Buyer Questions
Ute Tray vs Canopy: Which One Do You Actually Need?
We build both, so we have no reason to push you either way. Here is how to work out which one suits the work you do.
Ask Us Which Suits YouShort Answer
Open deck or locked box
A tray gives you open deck: load anything, any shape, from any side, tie it down and go. It is the cheaper starting point and the more flexible one.
A canopy gives you a sealed, lockable box: dry storage, secure gear, organised drawers. You lose open load space and gain security and weather protection.
If you carry bulky or awkward loads, start with a tray. If your gear is expensive, small and needs to stay dry, start with a canopy. If both are true, a tray and canopy package is usually the answer and costs less than buying them separately.
Head To Head
How they compare
- Cost: trays from $12,999, canopies from $9,999, packages cheaper combined
- Load flexibility: tray wins, nothing beats an open deck
- Security: canopy wins, lockable and out of sight
- Weather protection: canopy wins outright
- Weight: a tray alone is lighter, which matters on lower-payload utes
- Organisation: canopy wins with drawers and shelving
- Resale and reuse: both can generally transfer to your next ute, with some limitations
FAQ
Tray and canopy questions
Is a canopy cheaper than a tray?
Our canopies start from $9,999 and trays from $12,999, but they are not really substitutes. A canopy still needs something to sit on, so most canopy builds are a tray and canopy package.
Can I add a canopy later?
Yes, if the tray was built with it in mind. Tell us at the tray stage and we will spec the deck and mounting so a canopy bolts on later without rework.
Which is better for a tradie?
It depends on your gear. Chippies and landscapers usually want deck. Sparkies, plumbers and surveyors usually want a canopy or service body.
What about a service body?
A service body is the next step past a canopy: compartments accessible from outside, everything lockable. From $16,999.
Keep Reading
Related pages
Still not sure?
Tell us what you carry and how you load it. We will tell you which one we would build, even if it is the cheaper option.
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