Hard Lid Comparison: ARB or Utemaster

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

The purpose of this article is to summarise the information readily available online, so you can be well informed and choose a product that suits your needs.

The below video was sent to us from a previous Utemaster Load-Lid owner who's given some real feedback on his new ARB Hard Lid:

Quick Comparison

Check out the video below around Load Ratings:

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 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, you can customise the Load-Lid to fit your lifestyle - now and as your needs change. 

ARB: The ARB HardLid is available in two configurations: a standard HardLid (lid only, no rails), or a Premium HardLid where features include central locking, interior light and a set of premium rails.

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 usable area on top of the lid.

ARB: Premium rails are available as part of the Premium HardLid bundle.

It has 5 tie-down points along the rail.

They feature a T-slot upper surface with a unique dovetail design on the outer edge, allowing you to mount ARB BASE Rack accessories. The dynamic load rating of the ARB rails is 150kg.

The ARB rails are mounted closer towards the centre of the hard lid, which reduces the usable load area on top compared to the Utemaster setup.

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 supplies one configuration only.

Installation

Utemaster: The Utemaster Load-Lid has been around since 2007, and since then the installation process has 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 published on the ARB NZ website.

Weatherproofing

Getting water in your tub can damage your gear and ruin your trip.

Utemaster: Over the years Utemaster has developed comprehensive weatherproofing systems for the Load-Lid, 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 that actively directs water off when you open the lid, so water runs away from the tub, not into it.

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.

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 HardLid uses a key lockable manual latch lever activating two clamp points. Central locking is available, but only as part of the Premium HardLid bundle.

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 disclosed where the HardLid is manufactured.

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 $3,931 + GST. The online Ute Builder allows you to customise your Load-Lid to suit your needs and see exact pricing for your vehicle model.

ARB: Pricing is not listed on the website. 

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.

Also Worth Considering: The GearForce Hard-Lid

If you're weighing up your options and budget is a factor, there's a third product worth knowing about, the GearForce Hard Lid, built by the same team behind Utemaster.

Priced from $3,500 + GST, the GearForce Hard Lid is designed around the essentials: strength, security, weatherproofing and ease of use.

Key specs:

- Dynamic Load Rating: 200kg
- Static Load Rating: 400kg
- 5052-grade Aluminium with black powdercoat
- Full Front and Rear Weatherproof Seals
- Central Locking via The Tailgate
- Side Rails Built In
- Quick Release System for Easy Removal
- 3-Year Warranty

It's the right choice if you want proven Utemaster engineering at a more accessible price point and don't need the full range of Load-Lid accessories. 

Find out more about the GearForce Hard Lid

Conclusion

Choosing the right hard lid for your ute isn't easy, we hope this article has given you a clear, honest picture of how these products compare.

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

Find out more