Single vs Dual vs Extra Cab Utes: Ultimate Guide for Choosing Your Perfect Ute

Choosing the wrong Ute can cost you comfort, cargo space, and even jobs.

Imagine you’re a tradie dragging gear to a worksite, or a family piling into a Ute for a weekend getaway, the cab style you choose will decide how well your Ute actually works.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down the difference between single cab, dual cab, and extra cab Utes, explaining their seating, tray sizes, payload capacity. You’ll also lean about their pros & cons, and best uses, so you can avoid regret and get a setup that works as hard as you do.

Keep reading to make the best choice!

Single Cab Ute | Maximum Cargo & Tray Space for Tradies

A single cab Ute is the classic tradie’s workhorse, designed for carrying heavy loads. It has only two doors and two seats, with the rest of the vehicle dedicated to a spacious cargo tray.

Key Features:

• Two doors, one row of seats
• Compact front cabin for tighter manoeuvring
• Very large cargo tray for tools, equipment, and materials

Thus, single cab Ute is best for hauling heavy or bulky loads, tradespeople and small businesses where passenger space isn’t needed.

Pros of Single Cab Ute:

• Maximised load space: Supports very heavy payloads (often over 1000 kg)
• Cost-effective: Cheaper to buy and run when you don’t need extra seats.

Cons of Single Cab Ute:

• Limited seating: Only seats the driver and one passenger. No backseat at all.
• Less versatile for personal use: Not ideal if you regularly carry more people.

Dual Cab Ute | Family-Friendly Crew with Practical Tray

A dual cab Ute (also called double cab Ute) has four doors and two rows of seats, typically fitting five people. Think of it as a pickup truck with the utility of a family car. It’s a popular all-rounder that balances cargo needs with passenger comfort.

Key Features:

• Four doors, two rows, five seats
• Spacious rear cabin – Full-sized backseat with extra legroom and headroom
• Shorter cargo tray than a single cab (chassis is hidden under body panels)

These features make it ideal for families, off-road adventurers, work crews; anyone who needs to carry people and equipment.

Pros of Dual Cab Ute:

• Passenger friendly: Seats up to 5 comfortably, great for family trips or work crews.
• Versatile: Good mix of passenger space and cargo, can use rooftop racks for extra gear.
• Comfort and features: Modern dual-cabs have luxury SUV-like interiors and safety tech.

Cons of Dual Cab Ute:

• Smaller tray: Cargo bed is shorter due to extra cabin length.
• Larger size: Longer wheelbase, which can be tricky in tight city parking or narrow sites.

Extra Cab Ute | The Perfect Cooperation Between Crew & Cargo

An extra cab Ute, also called space cab, king cab or super cab, is a halfway house between single and dual cabs. It has two full doors up front and small rear seats or storage space accessible by “suicide doors” hinged at the back. (Suicide doors are smaller doors that open in the opposite direction to normal doors. The hinge is at the rear, not the front. They can only be opened after the front doors are opened.)

Key Features:

• Two main doors and smaller rear access doors (often opening opposite way)
• Extended cabin – Roughly 300 mm longer than a single cab for extra legroom or hidden storage.
• Limited back seating – Tiny rear bench, best for kids or extra cargo. Many models omit a middle seat to keep the floor flat.

Thus, it’s best for solo drivers or couples or those needing occasional extra seats but who also haul tools. For example, a tradie who sometimes has a mate jump in, or a small family with young kids and heavy gear.

Pros of Extra Cab Ute:

• Good compromise: More tray length than a dual cab, but still carries 2–3 people.
• Extra storage: Some models include hidden cubbies behind seats, or the flat floor becomes extra lockable space.
• Versatile for hobbies: Great for camping gear or surfboards (extra roof space) without losing much tray area.

Cons of Extra Cab Ute:

• Cramped rear space: Limited legroom and headroom; adult passengers will feel tight on long trips.
• Convenience trade-off: Getting in and out back can be fiddly since front seats must tilt forward (if no rear doors).

Single vs Dual vs Extra Cab Utes: Key Differences

To summarise, here’s how the three main Ute types compare:

In practice, most popular Utes like the Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger offer multiple cab options.

For example, the Ford Ranger’s dual-cab models are praised for a smooth, modern ride, while the Toyota Hilux is legendary for tough reliability. Your choice will depend on whether passenger space or load space is your priority.

Single, Dual or Extra Cab: Which Type of Ute Is Right for You?

Think about your needs and lifestyle. Ask yourself:

• Cargo or Crew? Do you haul lots of tools, materials or gear every day? Go for single cab. Or do you usually have a crew or family onboard? Choose dual cab.
• Trip frequency: Do you take long road trips with several passengers? Dual cabs excel at comfort and room for everyone.
• Hauling gear: Need to carry long ladders, kayaks, or a small machinery often? A single cab or a chassis with tray maximises usable cargo space.
• Occasional extra passenger: If it’s a mix, maybe the extra cab suits you. It’s ideal for keeping a few suitcases or kids in the back without giving up too much tray length.

Key Questions to Ask Yourself When Buying Ute:

• How many passengers do I normally carry? If more than two adults often, lean dual cab.
• How much cargo or equipment do I haul? If it’s the bulk of the job, single cab or chassis might work best.
• Will I use it for family adventures too? Dual cab Utes make great weekend trips.
• Do I need a balance of both? Then an extra cab or custom chassis cab could be the answer.

By weighing your daily tasks and travel plans, you’ll see which cab style delivers the right combo of space, comfort and utility for you.

Other Considerations When Choosing a Ute

Beyond cab style, a few other factors can sway your decision:

• Fuel & Running Costs:

Larger cabs generally mean a heavier vehicle. Dual cabs have slightly higher fuel consumption and insurance costs than nimble single cabs.

• Durability & Resale:

Utes like the Hilux and Ranger are built tough. In fact, industry data shows popular dual-cab Utes retain around 60–65% of their value after 3 years. Solid build quality and a strong market mean resale values stay relatively high.

• Customisation & Upgrades:

One big perk of these trucks is how customisable they are. You can fit accessories like trays, canopies, toolboxes and more. For example, a steel drop-side tray adds huge strength and storage. Steel is about four times stronger than aluminium.

Perth 4WD offers drop-side steel trays and custom well bodies so you can tailor your Ute to the work. We also have guides on choosing the right dual-cab canopy or fitting aluminium trays. See our dual cab canopy buying guide for help.

• Chassis Cab vs Ute:

If ultimate flexibility is needed, note the difference between a cab-chassis and a regular Ute.

A cab-chassis comes with just the cabin on an open frame, ready for a custom build (toolboxes, tanks, camper bodies). A factory Ute comes with the tray/tub already installed. Tradespeople who need heavy customisation might start with a chassis cab and add their own tray or canopy.

By considering these points; cost of ownership, resale outlook, and upgrade paths, you’ll make the most informed decision for both your budget and your job’s demands.

Not sure which cab or setup will actually work for your day-to-day?

Worried you’ll buy the wrong tray or canopy and lose payload, space or practicality?

Need the right Ute setup?

Perth 4WD Fits Trays, Well-Bodies & Accessories for Single, Extra and Dual Cab Utes

Whether you drive a single cab, extra cab Ute or dual cab Ute, Perth 4WD doesn’t just sell parts, we design, supply and professionally fit the trays, well-bodies and accessories that make your Ute work for you.

From heavy-duty steel drop-side trays and toolboxes to canopies, under-tray drawers, water tanks and ladder racks, we tailor every fitment to the cab type and model so you get maximum load, safety and durability.

Here’s what we do for you:

• Custom-built and painted steel trays & well-bodies (Perth-made Glennic trays available).
• Reconditioning of old trays so you save money without losing strength.
• Fitments for single cab, extra cab and dual cab configurations; toolboxes, canopies, roll hoops, LED lighting, camera & sensor refits.
• On-vehicle measuring, professional installation and QA testing so payload and fit are spot on.

Contact us if you need help. Or ring us now: 08 9470 1755

We’ll talk through your work needs, how often you carry passengers, and which tray or accessory gives you the best result. We’ll recommend the exact tray size, material and upgrades that suit your single / extra / dual cab Ute.

FAQs

Q1: What is the main difference between a Single Cab and Dual Cab Ute?

A single cab Ute has two doors and seats only the driver and one passenger, maximising the cargo tray. A dual cab Ute has four doors with two rows of seats (usually five total). Dual cabs give you more passenger space at the expense of some cargo length. Whereas single cabs have the longest trays but no back seats.

Q2: What is an Extra Cab Ute used for?

An extra cab is a compromise. It’s mostly a single cab but with a small extended rear cabin. It adds room for occasional passengers or extra storage without cutting as much tray length as a full dual cab. It’s ideal if you haul tools but sometimes need to carry another person or lock up gear inside.

Q3: Which type of Ute is best for carrying heavy loads?

For purely hauling large or heavy loads, the single cab is best. It offers the largest, strongest tray and leaf-spring suspension tuned for payload. Trades requiring maximum cargo space and weight capacity typically choose single cabs for this reason.

Q4: Which type of Ute is best for family trips?

A Dual cab Ute is generally best for family trips. With full back seating for 3 and more creature comforts, it handles people and pets much more easily. You still get a decent-size tray, and many dual cabs offer amenities like rear air vents, cupholders, and safety features.

Q5: Which Ute has the best resale value and reliability?

Top brands like Toyota and Ford dominate the market. Historically, the Toyota Hilux is famed for its reliability and durability, and the Ford Ranger is known for a refined ride. In resale tests, both hold about 60–65% of their value after a few years.

Q6: Can you sleep in a dual cab Ute?

Yes. Many people use dual cab Utes for camping. The rear seats fold flat, and with a canopy on the tray you can lay out a mattress. Some even install slide-out drawers or tents. However, comfort is limited; consider a roof-top tent or a spacious canopy conversion for sleeping comfort.

Q7: What does “cab chassis” mean?

A cab chassis (or chassis cab) comes with just the cab and a bare chassis (frame) at the back. No tray or tub is fitted. This setup is perfect for heavy-duty Ute customisation; you can build a tray, box, or specialty body to suit a business.

Q8: Are Space Cab and Extra Cab the same thing?

Yes. Space cab, king cab, club cab, or super cab are different terms used by manufacturers to describe the extra cab style. All refer to that one-and-a-half cabin design; two main doors plus a bit of extra space or tiny rear doors.