Ute tub vs tray: What’s the difference?

When it comes to deciding between a tub or a tray for your ute, it is important to consider how you plan to use it in your everyday life.

Both body types come with their own set of advantages – a tub offers a sleek, factory-fitted look with integrated accessories, while a tray provides a tougher, more flexible platform for serious utility and unique customisation opportunities.

To determine which ute type may best suit you, we’ve broken down the benefits of each to help you decide.

•What is a ute tub?

•What are the advantages of a ute tub?

•What Is a ute tray?

•What are the advantages of a ute tray?

•Tray vs Tub: Choose your fit with the brand-new Kia Tasman 

A ute tub offers several key benefits, particularly for those drivers who want a balance between practicality and style.

Tubs are designed as part of the ute’s original body and follow the vehicle’s overall styling, providing a seamless appearance. For drivers who also use their utes outside of work - whether it is a quick run to shops or a weekend camping trip - the refined silhouette can be a major selling point.

Utes with factory-fitted tubs benefit from a wide range of manufacturer-designed accessories. These are all engineered to fit perfectly and complement the vehicle’s style, including:

• • aluminium tonneau covers,
• • roller shutters
• • vinyl tonneau covers
• • sports bars, and 
• • canopies.

In many cases, these accessories such as canopies are colour-matched to the bodywork and designed to enhance both the function and form of your vehicle.

An additional benefit of a ute tub is its ability to offer safe, enclosed storage - especially valuable for drivers who regularly carry tools, equipment, or personal items. When fitted with accessories like a lockable aluminium tonneau cover or a commercial canopy, the tub becomes a secure cargo area that can help protect your belongings from rain, dust and UV exposure - ideal for Australia’s unpredictable weather. 

It can also keep your valuables, luggage or other personal items out of sight and help provide protection against potential theft.

A ute tray is a flatbed cargo area fitted to the rear of a ute, typically in place of a traditional tub. It features three drop-down sides for easy access and offers a wide, open platform that makes it easier to load and unload large or bulky items. 

Usually made from aluminium or steel, trays are built for durability and are especially popular for commercial and trade use. Some heavy duty steel trays are also available with body colour paint options to match your vehicle’s original paintwork.

Ute trays are all about practicality and flexibility. They're a popular choice if you need a tough, spacious setup that can be customised to suit your unique work or lifestyle needs.

One of the biggest advantages of a tray is its ability to be tailored exactly to your needs - whether it is installing a lockable toolbox to keep your tools secured and available on-the-go, ladder racks to easily transport ladders and longer items, or transporting bikes for riding on the weekend with bicycle racks.

For trays, the customisation possibilities are endless - but tubs may better suit drivers who are seeking a more customised vehicle that tailors to their lifestyle.

With a flat, open layout and the absence of internal wheel arches (as seen in tubs), trays offer more usable space and increased rear carrying capacity.

Tubs typically have higher hub walls and internal wheel arches that take up space in the cargo area - factors that can limit how much and what you can carry. And unlike trays, which can open on all three sides, tubs provide limited access when loading and unloading your gear.

This makes trays perfect for carrying larger, heavier, or awkwardly shaped items that might not fit as easily in a standard tub.

Trays are usually constructed from durable materials like heavy duty steel or aluminium, which are very resistant to wear and tear. They’re built to handle rough use - ideal for work environments where scratches, dents, and heavy loads are part of the job.

For pick-up models, expect a range of stylish and integrated accessories, including:

• • long and short arm sports bars

• • soft tonneau and electric roller shutter covers, 

• • commercial and premium canopies, and more.

On the cab chassis side, the Tasman will support three different tray options: general purpose alloy, heavy duty alloy, and heavy duty steel trays. These can be adapted with a wide range of accessories tailored to commercial and off-road use, such as:

• • toolboxes

• • drawers

• • ladder racks and

• • water tanks. 

Learn more about the Kia Tasman’s features, or explore our in-depth guide to utes and the difference between a cab chassis and a pick-up.

Ultimately, choosing between a tub or tray comes down to what you need most from your ute: style, convenience, and integrated features, or heavy-duty capability and unique customisation. 

Both options come with distinct benefits - and with the Kia Tasman offering both configurations, there’s a version to suit every kind of driver.

It depends on how you plan to use your ute. Tubs offer a stylish, factory-finished look ideal for a balanced work and lifestyle use, while trays provide superior utility and customisation for heavy-duty needs. 

Yes, it’s possible to remove the factory tub and install a tray, especially on cab-chassis models. However, this usually involves some modifications and may affect the vehicle’s original design and warranty, so it is best to consult with a professional before making the switch.