How Strong Is the GearForce Hard Lid?

GearForce Hard Lid with gear cases on a ute, with the title How Strong Is the GearForce Hard Lid?

Is it actually rated to 200kg dynamic? What does “fully integrated” mean? Are the side rails just glued on?

Fair questions. Here are the answers.

The load ratings

  • 200kg dynamic. That’s the load when you’re driving. Braking, cornering, corrugations, wind.
  • 400kg static. That’s the load when the ute is parked. Think a rooftop tent at camp.

Dynamic is the number that matters on the road. When you brake hard, your load doesn’t just push down. It pulls forward, twists and lifts. So a dynamic rating has to account for all of that.

How we got to 200kg

The GearForce Hard Lid goes through the same rigorous testing we use on Utemaster products.

We don’t load it to 200kg and call it a pass. We pull on it with winches from different angles to copy real driving forces, then build in a safety factor of up to four times. To rate the lid at 200kg dynamic, we put 800kg of force through it.

So we know it’s safe, with plenty of margin left over.

Tradie loading a tool case into a ute tub under a GearForce Hard Lid on a building site

What else we tested

  • Side rail pull test. Rated to 200kg dynamic. Passed.
  • Static load test. 200kg spread across the lid. Passed.
  • Drop test. We dropped 47.5kg onto the lid from heights up to 1.3m. Passed.
  • Seal fatigue test. 20,000 open and close cycles. Passed.
  • Removal test. Lid taken off and refitted 100 times. Passed.
  • Water test. Heavy rain simulated over every corner and seal. No water in the tub. Passed.

What “fully integrated” means

It means the main parts are built in, not bolted on later as an add-on accessory.

  • Side rails are welded to the lid. They’re part of the structure, not glued, bolted or added on after. They have T-track for crossbars, ladder racks and tie downs.
  • The lid locks through your tailgate. Open the tailgate to open the lid. No exposed latches.
  • Quick-release hinge. Take the lid off without tools.

Because the rails are part of the lid, the load goes through one structure into the tub. That’s why it can carry what it does.

Tie down straps hooked into the integrated side rails on a GearForce Hard Lid

What you can carry

Rooftop tents. Bikes. Kayaks. Ladders. Camp gear. Add the GearForce crossbar kit if you need it, and you’re set.

If you’re mounting more than 20kg permanently on the lid, fit the gas strut upgrade so it still opens easily.

Man loading gear cases onto a GearForce Hard Lid on a ute parked on the beach

Built simple. Tested right.

5052 grade aluminium. 400kg static. 200kg dynamic. 3 year warranty.

If you’ve been wondering how strong it really is, now you know. Check fitment for your ute and choose your model:

View the GearForce Hard Lid