Canopy for new Hilux

Submitted: Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 10:35
ThreadID: 83485 Views:3619 Replies:7 FollowUps:2
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I am looking for info and feed back on canopies . I am planing to place a roof top tent on and plan todo lots of out back driving.
So far I have looked at the following and would say I am leaning towards the caddy trades type
Flexiglass
ARB
Caddy
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Reply By: Bushranger1 - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 11:03

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 11:03
I have had an ARB canopy on both my Hilux's & they are bulletproof.

Had my first Hilux for 13 years & the canopy still looked like new. My brother in law bought his Hilux when I did & he got another brand canopy & after 13 years it looked rather worse for wear. Would rather not name the manufacturer because to be fair they may have changed the type of material they use now.

Can't go past any of the ARB gear as my experience over the last 23 years leads me to not go anywhere else.
AnswerID: 440954

Follow Up By: Member - Bucky - Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 07:58

Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 07:58
Bushranger1

Gotta agree with you 100% on that one

I had one put on a 1989 4 door Holden Rodeo ute, back then and loved it.
ARB was the only one that was made from some type of Vinyl, and not fiberglass.
Could not kill it.

Alll the others were made from fibreglass, and on the real rough going they will surley crack. Maybe not all, but the vast majority will sucome to the riggors of the outback driving.

Cheers
Bucky
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FollowupID: 712994

Reply By: wato35 - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 11:57

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 11:57
Hi Jimmmy

I too have a Hilux with an ARB Canopy on it. Its been on for 4 years now and has done a 6 month trip around Aust on roads like the Gibb River Rd.
The only problem I found was the locks on the canopy windows not working after they got too much dust in them. I fixed that with small lengths of bike tube cut so it covers the lock.
Hope this helps.

Regards

Wato
AnswerID: 440961

Follow Up By: Bushranger1 - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 12:47

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 12:47
G,day Wato,

Yep similar issue with dust in them but no big deal.
You just reminded me that on one of my locks the grub screw came loose (after 290,000 km) & the latch fell off somewhere in the sand. Went to Dandy ARB with the intention of purchasing a new one. They gave me one free of charge. Hows that for service on a canopy thats 11 year old & done 290,000 km!

Cheers
Stu
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FollowupID: 712874

Reply By: Kimba10 - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 13:02

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 13:02
Had Flexiglass on my old lux which had done 300 thou when I sold it a couple of years ago, never had any issues except if I can recomend one thing that would be to get lift up windows either side as its a pain reaching in through the back or only one side all the time and you can bet your life it the thing you want will be out of reach and be where you dont have access to it. Im going back to a hilux, I miss the extra room available compared to my prado, great for the beach etc, just throw all the wet towles,dog etc in the rear and hose out when you get home. Regards Steve
AnswerID: 440965

Reply By: Member - John G- Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 15:58

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 15:58
G'day Jimmmy

We have a 2000 Hilux purchased in 2003 with a Carryboy canopy which was on the vehicle when we bought it. Paint began peeling in 2006 - so six years (maybe less) from new and the vehicle was garaged at least from 2003, but judging by general condition, it had always been garaged.

If "caddy trades type" means the side windows open upwards and outwards, then I reckon that's the best option whatever make you go for.

Cheers
John
AnswerID: 440976

Reply By: gbc - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 17:42

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 17:42
I'm on my third flexiglass (work utes) and have had issues with them all. You get what you pay for with canopies, so if you're thinking about spending $2k, spend $3k and get something that works.
AnswerID: 440986

Reply By: Member - Greg H (NT) - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 22:24

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 22:24
ARB with internal frame and side lift up windows.

Cheers

Greg
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AnswerID: 441020

Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 23:37

Friday, Jan 07, 2011 at 23:37
If you get a Flexiglass or ARB canopy you will need an internal or external frame to carry the weight of anything you put on top of the canopy. Check with Caddy to see what is necessary to support your roof top tent.


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