The best canopies for your Mazda BT-50

There’s absolutely no doubt about it: Regardless of who Mazda forms strategical technology alliances with, the BT-50 badge carries a strong enough reputation that the model is a strong seller. The original BT-50 arrived in Australia in 2006 and was a shared model between Mazda and long-time collaborator Ford. 

The second-gen BT-50 arrived in 2011 along with the all-new Ford Ranger with which it shared so much. But by the arrival of the all-new current-model, the Ford marriage had been dissolved and the Mazda BT-50 was a joint development with none other than Isuzu, with many shared components between it and the new D-Max.

But one thing all Mazda BT-50s have had in common (and it applies to all standard utes and dual-cabs) is that your personal or work gear in the tray is not especially secure. And that includes from the weather and the light-fingered among us. A tonneau cover is one solution, but in hard form it doesn’t allow for taller loads and, in soft form, it offers very little in the way of defence against a box-cutter. Which is why so many BT-50 owners turn to a canopy to provide the secure storage they’re looking for.

There are plenty of options when it comes to a canopy for your ute, starting with the most basic form of Mazda BT-50 canvas canopy that can be shaped any which way you like by fitting an off-the-shelf or custom-made steel frame to give it its shape. In fact, the method of construction makes this a great project to tackle on the weekend, but bear in mind a canvas canopy made specifically for the BT-50 can be had for as little as around $1500 anyway, so maybe it’s not worth the effort. The other advantage with buying a brand-name canvas job is that you won’t have to mess around fitting zippers and tie-backs; they’ll all be there for you.

This type of canvas canopy offers one-person fitting and removal and the ability to be removed or slid forward quickly to allow for bulky loads on a regular basis. The downside is that they aren’t always very dust-proof and they don’t offer the security of a hard canopy with locking access points. The most common BT-50 to carry a canvas canopy is the flat-tray or drop-side tray versions that start as a cab-chassis. Certainly, these BT-50 variants have greatest choice in off-the-shelf canvas canopies, and this style is a popular fitment as a Mazda BT-50 single cab tray back canopy.

More specialised is the service body style of canopy which is usually constructed and clad in metal and allows for secure storage for tools and work supplies. The permutations of these are more or less limitless and they can be custom made to achieve a very specific end result with a very specific use in mind. A service body or steel canopy can also incorporate storage space below the tray, either side of the vehicle’s rear wheel to maximise efficiency. Many have the option of roof or ladder racks on top of the basic structure. Tradies love these things and, in terms of how they fit and work best, they make the most sense on a Mazda BT-50 tray back canopy, rather than a styleside vehicle.

When it comes to fibreglass canopies, the big decision is whether to go for a factory one or an aftermarket unit. (image credit: Flexisglass)

Far and away the most common canopy for the BT-50 is the fibreglass or high-tech plastic units which are most commonly attached to vehicles with the standard tub arrangement., Forming a secure roof over that tub, these canopies are the best choice for providing a dry, secure storage environment. But with windows to each side and to the rear, they’re also great for carrying pets safely. The windows and lift-up tailgate also make for decent access for working out of and, like a service body, the roof is usually strong enough to allow for roof racks and tie-down points. The construction method of these canopies (ie: a moulded main body) means they are less likely to be custom-made, but buyers can certainly option them up in many ways to achieve the result they want.

When it comes to these fibreglass or plastic canopies, the big decision is whether to go for Mazda’s factory (OEM) canopy or an aftermarket unit. Given that many car-makers outsource their 'factory’ canopy production to third-party aftermarket suppliers (who likely sell the same canopy under their own brand) there’s less in this than you might think. However, a genuine canopy from the manufacturer when you order your new BT-50 is a surefire way of ensuring that it will fit the vehicle perfectly, can be colour-matched accurately and, in many cases, will be covered by the vehicle’s new-car warranty. Many who use their BT-50s as work vehicles also appreciate the chance to include the canopy (and other genuine accessories) as part of the overall cost of the brand-new vehicle (finance arrangements willing) which is reflected in the monthly lease payment rather than an upfront cost at the time of purchase.

Want to turn your dual cab into a quasi-wagon? Get a canopy.

Going aftermarket, meanwhile, opens your choices up to a fair degree, including those canvas and service-body options we were talking about. But even if you’re after a fibreglass or plastic canopy, the aftermarket offers a huge range of choices and is the place to search if your BT-50 is not the model currently in Mazda showrooms. Brand such as ARB, TJM, Carryboy and Flexiglass are some of the better known brands, but there are literally dozens more. Get online and have a look around as there’s a fair range in both price and quality. The other option is to visit one of the many burgeoning superstores that will stock all sorts of canopies and brands as well as cover a range of price-points and options.

Don’t rule out a second-hand canopy either. Finding the style you want in good condition is perhaps not as difficult as many believe as some owners sell the canopy separately when they trade-in the vehicle. Vehicle recyclers sometimes have second-hand canopies for sale, too, salvaged after the truck itself has been front-ended and written-off with no damage to the rear end.

Windows and lift-up tailgate make for decent access for working out of. (image credit: Carryboy)

When it comes to options, the world is your oyster and it all comes down to budget and how you’d like your canopy configured. There are obvious alternatives to a custom-made canvas canopy and metal canopies and service bodies can be totally custom-made to suit any task or specific set of requirements, even taking into account OH&S obligations.

But even in the world of fibreglass canopies, the options list is a long one. In fact, adding options is a great way to make sure the canopy will suit your needs in the long term. Take notice of details such as whether the tailgate operates on a single lever or a pair of handles. The former is much better for those who often have their hands full of gear as they approach the vehicle. LED lighting is a nice touch and you can also specify central locking for the canopy then can even be made to work with the vehicle’s own central locking.

Other popular options run to gear like a roof vent (great if you cart your pets around in the ute) and extra tool boxes and you can even – in some cases – specify a set of internal drawers on slick rollers to make the absolute most of the interior space. It can all be arranged and most of the bigger brands offer all this stuff. It costs extra, of course, but if it makes the vehicle a better, more convenient piece of equipment, it’s definitely worth considering when you specify your canopy. Don’t forget about handy additions such as internal drawer systems and whether you like sliding or hinged side windows. Tradies with ladders or a need to carry long lengths of material often opt for Mazda BT-50 roof racks which make that all possible.

Fibreglass canopies are usually strong enough to allow for roof racks and tie-down points. (image credit: ARB)

One mistake a lot of ute owners make is to fit a canopy but forget to let their insurance company know they’ve done so. Both the replacement value of the vehicle and the cost of the premium could be affected. But basically, if your insurer doesn’t know about the canopy and the vehicle is a total loss, the cost of the canopy may not be included in the pay-out. Meantime, a vehicle with a secure canopy fitted might represent a reduction in the insurance cover for your work tools and camping gear.

The Mazda BT-50 canopy price you’ll be quoted will have a lot for with where it’s from, who made it and what options it has, as well as the actual style of canopy you decide upon. You can cobble together your own canvas canopy at home for a few hundred dollars, but even a professionally made canvas unit can be had for as little as $1500 or so. An alloy or metal canopy will be more expensive and a service body custom-built to a specific brief can be literally thousands of dollars. The upper end of the off-the-shelf BT-50 canopy price range is around the $5000 mark and that gets you a really high-end canopy with plenty of options and a factory warranty.