Soft topper or hard shell??

If you live where you get harsh winters the soft top won't last long

 

How about some pics of soft tops under bed racks?

I love the look, ease, and cost of the soft top, but I'd need a rack in the back for carrying kayaks, rtt's, 2x4s etc

 

do you have a link or some other info? I'm sure thinking hard on one like yours.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lets-see-some-softoppers.277644/

You'll find lots of photos in here of various setups and color combos

 

Cost is debatable.

Some people snag shells in good condition for <$500 all the time. If you are wanting to haul kayaks hard shell would be better imo. You can load them on top and keep the bed to camp in / store gear.

If you browse craigslist / TW / fb enough, you can find great deals on shells.

 

Same goes for Softopper too, I've seen members get them off CL for as low as $200

Now, if you want to haul something on top of a ST then your gonna need to shell out $500 for a over the top rack. Or have one custom made.

 

Depends what you define as "harsh". Softopper is here in CO, and they hold up just fine for year-round use. The only "issue" is that the vinyl windows can crack when rolled up below about 40F, but it's still easy enough to just fold it up over the top if you need to access the bed. My Softopper has been coated in ice several times, covered in snow others, and I've never had a problem.

OP, as far as them being resistant to water leakage, I haven't bothered to seal mine, and even when I wash my truck and blast it with the power washer, VERY little water even makes it into the bed. We're talking less than half a cup of water total.

 

I agree with this guy. I need an open bed on the truck eleven months of the year and a shell for just one month of the year, for when I go on vacation. Also if you do go to remove that hard shell, you better have help and a secure place to store it.

 

Here's mine with a bed rack over it for the kayaks. I'm also in Arkansas and have off-roaded around devils den and sleep in it a lot while camping. The tree limbs sliding by haven't scratched it or anything.

 

http://m.autoanything.com/hitch-bed-accessories/bestop-supertop-truck-bed-camper-shell

I'm pretty sure I bought it on auto anything during one of their many sales. It has 2 years on my truck and it still works great. Small tear in a window but some gorilla glue duct tape makes it work

 

Love that setup. I've also been debating over what kind of top to get. I'd prefer not to have a hard top due to weight and cost...but I'd like to carry my 12' solo canoe on top. What brand is that bed rack and what kind of wind noise (if any) do you experience?

 

incorrect. this depends solely on how you treat it or abuse it.

I've had a softtopper since 2013 and that is 4 harsh winters and
the thing looks like month 3. I don't do anything to it, I just don't try to fold the rear window rapidly when it is below freezing.

it is 100%, save for slight wear on the plastic window
and some lightening of the black, but otherwise it just laughs at snow, snow loads,
road chemicals. (and it's still fine on 105 mph runs, don't ask how I know)

 

Me and friend built it. I haven't had any wind noise that I can tell.
You should be able to put your canoe on it easily lol.

 

you and your friend did a fine job on that rack. it compliments the tan Softopper nicely.

 

I have a hardtop myself and I love it. Soft top would be easier to use and is removable. I did some debating between back and forth beteeen the two and eventually settled with hardtop.

 

you and your friend did a fine job on that rack. it compliments the tan Softopper

apparently, I agree with my self. excuse the double post.

 

Here is what I have posted in another thread. Another thing to note tho is I have a high top shell, so that was another huge deciding factor for me with camping out of the bed. Its way nicer having that extra "head room". As far as security tho I know just locking a topper doesn't make things safe...but it does give you warm fuzzys when you walk away from your truck.

 

I don't think words are needed

 

Right on Mississippi.

They've both got + and - OP. I love my Softopper more than I expected to, but a hardtop would be nice as I could run racks up there to hold my surfboards and still have gear in the bed for longer road trips.

You asked about leaks, mine hasn't yet and it's one I purchased used off CL so it's got a few miles on it. Like any tent without mesh walls or not guylined out can get moist inside overnight from your breath. You can buy a mesh window from Softopper or leave the back opened up to help.

 

Where are you at?