Dual cab utes have become very popular in Australia. They provide everything off-roaders and tradies need and make fantastic family vehicles. As great as they can be, most tradies and off-roaders need a tad bit more space than what utes provide in their stock form. As a result, the dual cab ute canopy market has also seen quite a boom. If you’re one of those people, you’ll be pleased to know that dual cab canopies are available in a range of styles, materials and accessories, giving you the freedom to choose one that will fit your needs and lifestyle perfectly.

Looking to store your tools safely in separate compartments for better organisation? Or are you looking to take all of your camping equipment and then some on your next trip off the beaten trail? Either way, there’s a solution that will suit you. Here’s what you need to know in order to find the ideal dual cab ute canopy for your needs.

Types of Dual Cab Canopies

Dual cab canopies come in a wide range of sizes, styles and designs, including tray and camper canopies. The materials also vary, and you can choose between aluminium, steel, canvas, fibreglass and ABS canopies. Moreover, there are canopies made to fit specific utes and body types, such as Hilux, Mazda, Nissan and Holden canopies. These canopies are designed to easily fit the body of your ute with minimum intrusion. As is the case with most other investments, your budget will be the deciding factor in how much you spend on a canopy.

There are basic, budget-friendly canopies, but a quality canopy from a reputable brand will come with extra safety features, such as lockable side windows, vents, tinted safety glasses, push-button opening windows, and rear-access or central locking. Additionally, canopies from reputable brands will be compatible with a wide range of accessories, including LED interior lights, anti-entrapment dials, high-spec adhesive and keyless entry, all of which can go a long way in improving the functionality and versatility of the canopy.

Your Options

As previously mentioned, your options are almost countless – from DIY canopies to off-the-shelf and custom-made, feature-packed ute canopies. That said, if a canopy you’re considering is too cheap and seems too good to be true – it probably is. There’s a good chance corners have been cut in terms of construction, the material used or how secure it is. And if that’s the case, corners have probably been cut in the manufacturing, testing and design processes, putting in question how ready the canopy is for the rough Australian environment.

Australian canopy manufacturers are some of the best in the world, simply because our environment is so demanding. For that reason, avoid buying cheap overseas products. You’ll find Australian-made canopies suitable for every type of ute, in any budget range, and for every lifestyle. Variations are available in a range of sizes and configurations, suitable for any type of tray or tub, and some come with interior configurations made to include toolboxes or roll-out drawers.

Additionally, you can choose a canopy with a model-specific shape and colour so that it blends with your vehicle perfectly. And while the basic design of canopies doesn’t change a lot between different models (each has a roof, walls, a door at the back and a window at the front), every canopy is flexible in terms of available storage and accessibility.

Some options include central locking, tie-down points, soft-close windows, climate control, in-built LED lighting, built-in storage solutions or even slide-out kitchens. Some models are bolted onto a tray, and can easily be removed in a matter of seconds.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay?

Canopies can cost anywhere between a few hundred dollars for a DIY model made using steel and canvas up to a few thousand dollars for an aluminium or fibreglass custom-made model. ABS plastic and fibreglass canopies cost at least $2000. Fortunately, when you pay that much you’ll typically get a few years warranty. Some manufacturers even offer lifetime warranties.

Some of the leading manufacturers in Australia are ARB, Ironman 4×4, Norweld, Renegade Industrial, Flexglass, Carryboy, Wolf 4×4, TJM and Opposite Lock.

Conclusion

Regardless of whether you’re an off-roader, tradie or a family man who needs extra storage space for their dual cab ute, there’s a dual cab ute canopy that will suit you and your ute. A good canopy will cost you a few thousand bucks, but it will pay for itself by giving you peace of mind knowing your belongings are safe and protected from theft and the elements. Dual cab ute canopies come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and they can be made to fit your specific ute model and make. Some models come with a range of features that enhance their functionality and versatility, but you can expect to pay extra.