Ute 1200mm Canopies: The Solution for Contingencies

Ute owners, especially dual and extra cab drivers, know that choosing the right size canopy can be a challenge. Bigger isn’t always better; that’s because a lot depends on what needs to be transported inside the canopy, and what, if anything, still needs to be transported on the tray. For most owners, the perfect canopy is likely to be found in between an 800mm minimum length ute box and a full tray 1800mm behemoth.

This is the realm of the mighty 1200mm mid-sized canopy. With their rigid construction and 1770ltr capacities, these part-tray canopies are large enough to hold a full complement of tools and camping gear, while still leaving enough room on most trays for a dog box, a bike rack, or a pair of spare tyres. That makes a 1200 the right choice for any contingency.

1200mm Canopies Are the Perfect Solution for All Contingencies

Let’s be honest: with six standard lengths of ute canopies on the market, it’s easy to see why part-length 1200mm canopies are the middle-of-the-line option that ute owners look to the most. The 1200mm boxes make maximum use of spacious single cab utes trays, while still fitting perfectly on the stubby trays installed on dual and extra cab trays. Fit and capacity aren’t mutually exclusive, which is why 1200mm boxes are preferred when it comes to:

• Lightweight, full capacity provisioning that’s built for optimised loading;
• Easily customisable construction that can satisfy a wide range of loading contingencies; and,
• A space that’s easily accessed and controlled from either side of the vehicle.

Make no mistake, a versatile 1200mm canopy offers all the full-sized advantages of larger canopies, with the beneficial weight- and space-savings of smaller boxes. And starting with their robust, long-lasting build characteristics, 1200mm canopies have everything that a tradie, outdoorsman, or farm owner needs to assemble their tray-top storage solution around.

Aluminium Construction Means Maximum Versatility

Materials are as integral to the versatility of 1200mm canopies as size is. This is where 2.5mm flat, or checker plate 1060 grade aluminium helps distinguish today’s 2-door 1200mm ute canopies from the rest of the pack. The 1060’s light weight, corrosion resistance and high tensile strength lends to easy heavy duty reinforcement, including:

• Fully TIG welded seams, including pickled and passivated external welds;
• Built-in SHS sub-floors, and reinforced roof and side panels with internal bracing; and,
• Reinforced lids for maximum rigidity, with full length stainless steel piano hinges.

With their sturdiness and increased stability, 1200mm aluminium canopies are also designed for easy temporary removal using wind-up jack off legs. For the times when transporting a pair of motorbikes, a pallet of building materials, or a farm supplies are a priority, 1200s can be lifted off the tray.

They can also be returned to their exact position when the full-tray hauling is done. And with the ease of configuration that a 1200mm aluminium canopy affords, it’s possible to equip multiple canopies that can be swapped out for different types of work or recreation.

Security Features That Make 1200s Second to None

The inherent strength that aluminium brings to 1200mm canopies is a crucial part of their overall security. Ute owners want to be sure that their tools and gear are protected from theft and the elements, and top notch 1200mm canopies come outfitted with a standard range of environmental and physical security features that include:

• Weather resistant rubber dust and water door seals;
• Folding, whale-tail type T-handle twist locks; and,
• Multi-point keyed-locking, or centralised electronic locking.

Ideally, with the all-weather/all-aspect security of an aluminium 1200, ute owners never have to worry about keeping their gear safe, dry, or clean. The tensile strength of 1060 aluminium also means that the same security extends to the canopy’s exterior. That’s what makes 1200s the canopy of choice for lightweight configurations that include more than canopies.

1200s Are the Natural Choice for External Accessories

The solid construction and reinforced framework of a 1200 aluminium canopy means that it’s capable of being much more than a storage container. Aluminium’s ease of cutting and welding helps make the 1200s a natural choice for customisation, and their bolstered roofs and sides are strong enough to serve as rigid pedestals for a range of other accessories, including:

• Side awnings and rooftop tent kits;
• Roof and ladder racks; and,
• Jerry can and spare tyre holders.

And with 1200s doing more than any other size box when it comes to transferring weight to a ute’s centre of gravity, they’re instantly the most stable boxes for going off road. For single cab and short wheelbase utes with lift kits and larger tyres, it’s an added safety benefit that’s hard to ignore.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, choosing the right size canopy doesn’t have to be a headache. It requires careful consideration though, together with an understanding that the optimal size doesn’t have to be the biggest canopy possible.

With their superior construction and ease of customisation, part-length canopies of 1200mm have all the qualities ute owners need to safely store and transport their gear without giving away valuable tray space. They’re the best choice for every contingency.