Thread: 130 - The old tray vs tub

Depends what you use it for. The main drawback of the tub is that it is harder to load from the side, especially with a forklift. I trace the general changeover from tubs to trays for all sorts of utes in Australia to the introduction of forklifts at places usch as rural supply and hardware stores starting about fifty years ago.

Love my tub but it is definitely less practical for commercial type loads as you would get on a pallet.
If you think 35"s are a pain with a flat tray they're a pain with the tub as well because you basically won't be able to reach anything from the side.
Slide out tray floor should mitigate it mostly. I find myself climbing into the tub a lot to get at stuff, I'm not particularly short either.
It's convenient to put assorted items in, and know they won't fall out. Good if you want to mount a bunch of toolboxes and have it semi-permanently set up for 4wheeling too.

The biggest frustration is that it's wider than the body and no one makes a flare kit to suit the HCPU.

Very very frustrating, I ended up grinding my terrafirma flares down with a Bench grinder so they matched front and rear.

The pallet thing makes sense now you mention it....though for me anything palletised can go on the trailer.

I'll have a canopy fitted to a tray or tub 99.99% of the time.

If you are planning to have a canopy on most of the time, go the tub.

All your benefits you list above outweigh side access IMO, especially lower centre of gravity. I would only go for a tray if I needed side access for forklifts.

+ the original tub is cool piece of design, consistent with the rest of the vehicle.

Originally Posted by Zeros

+ the original tub is cool piece of design, consistent with the rest of the vehicle.

i was waiting on someone raising the aesthetics of the tub. I love the look of the tubbed 130, classic in design. I am toying with changing my tray but, notwithstanding the aesthetic appeal, i would go with a commercial tray. Primarily for the functionality of a slide on canopy when desired, tray sides for carting wood or a Bunnings run and a canvas over frame for the dogs (i currently have roll up windows with fly screen on the sides for the dogs). the tub is a little over 1600mm deep. a modest tray is 1800mm, the extra is usable space

my fridge sits on the passenger side rear single seat. Unless you have a lockable hard side on the tray/tub, your valuables are exposed.

The general complaint about my tray design is it fits a 35" tyre under the tray, add to that 3" suspension and 35's which raises the deck to "old man groan" height for anything heavier than a box of air. Yet to wet out the tray on a river crossing, but for all other purposes its a massive compromise.

Originally Posted by MLD

i was waiting on someone raising the aesthetics of the tub. I love the look of the tubbed 130, classic in design. I am toying with changing my tray but, notwithstanding the aesthetic appeal, i would go with a commercial tray. Primarily for the functionality of a slide on canopy when desired, tray sides for carting wood or a Bunnings run and a canvas over frame for the dogs (i currently have roll up windows with fly screen on the sides for the dogs). the tub is a little over 1600mm deep. a modest tray is 1800mm, the extra is usable space

my fridge sits on the passenger side rear single seat. Unless you have a lockable hard side on the tray/tub, your valuables are exposed.

The general complaint about my tray design is it fits a 35" tyre under the tray, add to that 3" suspension and 35's which raises the deck to "old man groan" height for anything heavier than a box of air. Yet to wet out the tray on a river crossing, but for all other purposes its a massive compromise.

If you appreciate the classic design (form meets function) of Defender, I would advise returning to standard wheels and springs too! All probs solved. ...Pretty sure you can get a lockable canopy for the tub?

I’d go tray over tub.....tub looks the good but are a pain for general use.

I like the tub aesthetics,however, having had work utes with tubs and canopies, I would never have a tubby choice.
A regular wagon is better than a tub and canopy any day.
A lot of stuff becomes really hard to get to, particularly up front in the middle,
Dust and dirt are a feature of all tub canopy combos, no matter who makes them.
Like MLD my tray is quite high, I just find the tray so convenient plus need it for the slide on.
My 2 cents.