Make Your Own Soft Toppper?

Has anyone out there built their own soft topper? I have a mid height bed rack im thinking of putting a soft top over. At least over the bed rack. Front and rear would still be open.

At one point I had a canvas tarp over it but it was semi water proof so really greasy and dirty. So I got rid of that.

I liked the idea and am thinking about making my own. Any tips or ideas to share? Here it is with the tarp. It was just ratchet strapped on. I'm thinking if I make one it'll have Velcro and maybe snaps. I also have a rtt that'll go on top.

 

I saw something like that either here or on ExPo. I'll look around. It was pretty nice.

 

I would want cinch or ratchet straps on something like that if I were buying / making one. I don't like how velcro holds up in weather and snaps are a pain once the material shrinks from being in the sun - I like the idea though, not sure what material I'd use if it were me...

 

Ive toyed with the idea of doing something like this. Maybe out of a heavy, waterproof polyester, like from a boat cover or something. Good luck OP, curious to see how it goes!

 

Marine shops that make canvas T-Tops for Towers or center console covers would be a good start if you have the frame.

 

See post #97 in this thread on ExPo http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/75222-A-new-twist-on-bed-mounted-RTT-s/page10

 

@wildfyr3 made one for his truck, I think it came out nice. He talks about it here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sewing-show-tell-thread.428166/

 

I was thinking about making something like this for under my bed rack.. where it stretches to fit

 

@jowybyo and I played around with the idea. Drew it up, made flat patterns, talked to canvas and marine ships and then bought Bestops and Softtoppers haha. The cost was just too high and didn't make sense.

 

I'd still like to make a rack that is collapsible that is capable of holding some weight. Then offer a simple canvas cover. I'd get rid of my Softopper for that.

 

Thanks!

Once I can actually write up a half decent post and get some good pics I'll post it up here for posterities sake.

 

Definitely this. Velcro will wear out in a year or less, most snaps can't hold much tension. I tried snaps and I couldn't get them to hold, so I ended up just screwing it straight to the bed rack the first time around. Once the fabric stretched or the screw holes got elongated it lost tension. You need either an adjustable tension like cinch strap or constant tension like a bungee.

This is the way I'd do it, as long as your framework for the bedrack suits it. This is the way the canback is tensioned as well so obviously it's pretty well proven.

The benefit would be that you could get the top tensioned separately from the sides, so with a little thought you could have the sides roll up for easier access below the bed rack. You definitely want side access!