A Guide to Toolboxes: Keep Your Tools Safe and Organised

If you’re thinking of a way to increase storage space on your ute or an attached trailer, then nothing beats a dedicated toolbox. It’s not by chance that toolboxes are one of the most sought-after vehicle accessories there are, and they’re a standard feature on many utes and caravan trailers. They make the most of the available space, come in different sizes and designs to suit different applications, and their sturdy build means they’ll stand up against thieves and bad weather. An added bonus is that they can be built to buyers’ specific wants and needs. 

The Range of Different Toolboxes for Your Ute and Trailer

Toolboxes will differ in terms of designs, shape, size, materials, and features. Choosing the right one will be based on your needs, and where and how it will be used. 

Designs

For utes, there are gullwing, high-side, low-profile, rectangular, cross-deck, undertray, and toolboxes in almost any shape imaginable. The majority are attached to a tray bed and serve the purpose of securely storing tools, equipment, and any gear you need for the road. On-tray boxes are often a permanent fixture and stay bolted onto the ute while still providing enough space on the tray for other goodies. The most popular are gullwing boxes, with doors opening at either side, so access to what’s inside is quick and simple. Other boxes like high-side and low-profile variants are of the top-opening type. Different shapes and design features are all about usability while providing just enough storage space. 

Toolboxes can also be used on camper trailer drawbars, where they store typical camping gear, such as generators, extra batteries, chocks, jockey wheels hoses, camping mats, and annexes. These are often smaller than variants found secured on ute tray beds but serve their purpose well. They also come with different accessories to safely house necessary camping items like jerry can holders and gas bottles, while also doubling as a mounting base for a bike rack. Durability and longevity aren’t an issue either. They’re built to the same high standards with strong materials and attention to detail. Anyone looking for drawbar toolboxes to complement their trailer is catered to different designs, and finishes that are also weather-resistant and don’t look out of place. 

Materials

Choosing a toolbox with the right materials impacts two things – durability and weight. There’s the choice between aluminium and stainless steel, helped along with anti-rust coatings and rubber weather seals to keep the toolboxes in good condition regardless of the weather. Aluminium boxes have decent strength and are by default corrosion-resistant, as well as lighter. For bigger ute tray boxes this is a plus in that it doesn’t impede on the overall carrying capacity of the vehicle’s rear axle. For drawbar toolboxes, lighter materials won’t affect trailer stability or increase the risks of decoupling. 

Stainless steel has more perceived strength but comes with a weight penalty and the fact that steel in any grade will rust over time. Opt for stainless steel if outright toughness is your goal, but otherwise, aluminium variants do a fine job in the majority of uses. Just ensure that is in a decent thickness of 2mm or more. 

Sizes and Storage Capacity 

How much you can cram inside a ute or trailer drawbar toolbox depends on overall size. Ute boxes range anywhere from a smallish 400mm in length by 250mm in width and 400mm in height of undertray variants, to boxes exceeding 1800mm long and up to 1000mm high in larger boxes fitted across the tray bed. There are dozens of sizes in between, and most will also depend on the box design and how you intend to fit them. As mentioned, drawbar toolboxes have a smaller footprint, largely due to the space and weight restrictions, but average sizes are around 800mm in length and 450mm in width and height. These are usually tapered designs, but boxy variants are also found. 

Features and Accessories

The features your toolbox comes with will make opening and closing easier, increase overall security, and make storing items inside quicker and simpler.  For ute boxes, look for internal shelving and drawers, either as adjustable or removable units to allow you to use the space as you wish. These come in different configurations, and you can option different parts in a custom build. On the outside, external locks in varying designs and multiple locations mean stored goods will remain secure and away from sticky fingers. I mentioned rubber seals, but box lids are also designed to wick away water, especially important when storing things like batteries or generators in a caravan drawbar box. And opening lids is straightforward when the weight is supported by gas struts. These also provide for smoothed and dampened operation, so no caught fingers or clothing. 

Summing Up

Toolboxes are indispensable in storing a range of gear. They’re mostly found as additions on the back of utes, but increasingly they improve the available storage when camping and when fitted across a trailer drawbar. Source your next toolbox in the right dimensions and shape for what you’ll be carrying inside and where it will be fitted, the features that you need, and from a respected toolbox maker.