Ute Tub Canopy Setup (DIY)
Kickstart your ute tub canopy setup and turn your rig into a complete home on wheels.
Touring, camping, day trips or maybe weekenders.
This setup allows me to do it all.
Canopy and Tub Liner
Before we get into the build itself, this is the canvas we’re working with.
The canopy is aluminium and was purchased through Bossco 4×4.
It comes flat packed and I chose to install it myself which was fairly straight forward.
No tub liner! The tub is lined with Raptor Coat.
This was a massive improvement in allowing usage of every corner of the tub.
Other than this, the tub is a blank canvas.
Empty tub to touring mode in under 10 minutes
Learn how you can create an easily removable ‘3 bolt’ setup.
Canopy Setup Quiz
Battery and Water storage
Water Compartment
The water and battery compartment sits at the front of the tub, closest to the cabin.
This is the heaviest section and sits in front of the rear axle, keeping weight distribution in mind.
There are two, 43L water tanks connected together, combining for 86L of water.
When full, the water and battery storage weigh around 100 kgs and are strapped to limit movement.
It also is completely modular and easy to pull apart if need be.
Battery Compartment
The battery is strapped down to limit sliding beside the water tanks.
The main fuse is housed within the battery compartment, at closest proximity to the battery.
Along with the battery monitor shunt.
The kill switch is located on the external facing side of the battery compartment.
A 1200W inverter runs from the shunt and kill switch, which is connected via 175A Anderson connectors.
The main cable runs to the front of the tub, connecting the main control box via 125A Anderson connectors.
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12V system
Power Control Box
The electrical section is located on the left side of the tub.
This is where the power is distributed.
On the face of the control box, there is the battery monitor and 12V outlets.
This gives me power usage at a quick glance as well as easy access to 12V outlets and usb chargers.
One rocker switch is used to operate the canopy’s in-built LED light.
The inverter bypasses the control box and is connected via a 175A Anderson plug, keeping cable lengths short.
Input power comes from the DCDC charger, which is mounted within the control box.
Solar is also connected via the DCDC charger.
There’s enough space to store a 240V charger, if the battery requires charging.
Internal canopy lighting
The canopy came with an in-built LED light that is hard wired.
I added a Deutsch plug to keep it removable if ever needed.
There are additional LEDs on the canopy doors.
These LED light bars are dual colour – amber and white lights.
They run off a 12V socket for easy removal if need be.
3 things I wish I knew before my canopy build
1. A setup doesn’t need to cost $15,000+
2. Storage drawers don’t need to weigh 100kg+
3. I should’ve read this ⇩
Plan your setup properly, once.
Drawers, False Floor and Fridge
Drawer frame and fridge slide
The drawer frame is built from 17mm film faced ply, which is a little heavy but extremely strong.
The fridge slide sits on the left side, in close proximity to the electrical section.
The top surface of the drawer frame is covered in marine flooring foam.
The surface is hydrophobic. No smells can get trapped and it is super easy to clean.
Drawer and drawer slide
The pantry drawer is made from 12mm ply.
There are no drawer slides, which maximise internal space within the drawer.
Instead, the underside of the drawer has felt tape, which slides smoothly over the film face ply.
This reduces weight and maximises internal drawer space.
While also keeping it easy to open and close the drawer.
The SIMPLEST drawer system you’ve ever seen
Drawer plans + templates to kickstart your canopy fit-out.
False floor
The false floor panels are also 12mm ply, painted black and covered in marine flooring foam.
They are custom cut to suit the tub, with finger holes for easy removal.
They sit on blocks that are glued to the tub or sides of the drawers/electrical compartments.
Storage underneath is easily accessed and out of sight, keeping things neat.
Each panel can be completely removed, making for easy cleaning and rinsing.
Fridge
The fridge is a myCoolman 85L dual zone.
It’s big and I absolutely love it.
It’s quite a snug fit, minimising wasted space.
4 straps keep the fridge secure in transit.
Storage
Storage Boxes
To make use of the rear of the tub, there are 3 storage boxes.
1 box for spare parts.
1 box is for bulky pantry items.
1 box for diving gear.
Compressor
The compressor sits under the false floor, out of sight.
I’m not inflating and deflating enough to justify a permanently mounted solution.
It’s easily accessed and requires minimal effort to get it setup.
Domesticated Gypsy
Gas Bottle
The gas bottle is on the right side of the canopy, as far back against the storage boxes.
It doesn’t need to be removed often, making it suitable for reaching in and turning the gas on/off.
Hot Water System
The Joolca hot water system is stored beside the gas bottle.
It hangs on the canopy doors via eye bolts, when in use.
Storage planned properly, for EVERY room in the home
Canopy storage inspo to kickstart your canopy fit-out.
BBQ
The Weber Baby Q is placed above the drawer against the right side of the canopy.
This allows for easy access in and out of the tub, especially when it’s used daily.
The gas fittings have been modified to quick connects for easy and safe connections.
This means the Joolca and Weber use the gas hose.
The hose stays connected to the bottle and means no need to constantly mess with fittings.
Roof Top
Roof top tent
The roof top tent is an Ironman Swift 1400.
The roof top tent is bolted to the roof racks of the canopy and Rhino Rack Platform.
The tent includes roof racks and has channels to mount accessories to the sides.
Solar and roof racks
The roof top tent roof racks are handy for carrying items as well as mounting solar.
The solar panel is mounted below the roof racks, maintaining full roof rack usage.
270 Awning
The awning is also made by Ironman, called the Deltawing XTR-143
The awning bolts directly to the tent.
I rate the coverage of this awning, which also comes with an in-built wall.
Shovel and MaxTrax
The shovel and MaxTrax are attached on the roof.
The shovel is on the drivers side using the roof top tent channels.
The MaxTrax are fixed using an adjustable cable lock.
Get your ideas onto paper, good plans = better rigs
Plans + templates to kickstart your canopy fit-out.
Products Used
Main products used in the built and fitout.
| Item | Specs | Supplier |
|---|---|---|
| Canopy | Aluminium Canopy | Bossco Auto |
| Water tanks | 43L x 2 | Outback Equipment |
| Battery | 140Ah LiFePO4 | Aussie Batteries and Solar |
| Fridge Slide | 60L | Adventure Kings |
| Fridge | 85L Dual zone | myCoolman |
| Storage boxes | Boab Wolfpack | Outback Equipment |
| BBQ | Baby Q | Weber |
| Hot Water | Hot water system | Joolca |
| Tent | Roof Top Tent | Ironman |
| Awning | XTR-143 (270) | Ironman |
| Solar Panel | 200W | Motop |
Payload Calculations
Payload on the Navara is 986Kg to begin with.
This does not include any accessories or passengers.
I will be assuming 2 adult passengers.
I won’t be travelling with more than 2 passengers when in touring mode.
| Item | Mass | Remaining Payload |
|---|---|---|
| Payload | 986kg | |
| Passengers | 80kg x 2 | |
| Canopy | 50kg | |
| Rhino Rack Platform | 25kg | |
| Total = 235kg | 751kg | |
| Water tanks 86L | 90kg | |
| Battery | 20kg | |
| Drawer frame | 30kg | |
| Fridge slide | 30kg | |
| Fridge | 40kg | |
| Total = 210kg | 541kg | |
| Spear Gear | 20kg | |
| Spares | 20kg | |
| Bulky food | 10kg | |
| Tools | 10kg | |
| Loose items (buffer) | 30kg | |
| Total = 90kg | 451kg | |
| Gas Bottle (4.5kg) | 15kg | |
| Weber Baby Q | 11kg | |
| Joolca – Hot Water | 5kg | |
| Table | 5kg | |
| Chairs | 5kg | |
| Total = 41kg | 410kg | |
| Roof top tent | 82kg | |
| Awning | 20kg | |
| Solar Panel | 10kg | |
| Shovel/ maxtrax | 10kg | |
| Clothes | 20kg | |
| Total = 142kg | 268kg |
This is a rough estimation, trying to account for as much as I can.
Even if I rounded down to 200kg, it still gives me enough of a buffer to play with.
