Top Factors to Consider When Buying Your First Roof Rack or Canopy Roof Rails

If your ute is your bread and butter, then you’ll know how important it is to look after your ute’s health and functionality. Ute roof racks and canopies are the perfect way to keep your ute looking good and protect it from sun, rain, birds and other elements!

There are many different types of racks available; some just for looks while others have extra features such as the ability to carry extra cargo or even tow another vehicle. Some canopies come with an awning so you can relax in the shade whilst others fit snugly over your ute without any need for additional attachments. The choice is completely up to you!

Roof racks can be made of aluminium, steel or even carbon fibre. They are usually made from lightweight materials to keep weight down and also include features such as load capacity so you know how much weight your rack can carry without damaging your vehicle or needing to be repaired.

Buying Your First Roof Rack

If this is your first time buying a roof rack, then it can be quite daunting to decide which one to go for. There are so many different types, brands and prices that it’s hard to know where to start! Here are some of our top tips:

1) Think about what you need your roof rack for – If you’re going off-road then a lightweight aluminium rack may be more suitable. If you’re carrying lots of cargo then carbon fibre is the way to go and if you want something that looks good, then steel or aluminium might be best!

2) Consider how much weight you’ll be putting on your rack – If you’re only going to be carrying light loads then a lightweight aluminium or steel rack would be perfect for you. If you’re going to be carrying extra cargo such as jerry cans or even an extra passenger, then carbon fibre might be the best option!

3) Consider what type of vehicle you’ll be fitting it onto – If your vehicle has factory-installed rails then this will save you time and money in terms of installation costs. If not, then consider buying a kit that comes with everything you need including clamps and load bars. These usually come at a lower price than buying everything separately!

4) Look for reviews and customer feedback – This is a great way to find out what other people think about certain products, especially if they have similar needs to you! It’s also good to check the brand’s website as well as forums.

5) Read through all the terms and conditions before purchasing – Many companies will charge additional fees for installation or even take away certain features if you don’t purchase their products! Make sure you know what you’re getting into before signing on the dotted line!

6) Read through installation instructions thoroughly – It can be quite easy to miss out on something here, so make sure you read everything carefully. If there are any steps that seem unclear or hard to understand then ask someone who has installed similar racks before for help!

7) Think about how much weight your vehicle can carry – This is an important factor to consider when purchasing a roof rack! If you have a heavy vehicle then it’s best to get a product that can carry more weight such as a carbon fibre or aluminium one. If not, then steel could be the way forward for you!

8) Consider what type of weather conditions you’ll be using your roof rack in – If you’re going to be using it in extreme heat and cold then look for products with good insulation so they don’t crack or fail under pressure. If you’re going to be driving in wet weather conditions then make sure your rack is rust-resistant.

9) Consider the size of your vehicle and how much room there is – You don’t want to get a product that blocks out your rearview mirrors or takes up so much space that it makes getting into the backseat or boot difficult!

The Best Roof Rack Canopies

Ute Canopies: The Good vs The Bad!

So you’ve decided that it’s time for an upgrade and you want to invest in a new ute canopy roof rails or roof rack. But which one? There are so many on the market with different features, colours and prices that it can be hard to decide which one is right for you! Here’s our pick of the best:

The Good:

1) Rhino-Rack Canopy Frontier Rack – This amazing product comes in either black or white and has a sleek design that will look great on any ute! It also includes tie-down points so you can secure your load if need be.

2) Thule Gateway Roof Rack – This stylish canopy comes in black or grey and is made from lightweight aluminium so it’s easy to install and remove! It also includes a locking system that keeps your rack in place when travelling at high speeds.

3) Smittybilt Canopy W-Bar – If you’re after something cheap but effective, then this product is the one for you! It’s available in either black or white and has a sleek design that will look great on any ute.

4) OCAM Roof Rack – These canopy roof rails come in black or white and have a great price! It’s made from aluminium so it’s strong but lightweight, making installation easy.

The Bad:

1) Thule Gateway Roof Rack – Whilst this product does have some good features, the bad outweighs the good here! The locking system doesn’t work as well as other brands and the rubber seal on the mounts is too soft and wears away quickly. This can cause leaks which will damage your ute’s interior.

2) Smittybilt Canopy W-Bar – This product doesn’t come with any additional features such as tie-down points or a locking system; meaning you’ll have to get an extra cargo net if you need to secure your load. It’s also quite flimsy so may not be ideal for larger vehicles or those who tow a lot of cargo!

3) Rhino-Rack Canopy Frontier Rack – Whilst this product does have some good features, the bad outweighs the good here! The locking system doesn’t work as well as other brands and the rubber seal on the mounts is too soft and wears away quickly. This can cause leaks which will damage your ute’s interior.

4) OCAM Roof Rack – This product doesn’t come with any additional features such as tie-down points or a locking system; meaning you’ll have to get an extra cargo net if you need to secure your load. It’s also quite flimsy so may not be ideal for larger vehicles or those who tow a lot of cargo!