Canopies or service bodies

Hi all

I often prefer to sleep in the ute on short trips but have struggled to find a suitable water and dust - tight option.

Any thoughts on whether its advisable to put a box or canopy on a timber-floored tray? I am wondering if water would be an issue, getting trapped in the timber or wicking along the gaps if you had an open shell on top. 


Here's some other thoughts I have after looking for a suitable canopy forever, which might assist others:

I have looked into canopies without ever getting to the point of buying one. If you buy a Chinese import, you get what you pay for. A local designer who happens to get things made overseas is the next most affordable option with the benefit of local understanding.

Canopies or service bodies need to be tougher for 4wd work as the body flexes and makes the canopy flex too. Aluminium fatigues / work hardens with bending so can experience brittle failure after a lot of use, also why aluminium aircraft bodies are considered to have a "life" and need regular checking.

If starting with a cheap canopy, by the time you add in your options, you've basically paid for an expensive one. So go more upmarket.

Are you looking to put a canopy on a tub? Then Flexiglass or ARB fibreglass are the best, but make sure you get the internal frame to support the racks.

A service body on the chassis is probably the ultimate solution but they are pricy.

Thoughts and contributions welcome.