Having the right ute toolbox is essential for making the most of your vehicle, whether it’s for daily work, fleet operations, or personal projects. Sizes like 1200mm, 1450mm, and 1800mm each come with their own considerations, including capacity, fit, load requirements, and material suitability for harsh Australian conditions.

This guide covers the key factors to help you pick the best ute toolboxes, offering practical advice for tradies, fleet managers, and individual vehicle owners across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, ACT, and South Australia.

Best Ute Tool Boxes for Every Application

Can’t decide what size ute toolbox you should be using? Here’s a quick comparison. Just for reference, any size toolbox can fit any sized ute tray as long as it can fit the max length of our largest toolbox (1800mm) – but below are some of our suggestions to better maximise your toolbox within the ute tray.

  • 1200mm ute tool boxes suit Dual Cab utes with smaller trays, or users with compact storage needs. Their lighter weight improves load flexibility and keeps payloads within legal limits. These often come in single of twin toolbox fitments
  • 1450mm ute tool boxes are a strong all-rounder. Commonly chosen for Extra cabs, they offer enough space for power tools, PPE, and fixings, but won’t crowd the tray. These often come in single of twin toolbox fitments
  • 1800mm ute tool boxes provide maximum storage for larger fleets, service vehicles, and trades that require transporting more or bulkier equipment. Best suited to single-cab utes. These often come in single of twin toolbox fitments

When it comes to standard dimensions and how to measure them correctly, sizes can vary between manufacturers. Standard boxes are typically:

Tool Box Size (Depth & Height) External Length Common Fitment
550mm D x 850mm H 1200mm Dual cab, smaller trays
550mm D x 850mm H 1450mm Extra cab, trade utes
550mm D x 850mm H 1800mm Single-cab, full-size trays or custom fitouts

For custom builds, always measure your tray and check for tie-downs, wheel arches, and headboard clearances. If in doubt, Caddy Storage’s team can advise on the best fit.

How do payload limits affect your choice?

Check your vehicle’s GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) and factor in the weight of the toolbox when loaded. Overloading risks safety and can void insurance or compliance.

Security and Productivity Features You Should Watch Out For

  • Heavy-duty construction
  • Secure compression locks and weatherproof rubber seals
  • Customisable shelves, drawers, and tool management systems

If you need the tray for weekend activities (camping, bikes, surfboards), consider a split or modular box, or a slightly smaller toolbox to retain space.

Australian Tool Boxes: What to Know Before You Buy

Investing in a locally designed toolbox ensures compatibility with Australian utes and compliance with national standards. Caddy Storage tool boxes are engineered for local trade conditions. High-quality suppliers back their boxes with warranties and certified installation. At Caddy Storage, every box is supported by a warranty and a dedicated customer service team.

Does a custom solution make sense for you?

Custom builds allow for tailored internal fitouts, unique tray shapes, and branding options for fleet vehicles. In-house engineering means shorter lead times.

Other Options and Considerations

When choosing the best ute tool boxes, there are a number of smaller factors to consider which could affect your overall fit out.

Positioning

Most toolboxes are fitted facing the sides of the ute tray and are pushed up towards the front of the tray. This offers minimal travel between the ute cabin and the toolbox and is perfect for most situations. in other cases, toolboxes can be fitted more in the middle of the tray, but that is to accommodate more important hardware to be installed at the front (ie. a hose reel).

Single or Twin?

This depends on how much tray space your want to fill and how much storage you need . We recommend Twin toolboxes on both sides, this creates a pocket space inbetween the two toolboxes that can be utilised in a number of ways – be it storing tools, hard ware of even adding a partition for more clever storage. If you just need simple storage, a single tool box on either side is the way to go.

Ute Tray Modifications and Headboard

When installing a Ute Tool Box (keyword), please remember that to efficiently access your toolbox, we need to modify your ute tray sides by cutting, this allows us to position the toolbox to the edge of the ute tray.

Additionally, please take into consideration any measurements for the ute tray headboard as it can affect any overall measurements.

External Accessories

Trade specific accessories are often paired with our toolboxes, namely industry specific hardware such as pumps and hose reels or large liquid containers. Additionally we offer several auxiliary products to help maximise your toolbox fit out such as partition gates for twin toolboxes or internal custom made framework.

Toolbox Materials in Tough Outdoor Conditions

Australian conditions can be unforgiving, with outback dust, coastal salt spray, and sudden downpours all putting your gear to the test. Our tool boxes made from aluminium perform best in these environments thanks to their natural resistance to rust, humidity, and salt.

Are your ute tool boxes powder-coated or painted?

Caddy Storage primarily supplies powder-coated boxes, offering superior durability and a consistent finish. Powder coating is thicker and more resistant to chipping or fading than paint. We offer three primary finishes for your toolbox: Powder coat white, Powder coat Black and Flat Alloy with propeller plate texture.

Get Your Caddy Storage Tool Box Today: Built for Aussie Conditions

When selecting your next ute toolbox, focus on the right balance between capacity, weight, material, and durability. Caddy Storage tool boxes, are built for local conditions and backed by national support, expert advice, and flexible installation.

If in doubt about which size or material to choose, reach out for advice on custom solutions or book an in-person consultation at any of the Caddy Storage locations Australia-wide.

The right toolbox is an investment in efficiency, safety, and productivity-keeping you organised and ready for any job, from city worksites in Melbourne and Sydney to remote projects in the outback.