New product: UnderCover Swing Case

The problem with all those beaut utes we’re buying these days is keeping things tidy in the load bed. Heavy braking slides your tool box out of reach, while hard cornering can scatter your toys all over the shop.

The solution, previously available for American pick-ups but now in Australia to fit all locally-sold single and crew cabs, is the US-designed and made Swing Case from UnderCover, whose main business is hard-lid tonneau covers.

Sold in pairs, the Swing Cases are shaped to take full advantage of the wasted space inthe ute tray between the tailgate and the intruding rear wheel arches.

Once the tailgate is dropped, they can be unlatched from the load bed sides to swing out over it, offering easy access to tools, jumper cables, towing accessories, work clothes, drinks and other items, without having to clamber onto the ute’s tray.

A small internal tray is included to hold smaller items, like fishing hooks, spare bulbs, etc.

Built from lightweight, high impact ABS plastic, the Swing Cases are claimed to be tough, weatherproof and are custom-designed for different model utes. Importantly, they are also key-lockage, discouraging sticky fingers. . .

The Swing Cases can be fitted in a few minutes by a modestly-skilled person and can be removed is further load space is required, or carried to a camp or work site.

They can be ordered through the Swing Case Australia Facebook page and should now be in most major 4X4 stores.

Cost is $450-$500 including fitting kit, depending on the ute model.