If you carry tools, stock, camping gear, or anything you would hate to replace, your tub security is only as strong as its weakest point. In Australia, that weak point is usually the tailgate.

At HSP, we build security systems that work together, not just single upgrades. The simplest formula is:

Tailgate Lock + Secure Cover + Good habits = real tub security

This guide breaks down what actually works, why some setups fail, and how to choose the right HSP combo for your ute.

Step 1: Fix the biggest security gap first (your tailgate)

Most ute owners assume the tailgate locks when the car locks. In many cases, it does not. That makes the tub an easy target, even if you have a cover.

That is why we start with a tailgate central locking kit that syncs to your vehicle.

What a proper tailgate lock should do

A tailgate lock should:

• Lock and unlock with your factory remote and the vehicle’s lock system
  
• Be plug and play with no drilling, and sit discreetly inside the tailgate
  
• Be proven for harsh Aussie conditions, not just “good enough”
  

Our approach: HSP Tail Lock

Our Tail Lock is designed to integrate with your ute’s existing locking, including normal remote operation and in-vehicle lock functions . It is also tested for temperature extremes from -40°C to +80°C and has completed 100,000 switching cycles for durability .

It is also an AAAA award winner for Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product , which matters if you want a solution that is engineered properly, not just marketed well.

Step 2: Add a cover that is actually worth locking

Once your tailgate is locked to the vehicle, your cover choice decides how secure the tub stays in the real world.

Here is the truth: a cover only helps if it is hard to force open, hard to cut, and properly integrated.

The secure options, in order

1. Electric roller shutter (highest everyday security)
   
2. Hard roll-up tonneau cover (strong security, simpler system)
   
3. Soft tonneau (weather cover first, security second)
   

We will focus on the two options we see deliver the best outcomes for Australian ute owners.

Option A: Electric roller shutter security (HSP Roll R Cover)

If you want a premium security setup that still works for daily access, job sites, and family use, an electric roller shutter is hard to beat when it is designed correctly.

What makes a roller shutter more secure

A secure roller shutter setup should have:

• No external handles that can be forced
  
• A strong curtain design that resists cutting and tampering
  
• Electronic controls that work with the vehicle’s security, not against it
  

What we do on the Roll R Cover

The HSP Roll R Cover combines physical and electronic security measures, including:

• A smart touchpad that only works when the vehicle is unlocked and can be timed to shut off
  
• Factory remote integration, plus app access protected by phone security features
  
• Interlocking aluminium slats designed to prevent curtain cut-through with a knife
  

It is also 100 percent Australian made , and can handle serious weather management through its external grate and gutter design that drains over 60 litres per minute . Weather is not security, but a dry tub means fewer reasons to leave things exposed.

Convenience matters, because convenience gets used

Security fails when people stop using it. One reason roller shutters work well is that you can use them quickly.

The Roll R Cover supports five operating methods, including factory remote, mobile app, Siri voice command, interior lock buttons, and the built-in touchpad .

That makes it far more likely you will actually close and lock the tub properly every time.

Option B: Hard roll-up tonneau security (HSP Roll Mate)

If you want a tough, secure cover without electronics, the Roll Mate is our hard roll-up tonneau designed for off-roaders, tradies, and anyone who wants a simpler system.

Why a hard roll-up tonneau beats a soft tonneau for security

A hard roll-up gives you:

• More resistance to cutting
  
• A more rigid structure when locked
  
• A better match for people who load and unload often
  

What we do on the Roll Mate

The Roll Mate is a manual hard roll-up tonneau designed for tough Australian conditions and includes:

• Vinyl-bonded aluminium slats for cut-proof security
  
• A dual rail quick lock system to lock down securely
  
• No wiring and no drilling, with DIY-friendly install
  

It is a strong choice for owners who want security without relying on electronics, and it pairs extremely well with a tailgate lock.

The security combo that works best (and why)

Best everyday security setup

HSP Tail Lock + HSP Roll R Cover

Why it works:

• Tailgate locks with the vehicle
  
• Cover adds physical and electronic security layers
  
• Fast operation means people actually use it
  

Best tough and simple setup

HSP Tail Lock + HSP Roll Mate

Why it works:

• Tailgate locks with the vehicle
  
• Hard roll-up cover is cut-resistant and locks down
  
• No wiring or canister complexity
  

What about sports bars, racks, and carrying gear

A lot of security setups fail because owners add accessories that force compromises like leaving the cover open, removing the bar, or fitting something that does not integrate cleanly.

Factory sports bars and sailplanes

The Roll R Cover & Roll Mate is designed so factory sports bars can slot into dedicated insertion points in the side rails, helping keep bars at their original height .

Want to carry gear on top too

If you need crossbars or racks, we have systems that are built to work together:

• The Roll R Cover is engineered to support weight on the side rails using Load Bar with 80 kg dynamic capacity or Load Rack with up to 150 kg dynamic capacity
  
• Load Bar is designed to slide into the Roll R Cover T-channel for straightforward fitment
  
• Load Rack Pro & JNR Tub Rack weight ratings list 150 kg dynamic and 300 kg static for the full kit
  

And if you are building a full touring or trade setup:

• The HSP Load Slide extends up to 75 percent beyond the tub and uses a single-point handle for access
  
• Our Armour Bar can integrate with the Electric Roller Cover, and may require an adaptor kit depending on your setup
  

Utes we commonly support in Australia

We build compatibility across a wide range of popular utes. On the Roll R Cover range, you will see fitments listed for models including:

• Next Gen Ford Ranger and Raptor
  
• Toyota Hilux including 2026+ variants
  
• Mitsubishi Triton MV
  
• Nissan Navara MY21+
  
• Isuzu D-MAX
  
• VW Amarok 2023+
  
• GWM Cannon and Cannon Alpha
  
• BYD Shark 6
  
• Kia Tasman
  
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2500
  
• RAM
  
• MG U9
  

Tailgate Lock kits are also available across many major makes including Toyota, Mitsubishi, Ford, Volkswagen, Nissan, Isuzu, LDV, Mazda, Mercedes X-Class, and Colorado RG .

Quick checklist: make your tub harder to steal from today

If you want the fastest path to better ute security:

1. Lock the tailgate to the vehicle with a proper central locking kit
   
2. Add a secure cover: roller shutter or hard roll-up tonneau
   
3. Keep valuables out of sight, even when “just ducking in”
   
4. Make access easy, so you do not get lazy with security
   

Wrap up and next step

If you want real ute tub security in Australia, you need a setup that addresses the tailgate and the cover together. A locked cover with an unlocked tailgate is a weak link. A locked tailgate with an easy-to-cut cover is still a risk.

That is why our most common recommendation is a combined system:

• HSP Tail Lock for central locking tailgate security
  
• Roll R Cover for premium, integrated tub security
  
• Or Roll Mate if you want tough, simple, no-electronics security
  

We are available through a wide national network across Australia , and we can help you choose the right combination for your ute and how you actually use it.

Build your setup in 3D and get a quote

Use our HSP 3D Ute Builder to visualise your ute with a Tail Lock, Roll R Cover or Roll Mate, then add Load Bars, Load Rack, Armour Bar, and a Load Slide to see a full setup and get pricing in one place.