We are fitting out a "trades-mans" type of canopy on a tray-top ute, the wife wants to have a vent put in the roof, I think mainly to stop the inside of the canopy getting too hot (when stopped?), I am saying that we also need to put in a second vent low down, so that when the hot air rises, then for it to go out, there must be provision for air to come in.
I am looking at a type that can open with the flap that can open either with the opening facing forward, or to the rear, the lower vent has a spring loaded flap that only opens one way. So if mounted on the rear face the flap would have its opening downwards to stop rain etc. from entering.
Utes can suck dust through the tailgate gaps. So need some positive pressure of clean air. Do many rounded canopies have a flat area to mount? Sides? Maybe a narrow side window more to the front is about the same cost. To open a bit.
Maybe talk with a reputable canopy supplier. Many tradies have fridges and they must have ventilation. However tradies may not be so worried about dust.
Perhaps a Rotary Vent might do the trick, I used one on my Ute canopy a few years ago and it worked very well.
Try this link it will show you many options https://www.caravansplus.com.au/vents-cowls-parts/small-roof-vents-c-446.html
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Steve, Di & Ziggy We named our Motorhome "Roadworx" because on the road works "On The Road Again" Ford Transit with 302 Windsor V8 conversion, C4 Auto, 9 Inch Ford Diff All Lighting L.E.D., 260 Amp/h AGM, 530 Watt Solar + Kipor Backup Gen.
Thanks madaboutled, that's a good page to look at, the scupper vent is what I had in mind as the low vent, it can be opened or closed as required, I am not too keen on the spinning vent, they wear out, and you can't shut them off.
Tomorrow I will be able to post a picture of the ute fitted out, so Dougwe can see how its done. It seems that those with utes are not too bothered about venting and the heat.
Hi macka, The canopy is one made in Perth, top of the range, and should be dust proof, and no rear door to suck in the dust. The wife is worried about the temperature inside the canopy, say when stopped. So have been looking at the spring loaded vents, but a hole in the roof is a hole in the roof, there is no going back.
Insulation attached to the inside of the roof is another alternative, as is a "tropical roof", but that may look a bit funny.
The ute for two people is an ideal as far as I am concerned, we can put the seats back for comfort, and far back to have a sleep, the space in the rear of the cab can take two passengers, but uncomfortable. There would be enough room to put a fridge, and 12v supply is there. But I don't need an extra fridge, so that space is for over-flow.
The suicide doors are great for putting the shopping in, and I didn't realise how convienent they were until I had a 4door ute as a loan car, and every time I wanted to put something into the rear of the cab, I had to walk around a door to get there.
The rear springs and shocks have been replaced, with 300kg ball weight she sits nice and level. However I am only now getting to the full loaded situation, ready to move out of our house and full time on the road. In the back of the ute I have all the heavy stuff at the front, light at the back, to get the weight between the wheels. I did toy with the idea of putting the spares up front, but decided to leave them where they are, under-slung on each chassis, the spare of the van can fit the ute and vice versa.
Just set a snorkel ram up top at the front (with some gauze to stop the 'sects )...and a grille a bit like the one next to the door of a caravan for gas ventilation... at the back of canopy about 6 inches up from floor (again with the aforementioned gauze ). I have done this to a header comb trailer for the box with all the bits of fuel and oils in it ...works a treat.
Cheers Keith
-- Edited by Keith P on Thursday 2nd of November 2017 07:02:10 PM
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