A ute tub gets messy pretty quickly if everything just ends up on the floor.

The better setups usually do a few simple things well: use the height, keep loose gear from moving around, and make the stuff you use most easy to reach. That might mean shelving, drawers, dividers, tie-downs or a mix of all of them.

Ute Tub Storage Ideas at a Glance

Start with the Gear You Actually Carry

Before buying anything, empty the tub.

It sounds obvious, but it’s the easiest way to see what you’re actually dealing with.

Put the gear into rough groups.

Tools you use every day.

Stuff you only need once in a while.

Heavy gear.

Loose parts.

Wet or dirty stuff.

Things that are always awkward to store.

Once you do that, the layout usually starts to make more sense.

The gear you use every day should be near the tailgate or side opening.

The heavy stuff should stay low.

Small parts need bins, drawers or cases.

Anything awkward can have its own patch of floor instead of being forced into a shelf that doesn’t suit it.

Use the Height

A lot of ute tubs are badly organised for one reason.

Everything is sitting on the floor.

That works until you’ve got four boxes stacked on top of each other and the one you need is on the bottom.

Shelving gives you another level to work with.

Tool cases, Packout boxes and tubs can sit up off the floor, leaving the lower section open for heavier gear.

For tradies, this is usually one of the better ways to get more storage without turning the tub into a fixed drawer setup.

The big advantage is that the layout can change.

If your gear changes later, the shelves can move with it.

That’s why modular systems like Pack-A-Shelf work well in ute tubs and canopy setups.

Drawers Still Have Their Place

Drawers are handy for smaller gear.

Sockets, fittings, fasteners, straps and all the little stuff that becomes a mess pretty quickly.

They also keep things out of sight and stop loose parts moving around.

The downside is they take up a fair bit of floor space.

They also add weight.

Once the drawer system is in, the layout is fairly fixed as well.

That doesn’t make drawers a bad option.

It just means they’re better for some gear than others.

A lot of good setups use drawers for small parts and shelving for tool cases and tubs.

If you’re trying to work out which way to go, read our canopy shelving vs drawers vs slides guide.

Stop Gear Moving Around

Loose gear in a ute tub is annoying.

It also gets damaged.

A toolbox that slides from one side of the tub to the other every time you turn a corner isn’t going to stay nice for long.

Tie-down points are the basic starting point.

Use them.

Cargo barriers and dividers can help stop smaller items shifting around, especially if you’re carrying different loads through the week.

Cases are useful too.

Instead of having loose tools everywhere, keep related gear together.

One case for drill gear.

One for electrical.

One for recovery.

Whatever suits the work.

The point isn’t to make it look perfect.

It’s to know where things are.

Think About Access

Storage isn’t much use if you can’t get to it.

This is where a lot of setups go wrong.

Someone fits a heap of drawers or boxes into the tub, then realises the gear at the back is still a pain to reach.

If you’re constantly climbing into the tray, the layout probably needs work.

Slides can help with heavier items.

Fridges, toolboxes and larger cases can be pulled towards you instead of dragged across the tub.

Shelving can also help by getting smaller gear up where you can see it.

Put the stuff you use most in the easiest spots.

Don’t give the best bit of the tub to something you use twice a year.

Keep Wet and Dirty Gear Separate

If you use the ute for work, camping or both, some gear is going to get filthy.

Muddy boots.

Recovery straps.

Wet jackets.

Dirty tools.

You don’t want that sitting on top of clean tool cases or stock.

A tub liner helps.

So does keeping one section open for dirty gear.

You can also use tubs or plastic bins for anything wet.

It doesn’t have to be clever.

It just needs to stop muck spreading through everything else.

Don’t Fill Every Bit of Space

This is one people learn the hard way.

You don’t need storage in every corner.

Leave some open floor space.

There’s always going to be something that doesn’t fit the system properly.

A box from the supplier.

A bigger tool.

A bag.

Camping gear.

Something random you need for one job.

If every bit of the tub is full of fixed storage, that stuff ends up sitting on top of everything else anyway.

A bit of spare room is useful.

Ute Tub Drawers vs Shelving

They do different jobs.

Shelving is better for boxes, tubs and gear you want visible.

Drawers are better for smaller loose items.

If your gear changes a lot, shelving gives you more flexibility.

If you carry the same small parts every day, drawers can make more sense.

A mixed setup is usually the most practical.

You can go deeper on that in our shelving vs drawers vs slides guide.

Ute Tub Storage FAQs

What is the best way to organise ute tub storage?

Start with the gear you use most and build around that.

Keep heavy stuff low, everyday gear easy to reach and use shelving or cases to stop everything ending up in one pile.

How do I stop gear moving around in my ute tub?

Use proper tie-down points, cases, dividers and barriers.

Loose gear will move under braking and cornering, so anything heavy should be secured properly.

Ute tub drawers vs shelving — which is better?

Shelving is better for boxes, tubs and gear you want visible.

Drawers are better for small loose parts. Most practical setups use a mix rather than relying on one system for everything.

How do I add storage to a ute tub without drilling?

It depends on the tub and what mounting points are already available.

Some setups can use existing tie-downs, rails or mounting points. Others will need drilling if you want the storage fitted properly and safely.

What’s the cheapest way to organise a ute tub?

Start with tubs, cases, dividers and the tie-down points already in the vehicle.

You can add shelving or drawers later once you know what gear actually needs a permanent place.

Build the Setup Around the Gear

A good ute tub setup doesn’t need to be complicated.

Use the height.

Keep the heavy stuff low.

Stop loose gear moving around.

And leave enough room for the stuff that doesn’t fit neatly anywhere.

See our ute canopy storage system page if you want a broader look at storage systems.

You can also browse Pack-A-Shelf if you want modular storage for Packout boxes and tool cases.

Not sure what suits your ute? Send us a few photos and measurements and we can help work out a setup.