Softopper VS Bestop

Just wondering which one is better... iv searched but i also have a question... Can you access your bed from inside the cab? As in, is there is "front" window that opens, allowing you to use your sliding rear window, and leave it open while driving?

 

sup.

and i”THINK” on the bestop they have a front window part that allows you to use the sliding rear window. but i’m not sure. and i think it is really made for pets but agin idk. and the only down side to both i think is. you can’t lock it and any one can get in to you’r bed with just a pocket knife.

 

yea i don't really care about it locking. I'm just going to be using it when i need it. thanks for the feedback tho

 

No you cannot get through the back window into the bed with the bestop. But I do love my bestop.

 

Mr. TRD is correct. the front window is solid plastic. The side windows and rear window can be zipped out with the top up which I find handy for some specific work related situations, but the front is perminant.

I had thought about looking into a person with the ability to sew that type of material and look into cutting out a chuck of the front plastic, sew in either zippers or velcro with reinforcement so that the bed can be accessed like a hard top but that would be an expensive mistake if not done right.

 

i to have a bestop, the access through the side zippered windows and the rear is very convenient. its also nice how the top folds down in about 5 min so you have full access to the bed.

 

i read on another thread that the someone had some type of doggy door thing installed when he purchased it...

 

I just got a softopper. I decided on it for a few reasons:

1) really good customer support - always call back and spend time with questions you have
2) no side windows to deal with

out side of that they seem very similar. I did opt for the "doggie door" option on my softopper. Basically they cut a hole where your slider is and put in another piece of vinyl to over lay it. You then have the option to put velcro on the side/seams where they meet to "seal" it up. This allows you to access the bad via the slider window.

Mine has already been on the road at 70 with no issues and been in a pretty bad rain with no leaks.

I would recommend the softopper.

 

I would have bought that if I had known, if it is, a factory option.

 

This is awesome! I'm about to buy one. Do you have any pictures of this??? by this i mean the doggie door.

 

Soft topper creates a lot of extra drag compared to a hard shell.

 

True but I think most people use it as a temporary addition. So the added drag really isn't a con to most who prefer this over a topper.
Security is another Con...

 

I'm not so sure about the added drag, the whole tailgate up/down debate and toppers being better aside. I was running 20-21mpg ish if running under 2k rpms and 55mph backroads for majority of the tank, and that's with a giant lightbar on the roof that I know causes drag.

 

Hey I just bought a bestop and I have a question when you installed in on the bed did you removed the plastics pieces on the top on your truck before you laid down the rails because it seems like it's not flush on the tailgate and how was the install of the 3rd brake light? I haven't wired it in yet or installed it

 

Anyone have any tips for reducing the height of the center rail/bump?

Also any tips for making the rear window panel more "taught"

Lastly id appreciate pictures of your tailgate bar with the bulb seal installed and how it fits to the tabs on the bracket just to confirm I did it right

 

I don't know that I'd agree... I've had mine on now for over 5k miles, and my mileage hasn't changed. Of course, at 80 mph. into a 20 mph headwind mileage will always suck! (16.7 mpg on that tank...)

As to the center rail "bump" on the Best Top, that's why I got a Soft Topper. I just liked the straight line look of it over the Best Top.

 

The rear panel may be slack for a reason. When I had a bestop on my cj5 jeep, once it gets cold the Windows would shrink up, it almost made it impossible to unzip the Windows. Plus , once when it got real cold I tapped the window with a snow brush and the window cracked and soon it split all the way.

You have to be real careful with plastic Windows and cold weather.

 

Sub'd

I had a Sof Topper for my Fronty but looking into the Best Top for the Taco to switch it up and I like the window look on the sides.

 

How long did it take to receive the cover after ordering? I need it pretty fast.

Thanks, Lfitz

 

Took about a week for me to get mine from Colorado to Michigan. (Soft Topper). I don't agree with the wind drag statement.

Mine is installed on a 2nd gen Tundra. I get 16 and some change on the xway with the Soft Topper. I never got better than 16 without it.