DeWalt TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 Shallow Tool Tray

A simple way to unlock space in a TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 setup

I’m a sucker for organization that doesn’t slow me down. The 2.0 shallow tray hits that sweet spot: it adds order inside a TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 box without turning the box into a puzzle. After a few weeks of living with it across my Small, Large, and Extra-Large 2.0 toolboxes, I’m convinced it’s a worthwhile upgrade—provided you know what it is and what it isn’t.

What it is

This is a low-profile, open tray designed to live inside TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 boxes. It’s made from polypropylene, weighs about 1.3 pounds, and measures roughly 12.1 inches wide by 18.3 inches deep by 2.3 inches tall. The key tricks are:

• It can hang from the upper ledges of a 2.0 box, leaving storage space underneath for bulkier tools.
• It stacks with other shallow or deep trays to build a tiered setup.
• The side handles do double duty: carry the tray and link multiple trays together.

There’s no lid, no hinges, and no included dividers. It’s a simple tray that plays nicely inside the 2.0 ecosystem.

Fit and compatibility

Compatibility matters here. The tray is built for TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 boxes. In my 2.0 Small, Large, and Extra-Large boxes, it seats correctly and the hanging latches engage the molded rails as intended. It does not properly fit older 1.0 boxes; the geometry is different enough that you’ll end up with gaps or insecure positioning. If your stack is mostly 1.0, this tray isn’t the answer.

Inside the 2.0 boxes, the fit is snug without being finicky. I can drop the tray in blind and it finds its track. When I hang it at the top, the lid still closes cleanly, and nothing binds.

Setup and customization

Out of the box, the tray is ready to use. The only “setup” I did was cut a few plywood dividers to take advantage of the molded slots. It’s a thoughtful touch: instead of forcing you into one fixed layout, you can cut simple strips from scrap plywood to create compartments for sockets, bit sets, or fasteners. The slots are evenly spaced and align well enough that dividers stay upright even when the tray is loaded.

If you don’t want to cut wood, small bins and organizers drop right in. I’ve had good luck parking a compact ratchet kit on one side, a row of pliers across the middle, and then a few loose fastener cups in the remaining bays.

In use: hanging and stacking

The hanging function is the main reason to buy this tray. With the tray latched up top in a Large 2.0 box, I can keep a drill, battery, and hole saw kit below while staging the day’s consumables and hand tools in the tray. Open the lid, and the things I need most are right at hand.

Stacking works as advertised. One shallow tray on top of a deep tray makes a very efficient two-tier module. The side handles have a simple interlock that lets you connect trays so they don’t slide around. It took me a minute to learn the motion—lift, align, and click—but once I got it, I could carry a paired set from the truck to the site without juggling.

A quick note: these trays are meant to stack inside a box or be carried as a connected set. They don’t have legs or spacers to create standing clearance between trays on a bench. If you need vertical separation outside a box (for a tool that pokes above the rim of a lower tray), you’ll have to improvise.

Capacity and layout

At a little over two inches tall, the shallow tray is ideal for:

• Hand tools: screwdrivers, pliers, chisels
• Mechanics sets: 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch socket rails, stubby ratchet kits
• Consumables: bits, blades, anchors, wire nuts, zip ties, fuses
• Measuring and layout tools: tape, squares, markers

It’s not the right place for tall spray cans, bulky nailers, or anything that stands proud of the rim. For those, the deep tray is the better partner.

The flat, open interior makes it easy to reconfigure on the fly. I like that I can dedicate one tray to electrical consumables for a day, then re-task it for cabinetry hardware the next. The yellow plastic also makes small dark parts easier to spot.

Build quality and durability

The polypropylene shell feels rigid for its weight. I’ve loaded it with a couple of pounds of sockets, a pliers set, and a handful of fasteners without noticeable flex. The corners are well radiused and don’t dig into the palms when carried loaded.

The only components that give me pause are the plastic pop-up latches that hook the tray onto the box rails and the side-handle linkage when carrying multiple trays together. They’ve held up so far, but they’re still plastic. I treat them like convenience features, not lifting points for heavy iron. If you’re planning to park a dense mechanics set in the tray and routinely carry two trays together by the handles, you’ll want to be mindful of the weight. Inside the box, with the tray hanging, I haven’t had any issues.

Everyday workflow

On a typical job, I keep the tray hanging at the top of a Large 2.0 box with:

• Screwdriver set and pliers lineup
• Impact-rated bit case
• Electrical connectors and a small spool of tape
• A compact socket rail

Below, a drill, batteries, and hole saw kit live happily. At the site, the tray lifts out and parks on the open lid for quick access. Back at the truck, I sometimes snap it onto a second tray and carry both to the bench. It’s a small thing, but having the go-to hand tools and consumables staged in a shallow tray speeds up the “find it and do it” loop.

At home, I borrowed one for household hardware and picture-hanging supplies. Because the tray is light and open, it transitions well to non-trade tasks without feeling like overkill.

Limitations and wish list

• Not cross-compatible: This tray is a 2.0-only accessory. If you’re sitting on a fleet of 1.0 boxes, look elsewhere or plan a system changeover.
• Load limits are real: The latches and handle interlocks are plastic. They’re fine for typical hand tools and consumables, but I wouldn’t trust them with extreme loads when carrying trays linked together.
• No included dividers: The molded slots are great, but you’ll need to cut your own dividers or add third-party bins.
• Open-top only: Without a lid, small parts can migrate if you toss the tray loose in the truck. It’s best used inside a box, as designed.
• No freestanding tiering: You can’t space trays apart outside a box; there are no built-in risers.

None of these are deal-breakers within the 2.0 ecosystem, but they’re worth knowing up front.

Who will benefit most

• Tradespeople already invested in TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 who want faster access to frequently used tools and consumables.
• Anyone building a two-tier setup using a deep tray below and the shallow tray above.
• Users who prefer flexible layouts and don’t mind cutting simple dividers.

If you primarily use TOUGHSYSTEM 1.0 boxes, or you need lidded, stand-alone organizers that can be thrown around independently, this tray won’t be a match.

Specs at a glance

• Accessory type: Tool tray
• System: TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0
• Material: Polypropylene
• Dimensions: 12.09 in W x 18.33 in D x 2.34 in H
• Weight: 1.32 lb
• Color: Yellow

Recommendation

I recommend the 2.0 shallow tray to anyone who’s already running TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 boxes and wants to make better use of the vertical space inside them. The hanging feature puts everyday tools right where your hands go first, and the ability to stack with a deep tray creates a tidy, efficient module. Build quality is solid for the intended loads, and the divider slots invite easy customization.

Go in with clear expectations: it’s not a universal fit, it doesn’t include dividers, and the plastic latches and handle interlocks aren’t meant for brute-force carrying of heavy, linked trays. Used as intended—inside a 2.0 box, with reasonable weight—it’s a simple, effective way to speed up your workflow and keep the chaos of small tools and consumables in check.