Let's See Some Softoppers

Same with mine and it bugs the heck out of me. Its like living with a picture that's hanging crooked and can't be straightened. Trying to ignore it though.

 

Can you post a pic of said pin?

 

Just got a bestop supertop. Went camping with it over the weekend, great investment into the truck

 

Was thinking about upgrading my bed cover. I have a 2009 Tocoma quad cab with 5ft bed. Right now I have a gator backflip on the bed , I only had it for a season, but the snow and ice bent on of the ribs. Wanted to get some feed back on best top owners. How do you like your bestop? How does it hold up to snow and ice load? Does it keep the bed dry as well as how hard is it to see through when backing up? Any suggestions would be great help,

Matt

 

spotted an old school 5 lugger yota with a soft topper, it looked great!

 

Having had hard canopies with side windows and now a Softopper without I can't see any purpose for them. Like all tops the rear window is usable until badly covered with dust. And plastic windows definitely grab more dust than glass does. I polished 303 Aerospace into mine in hopes it would help with that. Jury is still out on that question.

 

New to TW, excited to be here! Tons of information. I've eaten up A LOT of time reading through threads already. Just picked up a 2015 Tacoma TRD Sport DCLB Silver Streak. This is my second Tacoma, fourth Toyota overall, (2 4runners previously).

I just ordered a softopper which should arrive later this week. Has anyone painted or Plasti Dipped the silver frames? Thinking about doing so, and wondering if anyone had any tips or experience with it. Also, any installation tips would be much appreciated? I plan on using this year round, so I want it as stout and secure as possible. I have two labs and do a lot hunting and fishing so I will not be taking it off the truck other than when I absolutely have to.

Thanks in advance!

 

The frame is aluminum so if good prep is used I can't imagine a problem with paint. And installation is easy and straightforward. I can't think of any tips that would make it easier or more secure. It fits the way it fits. I highly recommend using magnetic strip instead of the supplied velcro for the tailgate. If, like mine, the strip lands below the plastic tailgate cap use a strip of clear vinyl paint protectant film to protect the paint. Black or color matched striping/graphics tape would work too.

 

@steelhd Thanks, we'll see how the install goes this weekend. I plan on giving it a nice black paint job first.

 

Sorry this took a few days. A pic of said pin...

And the wrinkle I think would go away if i could use the lower hole and elevate the rear bar...

 

Interesting, I just got one a couple days ago and my railings, and clamps are different then yours. Also, I only have 1 hole for the pivot pin but I can move the pin up and down on that down bracket. Mine is pretty taut as is. Very happy with it so far

 

I suspect that either my panels were on the bottom of the cut pile or my truck is dimensionally slightly different than the next one. Either way its not a big deal and I really like the Softopper and recommend one to anyone that asks. Just wish I could get that darn wrinkle out of the side. I thought about drilling two new holes at the rear top crossbar to raise it but don't know if it's worth the hassle.

 

Do you know what type of magnet you used or have a link? specifically wondering what pulling power they have.

 

Velcro'ing the magnet strip was a pretty clever idea! Nicely done!

My rear flap hangs lower then yours and reaches all the way down to the metal of the tailgate. Which is nice cause it'll completely close off the bed. So I was looking to actually insert the magnet strip into the "pocket" of the softopper right where the velcro is. It would make it very easy, and very clean. I just don't know if I'll be able to find the right size with enough pulling power to hold though that thick canvas. Might just need to buy some samples and test i guess.....

Thanks for the link!

 

I might have just missed it in the install instructions but, what do you guys use to hold the flap down between the cab and bed. The one that goes outside of the bed (for the Softopper)

 

yeah, that's how I have it too, but I kind of want to secure it somehow (maybe with magnets if I find the right ones haha!) I don't really like seeing it up and trying to go into the bed.

 

The only way it can go into the bed is if you haven't secured the inner flap to inside the front of the bed. I used three of the snap screws and pulled the inner flap down nice and snug. It hasn't moved at all since.

An alternative to using the mag strip at the back is to sew three or four rare earth magnets into the pocket. Strong as hell and available in many sizes, shapes, and strengths.

 

Good easy fix

Yeah, that was my last thought as well. If I can't find something to go the full length, this is probably what I'll do. I'd like it to be completely attached though