Canopies and toolboxes are the additions that most ute owners choose to install before anything else. Sitting on tubs or trays, these aftermarket accessories make the most of the available space and are one way in personalising your vehicle to meet specific needs. Tradies will want a smaller toolbox or fully kitted canopy for the practicality and versatility these add-ons bring. And anyone into serious off-roading is only limited by imagination as to what to fit inside for that ultimate off-roading adventure.
Why Have a Canopy Fitted?
Canopies widen the scope of ‘utility’ in ‘utility trucks’. They not only look purposeful but increase the overall storage capacity of the vehicle, meaning drivers can carry everything they need in a single go. This can be tools, building materials, heavy equipment, or off-road and camping gear. Owners will have peace of mind knowing all stored items are safe and secure, with metal variants particularly good at keeping away thieves and bad weather at bay.
Which Type of Canopy is Right for Me?
There are dozens of varieties of canopies. They differ as to the material used in their construction, how they fit on trays, tubs or the chassis, overall sizes and cab compatibility, as well as the distinct features that go into their design. Full on-tray and chassis-mounted canopies made of aluminium or steel seem to be some of the more popular choices. They’re regarded as a permanent fix, being bolted to the tray bed or directly to the chassis rails and this is where they stay. The few hundred kilos pressing on the back axle isn’t something you’ll be toying with quite often.
But what if you need the tray for other purposes? Say slugging around bulky building materials, smaller pieces of machinery, or a couple of bikes. These will have a hard time fitting into any sized canopy. Your only option here is a lift-off or jack off canopy which can be jacked up right off the tray bed at any time you find convenient. Four legs, placed at each corner, lift the canopy off the tray bed to a safe height. The design certainly has its pros, especially compared to the permanent fixtures that will take hours and some serious manpower to be safely removed.
Pros of Jack Off Canopies
One of the reasons you’ll be looking at a jack off ute canopy is the flexibility in terms of the type of loads you can carry. Almost every ute canopy is limited in height to 860mm or in line with the height of the cabin. Any taller items with some heft just won’t fit. The advantage of having a jack off ute canopy is that you can use it for work or when off-roading and loaded with the usual equipment, but still have the versatility of an empty tray for anything else.
Removing the canopy off the tray can be done in a matter of minutes. Each leg slots into inserts built into the sides. The legs themselves are heavy-duty, freestanding jacks that can easily take the weight of a bigger canopy clad in metal and all the contents inside. Once off, just turn the key in the dash (or press the button) and drive off. Getting the canopy back on is just as easy.
Canopies do add considerable weight, and strain on brakes, tyres, and suspension components. Jack off ute canopies can significantly reduce fuel consumption, with the canopy off and stored in a secure location. You can use the ute for daily errands without the extra weight holding you back. And you’ll be spending less on maintenance and replacement parts.
Not everyone wants to keep really expensive tools or equipment on the back of the tray. While all canopies are built to a standard, they can still be tampered with. And things are stolen. A jack off ute canopy lets you decide where anything inside the canopy, and the canopy itself, will be stored before it needs to be placed back on the ute tray.
Lastly, a jack off canopy can be used across multiple utes. This is a boon for businesses and saves money.
What to Look for in Lift-Off Canopies
As with standard variants, lift-off ute canopies need to be built right. After all, there is where you’ll be keeping thousands of dollars of gear. To keep weight down, while not forgoing overall strength, aluminium is used. This is in thicker sheeting on the floor than what you’d find in a standard canopy, in order to support the weight when sitting on the legs. Side walls and ceilings are also reinforced. Rubber seals keep out water and dust.
Most lift-off variants are in the gull wing design, with doors opening to each side. Opt for gas struts for smooth opening and closing. The exterior features integrated folding locks that sit flush against the rest of the build. Milled finishes are popular, but so are coatings in different colours and with added weather resistance.
Both the interior and exterior can be customised as buyers see fit. This can include shelving, pantries, sliding drawers, and other additions inside, and jerry can and spare tyre holders, built-in ladders and racks on the outside. Some canopy builders also offer four galvanised steel legs as part of the whole package.
