The essential guide to ute canopies and tray styles

If you’re thinking about buying a new ute, and use it to carry stuff, you’re going to need our essential guide to ute canopies and tray styles

THE BASICS

Most utes arrive as standard with a tub unless you select the factory tray option. Tubs and factory trays are only two of a large number of cargo-carrying options available. Some people will choose an option for the back of their ute based on work, others based on recreation. If you’re not sure what suits you best, you’re reading the right feature.

Keep in mind though, whatever you add to the back of your ute is weight. The weight of each option affects your GVM and your available payload, which will determine what you can load into and also tow with the vehicle.

Having a canopy might allow you to load more into the back of the ute, but that’s not always a good idea. It may be beneficial for some if done carefully, as it would allow you to shift some weight from a van or trailer into the car. It is possible to keep your payloads legal and safe and make the most of the option you choose.

There is also the possibility that the extra weight might affect your suspension, brakes and steering if it’s too heavy or packed incorrectly. You don’t want to become one of those busted ute images circling the internet so again thought has to be given to what you pack and what you tow.

Lastly, consider is how you want to pack and access your gear. For example, if you’re camping or touring you want something that makes life easier and more enjoyable to use. If you just want to get out and get onto the hard four-wheel-drive spots, then access to recovery gear or spare tyres as well as weight and ground clearance might be more important to you. Some options might allow both, but it’s usually a trade-off one way or another.

THE OPTIONS

FLAT TRAY

Most flat trays from dealers are aluminium with fold-down and removable sides (courier-style). Aftermarket trays can be made to your size/requirements and there are plenty of small engineering and fabrication businesses that make beautiful looking trays. Some people skilled with a welder will make a custom tray themselves (Good option if you have the skills as you’ll save some money.)

PROS:

Easy to load stuff onto a tray as they have no sides

Light weight

No need for a tub liner

CONS:

No security unless you add a lockable trundle tray or toolboxes

No water/dust protection

Can’t load anything that’s not solid onto tray unless it’s contained (think dirt/sand/gravel/rubbish)

TRAY WITH SIDES/FACTORY TUB

Most dealers sell some form of factory tray with sides, many in aluminium. There are heaps of aftermarket options available in aluminium and steel. Tubs are usually standard on most new utes these days. They are mostly an open-top steel tub with solid sides and a drop-down tailgate.

PROS:

Able to load loose items into tray with sides or tub (dirt/sand/gravel/bark/rubbish)

Tray with sides has the ability to remove them becoming a flat tray, which a tub can’t do.

CONS:

No security in standard form

No water or dust protection

Tubs only have best access at the rear

VINYL TONNEAU COVER (FACTORY/AFTERMARKET)

Vinyl tonneau covers have come a long way in looks and fitment to the covers of old. A lot of new-style tonneau covers fit nicely with sail tracks and plastic mouldings on the cover and aluminium extrusions on the side of the tray or tub. Some still use bungee cord and plastic holders like the older-style covers.

PROS:

Light weight

Easy to remove and store

Suit single- or dual-cab models

Can be stretched/manoeuvred over larger items or just rolled forward

CONS:

Security, you can’t lock a soft tonneau cover

Dust and water sealing issues (better than uncovered tray or tub)

Can pool water on top if not fitted correctly or don’t have a spreader bar in the middle

Material can deteriorate due to exposure

Can cause rubbing or wear to paint if used on a tub

SPORTS-STYLE HARD LIDS

Usually a hard fibreglass lid that wraps around the top of the tub and raises and lowers on gas struts. Often they are two-piece; a small fixed piece upfront, allowing the fitment of sports bars and the large rear piece that raises and lowers to allow access to the tub.

PROS:

Look nice in a smooth finish and colour coded to match the vehicle

Some versions available in trade-style aluminium tops

Some allow fitment of racks

Good security

Good weather protection

Numerous options that still allow fitment of a sports bar

CONS:

Often have average dust protection

Limit height of items that can be placed in the tub when secured

Can’t easily remove or store

Can’t leave open when driving

Makes access to the front of the tub harder

Loaded racks on top make the lid heavier and harder to use

ROLL-TOP LOCKABLE COVER

Think roller door or roller shutter on the back for your ute. They are a similar principle using an aluminium cover that retracts into a house at the front of the tub. Most are opened manually but there are some models that are electric and open and close with the push of a button.

PROS:

Better security

Reasonably lightweight option

Usually available from factory (standard on some higher-end models)

Numerous aftermarket options available

Better dust and water sealing than a soft cover

Can be left open while driving

Improved access to sides of tub (compared to a sports-style hard lid)

CONS:

Limits height of items that can be placed in tub when closed

Some roll-top covers are expensive

Some don’t allow for sports bars or ladder racks to be fitted (but some do!)

Can’t place items directly on the roll-top

FIBREGLASS/ABS/STEEL CANOPIES

As the name suggests, these are large fibreglass or ABS canopies that sit on top of a factory tub and usually fasten down with a bracket or clamping system. Most canopies have allowances for roof racks and come with varied ratings for what weight can be placed on top. Most canopies have windows on both sides and front and a lift-up rear door.

PROS:

Good security (windows lock and some have central locking)

Better dust and water resistance than a soft cover

Ability to fit-out with drawers/fridge, etc. and increased storage height

Numerous options to choose from

Options available in fibreglass and steel and can be colour-coded to match the car

Can fit roof racks and other accessories with most canopies allowing a 70-150kg weight rating on top

CONS:

Reasonably heavy with most fibreglass canopies being 70-80 kilos empty (needs to be taken into account in vehicle payload figures)

Still not perfect at keeping dust out (can be improved with tailgate seals and roof vents)

Reduces ability to use tub for carting dirt/sand or tall items

Some canopies reduce visibility out the back of the ute, especially at night

ALUMINIUM CANOPY

Pretty much what you see on the back of every serious TV show four-wheel-drive vehicle. These are the crème de la crème when it comes to ute camping and touring. Often custom built and can be customised to no end. An excellent example of this is Pat’s latest Amarok canopy masterpiece; let’s be honest, who doesn’t want beer on tap and a coffee machine when camping out bush!

PROS:

Lightweight but strong

Plenty of options for custom-made canopies, so it’s easy to get what you want

Often they have an option to remove the canopy from the tray with jacks meaning you can leave it at home or base camp and go exploring

Great water and dust-sealing abilities

Look great

CONS:

Expensive acquisition (some will not bring change from $20K)

Solid canopies reduce total rearward visibility so a rear-mounted camera will add to the cost

They can be hard to remove and will take up a fair bit of room for storage

SERVICE BODIES/EX TRADE

These are usually the type of canopy you see on the Telstra and government vehicles. They are mostly steel and often quite big with multiple, even gull-wing doors. In the aftermarket you can create all manner of service bodies to suit you from trade to recreation to a combination unit that doubles up.

PROS:

Can often be picked up cheap if you locate one second-hand (think Gumtree, auctions, etc.)

Solid built and strong – designed for tradies and work vehicles

CONS:

Can be quite heavy depending on build material and quality

Designed for work more than play (may need some customisation for your use)

Probably not as well sealed as a custom aluminium canopy

They get used and abused before being sold off

May be harder to locate second hand for certain types of vehicles (outside fleet use)

CONCLUSION

Ultimately, your choice will come down to what you drive, what you tow, what you want to carry, and how often. Utes are a great vehicle option, especially when you get the right set-up on the back.

The above list, including the company links, is not exhaustive, but hopefully, it will give you places to start looking. As for prices, there are so many variables your best bet is to call the companies you’re interested in and obtain current pricing.

Forums and social media are also full of recommendations from people that have the products you might want. It’s one of the great things about the caravanning, camping and four-wheel-driving community. People are always willing to offer advice; you just need to ask, and then filter!

I have a factory tub and factory fibreglass canopy. I bought the car second hand and that’s what the original owner decided suited him best. I’ve added drawers, a fridge slide and a battery set-up. It’s seen some great trips away, but it limits what I can put in the back and things about it bother me. For many, the tray or tub is the main reason for getting a ute. I’m not sure it’s the option I’d go for again.

Now, I often ask myself, would a wagon suit me better than a ute? There are pros and cons to both vehicles, and you can read all about that here