CANOPY FOR MAZDA BT 50

Thanks Peter D, I did buy one of these, but it did not fit properly. May have to look at one with strengthening bars internally.

HarryB2

Hi Phil G Sorry forgot to say that I have a Mazda dual cab with a tub.
Cheers HarryB2

Gday Harry,
Yep it was for a dual cab with a tub.
Go to their websideHERE and click on the 3rd brochure (called worksmart canopy)
.

Hi bill f, Sorry did not make it clear that I have a dual cab with a tub.
Cheers Harry B2

Thanks Scotty, will check them out.
Cheers Harry B2

Bit concerned myself as I have ordered a ERG canopy with the 150kg roof rack kit as I have a WA boatloader which weighs 35kg and then a tinnie which weighs about 70kg so i hope that the tub does NOT split. I travel from nsw to Daly River every april 10,000 klms round trip at about 110klms per hr. Bought the BT50 so i could throw the gennie and all the other gear in the tub as i used to have a prado grande which had no problems.

regards

Scotty

Hi John, Is it the canopy that split or the car tub. I have a dual cab with a tub. What brand of canopy did you fit and what they say caused the splitting.

Thanks HarryB2

Hi HarryB2, It was actually the car tub that split. [ In 4 places!]The supposedly weaker fiberglass of the ARB canopy is in perfect condition! ARB now make a strengthening frame to bolster the weakness of the tub. [ It bolts down the side of the tub to take the weight off the top of the tub. Strangely the canopy was originally mounted the same way as the earlier BT50s [& all the other car brands] & on these cars there have not been this problem. It is clear in my mind that this is only a problem for the current model BT 50 & ranger. They are the only cars that have had to be fitted with a strengthening frame!?

Thanks John M54
I actually bought a Caddy Canopy, but found that it was still too close to the body of the car and did not fit properly - squeezed at one end. They just refunded my dough. Seems they have not remedied their old problem yet. Guess I will have to go with the strengthening frame too, which I really wanted to avoid. I will have a small tinnie on top of the car/canopy which will weigh a bit. Does Insurance cover your split tub?

Hi Burnt Damper, Can you tell me how your alloy canopy mounts to the tub? Does it have supports to the floor or tub sides or is it simply mounted on top of the tub" Are you carrying anything on top of the canopy? Thanks for any info. John54 [ Also has anyone else out there fitted a genuine Mazda canopy & how is that fitted? Cheers John]

John
I am sorry mate my canopy is mounted on a tray back. I didn't want a tub because I thought it would limit me to much for what I wanted to do. But in saying that Tong box may be able to help you as well. As mentioned earlier I have a boat, fuel and a spare tyre on top of mine about 150 kg and all is good.

I obviously should have researched this matter further before i made a decision but i see so many utes on the road with set ups similar to mine that do work- i guess i was complacent. I now wonder whether even the weight of a canopy might be too much for the BT50 tub if used off road!
If i stick with the tub [& the car!] i will definitely get the tub strengthening frame kit ARB [& others?] are offering. Thanks for your help. John

Hi,
The strengthening kit does NOT strengthen the tub it takes the weight of the roof racks and spread (distributes) it into the tub. The tub should take the load of 150kgs and more, the canopy or racks would fail well before the tub.

I would question how the tub split, was it at the welds or where it was attached to the frame (chassis) it is no good speaking to car sales people as they really just open their mouths and let anything that comes to mind fall out, very few car salesmen are retired engineers.

You need to talk to a certified engineer which will cost money and time but all vehicles pass a stringent test to get certification and this would be the line to take.

Hi Scotty, Yep understand what you are saying.When i said strengthening i meant in terms of the tubs ability to carry the weight of canopy etc. So i believe you are right. Re the splits they all started from weld points at the top of the front of the tub. [ the very top & front most weld points] Nowhere else seems effected. I have gotten a quote from a panel beater to fix the problem . He quoted $ 2591.05 which does not include the cost of changing over the dual battery set up , the reverse camera, canopy etc & respraying new tub with protective plastic treatment. [ which was done to the old one] [ approx another $ 1600?] An auto engineer starts at $ 2000 [ just to begin] so is a very expensive option to be weighed up against the cost of fixing it. You can see why I'm taking it to court! At the moment I'm busy taking photos of Utes fitted out similarly to mine & also of Utes systems for carrying weight to use as evidence that the BT 50 does not live up to normal use expectations. A Ford ranger that went to the cape only had a swag up top & that was enough to split the tub. I would appreciate info from anyone else in the same situation. Cheers John

Hi,
You can purchase a new tub for $500, look on the web as a few have purchased the BT50 with a tub so they can get the auto and have ripped them off to build a total canopy. I have seen at least 5 for sale ranging from $500 to $750.
Good Luck...