Have you got a ute but not sure what type of canopy you should get? There are a few things to consider before making a final decision. Please continue reading for more details.
Ute canopies have a lot of work to do. They are used to hold roof racks and other mounts, which are also used to protect the inside of the canopy.
There’s a lot of debate about what kind of canopy mounting is best. Should you use aluminium or fibreglass? Read on for our thoughts.
Fibreglass Canopies
Fibreglass canopies are lightweight, which is one of the main benefits of using them.
They are also fairly durable, however, there are some downsides to fibreglass.
When you cut into fibreglass you weaken it significantly. This means if you ever want to modify your canopy your options are quite limited.
In addition, fibreglass canopies are not always rated to carry heavy loads, so depending on what you want to use the ute for you might find that the fibreglass canopy you are considering is not suitable.
There are some occasions where a fibreglass canopy might be a good choice because the material is low maintenance, but such canopies tend to be more expensive and of limited use.
They will, however, require periodic re-coating, which is something that aluminium canopies will not.
Fibreglass will not rust, and this is one reason that a lot of people choose them if they’re worried about maintenance.
In addition, because they are lightweight, there is minimal impact on the Gross Vehicle Mass, so your ute should still handle like a dream.
Aluminium Canopies
Aluminium canopies would be our choice for most people. They are fairly lightweight, and yet still incredibly robust.
They have a natural oxide coating which means that they will not rust, and they are strong enough to take most loads.
Alloy canopies are:
- Low maintenance and easy to clean, just like fibreglass
- Long-lasting, since they will not rust
- Very strong, which means they can carry heavy loads
- Secure, offering good protection against theft of the contents of the ute
- Still relatively light, so offer good fuel economy
Customise Your Canopy
One reason that aluminium canopies have become very popular is that you can tailor them to your needs.
You can add shelves, trays or slides to them, and you can tailor them for your work or leisure trips with relative ease.
Since the canopy is so strong, it will not only keep dust and water out, it can also be trusted to keep most casual intruders out as well.
Potential Issues With Aluminium Canopies
Aluminium canopies will need careful sealing around the hinges and tailgates to keep dust and water out.
The canopy itself has good water-resistance, but you need to make sure that any areas where there are bends or joins are also properly sealed.
Aluminium is quite lightweight, but when you fit any canopy you have to consider how it will impact on the total mass of the vehicle, and how that might alter the handling of the vehicle.
You should also confirm that the canopy can handle any type of roof rack that you want to fit to it, as well as the weight of the load that will sit on the rack.
Ute canopies can vary massively in price depending on the size, design, and any customisations that you need for it, as well as whether you are fitting it yourself or getting someone else to install it.
If you are looking for a canopy for your vehicle then look no further than us at Hektik Automotive Group. We specialise in the supply and installation of a wide variety of automotive accessories, audio-visual and security systems.
Please call us today on (03) 9998 2504 or contact us through our website.
