Tradie Shootout: Which tray truck is best for you?

These days major manufacturers offer tray pack options you can put straight to work, with no need to visit a body builder for a canopy, tray or fit-out.

In fact, the options are seemingly endless, as the built to go models ranges have grown to cover all bases – from heavy-duty trays to service bodies ready to haul your tools between job sites.

The three models we will be looking at are the Hino 300 Series, Isuzu N Series and Fuso Canter, but there are plenty of others available.

While they are all offered with factory-backed, ready-to-go body options, the manufacturers have different names for their solutions. Hino calls its range ‘Built go Go’, Fuso opts for ‘Built Ready’ and Isuzu runs with ‘Ready to Work’.

Each of the light-duty models is available with a car-suitable 4.5-tonne GVM right up to 8.5-tonne GVM, the latter offering serious carrying capacity but requiring a truck licence.

For the purpose of this comparison we will be looking at the entry-level models with a GVM of 4.5-tonnes or less, for tradies that don’t have a truck licence but want more payload and towing capacity than a ute can offer.

These trucks are a suitable replacement for utes with canopies and tray pack fit-outs, offering far greater payload capacity and the ability to tow more too.

The downside is that the entry-level trucks discussed here are 4x2 models, so won’t be capable of beach getaways or other off-road duties, but all three manufacturers offer 4x4 options within their ranges.

Light-duty trucks are commercial vehicles, which means they are designed to run all day, every day, fully loaded and with long service intervals. The added durability comes at the expense of comfort, so the car-like handling and luxury of dual-cab utes are things you will have to forego.

Unlike utes, which typically offer a GVM of between 3000kg to 3500kg, the full 4495kg or 4500kg GVMs offered in light-duty trucks like these ones equate to payloads that can surpass 2000kg.

Light-duty trucks also offer the ability to tow 3500kg or more even when loaded up to maximum GVM, offering a GCM of up to 8000kg compared with the average 6000kg to 6500kg GCM that utes offer.

Not to mention, trucks are designed to carry maximum weight at all times, so are sprung accordingly. No helper airbags or secondary modifications need to be made when operating near the maximum GVM of these trucks.

The Fuso Canter 515 City Cab is equipped with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 110kW/370Nm, mated to either a six-speed dual-clutch automatic or five-speed manual transmission.

Hino’s 300 Series 616 Standard Cab is powered by a 4.0-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 110kW/420Nm with a choice of a five speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Lastly, the Isuzu N Series NLR 45-150 receives a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine making 110kW/375Nm with either a five-speed manual or six-speed AMT transmission behind it.

All three engines are Euro V compliant, with emissions controls to reduce tailpipe emissions on the road.

The Hino offers the most torque, with the largest displacement engine of the three, but all options are similarly reliable, capable and come with competitive service plans.

All three trucks eclipse the carrying capacity of typical dual-cab utes, with added productivity allowing you to get more work done in fewer trips.

Not only does Isuzu offer tray options for its N Series trucks, its Servicepack features a powder coated steel service body with seven lockable storage compartments offering 2.5 cubic metres of storage space.

The Isuzu N Series NLR 45-150 with Servicepack body has a GVM of 4500kg and GCM of 8000kg, weighing in at 2885kg leaving a payload of 1615kg.

A 2.08m x 1.0m central storage area with six tie-down points and rear barn door is also featured on the Servicepack, while a maximum towing capacity of 4000kg adds additional flexibility.

The Hino 300 Series 616 Standard Cab with TradeAce body offers a large 3080mm by 1800mm aluminium tray with drop sides and ladder racks.

It has a 4,495kg GVM and 7995kg GCM, which with an indicative weight of 2289kg, leaves a very healthy payload of around 2206kg.

Lastly, the Fuso Canter 515 City Cab with Built Ready alloy tray, measures in at 3625mm long and 1995mm wide with optional ladder rack.

The Canter has a GVM of 4495kg and GVM of 7995kg, which with an estimated vehicle weight of 2150kg results in a 2345kg payload.

While all three manufacturers offer a variety of tray options, Isuzu edges ahead in terms of practicality straight off the showroom floor with its Ready-To-Work Servicepack option.

The Fuso Canter 515 City Cab leads the pack with superior payload, which is around double what leading utes models offer.

These trucks all score a similar suite of advanced safety features, on par with the technology found in modern 4x4 utes.

All three trucks include pre-collision warnings and active safety features like emergency braking, lane departure warning, and stability control. They also come with anti-lock braking and driver and passenger airbags.

Being cab-over designs, visibility is good and all three models feature reverse cameras making parking and tight inner-city manoeuvring a safe and simple undertaking.

The three models all offer comparative practicality, payload and durability with a reputation you can trust across the board. It all comes down to what you are after, though.

If you want a service body that needs no further customising or toolboxes added, Isuzu is the only manufacturer with a high-quality body option you can buy ready-to-go from a dealer. If you need a body with lockable compartments, the N Series is the pick of the bunch.

If you are stepping up from a ute but intimidated by the size of a truck, the Canter 515 City Cab is compact, comfortable and steers and shifts in a way that will feel familiar. It can also carry the most, which puts it slightly ahead of the Hino 300 Series.

The Hino doesn’t quite match the Canter for outright carrying capacity, nor is it available with an out-of-the-box service body option like the N Series, but it does offer the gruntiest engine which will suit operators that intend to tow while also loading up the tray.

So which one should you buy? Take them all for a drive, consider your use case and see which truck best suits your tradie needs.