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ROUTINE CARE AND MAINTENANCE INFORMATION

 

To all past, current and subsequent owners of the metal hoop frame assemblies, load bed canvas cover/tilt and sun awning/canopy. 

 

Because the load bed canvas cover/tilts are subject to continuous highway wind resistance, road vibrations, and adverse weather, ongoing safety and correct handling are entirely the users responsibility.

 

Please review the following routine care and maintenance information:

 

1. Mechanical maintenance: Hoops, timber slats, nuts, and bolts

  • Component specification: The framework assembly consists of fabricated metal hoops interconnected by Meranti timber slats and metal end caps. 

  • Natural silvering & weathering: These Meranti slats were intentionally supplied in their natural, unfinished state to allow the wood to naturally silver down over time when exposed to the elements. Because this timber is unfinished, the ongoing care and structural condition of these slats is the sole responsibility of the vehicle owner. Any warped, damaged, split, or aged timber slats must be treated as standard general wear and tear and must be independently replaced by the owner if necessary to maintain structural integrity. 

  • Routine inspection: Prior to undertaking any journey, the owner must periodically inspect the timber slats for splitting, check the structural integrity of the wood, and examine all nuts, bolts, mounting brackets, and fixings to ensure the entire assembly remains completely tight, secure, and structurally sound against road vibrations.

 

2. Load bed canvas cover/tilt - Refitting & pre-journey inspection

  • Component checks: Whenever you remove, adjust, or refit the load bed canvas cover/tilt onto your metal hoop frame, you must thoroughly inspect the physical assembly.

  • Fastener alignment: Before moving the vehicle, verify that all perimeter eyelets, securing points, and anchoring tags are entirely sound, correctly aligned, and fixed into place.

 

3. Road safety & driving configurations

  • Primary recommended driving configuration (sides down):  It is strictly recommended to drive the vehicle with all canvas side panels completely down and securely fastened onto the vehicle's drop gates. 

  • Adverse weather and high winds: Operating the vehicle during periods of high winds, severe gales, or named storms is done entirely at the driver's discretion, and risk. 

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4. Operational instructions: Zip-on sun awning/canopy

  • FIRE HAZARD: The sun awning/canopy is made from matching material as the load-bed canvas cover/tilt and is non fire-rated. Running any camping stove, gas heater, barbecue, lantern, or open flame directly underneath or near the extended sun awning/canopy poses an immediate fire hazard.

  • Stationary use only: The zip-on sun awning/canopies are designed and supplied strictly for temporary shade or rain protection.

  • Adverse weather warning: Using the sun awning/canopy during periods of high winds, heavy downpours, or storms is done entirely at the owner's risk. The awning/canopy, adjustable poles, guy ropes, and pegs must be dismantled immediately in adverse weather to prevent wind lifting. 

 

5. Load bed canvas/tilt weatherproofing maintenance: Fabsil Gold treatment

  • Original application: During fabrication, a specialised coating of Fabsil Gold was applied strictly to the top panel. This premium water-repellent treatment was applied to actively aid water run-off. 

  • Ongoing reproofing: Fabsil Gold is a topical protective barrier that naturally degrades over time due to UV sun exposure and may need to be re-applied.

 

6. Product lifespan, ageing, and fair wear & tear

  • Natural environmental degradation: All load bed canvas cover/tilts, sun awnings/canopies, stitching thread, and strapping tags are subjected to environmental stresses, including road debris, highway wind shear, rain, frost, and high UV sun exposure. Over time, these conditions will naturally cause fabric fibers to weaken, coatings to age, and stitching to wear.

  • Owner inspection: Fabric breakdown, loose stitching, timber splitting, or compromised fasteners etc resulting from age and environmental exposure constitute standard fair wear and tear.

  • Retirement of equipment: It is entirely the owner's responsibility to routinely inspect the structural integrity of the fabric, metalwork, and Meranti timber. If any strap, seam, wood slat, eyelet, or canvas section shows visible rot, splitting, fraying, or degradation, the equipment must be taken out of service immediately. The manufacturer cannot be held liable for mechanical failures on items that have reached the end of their natural, safe working lifespan.

 

Chain of ownership mandate

If you have sold your vehicle, passed the frame and load bed canvas cover/tilt onward, or intend to dispose of them second-hand in the future, you are requested to forward this mandatory maintenance instruction to the new owner immediately so they can operate the equipment safely.

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