When it comes to setting up a canopy on your ute, there’s a load of information available out there on the internet. Just about every 4WD or camping website or blog has written a guide to setting up the ultimate touring canopy… but there’s a huge shortage of information when it comes to setting up your canopy as a tradie!

The thing is, having a functional canopy setup as a tradesperson is a must. Your ute is essentially your office, which makes your canopy your workplace, and equipping it with the gear you need to get the job done is essential. So we’ve decided to put together this ultimate guide to setting up your ute’s canopy for work. Read on for all the best ideas to take your tradie office to the next level!

Function, not Form

The first element to consider is what gear you’ll be housing in your canopy, which will determine how you set it up. For example, if you’re a chippy, the tools you need are going to be very different compared to those carried by a landscaper.

Unlike a touring canopy, designing your tradie canopy will come down to function, rather than form. Where a touring canopy is set up to look good, and provide easy access to things like a fridge or kitchen gear, a good tradie canopy needs to focus less on the looks and more on the functionality. For example, installing drawers that only become accessible once certain tools have been removed is not going to make your life easy!

When planning out your tradie canopy, make sure you list down all the gear your canopy will be housing. Consider housing tools and gear that you use regularly in an area where you can easily access them with minimal effort. On the flip side, it becomes less of a chore to move a few things to access a specific tool if it’s something you only use on occasion.

Power isn’t a “want” – it’s a “need”! 

It used to be that having a power setup in your canopy was desirable, but not essential. If you ask us, those days are long gone. With petrol and wired tools becoming more obsolete every day, keeping your battery gear charged and ready to use at a drop of a hat is important. The last thing you want is for a couple of dead batteries to bring work to a standstill.

Setting up your canopy with a top-notch power setup will make sure the batteries for your tools are always charged, but there are additional benefits. You can install lighting in your canopy to make it easier to see on those early morning starts. You could install a fridge to ensure your lunch and energy drinks stay cool throughout the hot summer days. 

The reasons why a decent power setup will benefit you as a tradie are practically endless. Let’s take a look at some of the power options you should consider for setting up your canopy.

Power Distribution Hub 

Being able to control and monitor your power usage is essential when it comes to setting up a tradie canopy, as there is a wide range of power-hungry items that will draw from your setup. That’s where a 12V power management system like Ark’s SEMA award-winning XO Tech Power Distribution Hub is so essential.

The Power Distribution Hub is an all-in-one power management system, unlike any other 12V control box on the market. Firstly – and this is a key consideration when space is at a premium in your tradie canopy – it’s compact. It’s been specifically designed to fit just about anywhere, and because it’s  Bluetooth features, you don’t need to access it to monitor your power usage – you can do that, straight from your smartphone. 

Secondly, it has outputs galore! With four 10A controllable relays, a 50A Anderson connector, a 10A cig. socket, a 10A engel socket, a 15A merit socket, and dual 2.1A USB sockets, your power options are plenty. Plus, all outputs are protected with internal self-resetting fuses and an electronic controlled main relay for peace of mind. 

Lastly, the Power Distribution Hub allows you to monitor a HUGE amount of information. Monitor in real-time battery voltage, current, power, time to discharge, total consumption, maximum current, total watt-hours, and used battery capacity. It even has the ability to monitor a water tank level! How smart is that!

Battery Box… or better!

Okay, so a battery box is good… but an ArkPak is better! 

The ArkPak is essentially the ultimate battery box and the only one on the market that has a built-in AC-DC and DC-DC charger. It also features a 1000-watt pure sine wave inverter which means you can plug in your corded power tools directly. Other features include:

• 4 X 2.1A USB socket
• 1 X USB Type C
• Two 12V accessory sockets
• 50A Anderson socket
• Low voltage cut-out
• Manual isolator Relay
• Time tracker technology
• Battery management system
• 20 Amp smart charge system

The ArkPak is the ultimate power source for your tradie canopy, without the need for an extensive dual battery system!

Harness the Power of the Sun

Sometimes when you’re on-site, accessing power can be difficult, especially if you often work in remote locations. 

That’s why having a solar power option is a smart idea. Tradies can often be deterred from setting up solar panels due to the space they take up – we’ve already spoken about how important functionality is for a tradie’s canopy. Let’s face it, the last thing you want is to install delicate solar panels on the roof of your canopy and lose the ability to carry a ladder or other long gear.

There is a solution, however. Ark’s Amorphous Foldable Solar Panels allow you to charge your batteries on the go without taking up the space of rigid panels. Available in both 30W and 60W versions, they provide up to 4.2A per hour of charge, and work in low light and partial shade. Plus, because they fold up as small as 40cmx15cmx3cm (30W version), they don’t take up much space at all!

Additional Build Considerations

In addition to power, there are a few other considerations you should make when setting up your tradie canopy. Let’s take a look at four elements that are key to having the ultimate tradie canopy. 

Drawers 

Drawers are a no-brainer when it comes to setting up your canopy for trades purposes. There are also a number of options available. If you’re looking for a quick and relatively inexpensive option, then many off-road and camping retailers sell single and double drawers which can be adapted to your specific needs. Of course, because tradies needs are very different to those of campers, having custom drawers set up to suit your specific needs is an even better option.

Lights 

Installing 12V LED strip lighting in your canopy will ensure you have plenty of light available to find what you need in your ute – regardless of how early you start, or how late you finish. LED strip lighting is an inexpensive way to provide lighting and draws very little power ensuring you have power on hand for what you need most.

Fridge 

A 12V fridge/freezer isn’t just a great option for campers. Let’s face it, as a tradie burning a lot of calories every day and needing to remain hydrated in hot weather, chances are you’ll be bringing a lot of food and drink to site each day. A 12V fridge is the best way to store your food and drinks, and while it may take up a fair bit of space, we definitely put it on the “must have” list rather than the “like to have” list.

Awning 

It’s a simple fact of being a tradie – you’re beholden to the weather. Whether it’s heavy rain or scorching sun, you’ll be glad to have a place where you can get out of the weather and take a breather while you’re on site. Installing an awning or two on the side of your canopy is a smart and relatively inexpensive way to provide you with a little bit of shelter should you need it.

Ark Understands the Needs of Tradies

100% Aussie-owned and independent, ARK have been the leaders in trailer parts, towing gear, and 4WD accessories for over 40 years. 

Whether it’s 12V power systems and battery packs to power your worksite or towing gear to ensure your trailer can get to any site, the team at ARK have you covered. Get in touch with us today to learn how our expertise can help you set up your rig to suit your needs!

The jockey wheel is one of the most important components of any trailer, and that is especially the case if you’re heading bush in a camper trailer or caravan. The thing is, not all jockey wheels are the same, and getting one that suits your specific needs is really important – after all, the last thing you want to ruin your trip away is a failing jockey wheel!

Here’s a look at some of the considerations you need to take into account when purchasing a new jockey wheel for your trailer.

Trailer Type

The biggest influencing factor to the type of jockey wheel you buy is the kind of trailer you’re buying it for. Obviously, a small single-axle boat trailer isn’t going to have the same needs as a large dual axle caravan. For example, a standard jockey wheel, such as the Ark Economic Jockey Wheel features a 250mm maximum height extension, a solid rubber tyre and is rated for up to 350kg making it perfect for lightweight towing. On the flipside, a 10” Heavy Duty Jockey Wheel is available in either fixed or swivel options and features a high 500kg load capacity and sealed bearings that protect the wheel in an off-road environment making it perfect for larger towing such as a big caravan.

Where You’re Planning to Travel

Your destination, or wherever you plan to take your trailer is another contributing factor to the type of jockey wheel you purchase. For instance, if you’re planning to head off road, then a standard wheel just won’t do the trick. Instead you’ll want to consider purchasing an off-road specific jockey wheel. An off-road specific jockey wheel, such as Ark’s XO Series, are specifically designed to handle anything the Aussie bush can throw at it. They’re super tough, but they’re also highly versatile with multiple height options, a highly maneuverable trailing yoke design, different yoke locking positions and are available in many sizes, weight ratings and cover most of the styles mentioned above. Alternatively, a pneumatic jockey wheel, such as Ark’s 10″ Pneumatic Jockey Wheels, feature a large 10in inflatable tyre specially designed to cope with difficult ground conditions. That makes them great for off-road use and even towing and camping on sand or other soft sites.

The Need to Maneuver Your Trailer

If maneuvering your trailer while it’s unhitched from your tow vehicle is something you need to do regularly, then this is another contributing factor to the type of jockey wheel you purchase. Your reasons for needing to maneuver your vehicle will vary. Maybe the location you store your trailer at home is difficult to get to, or the campsite you’re traveling to has limited maneuvering room. Either way, a jockey wheel suited to unhitched maneuvering is worth considering. Again, for off-road use Ark’s XO Series is a good option, as its trailing yoke design makes it highly maneuverable. Alternatively, a ratchet jockey wheel such as the Ark Ezi-Mover Ratchet Jockey Wheels is designed to easily maneuver trailers weighing up to 2 tonnes on an even surface with minimal effort. They’re easily operated by rotating the controls and feature four functions: forward, reverse, neutral and stop/lock.

Where to go for more information?

With extensive skills and experience, Ark are the experts when it comes to jockey wheels for your trailer.

Give the experts a call at Ark today to find the right Jockey Wheel for your trailer!

Anyone who has even a casual familiarity with the automotive industry knows of the famous SEMA Show which is held annually in Las Vegas. It’s one of the world’s largest automotive trade shows that attracts almost 2500 car manufacturers and aftermarket parts suppliers from around the world.

So, it’s fair to say that winning an award at the SEMA Show is no small achievement. Well, we’re incredibly proud to announce that ARK has been named the 2022 Global Media Award winner at the 2022 SEMA show for our XO-Tech Power Distribution hub!

What is this award all about?

SEMA’s Global Media Award sees 23 judges from seven different countries review and evaluate a whopping 3000 product entries, and the award is presented to the products that the judges will appeal most to the customer base in their home country.

“Vehicle customization and personalization has been growing worldwide,” said Linda Spencer,

SEMA director of international and government relations. “The global automotive specialty-equipment market is made up of enthusiasts who are passionate about the hobby. This passion can be found not only throughout the United States but also in countless spots around the globe including in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Melbourne Australia, and Stockholm, Sweden.”

It goes without saying that we at ARK are absolutely blown away by winning this award. “We are extremely proud that the XO-Tech Power Distribution Hub emerged among thousands

as voted on by a panel of international judges,” said ARK’s founder and owner, Richard Arakelian.

What is the XO-Tech Power Distribution Hub?

About this award-winning product, Richard says “The Power Distribution Hub is unique and offers the user an innovative and cost-effective solution for a 12V electrical system for their camping setup.” Launched on the Australian market in 2022, the XO-TEch Power Distribution Hub is designed to be an innovative, compact, lightweight, and easy-to-install 12V system for 4WDs and other recreational vehicles. The concept of the PDH is to eliminate the need for bulky control boxes, rocker switches, and even fuse boxes.

Why the XO-Tech Power Distribution Hub is a Game Changer

Simply put, the XO-Tech Power Distribution Hub is unlike any other 12V control box on the market. The ultimate all-in-one power management system allows you to control all of your on-board devices, easily monitor your power consumption, protect your battery, and provides a huge range of outputs as well as Bluetooth connectivity for remote control and monitoring via your smartphone. Here are a few reasons why the PDH is a true game-changer:

1. Unlike any other 12V Control Box

Unlike any other 12V control box on the market, the PDH is packed full of technology and features in a compact and sleek design.

2. Saves Space

Because the PDH is just 267mm long by 192mm wide and 60mm deep, it’s compact enough to fit just about anywhere! The PDH is the ultimate solution to maximise available space and minimise the clutter in your camping 12V setup

3. Smart Camping

Because The PDH provides automation for your 12V camping setup and wireless operation through Bluetooth connectivity, you can use your smartphone to monitor your battery and switch devices on and off from the comfort of your camp chair. This also eliminates the need to install bulky rocker switches, which saves you even more space! The ARK Smart Hub also allows the pairing of multiple PDH devices to your smartphone which can be renamed individually, customise the names of your controllable outputs, change battery protection levels, and load battery data such as size and type.

4. Fully Protected Outlets Galore!

As well as the four 10A rated controllable relays, the PDH features a 50A output rated Anderson style connector, a 10A rated cigi socket, a 10A rated Engel socket, a 15A rated Merit socket, and a dual USB socket with 2.1A connections. And unlike other 12V control boxes, all PDH outputs are protected with internal self-resetting fuses and an electronically controlled main relay which are shown active from an array of LED indicators easily visible on the face of the unit. The PDH outputs are completely protected and no ongoing maintenance or replacement of fuses is required!

5. Easy Installation

All you need is a battery wired up to a 50A Anderson style connector with an inline fuse to install the Power Distribution Hub. Connect the battery to the input Anderson style connector and you’ve got yourself the ultimate 12V camping setup with added levels of automation and battery protection for your auxiliary battery!

6. Monitor your Batteries… and your Water Tank!

With the Power Distribution Hub, you can monitor battery voltage, current, power, and time to discharge – all in real-time. It also allows you to monitor total consumption including minimum and maximum voltage data, maximum current data, total watt hours, and used battery capacity in amp hours since last charge. All this information can be viewed on the scrolling OLED display directly on the unit or wirelessly through a smartphone. But here’s the really cool part: the PDH gives you the ability to monitor a single poly water tank. This provides you full control over your usage and the ability to monitor your water levels from the unit directly or wirelessly through a smartphone.

What makes ARK leaders in Portable Power?

ARK Corporation has 45 years of expertise in the areas of Portable Power as well as trailer and off-road accessories. As market leaders in these areas, all our products are engineered, designed, and tested in Australia’s vast and harshest conditions to ensure our range of innovative products meet and exceed the industry’s highest standards.