THE canopy thread - see them all here

[mirkoculic]

Hi all, just wanted to get some feedback on the flexiglass and caddy canopies. i have had a quick read through here but just wanted to get peoples opinions who might have them. are they good reliable, worth buying any weakpoints likes and dislikes please would be great.

Thanks.

[aj1249]

Thanks for the reply guys

[Spinner80]

I have a alpha canopy from caddy storage. I've had it for close to 3yrs. I like them they have big side lift up windows which helps putting things in. The only thing I don't like is that they don't make any internal supports for them but don't quote me I think they are rated to 70 kg. I did have some problems as it didn't sit right at start and a latch had to be changed after it ran out of warranty but there after sales service is great with all things being fixed with no charge.

[yakzu10]

Good evening ladies and Gents,

I hope someone will be able to assist me with a grief that is currently enveloping my state of mind
Any type of comment and suggestions be positive or negative will be appreciated by me. So here it goes.

I've got a 2015 MN GLX+ in white, after a bit of research in the forums I was quite happy to purchase myself an ALPHA GSE Canopy with Lift up windows, I asked the salesman if it was possible to install a sliding window on the driver's side if possible for my Canine friends and said yes that it was an option, Dropped off my vehicle first thing in the morning to get it installed today.

As I arrived to the establishment to pickup my Ute there was two things that I instantly noticed that was wrong, Firstly they've installed the windows on the wrong side of the cab, Sliding should be RH and lift up LH but got it the other way around, honest mistake I guess since I know that they can rectify that next time.

Secondly, the color did not match the vehicle whatsoever. Now I understand that it's not going to be perfect but with the tub and canopy sitting on top you can tell that it's way off, (It's storming out as I picked up the ute so I couldn't get picture of it, I'll try first thing in the Morning soon as the weather permits, now mind you it was dark out when I picked it up and yet I was able to tell the discoloration from 20 Metres away. Did anyone have similar issues with this? I understand it's hard to comment on this since there's no picture, but believe me when I say that there's definitely a difference.

Third as I got home I noticed the tub was filled with grinding dust from the headboard being chopped off, which almost leads me to think if they actually bothered covering the cab as they grinded away.

My keys for the canopy (has central locking) doesn't even work with the barrel keyway for the lift up window.

I cannot express enough how disappointed I am, and just leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth as I drove away.

I will be going back in the morning to the establishment to have a proper chat with the salesman about this.

Anyone with any suggestions, I'll gladly take.
TIA

Regards,
Jason

[yakzu10]

Also, would anyone be able to show me some pics of their MN white tritons with the GSE canopy on it?
and maybe I may be able to show it to my salesman.

Deeply appreciated

Regards,
Jason

[mudslinger]

Ive got an white egr, the guys at auburn canopies steered me away from getting it colour matched as they said it never turns out the same... i was impressed with EGRs std white it matches almost the same as the tub. (And i like you when parting with my hard earned want what I've paid for) was advised that a lot of the Canopy manufacturers arent geared up to match the colour exactly unless it went to a panel beaters and got colour matched (by i assume a colour specialist). He said it Can be worse for pearl based paints.

they should have advised and informed you before hand what to expect (depends how bad it is). If ya not happy send it back and get another one or get them to pay to send it to a paint shop and get professional done.

sounds like a botchy job mate, would be good to check to see if they've sealed/primed/painted the back metal head board where they've cut it off, otherwise it'll start to rust. Check if canopy is on straight, is properly sealed around where it connects to tub and has enough clearance around where it meets the cabin roof.

Id be ringing auburn canopies and speak to them about what you'd be expecting. I've found them extremely helpful and knowledgeable, they've been doing canopies for 20 yrs.

Good luck..

[mudslinger]

Just checked their website.... quote below:

At Alpha we believe that you do not need to sacrifice beauty and style to make the product practical and functional. We believe in leading the way and offering features that are not available on our competitor's products. We believe in continuous product improvement. We believe in offering our customers value for money. We believe that by daring to be different, we are offering all that we can for our cutomers. The GSE is proof that we are correct in our beliefs.

I'd read that back to them, and giv them a please explain.

[yakzu10]

As you mentioned mate, If I was informed prior to purchase that the canopy was going to be sub par in regards to colour coding then that would have definitely deterred me away from purchasing it from the beginning. I wish was pro active about it prior to getting the Alpha and not have just settled with the (yeah mate colour coding will match your ute's paint, but how was I to know

I don't think I'll get used to the difference in colour and I'll be bringing it back to them, canopies aren't cheap so I think we can all agree that it should atleast live up to our expectations that even it is not 100% matching it should be damn close

Haha cheers mud, I'll definitely be reading it out to them.

Thanks for the feedback.

Regards,
Jason

[snowman]

Ok so i have an EGR canopy on the MN. I also used Auburn canopies in Sydney.

Firstly i had the canopy completely replaced by them, but they didn't do it because of the colour issue, I'll get to that.

They replaced it because the rear window would not lock (they have changed the locking system now apparently) and two of the other windows either were really hard to open or would work their way open driving around.

Ultimately Auburn Canopies were good about it and EGR supported their product - but NOT about the colour.

I chose the EGR for the MN because my wife liked the look of it the best (her car) you could add internal roll cage/roof rack supports and their ABS materials was the thickest on the market. As much as i love my Razorback now i could not go through that saga again. So EGR it was.

I WAS advised that the colour matching (about $250 from memory) was NOT going to be perfect. That said anyone who has looked at white cars knows there is white and there is white, actually white comes in about 250,000 shades and is one of the hardest colours to match. That said i could not believe the base white (unpainted) would be a good match and even now i am sure (i have never witnessed base material on our cars) that the colour matching is still a better match.

The big problem i have is the canopy manufacturer just uses the same Mits white. The problem is it is painted over an ABS plastic and not metal so the base is different. My gripe to EGR was and is - spend a few dollars (remember these canopies cost about 3 grand each +) and get a painter to colour match properly as they must sell heaps of these for white tritons. It clearly needs some minor tweaking to the colour to adopt the different base they are painted on. it cant be that hard surely. I am sure a decent spray painter can use a spectrometer or something to come up with that formula.

The matching does vary depending on the particular light and it is at a point now where i don't notice it too much. I expect if i had no colour matching it would stand out far worse but i am yet to see one to compare. Additionally for the $250 you are getting a paint finish that can be washed and polished the same as the car. This also surely helps protect the ABS plastic from the aussie sun.

I have purchased three new canopies for the last three cars (MK, ML & MN) and they were (ARB, Razorback & EGR) in that order. I have had problems with every single one of them. ARB had to replace windows that would not work properly, the Razorback issues are well documented elsewhere in this thread and the EGR fully replaced due to the above issues.

My next car wont be a DC ute and the best thing about that is i wont have to worry about bloody canopies.

[Airved]

When I ordered mine, having it colour-matched didn't cost any extra, and it was the Mitsu paint code. Perhaps they've started painting them all?

Got any pics of your EGR canopy you can post so we can see?

How long ago did you get yours?

[yakzu10]

Please someone tell me that I'm just being pedantic about the color.
Can someone chime in?

Cheers
Jason

[Naff]

Has more red in it. A lot of it is due to it being fibreglass and the tub being metal. They would have made it up to your paint code as requested. To do it properly it would need to be matched by a spray painter.

[snowman]

my EGR on MN.

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[aj1249]

So the time has come to order a canopy. Its seems every man and his dog sells them now, and many on here have had or are having issues with theirs. I have a white GLX-r MN MY15 model. In the MUST have column I would want Lift up L/H window, Sliding R/H window, Sliding front window, a rear window with single opening handle, preferably with central locking and lastly roof rails so i can add roof racks to mount a side awning and occasionally carry a ladder or a few bits of timber (nothing heavy). Could anybody please help me narrow down the search based on what you have fitted and would recommend please.

[Cowboy Dave]

Sliding front and single rear handle with central locking rules out the ARB, unless their new model is finally ready.

[aj1249]

Dont know about being in stock Dave but the pretty pictures look ok.

[Paul_81]

Hi Stephen, we have factory canopy on our GLXR and it is close to being water tight, there are 2 small areas at the back corners, where the canopy sits on top of the tail gate that needs some attention, other than that it is water proof. Hope you enjoy your new Triton as much as we do

Just after all this rain in Brisbane, it's reminded me that my canopy does leak.

Mongo, you mentioned the two back corners need attention. What have you done there to overcome the leaking? I'm thinking of sliding the canopy back at bit on the rail to sit over the tail gate more, but not sure how far the canopy is meant to sit.

Any thoughts?

[mudslinger]

I understood that you can put central locking on most canopies with some sort of aftermarket central locking/solenoid kit.

[snowman]

So the time has come to order a canopy. Its seems every man and his dog sells them now, and many on here have had or are having issues with theirs. I have a white GLX-r MN MY15 model. In the MUST have column I would want Lift up L/H window, Sliding R/H window, Sliding front window, a rear window with single opening handle, preferably with central locking and lastly roof rails so i can add roof racks to mount a side awning and occasionally carry a ladder or a few bits of timber (nothing heavy). Could anybody please help me narrow down the search based on what you have fitted and would recommend please.

all your criteria above is solved on the EGR EXCEPT for the central locking. to my knowledge (not completely current) the Razorback is the only one with standard central locking ability (like on my ML) and i LOVE that about it. but it wont get you roof racks (with extra internal bars anyway) and i am unsure if they have lift up windows - certainly the larger one like on the EGR or ARB anyway.

the one thing i found when looking for MN canopy is not many do a sliding front window anymore. they went to a lift up which is no good for say access while driving - like if you have a dog you want some access to.

i certainly would recommend the razorback HOWEVER the way they are fitted is a joke
as they use crappy clamps. If i was doing it again i would pay a panel beater to install it (what i did in the end) with stainless bolts and nyloc nuts. not clamps and tek screws which is what accessory installers see as completely acceptable

[mudslinger]

I got my egr canopy installed on our MN 12 mths ago, it has a curb side lift up, roadside sliding and a front sliding window in case ya want ya dogs head in the back seat.

The EGR comes with 6 clamps not 4 (haven't been over any corrigations yet but i would agree with snowman on a more secure fitment being a better way to go).

[Pete_79]

Just read through this thread and didn't notice any FlexiXover canopies.
This is my MN warrior with the new Xover, dealer fitted.
Mine has lift up windows both sides and the front folds down.







I'll get a shot from behind after I finish installing the reversing sensors tomorrow.

[snakesoup]

different wheels on the warrior to hey..I like them..

[Pete_79]

different wheels on the warrior to hey..I like them..

Off the challenger as best I can tell, I like them too.

[GPS98]

Hi

We have a flexiglass sport canopy on our MN Triton and had to have it fixed this morning at FLexiglass at Slacks Creek in Brisbane, they had it for two hours, replaced the faulty parts , repaired a couple of screws holding the lock in place and replaced a rubber seal. I must say the canopy has been on the Triton for three years and is two years out of warranty, and the cost $0. Customer support and product support is alive and doing well there, so if you are thinking of a canopy for the Triton I would recommend Flexiglass to you especially the guys at Slacks Creek. Will be there when the new canopy needs to go on the next vehicle.

[ag9111]

Please someone tell me that I'm just being pedantic about the color.
Can someone chime in?

Cheers
Jason

I have the same canopy on mine in white, and whilst the color match is not perfect, it is better than that. Ute is filthy atm, so give me some time to clean and put up a pic