Hard Lid Comparison: ARB or Utemaster

We often get asked what the difference is between the Utemaster Load-Lid and the ARB Hard Lid.

So the purpose of this article is to summarise the information readily available online, so you can be well informed, as we understand it is important to choose the right hard lid for what you need.

Load Ratings

A higher load rating means you can take more gear with you!

Utemaster:

Dynamic Tested Load Rating: 200kg

Static Tested Load Rating: 400kg

Number of Internal Braces: 5 plus the Locking Cover.

ARB:

Dynamic Load Rating: 150kg

Static Load Rating: 380kg

Number of Internal Braces: 3 plus the Locking Cover.

Check out the video below:

Customisation

When you purchase a hard lid, you never know what the future may hold in terms of what type of gear you will be carrying and what you will be using it for.

Utemaster: The Utemaster Load-Lid™ is known for being the most customisable hard lid on the market. With such a wide range of 10 accessories including the Destroyer Side Rails, Cast Side Rails, Cross Bars, Tool Mount Kit, Hard Lid Central Locking, Lid Spacer Kit, T-Track, Load-Lid Strap, Lashing Rings, and Load-Stop. These give you the ability to customise the Load-Lid to fit your lifestyle.

ARB:

The Arb hard lid only has one option available which includes side rails and a light.

Check out the video below:

Side Rails

Side rails are the most important accessory for any hard lid, they can be used to restrain items and mount all sorts of gear including rooftop tents, bikes and more. 

Utemaster: The Destroyer Side Rail accessory is unique to anything else on the market. It’s packed with features, has a 200kg dynamic load rating and will match the tough style of your ute.

The Destroyer Side Rail has 7 tie-down points along the rail.

They also have a built-in t-track,  so you can mount roof rack accessories directly to the top of the rail. Whether you’re looking to carry recovery tracks, a spade or an aerial, the options for customisation are endless!

The Utemaster Destroyer Side Rails are mounted right on the outside edge of the Load-Lid which gives you a larger area on top of the lid to load your gear.

ARB: Side Rails are supplied as standard with the hard lid.

It has 5 tie-down points along the rail.

They feature a built-in t-track for mounting accessories and have 150kg dynamic load rating.

They are mounted closer towards the centre of the hard lid which reduces the size of the load you can carry.

Hard Lid to Suit Sports Bars

Utemaster: If vehicle style is important to you, retaining the factory sports bars can help to complete the look of your ute.

Utemaster supplies three different configurations: the Standard Load-Lid, Load-Lid To Suit Factory Sports Bars, and a Load-Lid To Suit Aluminium Sailplane. 

ARB: ARB only supplies one configuration.

Check out the video below:

Installation

Utemaster: The Utemaster Load-Lid has been around since 2007, and since then the installation processes have been continuously refined using real customer feedback. 

Whether you are fitting the hard lid yourself or through an installer, the Load-Lid is easy to fit and the experience will be hassle-free!

It mounts using factory holes in the tub so no drilling into the vehicle is required. You'll just need a mate to help you lift it onto your tub.

ARB: Installation instructions are not yet available on the ARB website.

Check out the video below:

Weatherproofing

Getting water in your tub can damage your gear and ruin your holiday!

Utemaster: Over the years Utemaster has developed comprehensive weatherproofing systems for the Load-Lid which has been tried and tested to ensure the valuable cargo in your tub stays dry.

The Load-Lid features a full perimeter pinch-weld windlace seal that is firmly glued on and a weather seal flap at the front of the lid to direct water off when opening the lid.

ARB: The ARB hard lid uses a seal stuck on underneath as opposed to being pinch-welded onto the edge of the Aluminium.

There is no information available on how the front seal on the ARB hard lid works, however the lid moves backwards in an opening motion which means water will hit a seal first as opposed to running straight down the back of the cab.

Check out the video below:

Security

Stolen tools or gear is costly to replace and inconvenient!

Utemaster: The Load-Lid has catches on both sides, making it hard to pry open.

As an optional extra, you can add the Central Locking accessory which connects to your vehicle's locking systems. This allows you to lock and unlock the Load-Lid using your factory car key remote.

ARB: "The hard lid is opened by a key lockable manual latch lever activating two clamp points and ensuring ultimate security for your cargo." - The ability to lock the hard lid using the factory car key remote has not yet been announced.

Check out the video below:

Where are they made?

Utemaster: Utemaster products are manufactured at a state-of-the-art facility in New Zealand.  

Everything is completed on-site from design, to manufacturing, to comprehensive product testing. This means every product is built to the highest standard, ensuring it will go the distance in the toughest environments! 

ARB: ARB has not yet disclosed where the hard lid is made.

Check out the video below:

Lead Time

Utemaster: Utemaster also has a distribution warehouse in Sydney where a range of products are stocked and common models can usually be dispatched in under 3 days.  So you’ll be up and running in no time. 

ARB: Order from your local ARB dealer, not disclosed on the website.

Mounting Frame / Tub Intrusion

The bigger the fridge, the better!

Utemaster: The Load-Lid shell has a raised profile which means that even with the internal bracing sitting inside it doesn't interfere with the load capacity underneath.

The bottom of the bracing is in line with the top edge of the tub so you can easily install a large fridge providing it's no higher than the top of the tub. 

This raised design also reduces water pooling on the top of the lid.

ARB: The ARB Hard lid is flat with no raised profile.

This means that the internal frame protrudes into the load space underneath.

No dimensions are available to determine how much the load capacity is reduced. 

Price

Utemaster:

- The Load-Lid starts from $3406 + GST.

- The online Ute Builder allows you to customise your Load-Lid to suit your needs.

ARB:

- Pricing is not listed on the website. However, because of the reduced spec and features it is expected to be cheaper.

Conclusion

Choosing the right hard lid for your ute isn't easy, we hope this article has provided you with some helpful insight into the features that separate these two products.

To find out more about the Load-Lid head to the link below: 

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