Ute Tray and Tub Setup for Camping and 4WD Touring

Many ute camping guides assume you already have a canopy, drawer system or permanent touring build. However, plenty of Australian campers and 4WD owners use an open tray or tub and still create a practical, organised setup.

A flexible camping layout can use removable boxes, clearly planned zones, accessible recovery equipment and proper load restraint without permanently filling the cargo area.

This guide explains how to plan a ute tray and tub setup for camping and 4WD touring, whether you are preparing for a weekend campsite, a family trip or a longer touring run.

Why choose an open ute camping setup?

Canopies and drawer systems can provide enclosed, weather-resistant and potentially lockable storage. They may suit owners who tour regularly and carry a consistent load.

However, permanent systems also have trade-offs:

• They add weight to the vehicle
• They reduce the available open cargo space
• They can be expensive to purchase and install
• They may be difficult to remove
• They can limit how the ute is used between trips

An open tray or tub keeps the vehicle flexible. Camping boxes can be removed after the trip, the layout can change between destinations and the cargo area can return to work, shopping or family use.

For owners who use the same vehicle during the week and on weekends, removable dual-cab ute storage may be more practical than a completely permanent touring build.

Step 1: Start with the cargo floor

One of the biggest problems with an open ute camping setup is the lack of structure across the floor.

Boxes, bags and camping equipment can move when the vehicle:

• Accelerates
• Brakes
• Turns
• Travels over corrugations
• Crosses uneven tracks

A flat rubber mat can add grip and help protect the floor, but it does not create separate storage zones by itself.

A modular floor works differently. It can provide a structured base that connects with removable locking blockers positioned around suitable everyday camping boxes and equipment.

LockNMat combines heavy-duty interlocking tiles with 12 repositionable blockers. The system installs without drilling, glue or screws and can be removed when the full cargo floor is needed.

For a comparison of rubber mats, liners, drawer systems and modular organisers, read our ute tray mat guide.

Visit the How It Works page to see how the tiles, fillers and blockers connect.

Step 2: Divide the tray or tub into camping zones

A practical ute camping setup should be arranged according to when each item is used and how easily it needs to be reached.

A general layout may include:

• Rear-access zone: Cooking equipment, chairs, shoes, lighting and gear used as soon as you arrive
• Recovery zone: Straps, shackles, gloves, compressor and recovery tools kept accessible
• Clean and dry zone: Sleeping gear, clothing and personal equipment inside suitable sealed containers
• Wet and dirty zone: Muddy shoes, wet straps, recovery equipment and cleaning gear
• Heavy-equipment zone: Fridge, water containers and larger boxes positioned according to vehicle loading guidance
• Flexible centre zone: Removable camping crates and changing trip equipment

For more general zoning ideas, see our ute tub storage ideas guide.

Step 3: Keep frequently used camping gear accessible

Equipment needed soon after arriving should not be buried underneath sleeping bags, recovery boards or heavy boxes.

Items commonly kept near the tailgate include:

• Camp chairs
• Cooking box
• Lighting
• Footwear
• Frequently used water container
• Cleaning supplies
• Jackets and everyday layers

Pack the tray in approximately the same order that you expect to unload it. This can reduce the need to remove several unrelated boxes before reaching one frequently used item.

Step 4: Separate clean, wet and dirty equipment

Wet or muddy camping equipment can quickly contaminate sleeping gear, food containers and clean clothing when everything shares one open space.

A practical separation method may include:

• Sealed boxes or waterproof bags for clothes and sleeping equipment
• A dedicated container for wet recovery straps and muddy footwear
• A separate cooking box kept away from fuels, oils and dirty tools
• A rear dirty-gear zone that can be removed and cleaned easily

Remove wet equipment as soon as practical after a trip and clean underneath removable floor sections periodically.

A tonneau cover or other suitable cover may provide some protection from weather and dust, but sensitive equipment should still be stored in appropriate weather-resistant containers.

Step 5: Position the fridge and water carefully

Portable fridges, batteries, water containers and heavily loaded food boxes may be among the heaviest items in a camping setup.

Position heavy equipment according to:

• The vehicle manufacturer’s loading guidance
• Axle and payload limits
• The available approved tie-down points
• The equipment manufacturer’s installation instructions

Avoid leaving a fridge or full water container loose on the cargo floor.

A modular organiser can create a defined position around suitable everyday equipment, but heavy items still require suitable rated restraint.

Also protect fridge power cables and connectors from being crushed, stretched or repeatedly pulled as the load moves.

Step 6: Keep recovery gear accessible

Recovery equipment should not be buried underneath the rest of the camping load.

A recovery kit may contain:

• Recovery straps
• Suitable shackles
• Gloves
• Tyre deflator
• Air compressor
• Recovery tracks
• Shovel
• Basic tools

Keep related equipment together inside a dedicated bag or box and position it where it can be reached without unpacking the entire ute.

Recovery boards, shovels, compressors and other heavy or awkward equipment must be properly restrained for travel.

Step 7: Create a removable camp-kitchen zone

A removable cooking box can keep the main camp-kitchen equipment together and make setting up at the campsite faster.

A cooking zone may contain:

• Cookware
• Utensils
• Cleaning supplies
• Plates and cups
• Food-preparation equipment
• Suitable stove accessories

Position the cooking box near the tailgate where it can be removed without shifting larger camping or recovery equipment.

Gas cylinders and fuel containers must never be left loose. Store, transport and secure them according to the product instructions and applicable safety requirements.

Step 8: Use removable camping boxes

Removable boxes are one of the most practical storage options for mixed-use utes.

Separate boxes may be used for:

• Camp kitchen equipment
• Dry food
• Sleeping gear
• Recovery equipment
• Tools and spare parts
• Wet or dirty equipment
• Family and personal items

Label boxes clearly and avoid making any one container so heavy that it becomes difficult to lift safely.

The boxes can be removed after the trip, allowing the ute to return to work or everyday use without dismantling a permanent storage system.

For more flexible storage options, read our guide on organising a ute tray without permanent drawers.

Step 9: Use dividers or blockers to define positions

Storage boxes work better when they have defined positions rather than sitting loose across an open floor.

Possible divider options include:

• Adjustable cargo bars
• Removable crates
• Fixed divider panels
• DIY dividing frames
• Modular locking blockers

A fixed divider may suit a permanent touring load. Adjustable blockers are generally more practical when the type and size of the camping equipment changes between trips.

Compare the main options in our ute divider types comparison guide.

Step 10: Keep the layout flexible

The main advantage of an open tray or tub is that it can be reconfigured.

A mixed-use ute may operate as:

• A work vehicle during the week
• A family vehicle for shopping and sport
• A camping vehicle on weekends
• A touring vehicle for longer trips
• A general cargo vehicle when larger items need to be carried

A removable floor, portable camping boxes and repositionable blockers allow the load to change without rebuilding the entire setup.

Tradies using the same vehicle for work may also find our tradie ute tray setup guide useful.

Dual-cab ute tub storage ideas for camping

Factory tubs have raised wheel arches and moulded edges that affect the usable floor area.

Useful camping layout ideas include:

• Position suitable boxes within the main usable floor between the wheel arches
• Use the areas beside the wheel arches for narrow or soft equipment where appropriate
• Keep frequently used boxes near the tailgate
• Place wet and dirty gear inside removable containers
• Retain access to factory tie-down points
• Measure the usable floor before purchasing large camping boxes

A box that is too wide for the main usable floor may sit unevenly or interfere with other equipment.

Using a ute tub rack for camping equipment

A suitably rated ute tub rack may provide raised carrying space for long or bulky touring equipment.

Depending on the rack and vehicle, it may be used for compatible:

• Awnings
• Recovery boards
• Long camping equipment
• Other rack-mounted accessories

A rack does not normally organise the boxes and bags sitting on the floor underneath. Some owners use a rack for raised loads and a modular organiser for the remaining floor-level equipment.

Read our ute tub rack versus modular organiser comparison before deciding which option suits your setup.

How to stop camping gear sliding

The most effective approach combines containment, organisation and suitable restraint.

For example:

• Place loose equipment inside storage boxes
• Position boxes within defined storage zones
• Add grip or a structured floor underneath
• Use suitable rated restraint whenever the load requires it

A rubber mat may reduce some movement, but it does not create physical boundaries around the cargo.

Read our full guide on how to stop gear sliding in a ute tray or tub.

Open ute setup vs canopy and drawers

Will LockNMat suit a camping setup?

LockNMat is designed to fit within the main usable floor area between the wheel arches of many popular Australian dual-cab utes.

Small side gaps may remain, and on some ute models these can be up to approximately 25 mm per side.

The locking blockers connect to the interlocking floor pattern rather than relying on pressure against the tub walls.

Tub liners, canopy brackets, rack hardware, moulded edges and other accessories can affect the available floor area.

Measure the usable cargo space and check the Will It Fit My Ute? guide before ordering.

What comes in a complete LockNMat pack?

Each complete 48-piece LockNMat pack includes:

• 12 large tiles measuring 360 × 360 mm
• 12 medium filler tiles measuring 360 × 100 mm
• 12 small filler tiles measuring 360 × 50 mm
• 12 locking blockers

The blockers can be repositioned around suitable camping boxes, bags and everyday equipment when the layout changes.

The complete system can be removed when the open cargo floor is needed for another purpose.

Important load-restraint information

Organisation and load restraint are not the same thing.

LockNMat may help organise suitable everyday camping gear and reduce ordinary movement, but it is not a certified load-restraint system.

Heavy, sharp, dangerous or legally restrained cargo must be secured separately using suitable rated straps, approved anchor points or other appropriate restraint methods.

Always follow:

• The vehicle manufacturer’s loading instructions
• Payload and axle limits
• The equipment manufacturer’s instructions
• Applicable load-restraint and road-safety requirements

Camping and 4WD setup FAQs

How should I set up a ute tray or tub for camping?

Create separate zones for cooking equipment, sleeping gear, recovery equipment, wet items and heavy cargo. Keep frequently used items near the tailgate and secure heavy or dangerous equipment using suitable rated restraint.

Do I need a canopy for ute camping?

No. A canopy may provide enclosed and potentially lockable storage, but an open tray or tub can also work with removable boxes, suitable covers, clearly planned zones and proper load restraint.

What are practical dual-cab ute tub storage ideas for camping?

Use removable boxes that fit within the usable floor, keep wet equipment separate, place frequently used gear near the tailgate and retain access to approved tie-down points. Adjustable blockers can create positions around suitable everyday boxes.

How do I keep recovery gear accessible?

Store related recovery equipment together inside a dedicated bag or box and position it where it can be reached without unpacking the main camping load. Restrain the equipment properly for travel.

How do I stop camping boxes sliding around?

Use boxes to contain smaller equipment, create defined positions around those boxes and use suitable rated restraints when their weight or contents require it. A modular organiser can help reduce ordinary movement but does not replace load restraint.

Can LockNMat be used underneath a ute tub rack?

In many setups, yes. Measure around the rack legs and mounting brackets and confirm that the hardware does not obstruct the available floor or approved tie-down points.

Does LockNMat work on rough tracks?

LockNMat can help organise suitable everyday camping boxes and reduce ordinary movement. Rough-road travel can increase load forces, so all heavy, dangerous or legally restrained equipment must still be properly secured.

Will LockNMat fit my camping ute?

LockNMat is designed to fit within the main usable floor area between the wheel arches of many popular dual-cab utes. Small side gaps may remain, and on some models these can be up to approximately 25 mm per side. Measure before ordering.

Build a camping layout that can change

You do not need a permanent canopy and drawer build to create an organised ute camping setup.

Use removable boxes, keep recovery equipment accessible, separate wet and clean gear, retain open loading space and secure heavy equipment properly.

LockNMat provides a removable interlocking floor and 12 repositionable blockers that can help create practical zones around suitable everyday camping equipment.

LockNMat helps organise everyday ute tray and tub equipment and reduce ordinary movement. It is not a certified load-restraint system. Heavy, dangerous or legally restrained cargo must always be secured separately using suitable rated equipment.