When considering whether to use a steel or aluminum trench box, focus on the manufacturer’s tabulated data for the box, which dictates the configuration, placement and depth at which it can be used. At certain depths, especially for smaller jobs, a lighter, easier-to-move aluminum trench box can be just as effective as a much heavier steel trench box. For deeper excavations, trench boxes can be stacked and secured on top of each other.

Modular aluminum trench boxes offer design flexibility and fast, easy installation. The panels are flat, so they can be transported by pickup truck, depending on the size. They require very little room for setup, which makes them ideal for sites where space is tight.

Modular Aluminum Panel System (MAPS) panels can be configured into two-sided, three-sided or four-sided trench boxes. Light in weight, these boxes can be installed using an excavator, backhoe or similar rubber-track machine. 

Panels can be 2 feet, 4 feet, 6 feet or 8 feet high and from 2 feet to 16 feet long. United Rentals offers panel lengths in 1-foot increments from 2 feet to 6 feet, which provides more flexibility compared with typical 2-foot increments. This can be an advantage in small spaces with multiple crossing utilities.