What’s the one thing about every vehicle that costs absolutely nothing but invariably comes at a premium? It’s space. And it doesn’t matter if it’s leg space, head space or cargo space: there’s never enough of it. And no, ute owners aren’t necessarily exempt either. But fortunately, though, they do have an advantage that other vehicle owners – even pickup and SUV owners – don’t have. They can reshape their cargo space and make it exactly the way they want it.
Depending on the size of the cab and the area of the tray, the sky’s almost the limit on how much cargo space a ute owner can reshape for themselves. In fact, they even have the privilege of making the space match the size of the intended cargo. There’s a very practical side to reorganizing all that space, though. Sometimes using just half a tray is more than enough to cover all the storage needs … and the prospect of still having space left over isn’t a bad one.
Mighty Mini-Canopies
Suffice it to say, if you own a ute, then you already know how versatile they are. They’re ideal platforms for everything – even when having less equates to having more. If you’re looking for a way to get “more” out of yours, bolting on a 1200mm ute canopy might just be the solution you’ve been searching for. These mid-sized mini-canopies afford you generous amounts of covered and uncovered carrying space that’s easily accessible and perfectly suited for real-world use.
If you’re hauling a few hundred kilos of work or recreational gear around that you want to keep secured or away from the elements, you can conveniently pack it all in a locking canopy and put your mind at ease. If you’re simultaneously transporting something that’s either oversized or shouldn’t be stored in an enclosed space – compressed gas bottles, jerry cans, etc. – then you also have all the unrestricted space and ventilation that’s needed for that as well. These mighty minis ultimately deliver more practical cargo capacity that costs less.
Durable Construction
Although size is typically associated with sturdiness, opting for a 1200mm canopy doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing any of the structural integrity that would go into a 1500mm, 1650mm, or even larger one. With a 1200 canopy, you’re looking at exactly the same full seam-welded construction, parts, and material thicknesses that you’d have with a much larger canopy, including:
- 2.5mm marine-grade aluminium body and doors;
- Full length 304 stainless steel piano hinges;
- Twin gas strut supports per door;
- Weather-resistant rubberized seals; and,
- Folding whale tail locks.
In fact, with the same durable construction going into their more compact frames, 1200s are inherently more rigid than larger canopies. And with a 30% weight difference only between a 1200 and 1500 canopy, they also make a noticeable difference when you’re passing through the petrol station.
Time to Lift Off
Because there can always be a time when you might need to use the full length of your tray, the 1200s come in either fixed or lift-off variants. Lift offs pack even more rigidity into the 1200’s solid frame by including:
- A structural sub-frame floor over aluminium sheeting;
- Reinforced roof and wall sections; and,
- 50mm x 50mm RHS aluminium stock throughout for lift integrity.
Lift offs are the gold standard of canopies for tradies and off-roaders alike. Again, sometimes you just need to take advantage of the tray’s full loading area. It’s very likely though that there are ute owners out there that regularly use more than one canopy, as well. With the modularity that comes from having one canopy outfitted and set up strictly for work, and another wired and configured specifically for off-roading, the idea of one vehicle capable of doing it all isn’t unthinkable. It’s just another nod to the ute’s versatility. which in this case is all due to a 1200 canopy.
Accessories
Let’s be honest: when we’re talking about all the benefits of a 1200 ute canopy, we’re also talking about accessories. A mid-sized canopy in either a milled aluminium or powder-coated finish is going to give a ute that muscular, well-balanced stance that we all enjoy looking at. It’s a look that also leaves lots of room for accessories. Along with lighting and electrical power, the interior of a 1200 canopy can comfortably accommodate a range of accessories like:
- Drawers and toolboxes. Ideal for storing and organizing tools, equipment, and all kinds of gear.
- Shelves and bins. A great way to consolidate large quantities of bagged and packaged items.
- Pantries and fridges. For job sites as well as off-roading, they keep everything readily available.
And keeping things in order on the outside, 1200s make it possible to add on a few accessories that are no less functional than they are good looking.
- Roof and ladder racks. Securing and retrieving gear from the robust roof of a 1200 couldn’t be easier.
- Jerry can holders. They’re the safe and legal way to transport your petrol reserves when you’re on the road.
- Spare tyre holders. Fixed either in front of, or behind the canopy, space used for holding a spare is anything but wasted.
In short, 1200s bring their share of value, both inside and out… and they look going do it.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, the most enduring characteristic about utes is their ability to go from strength to strength, while going from purpose to purpose. And not surprisingly, canopies have played a big part in that. Unlike other canopies though, the mid-sized 1200mm ute canopy has the distinction of being a space optimizer. It has the capacity to provide full-sized storage, but still leaves enough uncovered space to attach everything from 2 full-sized spare tyres, to a small utility crane. The next time you find yourself contemplating how you possibly could get even more flexibility out of the space that’s available on your ute, don’t ignore what mid-sized canopies have to offer.
