If you want to add a tray to your ute, you may be torn between an open tray or one with a canopy on it. There are benefits to both options.

As an alternative, you could also buy a tray with a half canopy. How do these trays work and what are the benefits?

What Is a Half Canopy Ute Tray?

As the name suggests, a half canopy takes up around half the room on a ute tray. Part of the tray has a covered canopy box; the other part is a more traditional open tray. Depending on the model of ute tray that you use, the canopy can be placed at the front or back of the tray.

What Are the Advantages of a Half Canopy Ute Tray?

If you don't have a clear reason to use a fully open or canopied tray, then a half canopy may be more useful. This is a best-of-both-worlds solution, giving you the advantages of a canopy and a flat open tray in one.

So, for example, the canopy gives you somewhere to store your tools and key pieces of equipment more securely and safely. You don't risk anything valuable or fragile falling off the tray as it will be contained in the box.

If you buy a lockable canopy, then your expensive tools have a safe storage space. They aren't out in the open where people can see them and try to steal them.

Being able to lock tools away when you're out and about on jobs may also tick boxes with the company that provides your tools' insurance coverage. It may be a condition of your policy that you keep your tools locked away when you aren't using them.

Keeping part of a ute tray open also has its benefits. For example, you can use this space as a work area if you need to. You can also use it to store bulky or oddly-shaped items that won't fit in a canopy box.

This open space is also useful if you need to carry dirty items on your ute. For example, you can use this space to carry rubbish to be dumped after a construction job; this is also a useful space for gardening waste after a landscaping project.

If you can put these items on the tray, then you don't have to worry about them making the canopy or its contents dirty. They also won't damage your valuable tools and equipment.

To see how a half canopy looks, contact ute tray providers. They can also help you decide which layout will suit you best.