So you are now the proud owner of a brand new ute and enjoying the freedom of the great Aussie outdoors for camping, fishing or hunting. But there are niggling reasons why it does not quite fit the bill be they the safety of storage of important equipment during transit or at the campsite, the rattle of a long road trip on valuable items placed casually in the bed of the truck, lack of storage space for all that you need including nowhere to put a roof rack or mount that spare tyre properly.
Your baby needs an upgrade so that it is not only a viable vehicle for city or suburban pleasure but better in the unpredictable Aussie climate.
And one more thing – where are you gonna put the fridge and supply enough power to it to keep the tinnies at the optimum temperature??!
The Answer
The answer to making your baby grow up a bit is a ute canopy.
What Is It?
A ute canopy is basically an enclosure to cover a portion or an entire tray. It can be used for all your supplies that you need to keep secure and protected. Many businesspeople use them too.
Costs
The costs for a recommended canopy like Norweld with a lifetime guarantee, will run from about $12 for a basic set up to $18.5 for a fully comp. Much will depend on what your requirements are and whether you are looking at a full-length rig, compact or half canopy.
Decide early what your needs are and how these might change in the future. It is a decision that will impact your lifestyle or business for years – so think long-term.
Benefits
Protection from the elements and security are the key ones along with additional space. Items within a canopy can be stored better due to the shelves, drawers and dividers that often come as standard fittings. In addition, canopies come with various access doors making loading and unloading easier.
Ever get stuff wet on camping expeditions? Duh….a canopy provides a great dry area that also enhances its utilisation for business purposes.
Last but not least you want your baby to look its best. Canopies add visual appeal and can be customised and painted to give them that personal touch down the line.
Will My ute Drive Differently? So Why Aluminium?
The obvious answer to that first question is yes. Added weight on the back is going to change drive feel and fuel consumption too. That is why we feel that it is best to go with aluminium rather than steel.
It is lighter but still provides the strength for fuel efficiency and security. It’s also easier to install, highly durable, corrosion free and highly customisable. Be aware though that fitters have parameters. We would advise that before a tray is fitted you consider the whole set-up.
In conclusion, assess your needs long term at the outset, go with aluminium, and please, please think about the fridge you need!
