DON'T BUY A PICK-UP/UTE CANOPY/TOPPER UNTIL YOU SEE THIS  

That split canopy design is ingenious. If it doesn’t interfere with the doors, the spare tire can straddle the space between them right behind the cab. This would bring the weight of the tire closer to the center without taking up any canopy or tray space

I think this will be the setup I go with in the future. Thank you for coving something that doesn't cost the moon.

Get a 3 door full canopy, can have the same void space down the middle yet secure and weather proof

Be great to see them on their own channel

that center section would be perfect for a dirt bike, set up camp and use the bike as transport

Interesting thing about the National Luna lights... They have the same colour temprature as a campfire.

Great build 👌 before I got my troopy I used to run something very similar so I could be a tradie during the week and still have a decent and easy camping setup during the weekend. If I could make a small suggestion/tip; if you add tray sides to the ute with a bit of stainless plate bolted to the back of them and a cable not letting it drop down more then horizontal, it makes for the perfect flat spot for cooking and storing things while you are at camp. Safe travels and happy exploring guys!

Now this is a setup I like. Always wondered what Heiner's look like. Really well thought out. Definitely the design concept I'll be going for. Thanks for this episode.

No. I hate my gear getting wet and add bull dust to the equation. Imagine trying to set up a wet muddy swag. Also because of that rear barn gate whenever you want something from the centre whilst camping you would have to remove most things off the tailgate food prep area. May be it doesn't rain much in WA but east coast it does. Plus the odd time i need yo carry long bulky items say from Bunnings. I would just use the load bars on top of my canopy.

🔥🔥🔥 BTW the national luna light is the same color temperture as campfire 🔥🔥🔥

If I was going to this type of setup A gate system mounted to the tray for the tires .. where the tire sits underneath i would likely use it a spare fuel/water tank I find with utes within the 2.4-2.8 liter diesel spec/small block v6 petrol weight spec is going to be the issue it isn't a matter of getting up to speed it is how you stop it at speed to a dead stop... the bigger issue is strengthening the 3 foot section between the back of the cab and start of the tray.. on the hilux chassis system you are going to be limited on weight you can carry you are likely overweight for the motor installed I would be vary of what uses VAC powering in your setup.. you may be better off in purchasing a 2 burner/oven/griller for electric based cooking, to many things with a heat/cooking/boiling element of of hardware you are looking 1500 watts-2500 watts pending on device being used from a ac outlet power use.. Noting to comply with insurance co's from a shore power whether by mains or genset it your vac compliance anything pastthat inlet must sit behind an ac fuse

great video Andrew ,all the overland stuff like this you see in North America is much like the tradey style, this I would much prefer myself ,for it is ingenious and simplicity and i could style go to Home Depot and pick up long material like fencing or even 4x8 foot sheets of Plywood for building purposes and projects 👍

How thick is the plywood? Where did the boxes come from? Can we get some dimensions?

Looks like they may be the TC Boxes on the back.

Had a 2016 2.5 twin turbo dmax back here in the uk, absolutely brilliant best pickup of them all hands down, hilux couldn’t even touch it in my opinion for power, fuel efficiency 36 mpg towing, between 36-41mpg normal driving, comfort, reliability and price was about £6000-£9000 less than a similar spec and age and milage hilux. Great choice of truck and so easy to get spares and accessories for in OZ as it was sold as the holden Colorado and Mazda bt 50 as well.

Put the whole setup on a lightweight metal frame so that it can 'slide-on, slide-off' & still use the ute tray for work. Or even leave the setup at camp & still use the car for a day-trip

I can see toolboxes being popular for those with bike or boat or even a mountain bicycle like me - I have a 1600mm long lift off canopy because I need the tray for domestic duties - what brand/model is Heiner’s cooker? - interestingly I’ve owned many Subarus factory fitted with Yokohama Geolandars and now I run them as AT’s on my Hilus and they’ve been excellent on/off road in dry and wet conditions.

Hi Andrew that a brilliant idea. In SA budget overlanding is not a focus point for all manufacturers they only focus on the top end of the market.

Heiner..."I want to keep a low profile"; Bwahahaahahhaaa!! ;-) Having used both the Oztent and a Gazelle T4, I prefer the Gazelle. I find the space/height much more useful and, more importantly, the T4 breathes so no condensation.

Great episode, very practical setup and gives one a few things to rethink.

Who made Heinies drawers ?

Half way around the loop and I have learnt there is no way I would put up with having to do everything outside in the Sun/cold/wind/rain/flys. I’ve watched all the poor buggers having to do this performance from my fully self contained 4x4 and feel super appreciative of my choice of off-road that I don’t even need to get out of to set up or cook dinner if the conditions are awful.

great video here is idea for u what u could be is put a long high draw system in the middle between the boxes instead of climbing up to get the gear u need

Kate made a handsome woman

I had a problem of wildpeak wheels leaking from the beads at 22 psi. Was just told by there manager not meant to let them down pass 32 psi . Who should i contact now. I brought through bob jane

I have an RX4. It’s bullet proof. You can have the base tent up in 10 minutes and still use your car.

This could probably also work well on a single cab bakkie (oops, ute), as you would have even more space for everything. You could even fit a nice rooftop tent as well. ☺👍

This is what it’s all about. It’s the stuff everyday people can afford and do themselves 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗 I think your daughter should take over your RU-vid channel and do it herself. Coz it would be down to earth and affordable for those watching the channel 👍👍👍👍. Not building 4x4’s with stuff they can’t get or afford. Down to earth budget builds 👍 Good to see 👍

I used to work out of my mate's hilux with an ex-Telstra canopy. Most of the space in there was wasted, especially when things were just tossed in there after a job. Main problem with my setup is all the time taking everything in and out after work.

What brand of tool boxes, and tray are featured on Heiners vehicle. That build has a great deal of merit. As always a great watch. Thank you.

Great idea what is the distance between the two tool boxes? I have been looking at a 1/2 canopy on a Dmax to bring the weight closer to the centreline but it may restrict the amount of dry storage.

Do you have a good place to mount a decent vice. I find when exploring out of the way place something always needs fixing or fabrication and having access to a vice is just so useful.

Gosh Kate has grown up! I feel old today.

All they need to do is get a roof top tent to form the roof of the structure between the two boxes, mount a panel and maxtrax etc to the roof of the tent and job done

Great idea and a very workable solution for the dead space in the middle of a canopy, especially for the vertically challenged, looking forward to the evolution of this build

Top content. More budget dual cab info 👍

I have a suspicion this design will become very popular if you are a camp in your vehicle type.

Very cool. You could even transport dirt bike.

Heiners design is dam near perfect 👍.

Mini SPW needs her own channel !!

Good pick of tires, i run them and they outperform any previous MT especially in case of air down performance.

An update on this build would be amazing, I'm hoping to do something very similar

Very practical setup. I live in USA…. I do not recall seeing anything like those cabinets here.

This is what's missing in North America. Simple. Beautiful. Effective. I would like to do the similar stuff to a 2nd gen Tacoma.

She looks exactly like her mom

Very innovative, wow

North American pickup utility boxes are similar, but swing-out doors. Maybe slightly heavier with extra inside panels, but I like the concept.

Take a look at the southern cross canvas LITE 9 tent mate. Aussie made and peg down and one pole its setup

Great idea… what does it cost?

The challenge that most normal people have is that we have one main vehicle, this vehicle is an overlander, daily driver, family hauler, and general stuff carrier all in one. My D-Max has to be able to do all the basic family stuff like carrying bikes, DIY materials, shopping as well as support me for about one week's worth of camping. The only solution I have is to compromise, and the camping gets compromised. I have a fiberglass canopy and I have to fit everything in there organised in plastic boxes. Quick swap backs would help, the ability to switch between a flat bed, a tub, and a canopy would be GREAT! Imagine if you didn't even have to own a dedicated back, you could rent it for the job.

Always confounds me when I see people install a travel buddy above a fridge. Just doesn’t make sense to me. 🤷🏿‍♂️

Kate became quite a beautiful lady !

Wow, modular storage using toolboxes you can find anywhere. That's actually a great idea. And ground tent camping seems to be making a comeback. With advancements such as drill in pegs and 3D mattresses it's not really a surprise. We use glamping gear nowadays and it's really nice.

Plenty of ways to utilise a full canopy style layout. However, I built a canopy from two toolboxes, then cut a hole in the back of the left box at the front to put a 1400mm slide out box, all were set up on top of two 1800 long pull out drawers, with two 160mm pole tubes, one on either side. Full open canopies are a pain in the arse. I only have to reach in 1200 inside the back tailgate door. But I built it for work and nothing else.

As a plumber in Brisbane Ive just gone to a full canopy over years of twin tradie boxes. So much more usable space lol.

Have I just stumbled across the David Attenborough of 4WDs? 😂

Brilliant idea!I have this idea in my head for a long time, but the option of a jack-off for the full canopy was the deal breaker for me, most of the time I need a my Ute full deck space for work and being to be able to remove the canopy easy with the jack-off legs was the easy choice for me ..

It really makes me feel old that your daughter has gone from being a child that sometimes tagged along with her Dad, to a full grown woman confidently presenting her own rig.

“They have the same color temperature as campfire” - Heiner is my kind of guy.

Yes, I like this...with our tray top having to double as a farm ute (need to carry stock food, tools, fencing gear, occasional dead sheep) the extra space is valuable and also in a very usable format. Can't see a traditional fridge slide fitting though...clearly demands an upright.

I've never thought about it like that. You've inspired me. Thanks for the idea.

Great video did you recommend the dmax out of all the dual cab range? Or did your daughter just get it

I always wondered how people would deal with that dead space. I can see all kinds of different kit layouts and adaptations according to where one is going. Beach, water sports, desert, woods, mountains etc. Would / could an explorer bike be fitted in the middle?

A refreshing video packed with ideas, I’m not a fan of utes on rough roads, however they have their place

I like this set up a lot ! Nice job lads from 🇨🇦 ex Saffer .

Great, great setting. I could totally see this for our future family vehicle, with 2 rooftop tents or a big one with a separation. If there no 2nd spare wheel in between the 2 boxes, I could see one or two long trays in the middle. One tray for « junks » and one tray for clothes and other stuff for a family of 4. Issue could be the weight, but it’s worth thinking about it.

Great video. Interesting ergonomic setup. Thanks

very nice design....has given me more to think about given i want to transition from tub setup to tray/canopy/toolbox.

Very good solution, super practically 🤠👍 Nice easy video with cool mates and even family members. Funny to see your daughter growing up with Overlanding and to keep going on with it in the right way.

The joy of family and friends giggling and laughing at you Mr Andrew is heartwarming

3 DOOR CANOPY ??

That's a very interesting idea. This bears some thinking on.

I like the set up also, however the swing door in the middle needs a bit more tweeking as it takes space to open and close.

Is there any method for rain and dust protection for the mid section if it was needed for a point in time purpose?

stunning stuff! ... guess i start building this weekend!

+ & - in everything we do AndrewGood content as usual🙂

thank you for great detail video as very great watching see other way

Hey Andrew , now I see that you recognise that a hilux is much better than a toopy, : more versátil ,lighter weight , better fuel consumption, stronger engin , more comfortable …etc

Definitely seems like the best of both worlds

Great episode gives me a few more things to think about. Really enjoyed seeing what they have done and why.👍

I looked at a lot of second hand utes with these boxes already set up. I thought it would be quite useful. Ended up with a wagon in the end, but quite liked these setups.

I like it , it is a great idea for your area ...

Some great ideas there.

😂👍👍🏆🏆 thanks about time.

Really enjoyed that, thanks 👍

Thanks for that. It was a real eye opener.

Very pratical setup. 👍🏾

The jack off canopy I have runs very similar to the two tool boxes and is easily removed to expose the tray again. It has two gull wings on the side and a centre tunnel in the rear with a narrow gull wing door. The two sides are constants and the centre tunnel is variable. The passenger side has all the cooking facilities pantry pots/pans etc, and the drivers side has the spare tyre, tools, recovery gear, etc towards the front quarter and the fridge, drinks, towels towards the rear quarter. They are constantly in the canopy and live there. The centre tunnel is variable and might carry 1 or several chairs, swags, firewood, firepit, chainsaw, etc, etc... It's variable because I might go on my own or I might go with my daughter/s. No two camp trips are the same so the centre tunnel becomes the variable to accommodate, but what is constant to all camps live on the sides. Oh, and the clamshell roof top tent is on top.

Very cute. 👍🏼

Smart solution.

Lovely stuff

Great review guys.

This is awesome!

GENIOUS SETUP🎉

brilliant!

I see a few problems. Those tradie boxes tend to flex a great deal, and that means seals don't seal. The open space down the middle will catch and trap dust which will add significantly to weight and will need to be cleaned out regularly before a) it rains and b) overnight dew, or you will have one unholy mess. Full size canopies if set up right allow complete access in a secure, dust and waterproof environment.

😂👍👍🏆

I’d love to see the hinge set up for the awning.

Piece of advice for your son and law. Loose the top knot, it was never cool nor will it be. 👍

Everyone situation is different, perhaps most will be similar. Different people are going to want different things. I can see the versatility of this set up, but versatility is not going to always equal efficient. To some degree it is going to come down to the criteria by which you or anyone measures efficiency. I think it can be easy to get stuck on one way being the right way. I am thinking this set up will suit certain type of tradies & not others, certain 4wd drivers & not others. And not everyone is going to be as invested in the intellectual excursive of what is the most efficient & versatile. Sure there are going to be some things that are just dumb for any one situation. As I do more 4wding , my view may change. I see plus & minuses in this set up as I do with others. The longest item I carry is my mountain bike, the next longest thing is my swag. the MTB is always going to be an awkward item to place & secure. Having it between 2 tool boxes does not necessarily make it easy to secure (by secure I mean restrain, & there is more than one way of doing that). And I don't always travel with the mountain bike. I am tall with long arms so reaching in to the center space is not that big of a deal. My other needs & wants are probably not that common. For example I sometimes take my sea kayak, which is 5.6m long, I have a custom articulated mount for it. Most that do kayaking have style of kayak that is more specialized to flat water fishing. I have not really had the need for carrying a lot of firewood either as it is just me & I have a high metabolism so I guess I don't really feel the cold that much, cooking for one if doing an open fire does not require much anyway. Up till now I have had 2 top opening tool boxes either side & they work ok (I would not say ideal but it was what I had, I did not specifically design it that way. I am building a half canopy (probably going to be a little less than half), aluminum frame with a insulated, double lined canvas skin. I want to get another dog @ some point, will probably install a micro aircon for this half canopy. Now I understand the trade off with this, it is not as secure as a tool box style or complete shell canopy. But it will be lighter & cooler even with out the aircon, steel, stainless & ally are huge heat sponges. I guess with the canvas I would like to see stainless steel filaments or matt sandwiched or woven into the canvas, making it more secure & I guess making it like a Faraday cage, uno incase my tin foil hat is not protection enough :0*