Let's See Some Softoppers

I'm not sure what size I would have used if mobtown didn't let go throught his recycle bin. I used their slider material so 1.75 x .120 wall. Plenty strong. My bedsides will crush before this thing does but I forget if I used 3/16 or 1/4 for the L-brackets though.

 

I'm thinking 3/6" will be plenty, but I may step up to 1/4" so I can just rivet or screw the topper rail base right to the rack base. This way I only need to mount to the tie down rails inside the bed for one thing. Maybe make 4 points of contact on the tie down rails, with openings between them so I can have other crap attached. I could also incorporate the rear most point of the rack into a bed side stiffener somehow.

 

That's smart. When I first was designing the rack I had 6 legs total, 3 on each side but when the hardware came I ordered the wrong parts and had to make due with 4 legs. Would be nice to distribute the weight more evenly along the bedrails

 

More photo s here
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/smokey-bear-2017-dcsb-v6-mt-mgm.458673/page-2#post-15206094

Scroll down for softoper photos, up for rack.

I can fold it down, except when I have boats or something on the rack. I believe if needed I could pull the pivot pin and the fold it, as it only needs a little more room when something is on the rack.

 

what are you talking about ?the front and back windows are attached with Velcro and or Velcro and zippers
they come right off and you can stow them carefully and fold up the rest. or not remove them and fold it
up and you may get some scratches on the windows. of course softtopper windows come off...

 

the softopper is as likely to collapse from snow load as a normal convertible car top would. I have seen +5 feet of snow topped
with 1/2 inch ice on my softtopper and it didn't hurt a thing. just knock it down with a shovel and broom and roll out, dawg

 

@Spare Parts, thanks for your pics.

I'd really be interested in seeing how well the softopper folds down if taken off the pivots.
It would give me something to work with regarding the racks over all needed height.

Do you hear or feel any drag from the rack being that far out from the body line?

 

Nice looking rig! What's your set up?

 

I agree with you here. I have been debating on just leaving it. However it's one thing to get 12" of snow then clear it off the next day. It's quite another to get 12" and leave it and then another couple dumps on top of that. Unfortunately the snow around here is typically more on the wet side. Sometimes we don't get any snow at all during the winter....sometimes we get huge amounts. Guess I will just fold it down and hope I don't have a block of ice in the bed when I get back

 

This is some good news here. So you have personally let that much snow pile up without issue? I have the short bed so might be a little more stout? It is quite possible that I will be gone for more than a month depending on circumstances.

 

I did nothing, the snowstorm did it all.

yes I have had snow taller than me on the truck with softopper up. because, truck. it squats it down but static load of snow
doesn't seem to be an issue. I wouldn't want to load it intentionally, but that load didn't hurt anything
nor bend the little pins

 

Yes I believe I can hear the drag from the rack, but I love the look and the versatility with this setup. The rack was free, so can't complain, but if I was to buy one, I want the look to be similar.

 

Anyone with a Softopper (with or without a rack above), possibly even a short bed, be willing to see if there are any issues closing down the topper with it removed from the pivot pins mid bed? I'm hoping it will be able to drop down to or near the wheel well and still close fine, then reconnect at the pivot pins. This will hopefully allow for closing it down under a rack, where normally it will hit as the rear bar swings up and over.

I'd really appreciate it!

 

I think I have done this once, when I first put it on. If I decide to take it off today, I'll check it out.

 

Thanks. Much appreciated!

 

I’ve had my Softopper on my 11 Tacoma since May, here in Oregon. One of the best buys for the money I have ever made. Comes off easily so I can do gravel or barkmulch. I have never sealed the seams and even with the copious amount of rainfall this spring and fall, very little moisture gets through. When I first ordered, one of the tubes was out of round and would not fit. no problem, they sent me a whole new frame on 2-day air. Awesome customer service. I will say one thing for the screened back window; not to be used during the dusty summers here in Oregon in the mountains. I drilled holes in the bed for the three sanps for the front flap, has never flipped back since. Interested in other mods that folks are using in their beds with the softopper. I did just order the double quick fist mount for my shovel and pry bar.

 

I'm starting to work on designing a lockable bracket for the canopy bar, it's a long way off though. Hopefully it works!

 

Looking foward to seeing what you come up with.

 

kings all the way around sir. shackle flip and shock relocation in the rear. thats why my truck looks higher than most.

 

I love the idea, but can't see the point. All you need to do gain entry is un snap the sides.

What am I missing?