5 Tips to Choosing the Right Ute Canopy or Service Body

At Hidrive we make choosing a service body configuration for your vehicles easy. Here are five simple steps that will help you select the service body that is perfect for your business.

1. Decide which style of canopy you need

The first thing you need to decide which configuration best meets your needs. Do you need a full canopy, part canopy or a Tool Canopy?

Full canopies are fully enclosed service bodies, with three doors for easy access. Positively sealed against dust and the weather, they offer all-round access to tools of trade and protect valuable equipment from damage and theft. Full canopies are available for most makes, models and chassis variations.

Part canopies offer the best of both worlds, with a combined service body canopy and rear tray. The enclosed canopy is positively sealed against the elements, and secures equipment against theft, while the tray is available to store and transport bulky items. They are available for most makes, models and chassis variations.

Tool Canopys provide handy storage for longer items in the centre aisle, and also come with the option of a rear tray section. The storage modules are fully secure, clean and dry: offering safe storage for tools and equipment. These are common with air compressor or generator installations.

2. Consider the external accessories you need

We have a range of modular external accessories that maximise the safety and efficiency of your mobile workspace. Consider the specific demands of your job before deciding on ones that will best suit your needs.

The Hidrive external accessories range includes:

  • Roof racks
  • Commercial roof bars
  • Ladder slides
  • Under tray boxes
  • Under tray roller drawers
  • Gas bottle restraints
  • Tow bars

3. Consider the internal accessories you need

Hidrive has an unrivalled suite of modular internal accessories, so you can create the fit-out that best suits your needs. No matter what line of work you’re in, we have accessories to maximise your productivity.

The Hidrive internal accessories range includes:

  • Rubber matting
  • Shelving kits & Storage
  • Mesh dividers
  • Roof shelves
  • Drawer units
  • Fold down vice kits
  • Load restraint track kits
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Parts storage bins

4. Think about what electrical accessories you need

Reliable electrical systems are a key feature of our service bodies, and the right accessories are definitely something to consider when deciding on the canopy configuration that will best serve your needs. No matter what you choose from, you can rest assured that our qualified automotive electrical team has designed and installed your system to a high standard.

  • Light Lock & Go kits
  • Work lights
  • Dual battery systems
  • Reversing cameras and safety
  • Emergency lighting
  • Civil and mine site compliance
  • 12 – 240V Inverters

5. Decide whether you need a suspension upgrade

Hidrive service bodies are lightweight yet reliable and secure. Accordingly many Hidrive operators tend to store those additional items on board, which may result in some additional payload.

So if you are transporting that extra equipment on a regular basis, you may need to consider a rear suspension upgrade which can be supplied and installed at the same time as your Hidrive service body

These tips will help you choose the ideal canopy set-up for your business. If you’re still unsure, the team at Hidrive can help you decide on the most secure and safely accessible workspace for your business or fleet.