For active 4×4 owners, ute tray canopies are as much a part of ute ownership as lift kits and oversized tyres. Only utes combine the comfort of an everyday car with the carrying capacity of a light duty truck, and tray canopies make it easy for owners to put that carrying capacity to its fullest use.
From transporting tools to hauling camping gear, canopies provide the weatherproof cover and secure storage ute owners want in order to hit the highway with confidence. And because no two owners’ needs are the same, there are literally dozen of different canopy styles and configurations available to choose from. All, however, boast the same rugged, versatile capabilities that are a perfect match for the ute’s own go-anywhere attitude.
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Why Ute Canopies Are the Perfect Solution For 4×4 Cargo Transport
Let’s be honest: while there’s no shortage of good looking utes on the market, the fact is Aussies typically don’t buy utes for their good looks. They buy them to haul stuff – lots of stuff – which is why robust, high quality aftermarket ute canopies are in such high demand. From wheel arch to wheel arch, and from back panel to rear bumper, tray-mounted canopies allow ute owners to take maximum advantage of their vehicle’s horizontal and vertical carrying space.
For most utes, that’s the equivalent of claiming 3 – 4 cubic meters of otherwise unusable cargo space, with a core of benefits that include:
- Lightweight aluminium construction that offers easily mounted, all-weather protection for all types of cargo;
- A readily accessible and securable cargo area that can be outfitted with a wide range of locking systems; and,
- Rugged, highly customisable internal layouts that can be configured to satisfy virtually any transportation within its allowable weight limit.
The versatile, heavy duty qualities of modern aluminium ute canopies allow them to satisfy the needs of both professional and recreational owners, either on- or off-road. And with such a broad selection of aluminium ute canopy sizes to choose from, ute owners don’t have to worry about whether their particular 4×4 is too big or too small for the most convenient offerings available.
Understanding Canopy Types and Recognising Best Build Features
Size and functionality aren’t mutually exclusive when it comes to modern ute tray canopy options. And the same way that some utes are infinitely better suited for some tasks than others, the same also applies to tray canopies.
There are three primary aluminium canopy sizes, and they’re as much a reflection of the level of functionality a ute owner needs as they are the actual size of the tray they’re intended to be mounted on. They are:
- Compact part tray canopies. With variations ranging in length from 500mm – 1200mm, part tray canopies for utes are as appropriate for shorter trays as they are for allowing space on longer trays for bulk cargo, or other accessories like spare tyre carriers or swivelling hoists.
- Broad usage dual-cab canopies. With typical lengths between 1200mm – 1500mm, dual-cab aluminium ute tray canopies are sized especially for use with other tray-top tool boxes, offering the best possible balance for both professional and recreational owners.
- Full-sized extra-cab canopies. With lengths maxing out between 1600mm – 1800mm, an extra-cab tray canopy is the choice for ute owners who want to take maximum advantage of their coverable tray-top storage area, while still benefitting from undertray storage options like drawers, or oversized above-canopy options like ladder racks.
And while the differences in size and functionality can vary widely between the various ute canopy types, they all boast the same critical design features, which include:
- Marine grade 2.5mm flat plate aluminium sheeting for maximum strength and optimum corrosion resistance;
- Fully TIG-welded and reinforced seam construction, with single piece floor/underfloor, and roof sections;
- A choice of 2- or 3-door configurations, with dust and moisture resistant automotive-grade rubber seals;
- Twin heavy duty gas struts per door, with full-length piano style hinges for superior weight distribution and alignment; and,
- Premium quality whale-tail folding locks with 3-point locking, and a choice of keyed, padlockable or centralised electronic locking.
Some standard canopy models and ute tray camping canopies are even designed to be lifted away from the tray and temporarily placed on jack off legs. This is especially useful for canopy owners who periodically need access to their tray’s entire loading area for cargo that’s too large to safely transport with a canopy in place, or to allow switching between multiple canopies that are set up for different functions.
Canopy Accessories That Take Functionality To the Next Level
Make no mistake: when it comes to configuring ute canopies, getting the most out of these sturdy aluminium containers means putting the most effort into customising them. There are literally dozens of canopy accessories on the market designed to increase the productivity of canopy tray back boxes, both inside and out, with some of the most common ones including:
- Internally mounted 1-, 2- and 3-shelf canopy drawer units with pullout work benches and risers;
- Internally mounted-shelf/compartment pullout canopy pantry units with locking slides;
- Externally mounted open top, and lockable jerry can holders with laser cut ventilation holes;
- Externally mounted folding rear canopy ladders and canopy roof racks; and,
- Externally mounted padlockable spare tyre mounts with wheel supports and mounting brackets.
And with aesthetics running a close second to functionality, aluminium canopies can also easily be powdercoated to match the ute’s own colours. It adds a level of distinction that helps set Australian ute canopies apart from any other type of cargo or storage case solution on the market.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, there’s little argument about the versatility that tray canopies provide. The key to optimising their versatility, however, comes from pairing the right sized canopy with the best selection of accessories for the jobs at hand.
Premium quality aftermarket ute canopies have all the qualities ute owners need to maximise their tray’s available storage space. There are canopies for every manner of on- and off-road activity, making perfectly customisable combinations a reality anytime.
