Best ute canopies for tubs in Australia 2023

A standard ute tub is great for carrying bulky items. Throw in a wheelbarrow, three shovels, two crowbars, ten bags of cement, a pile of other random stuff and off you go.

Ute tubs were originally designed to suit work vehicles.

With utes evolving more into pampered poodle than grumpy blue heeler, tub ‘technology’ hasn’t exactly kept pace. Tubs are not an ideal place to store camping and recovery gear. They provide zero protection from the elements and zero security from thieves.

Chuck a ute canopy on … problem solved!

A ute canopy is pretty much essential for any 4WD ute with a tub. However, not all ute canopies are created equal. Each brand has unique features. Which brand you choose depends on your needs.

We’ll go through some of the candidates for your next ute canopy. Then you can figure out which one best suits your needs.

ARB ute canopies

ARB ute canopies

Specifications:

• Material: UV stable ABS thermoplastic
• Finish: Raw finish or colour-coded paint
• Weight: Approx 60 to 70kg
• Load Rating: Dynamic 100kg, static up to 400kg
• Locks: Depends on model
• Warranty: 3 Years

Buy now from ARB

ARB has three canopy models: top-of-the-range Ascent; mid-range Classic Plus; original Classic.

ARB moulds it canopies from UV stable ABS thermoplastic polymer, layered for maximum strength.

Features and options include (they vary depending on the model):

• Remote central locking, double-lock handles, or twist-lock handles
• Tinted, lift-up windows with push-button opening
• Tinted sliding windows
• Roof-top canopy vent to pressurise canopy
• Rear mounted spoiler with LED brake light
• LED internal light
• Security mesh for side windows
• Vent catch to have window ajar, but still locked
• Canopy roof racks with internal stiffeners
• Ute liners.

Whether you’re after a basic canopy for a work ute or a deluxe model for your tourer, ARB’s range gives you plenty of choices. Combine ARB’s three canopy types with their available options and you’ll find something to suit your needs.

Camp King Industries Tub Toppers

Camp King Industries Tub Toppers

Specifications:

• Material: 3mm aluminium
• Finish: Powder-coated
• Weight: Approx 70kg
• Load Rating: 300kg
• Locks: Low-profile compression latches
• Warranty: 1 Year (minimum)

Buy now from Camp King Industries

Camp King Industries manufactures ute canopies (or tub toppers) designed to carry heavy loads on top. With a 300kg load rating, these sturdy aluminium canopies will easily carry a rooftop tent plus accessories.

All canopies come supplied with instructions, all seals, latches and bolts needed for DIY installation. Camp King Industries also provides a fitting service at its Brisbane factory.

Camp King offers four kits, each with a range of accessories:

1. Travelling Companion
2. Tradies Choice
3. Day Trip
4. Weekend Warrior

Or if you prefer, specify your own accessories. Options include:

• Top rail kit
• Hard-shell rooftop tent
• Awning brackets
• High-quality black windows
• Sliding windows
• Rear brake light
• 270° free-standing awning
• Rear drawer unit
• Fridge slides
• Expedition 134 storage boxes
• Solar panel and mounting kit
• 12V Kit (1x LED Light, 1x 12V Round Socket and 2x USB Charging Points)
• Extra Ladder Mounting Bracket

The canopy has a sturdy internal frame, made from 50x50x3 SHS (front to back), 50x25x3 RHS (across) rectangular tubing. This gives it the strength to carry heavy loads on top, yet still be lightweight.

A high-quality, durable Australian-made product with tons of accessories … and the load-carrying capacity to match.

Flexiglass ute canopies

Flexiglass ute canopies

Specifications:

• Materials: Fibreglass
• Finish: Colour-coded paint
• Weight: Not supplied
• Load Rating: 100 to 150kg
• Locks: Depends on model
• Warranty: 2 Years

Buy now from Flexiglass

Flexiglass has four canopy models: FlexiSport Premium; FlexiSport; FlexiTrade; FlexiEdge.

The canopies are made from reinforced fibreglass, designed to flex with the tub. This reduces the chance of damage to both the canopy and the tub.

Features and options include (they vary depending on the model):

• Remote central locking
• Push-button opening side windows
• Pop-up or rotary air vents
• Tinted, lift-up or sliding windows
• Security mesh for side windows
• Rear LED brake light
• LED internal light
• Rear window demister
• Felt lined interior
• Tailgate assist
• Canopy roof racks with internal stiffeners
• Mats
• Tub liners.

This Western Australian company started in 1949, making its first canopies with timber frames and sheet metal panels for Holden FJ utes. It’s fair to say Flexiglass has a long track record of building ute canopies designed for Australian conditions.

Ironman 4×4 ute canopies

Ironman 4×4 ute canopies

Specifications:

• Material: Fibreglass, aluminium or ABS plastic
• Finish: Colour-coded paint
• Weight: 100kg (fibreglass model)
• Load Rating: 80 to 90kg
• Locks: Depends on model
• Warranty: 1 Year

Buy now from Outback Equipment

Ironman 4×4 sells three different ute canopy products: fibreglass Pinnacle, aluminium Alu-Cab Explorer; ABS plastic Thermo-Plas.

Features and options include:

Pinnacle (fibreglass)

• Track mount roof racks
• Lift-up and sliding windows
• Rear window central locking
• Sliding front window
• Rear LED brake light
• LED internal light

Alu-Cab Explorer (aluminium)

1. Built-in roof rails
2. Full-length side doors
3. Internal frame
4. Tamper-proof locks

Thermo-Plas (ABS plastic)

1. Lift-up side windows
2. Internal support frame
3. Plug-and-play wiring loom
4. Rear window central locking
5. Rear LED brake light

Ironman 4×4 lists the weight of the Pinnacle model as 100kg, which is a heavy unit considering it’s made from fibreglass. Unfortunately, Ironman doesn’t specify weights for the other two brands.

Piranha Off Road ute canopies

Piranha Off Road ute canopies

Specifications:

• Material: Fibreglass
• Finish: Colour-coded paint
• Weight: Not specified
• Load Rating: 100kg
• Locks: T-handle
• Warranty: Not specified

Buy now from Piranha Off Road

Piranha Off Road ute canopies are made from 3-layer reinforced composite fibreglass. This results in a tough and durable canopy, designed to withstand punishing off-road conditions.

Features and options include:

• Smooth external surface with integrated roof rails
• Tinted lift-up or sliding windows, or a combination of both
• Front sliding window
• Rear window central locking
• Heated rear window
• Internals lined with automotive carpet
• Rear mounted spoiler with LED brake light
• LED internal light with integrated power supply.

This canopy is a good all-round option for touring vehicles.

Razorback ute canopies

Razorback ute canopies

Specifications:

• Materials: Fibreglass or steel
• Finish: Colour-coded paint
• Weight: Approx 65kg/80kg (fibreglass/steel)
• Load Rating: 100kg on-road, 65kg off-road
• Locks: Integrated central locking
• Warranty: 2 Years parts, 3 Years shell

Buy now from Razorback

Razorback Canopies offers two premium canopy models: Fibreglass; and Zincalume steel.

Both are lightweight, premium canopies. The downside of being lightweight is the relatively small roof loading … 100kg on-road and only 65kg off-road.

Features and options include (they vary depending on the model):

• Remote central locking
• Single-hand opening rear window
• LED internal light, battery operated
• Internal lined with heavy-duty vinyl
• Fully framed rear window (steel canopy)
• Tinted, lift-up side windows
• Sliding front window
• Rear spoiler
• Rear LED brake light
• Standard roof rails.

Razorback uses double-stage rotary locks (the same ones used in car doors) in the rear window of its steel canopies, making them highly secure.

RLD Design ute canopies

RLD Design ute canopies

Specifications:

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Finish: Colour-coded paint
• Weight: Approx 75kg
• Load Rating: 350kg (static)
• Locks: Compression locks
• Warranty: 1 Year parts, 2 Years structure

Buy now from RLD Design

RLD Design supplies stainless-steel canopies. A South African-based company, it has taken canopy strength and security to the next level. RLD even has a model called the Hunter, with a lift-off top so you can man the Gatling gun!

RLD has three models: the Gen3, which 99.9 per cent of us will most likely choose; the Securicab, which appears to be just about bomb-proof; and, the Hunter for shooting things from, I guess …

Let’s concentrate on the Gen3 here. Features and options include:

• Side windows available in solid stainless steel or glass – solid or sliding
• Oversized flush-mount compression locks
• Positive pressure air vent
• Rear LED brake light.

RLD Design also has a wide range of equally bulletproof accessories … are you in the market for a couple of lion boxes, or a roof-mounted ammo crate slider maybe? There’s no doubt, South African gear is unique. You could prepare for World War III with the accessories RLD offers!

RLD Design produces premium quality canopies. And it has somehow managed to keep them affordable and lightweight.

SMM ute canopies

SMM ute canopies

Specifications:

• Materials: 0.8mm galvannealed mild steel
• Finish: Colour-coded paint
• Weight: Approx 90kg
• Load Rating: 100 to 150kg
• Locks: Heavy-duty rotary locks
• Warranty: 3 Years

Buy now from SMM Canopies

SMM is a Thai company with a background in manufacturing OEM truck bodies, trays and canopies for utes. It works with global vehicle companies, supplying equipment on a large scale. So, SMM is backed by an extensive R&D department with tooling needed for large-scale manufacturing.

SMM has three models: the premium SMM V4 Executive; the mid-range SMM V2 Executive; and the functional SMM V2 Tradesman.

Features and options include (they vary depending on the model):

• Remote central locking on rear door
• Single-hand opening rear window
• Interior fully lined
• Tinted, lift-up or sliding side windows (steel panels on tradie version)
• Security mesh on side and front windows
• Rear window demister
• Interior light
• Rear spoiler
• Rear LED brake light
• Standard roof rails.

SMM’s use of galvannealed steel means it has a base metal with a high level of corrosion protection. What’s galvannealing?

The steel’s first galvanised, then run through a high-temperature annealing process. Annealing heats the base steel and the zinc within the galvanised coating, to the point where they start combining. This gives a tough, corrosion-resistant finish for maximum protection.

TJM ute canopies

TJM ute canopies

Specifications:

• Materials: Fibreglass or ABS
• Finish: Colour-coded paint
• Weight: Approx 90kg
• Load Rating: 80 to 100kg
• Locks: Heavy-duty rotary locks
• Warranty: 2/4 Years (fibreglass/ABS)

Buy now from TJM

TJM offers premium fibreglass canopies and AeroKlas canopies made from a double-shell ABS. ABS is an impact-resistant thermoplastic, with high strength, rigidity and good insulation properties.

TJM has two models: TJM Premium; and AeroKlas Stylish.

Features and options include (they vary depending on the model):

• Remote central locking on all windows
• Drop-down front window
• Sliding, lift-up or pop-out side windows
• Interior felt-lined
• Rear spoiler
• Canopy vent
• Wiring harnesses
• LED interior light
• Rear LED brake light
• Standard roof rails.

As you’d expect from TJM, it also supplies a huge range of accessories to fit-out your ute canopy for long-distance touring.

How we review products

4X4 Australia has been reviewing four-wheel drive vehicles and aftermarket products for more than 40 years.

When looking for the best ute canopies in Australia, there are some things essential to making sure you have the best off-roading experience.

When we compared each of the products in the list with others out there, we looked at:

• Warranty
• Weight
• Load capacity
• Build quality
• Materials used
• Security
• Value for money, and
• Coatings/finish

to determine what’s the best product across each price point.

We also looked at user reviews and our own experience with these products to make sure our recommendations are for the best on the market.

Disclosure: When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We also include products we don’t earn a commission from.

Buyers’ Guide for Tub Ute Canopies

There’s no doubt, utes are versatile vehicles … especially dual-cab utes. You can load up the family or a bunch of mates and head off for the weekend.

The downside is, your mates know this too. That’s why you’re always helping them move house!

The standard ute tub by itself is a basic bit of gear. But add a tub liner, canopy and a drawer system, and your basic ute becomes an ideal weekend adventurer or tourer. Which canopy you choose depends on what you plan to use it for.

A canopy adds security, protects your gear, and allows you to carry loads on top. Whether the load’s a rooftop tent, a load of timber for work or a second spare, choosing the right canopy is important.

What to look for

Selecting the right canopy takes some thought and a good feel for what it’ll be used for.

If you’re towing a caravan or camper, then you mightn’t be too concerned about carrying gear on the canopy roof. But a rooftop tent is a different story altogether, adding plenty of weight on to the canopy roof.

It depends on what you need to carry.

Load rating

Most canopies will easily cope with a couple of lightweight kayaks. On the other hand, a rooftop tent is heavy. It’ll need a sturdy canopy with a high load rating.

And you need to consider roof loading based on type of travel. As a rule of thumb, off-road loading should be 50 to 75 per cent of the rated (on-road) capacity. Most canopy manufacturers specify on-road roof loading.

A few quote both static and dynamic loading. Static loading is a useful number when you fit a rooftop tent, roof platform or similar. It tells you how much weight the canopy will take when you’re parked up, with you and your partner sleeping in it. Dynamic loading is the load rating when travelling.

Is dynamic loading the on-road or the off-road rating? It depends on what figures the manufacturer quotes. Without contacting them directly, it’s impossible to tell. Unfortunately, there’s no standard for specifying loadings.

If in doubt, assume dynamic loading is the on-road capacity, then down-rate the figure for off-road use.

Why derate for off-road travel? Because twisting forces, vibrations and rough conditions mean your canopy will be subject to a whole lot of extra loads that will try to rip your canopy apart.

The 50 to 75 per cent load rating is a wide range. Use your common sense here. If you’re planning on a trip on rough outback roads or a full-on crawl over the wild tracks of the Victorian High Country, then go with 50 per cent. On the other hand, 75 per cent will be okay if you’ll be driving along well-maintained gravel roads.

Say the canopy’s roof loading is 100kg. Then you’re potentially down to 50kg when off road … less the weight of the roof bars and roof basket or roof platform. That’s maybe a kayak or a couple of swags and no more.

Forget about carrying a spare tyre or fitting a rooftop tent.

Generally, a steel or aluminium canopy will have a higher load rating than a fibreglass canopy. But not always. The load rating depends on how the canopy’s made and whether it has an internal frame.

Canopy material

A quick glance through the canopies we’ve included in our list reveals a wide variety of materials: fibreglass, ABS thermoplastic, mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminium.

Fibreglass is more the traditional material which canopies were made from. They generally have additives to increase strength and UV resistance. The biggest advantage of fibreglass is they’re lightweight.

However, manufacturers are now making aluminium and even steel canopies at equivalent weights. And their roof loadings are usually (but not always) double or triple that of fibreglass equivalents.

The big advantage of steel or aluminium over fibreglass is window opening sizes. Because of steel’s inherent strength, window mullions can be thinner. So the openings are larger, making them easier to access and easier to pack.

One positive of fibreglass and ABS over steel are their insulation properties. As a rule, they don’t transmit as much heat into the canopy as steel and aluminium.

Canopy weight

Weight is always a consideration when speccing accessories for your 4WD. Canopies add between 60 and 100kg to the vehicle mass. That’s a pretty good trade-off for the convenience and security of a canopy.

However, be careful if you decide on a canopy with a high roof loading. With the canopy’s weight and roof loaded up, you can easily add 350kg or more to the payload. Add in all your gear, plus four or five people and you’ll be nudging close to the limit.

Security

One of the biggest benefits of a canopy is knowing the gear in the tub’s safe. Whether it’s work tools or camping gear, the last thing you want is someone helping themselves to it.

And that’s why you should pay attention to the window latches. Look closely at canopies with T-handles. They’re easily prised open. The T makes the perfect handle for thieves … simply slide a piece of Unistrut or a large shifter on to it and twist.

Some T-handles are designed to snap. However, this is a problem.

We had folding T-handles on a set of toolboxes once. After several thousand kilometres of corrugations, they decided to snap all by themselves. Not a great feeling when you glance in the mirror and see your gear falling out on to the road …

Having said this, T-handles are fine for mostly on-road travel and if you just want the latches to be a deterrent for opportunistic thieves.

The best latch? The compression latch like the one shown below, on an RLD Design canopy. They’re highly reliable and difficult to break in to.

Nothing’s thief-proof. If someone’s determined enough, they’ll break in.

Central locking

Most premium canopies offer central locking. Some include all windows, while others only have central locking on the rear window. Central locking’s super-convenient, no doubt. But consider where the canopy will spend most of its life.

We’ve seen more than one canopy central-locking system fail in rough, dusty conditions. Sometimes they fail locked, other times they won’t lock at all. Either one is particularly frustrating … especially when the keyhole’s plugged up with red dust.

If your ute will be spending its life traversing the back blocks, central locking’s probably not such a good idea. But if your ute spends most of its life in the ’burbs, then central locking’s a no-brainer.

Clamping or bolting?

Some canopies clamp to the tub lip with multiple clamps. Others require bolts through the tub lip, which means you need to drill into the tub.

The strongest canopies tend to brace down to the floor of the tub. This way the canopy doesn’t rely on the sides of the tub for strength or support.

Some of you will be okay with drilling holes in the tub’s top lip, while others would rather the less invasive clamping method. It depends on what you’re comfortable with. Either way, look for canopies which extend down slightly past the top of the lip on the outside faces. This helps keep the rain and the dust out.

Other considerations

An air hatch is a useful addition to any canopy. It pressurises the canopy, minimising the amount of dust ingress. It also helps keep the canopy cooler on hot days.

Another consideration is whether the canopy is lined. This adds a touch of luxury and helps to insulate it from cold and heat.

Internal lights are extremely useful. In fact, an internal light is pretty much essential. Some canopies have the same system as vehicle internal lights … on when rear door opens, always off or always on. Some lights have their own battery, while others are powered from the vehicle.

If your canopy has the option of internal lights or central locking, check where the electrics connect to. This can mean the difference between a simple installation and the need to run extra cabling to the starting battery.

Price

Expect to pay between $4000 to $6000 for a dual-cab ute canopy to suit a tub. Pricing goes up from there depending on how long your options list is.

A quality canopy should last the life of your vehicle. Canopies are specific to each vehicle make and model, so it’s unlikely you’ll swap it out when you trade up. You’ll need to buy another canopy when you upgrade.

Factor this in when deciding how much to spend.

Any canopy will increase the versatility of your ute. It frees up a whole lot of space which is otherwise wasted. Easily turn your ute in to a vehicle with the functionality of a wagon, and the payload of a ute.

Even better, you’ll never be expected to help your mates move house again!

Keyword: Best ute canopies for tubs in Australia 2023