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Your 4x4 ute will serve you well on any outdoor adventure, but adding a canopy really gives you that extra element of storage and flexibility on the road. The right canopies can help you take your offroad driving to the next level–not to mention they give your ute a rugged, tough look as well!
You may think it's possible to get by without a 4WD canopy, but there are so many ways these additions can improve your adventure experiences. If you’re unsure whether a canopy is right for your ute, here are a few points that will help you pick the right canopy for your needs.
What is a 4WD Canopy?
If you’ve just stumbled across this blog, you may be wondering what a 4WD canopy actually is. The word ‘canopy’ brings to mind covers and tents, which actually isn’t too far off! A 4WD canopy is a durable and strong cover that goes over the back of your 4WD ute to create an enclosed storage space, often larger than the storage you’d find in a 4WD that comes with its own fully enclosed boot storage.
These canopies can be made from canvas, fibreglass, aluminium and steel, with each having their own pros and cons:
What type of canopy will you choose? You’ll need to choose both the material and the style of the canopy when looking at any 4x4 canopies for sale. Let’s go through some of the other points you’ll need to consider.
What Will You Be Using Your Canopy For?
How do you plan on using your 4WD canopy? Will you be exploring rugged terrain with a full canopy of camping and hiking gear, or do you want a sleek and stylish canopy you can enjoy using every day for work? There are a great variety of canopy options for you to choose from that have different functions and designs.
- Open canopies have plenty of space for all your supplies but without any shelving, drawers or cubbies. This allows you to store larger objects easily, but you’ll also need to secure your things yourself to prevent them from sliding around inside the canopy. You can also create and add your own custom storage components if you prefer.
- Compartmentalised canopies have built-in storage and sometimes even facilities like slide-out kitchenettes and pantries. These canopies often have dedicated spaces for things like fridges, jerry cans and spare wheels, as well as drawers and racks for you to utilise. High-quality canopies will make these components removable, so you can take out and add what you need.
Consider how much storage you will need and how secure you will need your canopy to be as you travel.
Want more for your 4WD? Camping Adventures offers 4x4 accessory installation services.
What Weather Conditions Can You Expect?
If you’re taking your vehicle and its newly-fitted canopy out on the road, what kind of weather can you expect to encounter? Depending on the material your canopy is made of, some might be better than others.
A canvas canopy is suitable for sunny weather, but shouldn’t be used when you’re expecting hail, rain or heavy winds. If your canopy is made from any kind of metal, then make sure exposure to water won’t cause it to rust or corrode.
When choosing a canopy, make sure that it is correctly installed to weatherproof everything inside. If you’re not experienced in working on cars then it may be worth your while reaching out to a professional for installation.
Sharpen your installation skills by following along with our blog on How to Properly Install 4x4 Accessories, including additions like roof racks and bull bars.
How Often Will You Be Using Your Canopy?
Source: Camp King Sam’s Toyota N70 Hilux
Will your canopy be on a car that is used and exposed to the outdoors every day, or is it just going on your camping ute that you pull out twice a year? If it’s the former, it may be worth your while to spend your dollars on a high-quality canopy that will last you through thick and thin.
If your canopy isn’t going to be needed much or won’t be exposed outdoors often, you might be able to save money and use a canvas or low-quality metal canopy instead. Canvas is still a tough and flexible material, so is suitable for use for short trips where the danger of physical damage is low. Uncoated metal canopies can rust, but if they won’t be exposed to water and rain, then no problem!
Will You Need To Clean Your Canopy?
Whether from adventures driving off-road or if you’ve just left your 4WD parked out in the open, a canopy can and will get as dirty, just like the rest of your car does from the elements.
Dirt, vegetation, bird droppings and water can all leave stains on your 4WD canopy, so it’s important to make sure that, if you think yours will constantly need cleaning, that it’s easy for you to do so.
- Metal 4WD canopies, like those made from steel and aluminium, are easy to clean and can be wiped or even hosed down without damage to the canopy itself. If rust is a potential issue, make sure to dry your canopy afterwards.
- Fibreglass canopies can also be cleaned with water, but if you need to use cleaning products to remove stains, then choose a mild soap as some chemicals may damage their surface.
- Canvas canopies can be cleaned with water and scrubbed with a stiff brush to remove stains, but be aware that excessive scrubbing may weaken the canvas material.
Keeping your canopy clean goes hand in hand with ensuring it continues to function effectively–stains, rust and water damage can all weaken the integrity of your canopy and make it less effective at protecting your gear and staying in one piece. Make sure to choose a canopy you are able to clean as often as needed!
You can find all the cleaning supplies you need to use while camping in Camping Adventures’ Cleaning & Bathroom collection.
Why Choose Camp King Canopies?
When it comes to sourcing your 4WD canopy, there’s no better manufacturer than Camp King Industries. Their certified Australian-made canopies are made using locally made BlueScope Steel from a team with a combined 40 years of experience, and every canopy is one you can rely on!
Their aluminium canopies have customisable layouts and are handcrafted by their passionate team in Brisbane. Choose Camp King canopies for work or play–either way, you won’t be disappointed.
Check out the range of Camp King canopies for sale at Camping Adventures online!
Visit Camping Adventures For Quality Camp King 4WD Canopies
Source: FJ45 – Tray & Integrated Canopy – Explora_Downunder
Have you decided a 4WD canopy is what you need for your next trip around Australia? Camping Adventures is proud to supply 4WD canopies for sale at our online and physical stores. We offer Camp King canopies for sale to all our customers–simply give us a call at 03 9708 2946 to order your own customised 4WD canopy fitouts in Melbourne today!
If you have more questions about everything offroad and camping, call us or use our online request form to leave us a message. Our team loves everything to do with camping, four wheel driving and exploring our amazing country, and we’re on hand to help you find everything you need to make your next adventure a successful one.
