Tray and Canopy Builds for American Trucks in Canberra
American Builds is Canberra's specialist workshop for tray and canopy conversions on RAM, Chevrolet Silverado and Ford Super Duty trucks. We partner with BMU Engineering to deliver Australian-made alloy trays and canopies, designed for the size, payload and chassis of full-size American utes, fitted at our workshop in Mitchell, ACT.
Build Walkthrough
A short walkthrough of a BMU canopy build, showing side door access, undertray drawer, internal storage and rear opening. Sped up so you can see the whole rig in under a minute.
What to look for
The flush floor with integrated uni strut, full-height side doors with gas struts, undertray drawers with compression latches and seals, and the BMU build quality across every panel. Every panel, seal, latch and drawer is built to handle Australian dust, heat and corrugations, and the modular Uni Track system means the rig can grow with you.
Australian Made by BMU Engineering
Every tray and canopy we fit is designed and manufactured in Australia by BMU Engineering. Their Mudgee facility builds premium alloy trays, canopies and service bodies using current manufacturing techniques and proven hardware, and backs every build with a 10-year manufacturer warranty. We chose BMU because the engineering quality matches the trucks we work on. There is no point bolting a budget tray to a 3,500 kilogram payload-rated American truck.
- Designed and manufactured in Australia
- 10-year manufacturer warranty
- Premium alloy construction throughout
- Uni Track bolting system for accessories
- Heavy duty aluminium materials
- Built for Australian conditions, not retrofitted to them
Custom Alloy Trays for RAM, Silverado and Ford
A factory tub is fine for a daily driver. For tradies, fleets, touring builds and anyone running heavy gear, a tray gives you the deck space, payload utility and accessory mounting that an American truck was built to carry. We strip the tub and fit a BMU alloy tray sized to your specific chassis and use case.
Standard tray inclusions
- Heavy duty alloy construction
- Sized to your truck's chassis and wheelbase
- Uni Strut floor base mounting system
- Front and rear undertray toolboxes with compression latches and seals
- Adjustable one-piece mudguards and mud flaps
- Interchangeable taillight surrounds with Narva tail lights
- Fuel filler relocation integrates seamlessly into front undertray box
- Tradie tray, flatbed or service body configurations
- Headboard and multiple tie-down options
Alloy Canopies for Touring, Work and Fleet
BMU canopies are built around an extrusion frame, so accessories bolt in and out without drilling. That matters when you are running a touring rig that evolves over time, or a fleet vehicle that needs to be reconfigured between roles. Every panel, seal and latch is chosen for Australian dust, heat and corrugations.
Canopy features
- Heavy duty aluminium materials for strength and space
- Flush floor with integrated uni strut extrusion plus BMU fabricated structure, allowing multiple accessory fitting options
- Flush-mounted doors, braced, with smooth-opening hinges
- Whale Tail latches, optional central locking
- Gas struts sized to door weight
- Full dust and water seals
- Powder coated finish, durable and clean
- Half and quarter integrated dog box options for working dogs and shared rigs, with CNC laser-cut mesh panels and removable seal panels
- Headboard storage, jerry holders, ladder racks, drawers
American Trucks We Build Trays and Canopies For
We build for every full-size American truck currently sold and converted in Australia. If your vehicle is not listed below, talk to us. We have likely worked on one.
RAM
RAM 1500 (DT and DS), RAM 2500, RAM 3500, RAM 4500 and 5500 cab chassis.
Chevrolet
Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500HD, Silverado 3500HD, including LTZ and ZR2 platforms.
Ford
F-150, F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Duty, including chassis cab variants.
Custom
Dodge, GMC, Jeep Gladiator, fleet specifications and one-off touring rigs.
The Build Process
- Consultation. Phone, email or in-person at Mitchell. We work through use case, payload, fitment, accessories and budget.
- Design and quote. Locked specification, fixed price, lead time confirmed in writing.
- Manufacture. BMU builds your tray or canopy at Mudgee to your specification.
- Fit-out. We strip the tub, fit the tray and canopy, install accessories, wiring, lighting and any 12V systems.
- Engineering and compliance. Where required for the ACT, we coordinate engineering certification and registration changes.
- Handover. Walkthrough of every system, warranty paperwork, and ongoing support from the team that fitted it.
Why American Builds for Your Tray and Canopy Builds
We are not a generic 4x4 shop fitting trays to American trucks on the side. American trucks are what we build, every day. That means the tray sits where it should, the wiring is done properly for a US-spec electrical system, and the engineering certification is handled by people who know how the ACT treats imported and converted vehicles.
- Specialist workshop for RAM, Silverado and Ford F-Series
- Direct supply relationship with BMU Engineering
- In-house technicians, no outsourced fit-out
- Engineering and compliance handled in the ACT
- Logbook servicing and accessory support after the build
- Workshop in Mitchell, central to Canberra and the South Coast
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a tray and canopy build cost on a RAM, Silverado or Ford?
Pricing depends on your truck, the configuration, and the accessories you want. A tray-only build starts lower than a tray-and-canopy combination, and a fully kitted touring canopy with 12V, drawers and a half dog box sits at the top of the range. Contact us with your vehicle and intended use and we will quote in writing.
Will I lose payload capacity by removing the tub and fitting a tray?
You generally gain usable payload. A BMU alloy tray weighs less than a factory tub on most American trucks, and the deck layout lets you carry and tie down loads more efficiently. We will confirm the figures for your specific build in writing.
Do you handle engineering certification in the ACT?
Yes. Where the conversion requires an engineering certificate for ACT registration, we coordinate the inspection and paperwork as part of the build.
How long is the build?
Typical lead time for a BMU tray and canopy from order to handover is several weeks, driven mostly by the manufacturing queue at Mudgee. We confirm a lead time at quote stage and lock the workshop slot once your build is in production.
Can I add accessories later, or do I need to spec everything upfront?
The Uni Track system is built for this. Drawers, jerry holders, ladder racks, water tanks, awnings and 12V kit can be added or moved later without drilling holes in the tray or canopy.
Can you build a fleet of identical trucks?
Yes. BMU offers fleet packages and we build identical trays and canopies across multiple vehicles, with consistent accessory layouts and consistent compliance documentation. Talk to us about fleet pricing.
Where is BMU Engineering based?
BMU Engineering is based in Mudgee, New South Wales. Every tray, canopy and service body is designed and manufactured there, then transported to our Mitchell workshop for fitment.
Quote Your Tray and Canopy Build
Tell us your truck, your use case and your timeline. We will scope the build, quote in writing, and lock in a workshop slot.
Request a Quote Call the Workshop