Is this Australia's finest expedition-ready ute canopy?

Victorian hardcore hybrid camper manufacturer Tekton Expedition has released a new premium ute canopy for well-heeled off-road adventurers, that it claims is up to 60 per cent lighter than traditional alloy canopies and boasts 'índustry first' features like a diesel hot water system.

Positioned at the top end of the ever-growing recreational ute canopy market, the new Tekton CX-Series camper-canopy features a similar fibreglass one-piece composite construction to Tekton's top-shelf Melbourne-built hard-shell campers, along with lightweight composite internal cabinetry and an automotive paint style finish.

The result is a base weight of just 110kg, with the service body version mounted on the vehicle with guards, toolboxes and rear bar, coming in a smidge higher at 135kg. 

"We designed the CX-Series to solve a problem that’s becoming more and more common in the touring world," explained Tekton co-founder Jonathan. "Too much weight, too much heat, and not enough thought behind what’s bolted on the back of a vehicle. 

"Traditional aluminium canopies often weigh 250–350kg before you even load gear, water, fridges, tools, or rooftop set-ups. Once everything’s in, most vehicles are dangerously close to, or well over, their factory GVM and rear axle limits, especially when towing." 

Tekton said the CX-Series also stands apart as a "touring grade platform" with full insulation and minimal thermal bridging that "translates to real-world usability, better performance from your fridge, less power draw, and more comfort on the road".

"Where most canopies offer no thermal barrier, the CX-Series is fully insulated using our proprietary design and innovative fibreglass composite construction. This is applied throughout the entire body and shell," he said. 

Tekton has crammed more luxury features than you expect in a tray-mounted canopy, including an integrated clamshell or double pop-top rooftop tent with 100mm thick mattress and twin Sirocco fans, a diesel hot water and space heater, 140L internal water tank, and an off-grid power system including a 500Ah lithium battery, 300W solar panels, 3000W inverter and a touchscreen monitor, that's upgradable to 1000Ah battery power and 500W solar.

Tekton also claims its rooftop tents are up to 60 per cent lighter than aftermarket rooftop tents.

The kitchen set-up under the side gullwing door on the CX prototype packs in a two-burner induction cooktop, fridge, stainless sink with hot/cold tap and water filter and around one metre of bench space, with built-in drawers and compartments for holding plug-in appliances.

Other features include a hot/cold external shower and a swing-out ensuite bracket, a rear ladder and modular rear panel for carrying a tyre and jerries, and a 270 degree awning and twin cylinder air compressor, while an open deck and other drawers and toolboxes hold a lot of stuff including chairs and firewood.

"Despite its extensive list of inclusions, the vehicle (fitted with the CX prototype) remains well under its factory GVM, with ample payload still available," he said. "The entire canopy fully mounted to the vehicle and equipped with a comprehensive list of features, comes in at just 430kg.

"This is particularly impressive when compared to standard tray and canopy setups that often weigh 300-350kg without any internal fit-out. By leveraging advanced material technologies, we’re able to drastically reduce weight while delivering more features, comfort, and off-grid capability."

The Tekton CX-Series can be fitted to a range of popular dual-cab, single-cab and extra-cab utes, along with American pick-ups, and like the Tekton campers, has been FEA modelled for strength. 

"We are about to start building them for two customers, for an INEOS and an F-350," he said. 

Pricing starts at $32,500 for the dual-cab ute version, with the 'full fruit' expedition-spec canopy and fit-out as shown on the back of the Nissan ST-X 550 Navara, retailing for $88,500.