Let's See Some Softoppers

When I install my Supertop for the season, it usually takes a few days to fully stretch out. What was the temp/weather like when you installed it? They seem to go on easiest when its hot and sunny out.

 

Sort of, maybe...not really. I have the same problem but on the rear end. 95% of all the Softoppers I see fit tight as a drum all around. Ours were apparently on the bottom or top of the stack when panels were cut. All in all its a great fit but a bit distracting to those of us with a touch of ADD. Personally, I intend to try and fit a thin pool noodle, piece of Armaflex pipe insulation, or something similar between the bar and canvas to take up the offending bit of slack. But honestly Im not intending too hard. After a year Im still just looking at it having done nothing and wishing I was it the lucky 95%.

 

70-75 and overcast. Supposed to be hot and sunny the next few days, so I guess we'll see what happens.

You're probably right, and it doesn't seem to flap or anything like that going down the road, just annoys me to look at.

 

Let it get nice and hot then try stretching it more if you can. IM not really sure how the Softoppers mount vs the Supertops, but you may be able to get it to sit better once its warm/stretched out

 

The bottom edge is flexible with a rigid bar above that snaps into a rail. The way mine is set up, the bottom of the bar is 3" from the bottom of the fabric rear piece. Yes you can travel with a vinyl window and then replace it with a mesh rear window. The entire rear panel including the rear window or mesh is attached to the top with Velcro. Sixty second replacement. The front panel is also attached with Velcro to the top and sides. You would have to undo the front snaps or velcro (your choice during installation but I recommend snaps) and roll it up out of the way. You may need to do a simple mod using Velcro and/or snaps and/or webbing to hold it up or just flop it up on the trucks roof. Simple either way. The way mine is set up, the rear crossbar is about 9" forward of the tailgate and about 37-1/4" above my bed mat.

 

Cool beans, I'll let it sit in the sun for a few hours tomorrow and then try to mess with it. Thanks for the tip

 

Thanks for the info. Just to clarify, is the 9" dimension from the inside of the truck's tailgate, or from the outside?

 

Inside. I was making dinner and it was a very quick imprecise measurement. If you need something precise I would need to run a level up the inside of the gate.

 

@MatthewMay1

 

For some reason I didn't get the notification...but I just searched the thread

Here's my softtopper! I just cleaned it and applied some protectant/sealer to it because it will probably be folded down for quite some time for the rest of the summer

 

Yes they are interchangeable. If you have the same length bed it'll fit both 1st and 2nd gens. You'll need new clamps to mount it to your bed rails. There are two styles of bed rails and you'll need to let softopper know which you have. They'll them be able to point you toward the correctly shaped bed rails. Check out their accessory page. You'll see there are a few different clamps available.

 

Approximate is close enough, it just seems like 9" means even more rear window rake than it looks, as my ARE seems very sloped and I'm losing about 6" at the rear from inside the tailgate. My previous truck's cap had a vertical rear window so I was really spoiled. Not sleek but functional

 

Does the same go for a Bestop? I believe the one I found on Craigslist was for a 2nd gen bestop.. Thanks for the info!

 

What does everyone use to clean the windows? Aside from the power washer at the car wash...

Also can you use Rain-X or similar on the windows?

 

You can get some cleaner designed for plastic windows for convertible tops.

 

Wow, you can get it wrapped better than that! Mine is completely inside the protective cover and looks nice and neat.

 

I can get a picture of mine tomorrow. It's folded up right now. I'd guess it takes up around 10 inches of the bed. It's super easy to remove entirely though. With it folded up in the cover, all you do is pull 2 pins and it comes right off and weighs about 20 pounds.

 

I got mine used for a steal. Now I need someone to buy my shell

 

The softtopper permanently mounts to the bed in one place on each side. Super simple. No tools required for removal and installation of the topper, providing you leave the rails on the bedsides. I can't speak for the Besttop, but I don't imagine it would be much different

 

Softtopper. I don't like how the windows look on the besttop