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My favourite expeditions throughout history have always relied on the ingenuity of dual-purpose equipment, allowing brave adventurers to seamlessly transition from work to play. From the pioneering efforts of Burke and Wills, who set out to find new grazing land while forging a path for an overland telegraph line, to Sir Ernest Shackleton’s awe-inspiring Trans-Antarctic voyage aboard his ship the Endurance. And even the epic Apollo 11 mission that took mankind to the moon (or a film crew to a studio in Hollywood, who knows), these incredible pursuits were all made possible by versatile equipment. It makes perfect sense, too. When space is at a premium, and the mission is multifaceted, the best add-ons are developed with the spirit of adaptability and versatility in mind. Which is exactly how Utemaster designed their Load-Lids.
A tradies dream
Australians have an insatiable thirst for utes because they epitomise practicality; we’re a land girt by sea and full of tradies. So a dual cab 4X4 ute is just as at home on the job site as it is out on the rough stuff for a weekend away with you and yours. When they leave the factory, though, they do so as the perfect blank canvas; it’s up to you to add the accessories that make it work perfectly for your profession and lifestyle, and that’s no easy feat.
If you’re a tradie looking for a storage solution you can utilise both on and off the clock, a Load-Lid might be the answer for you. Here’s why.
Safe storage
No one wants to lose the equipment they forked out their hard-earned for. Unfortunately, break-ins are common, and utes full of valuable tools or camping equipment are a thief’s dream. Unlike traditional methods of covering your tub, like tonneaus, Utemaster Load-Lids are constructed from solid aluminium and can be locked, guarding your gear from the opportunistic dregs of society.
Po-po approved organisation
Whether you’re on-site or off the beaten track, accessing your gear quickly is crucial, and Load-Lids excel in this aspect. With load lids, you can effectively segregate and compartmentalise your tub’s tools and camping gear, ensuring easy access and minimising the time spent searching for specific items. Gone are the days of tarps, tonneaus and tickets for uncovered loads.
Why did the carpenter and the camper both invest in Load-Lids? Because they wanted to ‘cover’ all their bases!
Thankfully, Load-Lids are better at withstanding various weather conditions than I am at cracking jokes, making them the perfect choice for anyone who works and plays outdoors. Utemaster load lids have a continuous rubber seal that stops dust and dirt from entering your tub, eliminating the conventional ute’s biggest flaw – a tub full of debris.
Maintain your fuel efficiency
Reducing your overheads as a tradie and extending your range offroad isn’t easy, but it is possible. I’ve been to some of Australia’s most remote locations where fuel prices were over $3.90 a litre. Of course, 4X4s will never be as economical as a Toyota Prius; that’s exactly why fitting accessories that maintain or increase fuel efficiency is important.
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By reducing drag and wind resistance, Load-Lids help optimise the aerodynamics of the ute they’re fitted to, giving you a better bang for your buck. I’ve had hard lids on my previous builds and can say with absolute confidence that the fuel savings accumulated over time can make a notable difference. I’m almost certain the first polar bear I meet will thank me for singlehandedly saving the ice caps, and Greta Thunberg is my biggest fan.
Form and function
Load-Lids allow ute owners to maintain the visual appeal of their vehicle while offering unrivalled practicality. Thanks to their solid construction, you can beef up a Utemaster Load-Lid with a bunch of accessories that compliment your way of livin’. Need to carry a cement mixer or spare wheel? No worries; bolt on a load stopper, and you’re good to go. With the ability to support 200 KGs on top of them, there’s not much you can’t carry.
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On weekends, you can chuck a rooftop tent on or strap down the entire convoy’s swags with ease and still maintain the ability to access your tub to grab a beer quickly.
Furry friend friendly
Speaking of accessories, you might be thinking you need a dog box. Well, I’m here to tell you – you don’t. If you’re the type of tradie who loves nothing more than taking your four-legged friend with you, whether you’re on-site or on an extended smoko, you can throw on a lid spacer kit that’ll let your pooch breathe (apparently, that’s important) or allow you to carry larger items like surfboards, fishing rods, or timber.
The verdict
Now, sure, there isn’t much land left uncharted these days, and we certainly aren’t hitting the tracks attempting to kick the same goals the world’s early pioneers did. But I can’t help but think that if Load-Lids existed when these expeditions were taking place, camels used for cross-desert quests in Saudi Arabia would have been fitted with them, and the first Mars Rover would have had one too.
If you’re stuck on the debate of canopies vs Load-Lids, or you’re looking for the perfect ute-tub companion for missions at the job site Monday to Friday and expeditions out bush on the weekend, a Load-Lid is worth looking into.
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