Pickup Canopy

The manufacturer Sammitr
(SMM Pro) Hardtops
- made of steel - like a pickup!

Sammitr is the only worldwide producer, who manufactures hardtops with sheet steel. Sammitr was founded in 1967. Among hardtops, this manufacturer produces body parts for the automotive industry, motor truck installations and even small motor trucks. Consequently, the technologically advanced and highly automated production, is not surprising. Steel sheet guarantess, among other benefits, stability and robustness.
With regards to the single details of the construction and the different components, the producer does not accept compromises in terms of quality, only choosing what complies with the highest automotive standards. 
Ullstein Concepts is the exclusive importer for Germany and Austria. Gladly, we quote our partner's:"Would you have bought your pickup, if it was made out of plastic?"

GFK-Tops vs Plasic-Tops vs Steel-Hardtops for Pickups
What are the best Canopy's

The question that many users wonder is the following "which one is the best canopy?"
Determining and absolute answer is not possible, because it strictly depends on the personal requirements. Hereafter, we would like to highlight and describe the different characteristics of the different materials on the market.

Canopys made of fibreglass

Fibreglass is probably still the most common material for the construction of hardtops. Already with the lowest investment costs, products can be produced and thus the material is also suitable for small manufacturers. The advantage of the GRP is, in addition to the low costs involved, the good balance between stability and dead weight. GRP is primarily produced in the so-called hand laminate process. Unfortunately, the use of this material includes several disadvantages too.
The most important ones to keep in mind are a limited surface quality of the raw product with necessarly requires a large use of manual rework, the age-related changes in the surface, the susceptibility of the surface to cracks and bumps and slight bends and the risk of surface blisters especially in the painted parts.
The mentioned disadvantages can be mitigated with an accurate production phase that includes adequate quality controls in the intermediate steps.
Nevertheless, the quality of the final result remains high, because of the intense use of human labour.
The final quality of GRP parts is therefore very much dependent on the individual skills of the individual workers and of the production company.
Especially for rare types of vehicles and models where only limited quantities are expected to be sold, fiberglass currently remains indispensable.
Because GRP is not recyclable, this material will be less and less used in the next few years.

Hardtops made of modern plastic (ABS)

A small number of manufacturers started the development of plastic hardtops (mainly ABS plastic) several years ago and have been implementing them ever since.
The necessary stability of this large-area product is achieved by the use of an additional inner frame or of a profiled inner shell.
This technique increases the robustness and the load capacity.
The total weight of the product remains low and corresponds approximately to an equivalent GRP products.
The material has a high surface quality already as a raw product, which does not required a large manual reworking.
Investment costs for producing ABS canopies are much higher if compared with fibreglass ones, but partly compensated by the lower manual labour.
Modern production companies, which usually use robotized production lines, are the typical producrs for this kind of hardtop. 

Canopys made of steel

Molded sheet steel is largely used by automotive manufacturers to produce parts and accssories for the industry.
The weight can be considered the main disadvantage; nevertheless, only a 25% increase in weight, compared to an ABS of GRP canopy, is expected. 
On the other hand, robustness stability and long durability are the main advantages of this material. Consequently, also a relatively heavy load can be transported on the rood of the hardtop. Moreover, the solidity of the structure allows to have much larger tailgates which lead to a better access to the cargo area. 
 In addition, the surface quality is of course very good and does not fear the time-passing and corrosion is prevented by an immersion coating.
The enormous development and tooling costs mean that for many years there will be a sole manufacturer who will produce Hardtops made from pressed sheet steel.


Conclusion:
If the wight plays and essential role in your choiche, the best option is between a  GRP and a ABS plastic canopy.
Our professional advice tends to give preference to ABS, for the above mentioned reasons.
However, if high robustness, the possibility of carrying a load on the roof, the long-term durability are required as well as the flexibility of a regular disassembly is of secondary importance, the focus should certainly be on the steel hardtops.