ute canopies
Submitted: Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 13:58
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Steve
My old TJM one is not only looking a bit tired but the locks on the side windows have corroded and I feel I'm tempting fate with
tools in there, unlocked. I can't get replacement locks because they don't do this model anymore. Looks like I'll have to bite the bullet and get a newie. Now then....I do like the look of those metal jobs but at a minimum $5000/6000 the vinyl ones look tempting. My main question is, does the interior of the canopy get hot with those metal ones? Not that it matters too much for work purposes but I'm thinking of my fridge baking away and struggling against high ambient temps.
Reply By: Steve - Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 14:00
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 14:00
.....forgot to mention that I haven't discounted a canvas canopy but am thinking of security? and cleaning the thing, or do you just not clean it? :)
AnswerID:
350234
Reply By: Maîneÿ (wa) has - Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 14:40
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 14:40
Have you considered a full metal frame, with steel 'wire mesh' security sides and rear door, then all covered by canvas.
I saw this some place and it looked good and secure too.
I remember the 'security wire mesh' was about 2 inch apart, so no little hands could get in there and was welded to the inside of the frame and the canvas was covering everything over the outside (obviously) of the frame with a gap of about 50mm (thickness of the steel frame) between them.
The canvas was fully removable.
Mainey . . .
AnswerID:
350237
Follow Up By: Steve - Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 15:01
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 15:01
sounds ok to me. The mesh would be handy to hand stuff onto.
Now, where in NSW?
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ (wa) has - Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 15:15
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 15:15
Go round to your local engineering co, get them to make the 'cage' to fit your vehicle - tell them you will be putting a canvas cover (almost tent effect) over the 'cage' so it has to be finished clean and with no sharps and have it made as a removable item.
Yes, the small 'weldmesh' type security grill would be stable and suitable to hang things from.
Mainey . . .
FollowupID:
618531
Follow Up By: Steve - Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 17:11
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 17:11
sounds worth looking at. Is that a white 75 series in your profile that you had the same cage/canvas set up?
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ (wa) has - Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 17:37
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 17:37
No
Mainey . . .
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618560
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 15:28
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 15:28
Mine is all aluminium and painted 2pak white. I recently travelled to
Sydney in 45 degree heat, and the inside of the canopy never got above 49 degrees.
I think white is a good colour, and I think it helps to have no windows.
Had a mate who replaced the side windows of the FRP top on his 73series with perspex lift up windows - it have him great access to the stuff in the rear. He used stainless steel hinges and fittings from UESInt.
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Follow Up By: Steve - Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 17:16
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 17:16
Phil,
That's the alternative I'm looking at. In fact it was exactly what I had in mind - still not as cool as my current vinyl job even though it has very dark tinted windows. It looks a lot "cooler" though, if you get my drift ;)
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 17:54
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 17:54
I think ventilation can be a negative as well. Mine is pretty much sealed. If you don't have hot air going in, it stays cool inside for longer. And I thought about insulation, but decided against it - I don't believe it would make any difference and might prevent the inside from cooling down at night. I have a thermometer probe in the canopy, with the gauge in the cab, so I know whats going on back there.
Like you said, the downside with a solid canopy is the price. An Ebay
shop here in
Adelaide is selling a copy of mine that drops onto a tray and fitted out, wants $20,000+ each!!!
But in my opinion, the best fun is designing it to suit your own needs and style of camping. And refining the fitout is something that you keep doing. So I prefer starting with an empty box and working from there.
Have fun
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Reply By: Steve - Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 17:19
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 17:19
at the moment I have two l-o-o-o-n-g drawers that pull out but I'm wondering how much benefit you actually get from a drawer system. The false/raised floor brings it's own limitations. Might take it out. Anyone for a pair of ply drawers going cheapish?
AnswerID:
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Reply By: RobAck - Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 17:20
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009 at 17:20
Steve I had a look at one of the metal canopies this morning as part of planning a replacement support vehicle. I was impressed with the quality, weight (around 80kg) compared to around 60kg for a plastic one and the fact that they can certainly carry a load on top as well.
Sealing which is always an issue seems to have been nicely resolved, except for the tailgate as usual and it had a nice finish which came down over the edge of the tray rather than sitting on top of the edge of the sides of the ute. This also improves strength and reduces dust ingress. Along with a heated rear window it was a nicely featured product
Regards
RobA
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