Buyer’s Guide

Flat-Floor Ute Trays: Sheet Loads, Long Materials & Custom Cargo

A flat-floor tray (or "flat tray") drops the dropsides for an unobstructed deck — perfect for sheet steel, long timber, glazing frames or any cargo that needs a flat platform with full access from all sides. Here’s when it’s the right call.

Updated 13 June 2026 · By Duratray Transport Equipment

When a flat tray makes sense

You carry sheet materials (steel, ply, glass) that need to lie flat.
You load oversized items that won’t fit between dropsides.
You need full side access for forklifts or pallet loading.
You’re running a glazing, sheet-metal or specialist trade ute.

Flat tray vs standard dropside tray

	Flat tray	Standard dropside
Side walls	None — flat deck	~225–250 mm dropsides
Best for	Sheet, long, oversized loads	Bulk + loose load containment
Load restraint	Tie-down tracks essential	Dropsides + tie-downs
Load access	From all sides	Top + sides (when dropped)

Flat trays rely entirely on proper tie-down tracks for load restraint — there’s nothing on the sides to hold loose loads.

Flat HiLux + Ranger trays

HiLux and Ranger are the most-requested flat-tray conversions, popular with sheet-metal trades, glaziers and specialist haulers. We build flat trays sized to your specific cab — single, extra or dual-cab — at the same tray-floor heights as our standard range.

Browse the Flat Aluminium Tray product, see the HiLux tray guide for cab dimensions, or read about custom builds if you need non-standard dimensions.

Frequently asked questions

What is a flat-floor ute tray?

A ute tray without dropsides — a fully flat deck for sheet materials, long timber, glazing, oversized cargo or anything that needs full side access.

Do you build flat HiLux trays?

Yes — flat HiLux trays are a popular custom request. We size them to your specific HiLux cab and floor height.

Can I have a flat tray with removable dropsides?

Yes — some builds use removable or fold-down dropsides so you can switch between flat-deck and walled use. Ask when quoting.

How do I tie loads down on a flat tray?

With proper tie-down tracks bolted along the floor edges. Flat trays rely on these completely — there are no dropsides to lean a load against.

Aluminium or steel for a flat tray?

Same logic as standard trays — alloy for weight + corrosion, steel for the heaviest abrasive loads. See our aluminium vs steel guide.

Are flat trays legal on Australian roads?

Yes — flat-floor trays are common across Australia. Load restraint is the critical compliance item (proper tie-downs to road-authority spec). See our dimensions & legal guide.