Soft topper

How many of you guys are running a soft top? I like to sleep in the bed of my truck on long hunting trips. Had an A.R.E. Z shell on my last truck but am seriously considering a soft topper this time around. How do you like it? How water proof is it and if you seal the tailgate how dust proof is it? Pics are always nice too.

 

Here.

I find little difference in sleeping in a rigid cap vs. the Soft Topper. They are both very cold if its cold out and they are both hot if its hot out.

Rain isn't as loud with the soft topper is the only difference.

With that said, I hope I don't have to sleep in the truck anymore. I'm done with that shit.

I don't think I will ever go back to a rigid cap. Lighter, cheaper and resale is great.

As for not being secure, that dog won't hunt. A rigid cap is just likely to get broke into if you keep expensive shit in the back when you are not there. In fact, I like the idea that a thief can just unsnap the sides and grab what he wants vs. breaking a window on a rigid cap. Its my fault for keeping expensive shit in the back.

 

I love sleeping in the bed of my truck but I'm still pretty young, I get a room when I REALLY need a shower lol. Saves me quite a bit of dough on a 2 week hunting trip plus I have these two mutts to keep me warm if it's cold out.

 

I like my Softopper, but I don't sleep in it. I have a camper trailer for that.

One bit I don't like about the Softopper is that for my use, putting my paramotor in the bed of my truck, the poles for the topper are a couple inches inside the edge, narrowing the width of what I can put in there, and it's enough to interfere with my paramotor. The bottom point of the hoops and the pins it pivots on are several inches inside of the rails on the top of the bed. I know why they did what they did - they left space so the pins can be removed so you can take the topper off, but not risk damaging the pins. I would rather they have mounted the pivot pins on a bracket more up against the rail, and have some sort of method of removing the pivot pins up there. That could get a couple more inches of width in the bed, while still letting the bottom of the hoops swing down.

You'd probably have to see a Softopper to understand what I'm talking about. I don't have pictures of that bit right now. Maybe I'll take a couple tomorrow.

Overall, I do really like the topper.

 

Love my Softopper, It’s completely dry inside if installed correctly, have had it go through heavy rain with no issues. As for the dust, I haven’t noticed any on my stuff inside after a drive on really dusty dirt roads either.

 

I’m gonna go for a soft topper. I like the way it look and I’m not losing any space.

 

I love light they are and how easy they go on and off without blowing a grape.

 

It seems like everyone that has one really likes it. They do look cooler than a regular shell too. I noticed that the front of the shell sits just a little higher than the cab on the new tacomas, does that make for much wind noise?

 

I’ll most likely be getting one as well. I actually like hard shells better, but I need to be able to take it off several times a year. Don’t want to deal with that hassle nor the hassle of storage. Softopper is the answer for me.

One thing I’ll do right away is get solid front and rear flaps. The vinyl windows can crack and frankly, I’d rather not have people looking in.

 

I plan on picking one up after I finish a website deal. Anyone here have one where it's ultra hot and has a lot of sun? Would love to know the feedback on life expectancy over a few years.

 

You leave yours on all the time?

 

I've had mine on for about a month now, have zero complaints so far. Been through a couple heavy GA storms at interstate speeds with no leaks.

 

Mine leaks a bit at the front corners when driving in the rain, but it's very minimal. The red dirt does come in a bit from the tailgate area so that needs to be sealed up if you want to keep it clean inside. The wind noise isn't that bad at 80 mph but it has lowered my mpgs going that speed. I wouldn't trade it for a hard top though. I love the functionality and easy on/off capabilities.

 

I love my softopper. I can easily take if off to get a load of mulch or bigger items. It does leak at the front corners when it rains. I'm sure I could create something to stop the leak but really don't worry about it too much since I don't sleep in the truck.

 

Do you guys believe the leak is from the gap between the bed rails and front rail of the bed? If so that would be easy to take care of with some silicone.

 

I used some silicone, it helped a lot but didn't eliminate the leak. I think there is a small gap between the top rail on the sides and the metal that seems to be where I have my issue now. It doesn't bother me because the amount is so small and stays in the valley of the bed floor. I have a bed mat so nothing gets to sit where the water ends up.

 

My softopper never leaked was completely waterproof no dust in cab. Even pressure washing no water inside.

 

The bed rail sits higher than the top of the bed against the cab. I think adding somithing across the bed from rsil to rail would help route the water away.

 

I slept on the top layer and misc camping stuff on lower level. Completely dry. No noticable dust. Love it. 6’ bed. Next year air mattress though. Also a nice place to hide away from the sun and still get ventilation. So versatile

 

I put my rails up closer to the cab and there are no leaks for me. Plus less of a gap between the cab and softopper.