Buying A Canopy For Your Bakkie

Bakkie canopies may all appear quite similar, but there are a number of style and fitment options, and the quality varies considerably.

- Jake Venter

In the case of most items we buy, the brand name is important. This is especially true of a product such as a bakkie canopy, where a difference in quality may not always be obvious.

A canopy is made of reinforced glass fibre, and this reinforcement, which is often invisible, determines the strength. This means that an experienced manufacturer is likely to make a stronger canopy than a beginner is. The canopies recommended by vehicle manufacturers are usually of good quality, but inevitably are more expensive than those from aftermarket canopy manufacturers.

POINTS TO CONSIDER

The way the canopy is secured to the bakkie is important. If you intend removing it often, ensure that the fasteners are easy to undo without being flimsy. If you are likely to keep it in place more or less permanently, the fasteners should be substantial.

A canopy that is removed often should not be too heavy, but bear in mind that a light canopy will not last as long as a heavy canopy that becomes a fixture.