusive, supply only, current at September 2026. Afterpay and zipPay at checkout; Shift and Humm90 for business purchases.
How to size a toolbox before you order
Measure your tray deck, not your ute. Note the usable length between headboard and tailgate and the clear width between drop sides — dual-cab trays commonly run 1600–1850 mm, extra-cab and single-cab 2100–2450 mm.
Then measure your longest item, not your average tool. A 1.8 m level or a stock length of conduit sets your minimum internal length. Internal length on a welded box is typically 30–60 mm less than the quoted external figure, so ask for internal dimensions if they aren't listed.
Finally, check door swing and under-tray clearance. A full-height side door needs clear air beside the ute; in a 2.4 m garage or a tight loading bay, a gullwing lift or top-open lid is the only style that works. Under-tray boxes must clear the chassis rail, fuel tank, exhaust and wheel arc at full suspension droop, not at ride height.
Common questions
What thickness aluminium should a ute toolbox be?
1.2–1.5 mm for small under-tray boxes, 1.5–2.0 mm for large side boxes. On checker plate the honest measurement excludes the raised tread, so a box advertised as 2.5 mm can be under 2.0 mm of actual material. Structure matters as much as sheet thickness.
How much does a ute toolbox weigh?
A 1400 mm aluminium side box runs roughly 35–55 kg depending on door style and wall thickness. The steel equivalent is close to double.
Will a toolbox fit my ute?
Fit is determined by the tray, not the badge. Measure deck length, clear width and under-tray clearance at full suspension droop. Completed builds by vehicle are in our gallery.
Checker plate or flat plate?
Functionally very little separates them. Checker plate hides scuffs and is the traditional work-ute look; flat plate wipes down in one pass and is the right base for signwriting or a wrap.
Can I claim a ute toolbox as a business expense?
A work-use toolbox is generally a deductible business asset, and may fall under an instant write-off threshold depending on the year and your turnover. Confirm current rules with your accountant.
See them in person at Laverton North VIC, Coopers Plains QLD or Penrith NSW, or call 1300 710 666. Custom dividers, shelves, drawers and slides built to order — Custom Build.
