A full-tray canopy setup has long been the go-to for serious weekend adventurers, but it comes with a catch: the cost is significant, and if your ute doubles as a work vehicle or family hauler, it can be overkill.
A metal tub canopy sits in the sweet spot between a basic fibreglass canopy and a full tray conversion. You get the strength, security, and load capacity of a proper aluminium build, without sacrificing the everyday versatility of your ute's original tub.
The accessories below will help you build a capable, well-organised tub canopy setup ready for camping, 4WDing, and everything in between.
The Best Metal Tub Canopy for Camping
The Utemaster Centurion Canopy is an aluminium tub canopy engineered for strength, access, and security. It outperforms any fibreglass canopy on the market and is purpose-built for Australian conditions.
Key specs:
- Dynamic load rating: 200 kg (safe carrying capacity at open road speeds)
- Static load rating: 600 kg (weight capacity when parked, e.g. a rooftop tent with occupants)
- Construction: Heavy-duty aluminium for superior rigidity over fibreglass
Because the Centurion is structurally strong enough to handle full-width doors, you get unrestricted access to your tub from either side. No awkward reaching, no cramped openings. Setting up camp and unloading gear is straightforward.
Those load ratings also mean the Centurion can safely carry a rooftop tent at highway speeds, which opens up a whole range of camping configurations.
Ute Canopy Roof Racks
All utes are designed to flex between the tub and the cab. Standard roof racks that mount to both points work against that flex, which can cause stress fractures or damage over time.
The Cantilever Roof Rack solves this by extending over the cab without any direct cab mounting points. It moves with the canopy, not against the chassis.
Cantilever Roof Rack load ratings:
- Dynamic load rating: 200 kg at open road speeds
- Static load rating: 600 kg when parked (suitable for a rooftop tent with people inside)
This makes it one of the most capable ute canopy roof racks available, and it pairs directly with the Centurion Canopy without modification.
Recovery Tracks
Recovery tracks are non-negotiable on any serious off-road trip. When you get bogged, you need immediate access, not a dig-through-the-gear situation. And once they've done their job, they'll be caked in mud or sand, so you don't want them going back inside the vehicle.
The flat exterior surface of the Centurion Canopy's side doors is the ideal mounting spot. Recovery tracks sit on the outside, accessible in seconds, and stay out of your clean gear.
Ute Tub Mats
If you're keeping your tub open for bulky or awkward loads, a quality tub mat is worth having. Without one, gear shifts and slides every time you brake or corner, and your tub floor takes a beating.
What is a ute tub mat used for? A rubber tub mat protects the tub floor from scratches and impact damage, prevents gear from sliding during transport, and makes clean-up after off-road trips much faster.
The Utemaster Rubber Tub Mat is 7mm thick and non-slip, providing a firm grip on everything from camp chairs to toolboxes. It keeps your gear where you put it and wipes down easily after a trip.
Rooftop Tents for Ute Canopies
Rooftop tents have become one of the most popular camping upgrades for ute owners, and it's easy to see why. They set up in minutes, keep you off the ground, and free up your tub for gear storage rather than sleeping.
Can you mount a rooftop tent on a ute canopy? Yes, provided the canopy and roof rack have the load ratings to support it. The Centurion Canopy paired with the Cantilever Roof Rack gives you a 200 kg dynamic load capacity, which comfortably handles most rooftop tents. For more detail, see the guide on mounting a rooftop tent to a canopy.
4WD Seat Covers
Off-road driving and clean interiors don't mix. The moment you get bogged and hop out to sort a recovery, mud comes back in with you. It's not a matter of if, it's when.
A good set of 4WD seat covers means you can jump back in the driver's seat without worrying about the mess. They're easy to wipe down or remove for washing, and they protect the original upholstery from the wear that comes with regular off-road use.
Portable Fridge Freezers For Camping
A portable fridge/freezer is one of the best quality-of-life upgrades you can make to a camping ute setup. Cold food and drinks for the entire trip, no ice runs, no soggy esky.
One Utemaster customer put it simply after a seven-day summer trip to Fraser Island: "My fridge was faultless. Not a warm beer in sight."
The tub area inside a canopy setup gives you generous storage space. With a fridge slide fitted, you can run almost any size portable fridge and pull it out fully for easy access without unpacking everything around it.
Ready to build your setup? Explore the Utemaster Centurion Canopy and configure it for your ute.
