Why choose an Alloy Ute Tray?
Ute trays are made of two main materials: steel and alloy. Each of these materials has their own pros and cons, although many times, it comes down to a matter of personal preference. At the outset, both steel and alloy are good, otherwise one would have surpassed the other. Still, it’s worth looking at the specific benefits that alloy offers.
Different ute accessory brands use different elements to construct their alloys. Most alloys are built off an aluminium base, so that’s what we’re going to look at. Accessory World offers ute trays made of platinum alloy. Its distinct silvery white appearance gives your ute a good dose of beauty to go with its raw, rugged brawn.
Alloy trays are generally lighter in weight than steel trays, though they’re just as sturdy. If your vehicle has solid suspension, then the extra weight isn’t much of an issue. You’ll still feel that extra bit of steel weight though, especially if you’re driving through rough terrain.
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The advantage of using a lighter tray is that you can make up for the weight deficit by packing on a little more cargo. If you’re making a long trip for supplies or construction gear, every extra kilo counts. Packing on that additional piece of luggage could save you a lot of time, energy, and fuel because you won’t have to get another ute or make additional cargo trips.
If you’ve driven utes for while, you know that the handling on a truck with an alloy tray vs a steel tray is significantly different. Apart from the option of increasing your haul, your driving experience will also differ.
As a general rule, the heavier your load, the closer it is to the ground and the more careful you need to be when you drive. In some utes the loss in ground clearance is counter-balanced by stability, because the car’s centre of gravity shifts down. This can sometimes make for an easier drive but can be a challenge if the road you’re driving on isn’t smooth. Heavy loads on off-road trips can do some serious damage to your undercarriage.
Another key factor is the level of moisture on your route. If you do a lot of winter driving, or if your daily usage passes through puddles, beaches, or swampy regions, then rust is not your friend. Although bolts and rivets are made using stainless steel, trays are made of regular steel, which is susceptible to rust and other forms of corrosion. Conversely, alloy trays don’t oxidise, and they are much more resistant to corrosion.
Alloy opponents are quick to point out that steel is much stronger and tougher. While that’s true, the difference in strength is not significant enough to cause a problem. Alloy trays are just as capable as steel trays for everyday ute use.
In the end, the decision between alloy and steel is up to you, but whatever you choose, you can get your high quality accessories right here at Accessory World. Call us (02) 9725 6744 or visit our showroom to check out our Tiger ute trays.