The canopy buyers guide you didn’t know you needed

Choosing the right canopy doesn't need to be a dark art. Unsealed 4X4 contributor Josh Leonard imparts a little wisdom from the road

There are few modifications more versatile than a canopy; there’s a reason almost everyone loves them. Even die-hard tub fans will admit in terms of safe storage, modularity and ease of setup, there’s just no beating ‘em. 

Canopies have become synonymous with the Australian Ute and we’ve paved the way to creating some of the best in the world. When wheelers from abroad imagine an Aussie build you can bet your 10mm socket on them picturing it with a decked-out canopy. 

With their ever-increasing popularity and a host of players in the market – including one exciting new one, which canopy should you go for?

Well, I can’t tell you. It’s just too subjective; you can liken purchasing a canopy to buying a house. You can buy off the plan. But that means compromising on your personal tastes, wants and needs – but it’ll be cheaper. Or you can call in the tradies and option up one to be built exactly how you want it. Which’ll be more expensive. 

So, instead of telling you which one you should buy, allow me to introduce the players in the field and what they’re capable. I’ll let you make up your mind. 

Tray and canopy V chassis mount

There’s an important thing you need to consider when choosing what canopy you’re going to pull the trigger on. That’s how you plan on mounting it to your vehicle. The two options are the largely traditional tray and canopy set-up, which at the crux of it is a flat tray fixed to the body mounts on your chassis with a canopy then secured to the tray. 

This option provides the most versatility – if you purchase a ‘jack-off’ canopy (No, not that kind of jack-off), it allows you to run a flat tray when you want or need to. When the situation dictates it you can drop the canopy on. It’s practically the most attainable way of making your car a Transformer and is just another reason why this is a good option. 

Then you have chassis-mounted canopies. This is a canopy fixed directly to the body mounts on your chassis, meaning there is no tray, and the canopy is a permanent fixture. Unless you unbolt it, obviously. While they’ve always been an option on the market, there are more and more brands offering chassis-mounted canopies. If you look closely next time you go for a drive, there’s a good chance you’ll spot one. 

Having never owned a chassis-mounted canopy myself, I gave Jamie at SAAE in South Australia a buzz to chat about why someone would choose a chassis-mounted canopy over a tray and canopy package so I could give you guys the lowdown. 

“They’re also generally a cheaper option when compared to a tray and canopy package”

Jamie explained there are a few reasons a chassis-mounted canopy is a worthwhile option when it comes to choosing your setup. “If you’re after a permanent solution, then it’s worthwhile considering this style of mounting. It’s arguably a stronger way of mounting your canopy because it’s bolting directly to your chassis. They’re also significantly lighter because you’ve eliminated the weight of a tray. Having eliminated the tray, they’re also generally a cheaper option when compared to a tray and canopy package.” 

If looks are important to you – chassis-mounted canopies are generally the better-looking option with fewer gaps and a more factory-fit look to them. Perfect for all of you guys doing a ‘game-changing’ Instagram build on your LC79. 

The contenders

EzToolBox

Based in Victoria EzToolBox have a setup at an affordable price that suits everyone from tourers to tradies. 

Pieced together and powder-coated locally, EzToolbox caters to those looking for a setup that offers the same versatility as the more prominent brands without having to sell your beer-drinking hand to get it. They’ve put in the hard yards and built products that are designed to be bolted on and ready for work with none of the tough yakka pouring over designs and custom concepts. Though, if custom is what you want – they can help you out with that too.

GWorks

Their slogan is “Innovative and Durable” and I’d have to agree with them on that. GWorks is another Aussie manufacturer providing quality trays and canopies for Aussies to thrash out on the tracks. I’ve always been a big fan of the GWorks design, which even on older vehicles brings a subtle yet modern touch. 

GWorks say they’re adamant about making canopies that outlast the vehicle they were originally put on. They design them “with the future in mind” and aim to give their customers the ability to fit their old GWorks canopy to their new vehicle with a few simple tweaks. 

Hunted Engineering

Hunted Engineering in Victoria has made a name for itself by creating some of the best-looking canopies on the market. 

“These are true evolutionary and bespoke built canopies that suit the most fastidious of customers”

With over 15 years of experience, their fabricators are true artists who take an undeniable amount of pride in their work and use their talents to make their customer’s dreams come to life. These are true evolutionary and bespoke built canopies that suit the most fastidious of customers.

With a solid background in the hunting, camping and outdoor scene their offerings reflect the wants and needs of true bush men and women. They’ve worked hard to provide a product that pushes the envelope and looks as good as it performs. 

Mits Alloy

There’s no denying Mits have done a fantastic job marketing its products. So there’s a good chance you’ve heard of them before. Now, you can learn a bit more about them! Mits employs around 75 people and manufactures their gear in Newcastle, NSW. 

For those keen to keep their hard-earned within the Southern Land, you can rest easy knowing that Mits is a certified Australian Made product. Now, they may be a relatively young player within a legion of old-timers but Cathy Freeman won her first Commonwealth Gold Medal when she was 16. Like Cathy, Mits have founded international success. 

Mits manufacture both trays and canopies. One thing a potential buyer should know is that a Mits canopy will only work with a Mits tray and vice versa. With offerings for most vehicles, you should be covered no matter what you drive. Mits also have a broad range of internal offerings designed to help you get the most out of your useable space and compliment the build.

Their recipe for success was more than just marketing know-how. Y’know that old saying? “Build a quality product and they will come” well, I have a feeling that’s exactly what’s happened here. 

Norweld

Norweld has been in the game for donkey years, 50 donkey years to be exact. I can guarantee you’ve seen their canopies in the wild more than once. They’ve created an almost cult following, providing high-quality products built for the Aussie bush since their inception. There are a few things Norweld do extremely well. Providing completely dustproof trundle drawers and canopies as well as out-of-the-box performance and versatility. 

With modular formats to suit almost every vehicle on the market and custom offerings Norweld is a premium product. With that does come a premium price tag. 

Why Norweld?

Norweld provides both heavy-duty alloy trays and canopies using high-grade materials and manufactures in Australia. Their products are designed to look great and perform in harsh conditions. Whether you opt for a ‘jack-off’ or full-time setup you’ll receive an unconditional Guarantee for Life Against Faulty Workmanship. 

SAAE Australia

While SAAE has years of experience in building canopies, they’re an exciting new initiative hailing from South Australia.

Specialising in chassis-mounted canopies, SAAE can build everything from one-off bespoke canopies to more basic builds. No matter which offering you go with, your canopy will be 100% hand built in South Australia. All using class-leading materials such as 3mm 5083 high-tensile marine grade plate and will be a true ‘one-piece’ product, meaning there are no screws or rivets.

Built with overland tourers in mind their canopies offer higher corrosion resistance and greater tensile and strength yield in a lightweight package. This provides peace of mind when touring the tough stuff and tackling kilometre after kilometre of corrugated outback roads. 

WHAT ELSE SAAE OFFER

SAAE say they’re committed to building the canopy of a tourer’s dreams. They’ll make it almost any size you want and provide interior LED lighting and integrated central locking as standard. 

Rather smartly, they have door switches for their lights that are also tied into your vehicle’s standard ‘open door’ warning light. These prompt the driver to jump out and shut a canopy door when it’s open. Hopefully before they rip it off on a tree which believe me, happens more than you think. 

Their canopies are built to house factory parking sensors and reverse cameras. You can option them up with all the accessories you need. Things such as jerry can and gas cylinder holders, spare wheel mounts, ladders, racks, solar panel mounts. A myriad of interior fit-out options and even a rear ledge. They are also professionally prepared and painted using premium products and can be colour-matched to your vehicle or provided in any other colour you can conjure up. 

Trig Point

Trig Point offer service bodies as well as both trays and canopies. Something Trig Point have mastered is constructing a service body that looks like it came straight from the factory. Behind their smart-looking designs is smart construction. Their builds feature a monocoque design, rear power distribution and accessories, flat floors, and a roof capable of being loaded up to 300KGs. 

Zone RV

Zone RV has been part of some well-known builds. They pulled out all the stops when they built a fully optioned ute-based camper for Unsealed 4X4s own Dan Everett, which featured everything you could imagine. Including the kitchen sink. 

“Zone RV took the multitude of skills they shaped and honed while building off-road caravans and introduced them to the manufacturing process of their new canopies”

They’re about to pull the trigger on what is purported to be the most lightweight canopy ever offered in Australia. Weighing in at a minuscule 140KG, Zone RV took the multitude of skills they shaped and honed while building off-road caravans and introduced them to the manufacturing process of their new canopies. 

They’ve kept the weight down and the structure strong by using vacuum-infused marine fibreglass, an alloy frame and base with a flush floor that provides for easy clean-ups after your big adventure. Not stopping there Zone RV has also fully insulated its lightweight canopy to help you keep the beers cool.