The Ultimate Guide to Custom UTE Trays: Organise, Protect, and Upgrade Your Vehicle

You’ll find many items in our shop. All of them are highly valuable for our customers, their garages, and the vehicles they are driving. Among the many useful items, there are the UTE trays - a specific type of storage for all your valuable items and tools.

These items are made for those who have a unique and perfectioned taste of what needs to go in the rear tray of their vehicle. If you feel like you’ve outgrown the phase where the UTE has an open tray and want to improve its looks and functionality, it is time to step up and do more.

In this blog post, we’re talking about UTE trays. We’ve created a detailed guide on what they are, their benefits, and how to choose the best trays for your needs. Follow up and read more about this as you discover why custom-made trays are the best for your UTE.

What is a UTE Tray?

The first question is what UTE trays are. UTE trays are an additional item that is installed on your vehicle. They are used for storage. Smaller than toolboxes, canopies, and similar storage items, they are practical, offer more safety, and can be installed nearly anywhere.

Most commonly, people will ask for a bigger UTE canopy in which more trays can fit. Installation can make them as drawers pulled out as you stand in front of them. This is the most practical way that offers functionality and reliability for storing valuable items inside.

If you choose custom-made UTE trays, they can differ by size, material, weight, and colour. You can choose a different locking mechanism and everything else you may think of, including options like a caravan toolbox. If you have an idea, it can be done. Consider what you need, and let us customize this product.

Why Custom UTE Trays Are Worth Considering?

Custom UTE trays are worth considering because they turn unused tray space into a practical, long-term storage solution that actually works with how you use your ute. Instead of forcing your gear into a generic setup, custom-built trays are tailored to your needs, whether that’s daily trade work, fleet customers, or off-road adventures. They are designed and manufactured to ensure the perfect fit for your vehicle, improving usability and access. With heavy-duty materials, durable trays, and industry-leading workmanship, they help keep your gear protected, organised, and ready. A well-planned tray and canopy setup also improves workflow and overall vehicle value.

Pros and Cons of Using UTE trays

There are multiple benefits to installing custom UTE trays. The first and most important one is neatly aligning and storing your valuable tools needed for work. If you’re a contractor, you know how important it is to store everything in its designated place.

Suppose you’re a camper. Multiple trays installed inside a toolbox canopy means having all items needed for your trip carefully stored. There’s no chance of a mixup and wasting time searching for an essential item when your time is short.

Trays are excellent for storing small parts. Imagine only having one robust toolbox in which there’s everything - from hammers to drills to screws. Finding what you need inside is often an adventure. Storing everything in different trays makes the quest for a particular piece seamless.

Safety is another benefit. Having a lock on your trays and another one on your canopy means double protection. Even if the canopy is wide open, breaking inside a tiny box is much more difficult. Additionally, being made of aluminium, they are durable, and the weather can’t harm them.

There’s one downside, though. Trays are small and unsuitable for bigger tools, like power drills. There’s no room for it inside; you’ll need to store it elsewhere. This is why it’s best to install a combination of smaller trays and bigger toolboxes that will allow you to store everything perfectly.

How Custom UTE Trays Differ from Standard Trays?

Custom UTE trays differ from standard trays in how precisely they cater to specific requirements. Standard options follow fixed dimensions, while custom-built trays are fabricated to exact specifications, ensuring seamless functionality with your ute. This design process allows better integration with tray toolboxes, slide-out systems, trundle drawer options, or even a custom canopy. Materials like marine-grade aluminium improve strength without unnecessary weight, making them built to last. Custom trays maximise storage, improve access, and support electrics or 12v systems if required. The result is a setup that feels intentional, practical, and tailored to suit how you actually work or travel.

Choosing between standard and custom trays ultimately comes down to how much you value usability and long-term performance. Custom UTE trays cost more upfront, but the return is clear through better organisation, improved safety, and superior craftsmanship. When trays are built to withstand Australian conditions, they protect tools, reduce downtime, and support demanding workloads. Whether paired with aluminium canopies or used independently, custom solutions integrate seamlessly into your vehicle. Instead of adapting your workflow to your storage, custom trays adapt to you. For anyone serious about their ute, this upgrade delivers reliability, confidence, and everyday convenience.

How to Choose the Best UTE Trays for Your Needs?

The first thing to do when you’re considering trays is to think about what you will use them for. The answer to this question solves nearly everything. There are multiple options about how big the trays can be, where they’ll be installed, and what kind of function they’ll have.

Once you do that, think about your budget. There are highly expensive titanium-made trays that are fantastic but expensive. The best solution is to get aluminium trays, which are more affordable and have almost the same features.

Then, think about where you will install them. Many will opt for the empty space under the tray and near the tires. This is an unused area and can be filled with such storage boxes. Others prefer in-cabin trays, while some want a neatly arranged box of tiny trays that open and close easily.

Are Custom-Made UTE Trays Available?

Custom-made UTE trays are absolutely available, and they are more common than many people realise. These solutions are proudly Australian made and produced through professional fabrication processes that ensure strength and accuracy. Because each tray is custom-built, you cannot realistically make one yourself. 

The best approach is working with an experienced Pty Ltd manufacturer who understands utes, tray packages, and canopy setup requirements. By sharing your exact dimensions, colour preferences, and how you plan to use the tray, the final product is tailored to your needs and built to withstand tough conditions across Australia.

Upgrade Your UTE with Custom Trays

Owning a UTE is surely a great experience. Upgrading it with several different toolboxes and other storage items makes it even more versatile. A utility vehicle means it does more than just commute from one place to another, so installing custom-made trays that will store tools and other items is something to consider if you want a superior UTE.

FAQs

How long does it take to manufacture a custom UTE tray?

Manufacturing time for a custom UTE tray depends on the design complexity, materials, and current workload. In most cases, the process takes between three and six weeks from approval to completion. This includes the design process, fabrication, finishing, and quality checks. Because trays are custom-built to exact specifications, rushing production can compromise workmanship. Reputable manufacturers prioritise precision and durability, ensuring your new tray is built to last and meets industry-leading standards before installation.

Can custom trays be combined with other accessories like canopies or drawer systems?

Yes, custom trays are commonly designed to integrate seamlessly with other accessories. They can be combined with aluminium canopies, drawer systems, dog boxes, or a full canopy package without compromising usability. During the design stage, the tray is built to support additions like slide-out drawers, pantry storage, or tray toolboxes. This level of inclusion ensures everything works together as one complete ute storage solution, keeping your gear secure, accessible, and organised whether you are working or travelling.

Can I order a custom tray with specific lock types or security features?

You can order a custom tray with specific lock types and added security features. Options often include upgraded locking mechanisms, reinforced braces, and compatibility with central locking or electrics. These features are particularly useful for trades, fleet customers, or anyone carrying valuable equipment. By choosing security options during fabrication, the tray is built to withstand tampering and harsh conditions. This tailored approach helps keep your gear protected while maintaining seamless functionality across your overall canopy and tray setup.

Can I upgrade my standard UTE tray to a custom tray later?

Upgrading from a standard tray to a custom tray is absolutely possible and quite common. Many owners start with a basic setup, then later decide to maximise storage and usability. A new tray can be designed to suit your existing vehicle, whether it’s a Hilux, Ranger, Amarok, Triton, Navara, or a 79 Series. The old tray is removed, and the custom solution is installed to ensure the perfect fit, improved durability, and a setup that better supports your specific needs.