Alloy Ute Canopy - which one?

Hi Laz

I have an alloy canopy made by Dave’s Metal Products in Sydney and like you quality was my top requirement.

This is the second canopy Dave Vella has made for me. The other was on a similar vehicle.

I’ll unashamedly sing Dave’s praise and if you are looking for quality give him a look.

This current vehicle and canopy has done plenty of off-Track work and has been put through its paces.

Good luck with whatever you choose and you can see photos on my profile page.

Feel free to email me if you would like more information, email also on profile page...

Cheers, Baz - The Landy

Ps. Just realised you were seeking feedback on the list you prepared...! Do yourself a favour and check out Dave Vella.
Daves Metal Products

I have a CSM canopy and unhesitatingly recommend it for its build quality and design.

A major one is no lip or sill at the bottom of the doors, which means everything that slides - drawers, fridge slide, whatever - doesn't have to be lifted 50mm or so to clear the door lip. That saves on wasted space.

Wiring is hidden in enclosed ducts in the 4 corners. There are two cable entry points, one each side, which feed into those ducts so you can add cabling of your own as necessary. They accept proper cable glands.

As an option, the door locks can be integrated with the vehicle's central locking system. You also get a door open or door unlocked alarm as part of the same option package.

Super high quality 2 pack paint, colour coded to your vehicle if you wish.

Excellent door seals. I chose to have a rear door which cops the worst of the dust and it was almost 100% dustproof. I added some thin foam tape to fix it. The two side doors were fine.

The roof has Unistrut channels to accommodate adjustable roof bars. It is also reinforced inside so will easily accept the weight of your RTT, including dynamic loads caused by rough roads and, ahem, nocturnal activities. LOL

A couple of points, though ...

I was sold the upgraded "Easy Slam" door locks which work the same way as car doors - just slam them shut. If they still do those, then instead choose the standard locks where you twist the handle then fold it down. Reason being the Easy Slam doors need vents in the canopy to expel air when the last door is slammed shut. Vents let dust in. I had to seal the vents, which then meant the last door could not be slammed shut without a ridiculous amount of effort. I now shut the door onto the safety latch, then have to push very hard at each bottom corner to fully latch it shut. A couple of travelling buddies with the same canopy have the twist type locks and don't have the issues I have.

Easy Slam doors have two latches per door. If they still do the Easy Slam doors and you go with them, you will need to ask them to put the lock monitoring on EVERY latch.Mine came with monitoring on only one latch per door. It was possible to have no alarm although one latch on a door could be partially unlatched, allowing dust entry. Doing both latches is trivial and should be standard.

Cheers

I'd add MFI Service Bodies to your list - I had one of their steel canopies on my previous Hilux for eight years and it was exceptional; not a speck of dust inside.
They do aluminium as well and provide a lot of canopies for the various emergency services. Dallas Needham is the business owner and they will design to your specifications.
They used to be at Warragul in Victoria, but recently moved closer towards Melbourne (Pakenham I think, but you could google them).
I have no relationship with the business apart from being a satisfied customer - I had my canopy custom made after seeing one of their products on the road.
Cheers

Have you spoken to any of these mobs about what you want and what your budget is at all?...you may be on the light side of what an ally canopy costs is what i’m thinking if you want powdercoated over a plain chequer plate box, but it does come down to what extras you may want or not...so who knows you may squeeze in.
I have a Spinafex powdercoated ally canopy on my dual cab 79, the canopy is now several years old and done a few outback trips (Plenty Hwy, Lambert’s Centre of Australia, Darling River Run, Flinders Ranges, Oodnadatta and Strzelecki Tracks, Cameron Corner to Wanaaring via Sturt National Park and more...so plenty of dirt roads)...the canopy never let any dust in on our last outback adventure in September, no positive pressure vents or the like required, it just seals as is.
Just to be upfront here...my vehicle actually features in thier tv ad, and I was looked after some on it’s price in return for it being used in thier advertising, I have no financial interests in the company, but was looked after by a mate involved with them.... i’m happy with the canopy to date regardless. I like the fact the canopy is dual skinned with insulation between the inner and outer skins and that it hides all wiring, also that it doesn’t have side wings that return in where the door closes against (means a wider opening and full access into canopy). Also like the fact you can walk on the roof of the canopy which I regularly do tieing stuff on the carry racks, have seen the company owner jump up and down on one at thier Slacks Creek factory to show us the strength of them.
Good luck with your choice, plenty of decent companies out there to choose from.

We've got an alloy canopy from Dynamic, in Hervey Bay. It's a bare shell, with 3 doors & 3 windows, one being a slider. It cost $7,200 almost 3 years ago. Have done about 8 Simpson and/or Madigan crossings in that time as well as an epic trip for almost 6 weeks through SA, WA & NT last June.



Except for a bit of wear on the rear door's slam locks, have had no dramas.

Few things I'd change if getting another one:

Plan to reduce length of canopy so one has a short, 200-300mm, step at the rear, to stand on if loading etc.

Change front & rear windows to be clear, instead of tinted, so one can see through & into the canopy with sunnies on.



This side extrusion is a big plus for Dynamic canopies. Moulded sail track, for mounting awnings etc and a keyway that accepts the head of an 8mm bolt. Just the thing for mounting assorted rails and racks.

Don't be lulled into thinking, because the canopy is aluminium, it will be light. Certainly lighter than steel, but the more "stuff" you add, the less room you'll have to keep at or under your GVM.

Bob

Hi Laz

I am about to order a CSM canopy for a dual cab Dmax. At 1850w x 1650l[or you can get 1800l] x 1000h[optional 900h] with just the side doors and rear quarter boxes. The canopy itself weighs 215kg plus the two boxes which isn't to bad for $11400 fitted. They also come with 3 year 100,000km warranty.

Cheers Matt

Hi Laz
A recommendation if I may , no matter who you elect to go with consider having a “door adjar” alarm fitted and for convenience connect it to your vehicles central locking.
I have a “bosston” (not on your list) canopy for my Isuzu spacecab and the door adjar alarm has paid for itself several times. If you can imagine its not a nice look to drive in or out of your garage with a side canopy door open, plus it can be expensive – just ask my BIL.
Very happy with my bosston canopy, if you were located on the West coast (Perth) I would recommend you give them a look, they produce an excellent product.
Cheers.

Hi Laz,
It would be worth a visit to KT’s Welding at Clontarf.
Excellent quality and good to work with.
Manufactured a canopy and frame to go straight onto the chassis of my DMAX at a very competitive price.
Cheers
Pedro