Norweld allows farmers to select a lighter weight aluminium tray with a heavy-duty build that can stand up to all the toughness of farm loads
When it comes to choosing the right tray for your farm Ute, the key consideration is now firmly between aluminium or steel to balance the final decision for many buyers.
For generations, families working in rural and remote areas across Australia have relied on the resilience of steel trays. However, advancements in manufacture have propelled heavy-duty aluminium trays to the point where they compete and have even taken over from steel.
Let’s break down where the industry currently is placed between the choice of an aluminium or steel tray upgrade for farm Utes.
Both serve a purpose
Up until recently, steel trays have been the preferred build for a farm Ute tray as they can handle the rough and tough approach adopted by many farmers for all types of jobbing, including building fences and transporting equipment where clashing of materials is commonplace.
The toughness of steel makes it ideal for handling the demands of farm jobbing, but with the major criteria to watch being Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), especially for current build Utes where manufacturers are introducing lighter components trying to keep the weight down.
To get the best return from an expensive new Ute many farmers are aware that staying within your GVM is important, and lighter weight aluminium trays are the way to go.
They’re significantly lighter than steel, and that allows you to carry heavier loads without overloading your vehicle. And despite their lighter weight, current build aluminium trays match the durability of their steel counterparts.
Strength and durability
For designers of Ute trays, there is a focus on material yield being used as a measure of how much stress a panel can withstand without permanently deforming.
While overall, steel boasts a higher yield strength than aluminium, this extra strength isn’t always able to be converted into a Ute tray build due to its additional yield weigh.
The added weight of building in steel isn’t worth it when lighter weigh aluminium can be reinforced through welding and bending. The yield design provides the necessary strength to meet the demands of agriculture tasks.
Additionally, aluminium has the advantage of being rust and corrosion-resistant, unlike steel that always seems to find a way to corrode over time even with protective paint.
For farm Ute trays in particular, aluminium is becoming the first choice, especially in high rainfall regions and areas affected by coastal conditions.
Standard aluminium vs heavy-duty trays
Not all aluminium trays or canopies are created equal.
While stock standard aluminium trays are great for general road use with their flat-pack, bolt-together design, they fall short when it comes to a farm tray.
Avoid dramas down the track and stick with a build able to cope with heavy-duty applications. In doing so, it will avoid the risk of buckling under heavy loads and potential damage to sides or build-in slide outs.
Additionally, lightweight tray builds are notorious for producing rattling noises on bumpy roads and across paddocks, none of it comfortable for driver or passenger and something that can be avoided.
In essence, fully welded aluminium trays offer maximum strength and structural integrity in comparison to bolt-together trays that are compromised as far as durability at the joints.
Farmers can take advantage of advancements in fabrication processes where the quality of materials has led to the development of current heavy-duty aluminium trays.
These heavy-duty trays, like those built by Norweld, are engineered and constructed with toughness, versatility and functionality in mind.
The future of farm Ute trays
For over 50 years, local manufacturer Norweld has been at the forefront of designing and building aluminium Ute trays and canopies.
Engineered with precision CNC-cutting and a fully welded aluminium construction, Norweld trays delivers a strong yet lightweight build backed by a lifetime warranty on all workmanship.
Each build offers heavy-duty construction with a high tensile 4mm thick one-piece aluminium plate floor.
The unique design offered by Norweld also includes a rear trundle drawer integrated into the tray, and there are under-tray toolboxes that are fully sealed to protect tools and equipment from the elements.
while in addition, there is a poly water tank designed to strike the perfect balance between form and functionality.
For any farmer looking to transform a Ute into a reliable workhorse, Norweld’s trays stand out as the ultimate choice, even for those who have relied on steel for generations.
It’s time to upgrade to a rust-free Norweld heavy-duty aluminium tray, call on 1300 302 899 for your nearest state depot.
Parts and assistance are readily available from Norweld’s branches conveniently located in Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth for quick dispatches if required.
For a free quote to transform your farm Ute into the ultimate workhorse, see more on this link or scan the QR code.
