Whether you are a farmer, tradie, frequent camper, or 4×4 trailblazer; having a purposed kitted ute goes a long way to having an easy day. The global accessories market has grown to over $250 Billion. The reason is the quality and functionality of recent products. The only choice for decades was to weld your own.
Shells became more popular about 70 years ago. The first were boxes of metal construction and were of little use beyond security and some weather protection.
Later fibreglass shells gave more shape control, less leaking, and less rust. Original fibreglass shells could be heavy and sacrifice capacity. In time, improved processes in manufacturing reduced weight considerably, and increased strength.
Metal is great, but steel is heavy, and stainless is a premium. Aluminium ute canopies pricing fluctuates from reasonable to pricey according to raw materials cost. Modern factories have brought down prices with welding production experience and adaptation for efficiency.
Technology has also given us tooling to bend, shape, cut, and drill aluminium to specifications your heart desires. Generally speaking, there are certain combinations of accessories that work for particular uses.
Are you a Chippy? Carpentry contains complex skill sets in working with natural materials to achieve unnatural shapes. It can be art. Every job has a tool, and it is not a hammer. What would you want on your tray as a carpenter?
I would want a generator if the site I am on has limited or no power. Don’t you like coffee? Pneumatic tools perform very well on large framing and cladding jobs. Battery-powered tools have taken strides to remain in the market. If you have enough battery packs to rotate and keep your hands on the work, it will be fine. If not, add a compressor, hose locker, and sealed drawer for pneumatic tooling. A ladder rack can also hold lengths of timber. A slide-out bed extender will give you more working surface, and space to locate power tools. A locking toolbox and tow hitch complete our carpenter trade package.
A quality, durable, versatile truck or ten is needed on every farm. Depending on what type of farm you operate or what work you plan for your ute, there are farm favourite additions.
The cab of a farm truck should be protected with a headboard. It can be installed on a flat tray, tilt bed, or box. A drop side can become all of those on demand. Properly secured rails, and tie-downs will be appreciated. A secondary fuel tank is very helpful as a support vehicle for agricultural equipment. Add a winch on the front or a boom hoist in the back for those big jobs. If your trailers aren’t matched, a multi-use trailer hitch is necessary.
Cutting trails in the bush or emptying cans on your tush, your truck can carry all your camping needs.
Rooftop tents are big enough to fit more people than your truck can seat. You will be off the ground, out of the smoke, and into a breeze for a slumber. You can not have enough drawers for the various kitchen, cleaning, tools, cooking, and utensil storage. It is nice to know where everything is after sunset. Including a small compressor will be handy for floating toys if you are near water.
You might want a generator for more power options on a bare site, or more refrigeration on a longer trip. There is no question in my mind that you will thank yourself for installing an awning. Create a shaded, dry space next to the home base. Extend your range with a jerry can or two. If you are headed that deep, add another tire mount and recovery kit.
To fit your truck to your family’s lifestyle of running to and from school, work, shopping, and the gas station, install some of these to assist you.
A foldable tailgate ladder or rocker rails will make accessing the bed easy. A tonneau cover will maintain a clean and dry tray while keeping eyes on any items beneath it. Bungie webbing is excellent for cargo retention of any size. Tie-downs, straps, and cordage should be stored in a bag or box. A trailer hitch and tow hooks can help in an emergency for you or others. Mud flaps will help reduce road grime, and reduce roadway debris damage.
Everything in life is somewhere. Get in your ute and go there.
