Vehicles nowadays are getting bigger and bigger. Even small hatchbacks are increasing their wheelbase and boot capacity which leads to bot lengthier and taller vehicles. Well if the size of a vehicle is what you're for then you won't have to worry about it if you go for a ute. Utes are some of the most versatile vehicles as not only do they offer more space for you to stretch your legs, they also offer lots of storage space. With a vehicle such as a ute, you also get great visibility.
Since your ride height is much higher than a sedan you get o to enjoy the comfort of driving an SUV just with a lot more space for your camping gear. If you are an adventurous person or someone who wants to explore the wild then coupling a ute with a 1200 canopy is something you should definitely consider. This way you will increase storage capacity even more and add other functionalities to your ute.
What to Look for in a 1200 Ute Canopy
Material
To reap the benefits of a ute canopy though, you need to look for some key features. One of these crucial factors is the material the canopy is made of. For example, if you want a simple shelter at night then go for a canvas canopy. If you want a strong 1200 ute canopy then go for one made either of steel or aluminium. Steel ute canopies are stronger than aluminium ones but they are also heavier which means your ute will use more fuel.
Aluminium canopies are better at fending off corrosion right off the bat while steel ones require a coating to be applied and maintained. There are also canopies made of fibreglass. They are a better option than canvas ones since they have some sturdiness to them but they are not as heavy as aluminium or steel canopies. Of course, this means that they are not as secure too.
Weight
Talking about heavy and light canopies, you can't go for the lightest or the heaviest there is. Why? Because in doing so you lose out on things such as fuel efficiency and security depending on how heavy the canopy is. It's important to get a 1200mm ute canopy that will keep your items safe without going over the load-carrying capacity of your vehicle.
Security
When it comes to the level of security a 1200 canopy has to offer, you need to pay attention to its construction and whether or not it comes with locks. The addition of locks is a major step in making a canopy safe but also is the addition of weatherproof protection. If a ute canopy has rubber seals between the door openings it means water won't get inside and your gear won't get wet.
Accessories
Installing a ute canopy is going to give you the addition of installing some accessories that you couldn't before. These include lights, a ladder, air tanks, toolboxes and more. You can even hook up a battery and solar system as well as electrical fit outs.
Types of 1200 Ute Canopies
Tray
The most basic ute canopy you can get comes in the form of a tray. If you need a place to store rugged equipment or to haul around items that are not affected by the elements then a simple tray canopy is going to do it for you. Tray canopies are also easy to install and remove. Just ensure that the canopy is corrosion resistant and you'll enjoy its benefits for a long time.
Well Body
A well body 1200 canopy is one that will make the back of your ute more visually appealing. This type of ute canopy fits your ute's exact tub dimensions, meaning it sits flush in the tub. Why get a well body ute canopy? Because it will provide an enclosed space for you to store in your ute's existing storage capacity. This means there is not much weight being added and you get to keep the existing look of your ute.
Chassis
The most time consuming and modifiable 1200 ute canopy you can get is a chassis mount canopy. This type of 1200mm ute canopy can also be removed and installed whenever you want it's just that you need some tools and more time to do so than with a tray canopy. The main reason why you would want to get a chassis mount ute canopy is because of its versatility. You can double the storage space on your ute and you can even add all the accessories mentioned above. The latter is the case if you get a chassis canopy with adequate mounting points.
Conclusion
Every ute owner can see the benefits of its vehicle as they are clear as day. But what not every ute owner can realise right away is the versatility they get by having a canopy installed on their ute. As long as you get the right canopy for your ute you will see that added weight can be beneficial in so many ways - ones that you haven't even taught of.
