The debate of which is the better material between steel and aluminium for ute trays is always ongoing in pubs across Australia. As you can imagine, with every tradie having an opinion and a personal preference, getting universal advice can be hard. As a result, you’ll find choosing a ute tray material to be a daunting task. In this article, we’ll delve into what you need to consider when choosing a ute tray to suit your needs and, importantly, performs its function properly.

What Are Ute Trays?

A ute tray, or service body, is a factory or aftermarket upgrade for the typical OEM tub that most utes come with as a cargo-carrying option. Typically, trays feature a more robust loading bay that’s more resistant to denting, scratching and any other form of damage. Most importantly, ute trays provide increased load area, which is an excellent feature for individuals who haul a lot of tools and/or recreational gear. Additionally, many trays come with removable sidebars that offer a practical solution to loading and unloading the tray. 

Different Types of Materials for Your Custom Ute Tray

For the most part, ute trays are made of steel or aluminium/aluminium alloys. Either metal has its pros and cons. For instance, steel offers strength (steel is four times stronger than aluminium) while being cheaper than aluminium (30% cheaper than aluminium). On the other hand, aluminium is lighter (generally steel trays are twice as heavy as aluminium trays) while being more resistant to corrosion. With the above in mind, your choice of ute tray material needs to take into account the different benefits of steel and aluminium in relation to the function of the ute. For applications where strength and durability are of utmost importance, a steel tray might be a better choice. On the other hand, when you need corrosion resistance or weight savings for better fuel economy, an aluminium tray will meet your needs much better.

6 Tips in Choosing the Best Material for Custom Ute Tray

There are numerous important factors to consider when you’re in the market for a new ute tray or service body. As you’ll see, the following factors will influence your choice of material for your ute tray. Careful consideration of these factors will help you choose the right custom ute tray.

1). Ute Tray Strength 

If you use your ute for ferrying construction materials and construction equipment, strength is an important consideration. Steel is about four times stronger than aluminium and three times stiffer. As such, it can withstand the beating of carrying heavy and bulky items for longer.

2). Ute Tray Weight

Aluminium is inherently lighter than steel. Steel is twice as heavy as aluminium. As such, all other factors of the tray being equal (the size, design, and feature such as a ute canopy) a steel tray will be heavier, negatively impacting the Gross Vehicle Mass rating and the payload you can carry. Moreover, the heavier weight of a steel tray results in worse fuel economy compared to what you get with an aluminium tray.

3). Ute Tray Cost 

Aluminium costs roughly 30% more than mild steel. Based on the price of raw materials, you can expect aluminium ute trays to cost more than steel ute trays. The cost rises significantly when you purchase a tray made of exotic alloy materials. However, depending on customisation and the amount of fabrication needed to manufacture some steel trays, they may end up being more expensive compared to some aluminium trays. With the above in mind, you must take into consideration your budget. However, the cost of the tray should not be the only factor you consider but one of the many factors to keep in mind while shopping.

4). Usage Of Tray

MFI provides a wide variety of trays to suit the full range of chassis and brands. It’s important to note that for some use cases such as hauling many heavy tools for work, the ideal material is steel. In other cases, such as if you plan to use your ute tray for certain activities, aluminium will offer better overall performance. There isn’t much point in hauling a heavy tray or canopy every day while only using it on certain occasions.

5). Withstanding Weather Conditions And Corrosion

Weatherproofing your ute tray is an important consideration. A ute tray that can withstand the weather bodes well for durability. However, no material has perfect performance with regards to withstanding weather conditions. Steel trays will withstand all the weather elements except rain due to rust. If you’re interested in purchasing a steel tray for its weather tolerance, ensure the tray is protected from rust as best as possible. Hot-dip galvanisation is the best rust protection measure for steel trays. A powder-coated steel tray can equally last long when cared for properly. However, for the ultimate corrosion protection, go for an aluminium tray.

6). Easy Installation

Ease of installation only comes into play if you plan to install the tray yourself. Otherwise, professional tray fabricators or distributors offer installation services when you purchase the tray. Generally, tray installation tends to be a daunting task – after all, you’re dealing with bulky and heavy equipment. However, due to the lightweight nature of aluminium ute trays and aluminium alloy trays, they are easier to install. Nonetheless, you need to have an intricate understanding of the installation process and have the right equipment and tools for the job.

Final Thoughts

Aside from personal preferences, you should also consider how the material of the ute tray influences the performance of your ute. Taking an objective approach will ensure the tray you purchase performs the intended work and lasts a long time while at it. As such, consider the tips discussed above as you look for a ute tray for your ute.

MFI Provides High-Quality Ute Service Bodies

At MFI Automotive Group, we work to meet the needs of all our customers. We stock a wide selection of ute trays made of both steel and aluminium metals. Whatever your needs might be, we have a product just right for your needs. Call us today and get your fully customised ute tray.

For more information regarding high-quality service bodies, please call us today at MFI Automotive Group on 1300 634 669 or get in touch with our friendly sales team here.