Let's See Some Softoppers

Well now you have me worried. I didn't really read the installation instructions so I may have a problem I haven't realized yet. Hopefully it's just cold and the fabric will loosen up, then the frame will be able to spread a little more bringing it down some?

 

Ordered my softtopper, waiting for it to be delivered on Wednesday.... quick question: Has anyone taken measures to keep the topper more secure from theft? I don't mean theft of stuff in the truck bed, I mean someone actually stealing the whole unit itself... any methods to keep the rails secured besides the one bolt, or lock/key for the safety pins?

Thanks! I'm pumped

 

I have had my soft topper for about a month. I live in PA and we have seen nasty rain, sleet and snow. Safe to say my softopper is holding up well and everything inside the bed is remaining dry. Used seam sealer and have yet to velcro the back flap down. If you looking into one of these do not hesitate. I would recommend in picking up the rubber tacoma bed mat if you do not have one already! Cheers!

 

I personally have not done any theft prevention with my topper. I would be interested to see if anyone has, as I'm not sure how you would do this. I know the rails would be "harder" to steal since theyre bolted in. The canvas/frame part is only secured in by the fasteners and a pin in the inside. This would be "easier" to steal than the rails. I think the easiest thing to steal is the rear window flap, but who needs that......? Other softopper owners maybe, Haha. I wouldn't mind stealing a rear window with the mesh......lookout az owners...I'm on the prowl. Just kidding, incase someone in az actually does get it stolen.

 

Maybe chain it to the rails? But I haven’t read here of ones’s softopper stolen so I wouldn’t sweat it out.

 

It's odd, I've noticed the exact same thing with mine. There for some reason seems to be variations to how they fit.
Mine also sits exactly like yours, a little higher.
Best I can guess is they're the older style maybe? I bought mine used, and funny enough it's also a tan model.

I've had mine on for over a year, through two winters and a hot summer. It still sits exactly the same.
Looking at it too, there's no way it can sit lower, the snaps are all in place.. the canvas is tight. If it were to somehow come down lower the canvas would be loose, or the snaps might not match up exactly.

 

Easy fix. Loosen the rear strap. Tighten the front straps. That should lower the front. Then tighten the rear.

 

When I ordered mine the other day - I was discussing on the phone about putting a "3rd Gen" topper on my 2nd gen and how I had seen pics of this etc.... Softopper rep told me the newer models should sit the same on both 2nd and 3rd gen - and also mentioned the older ones were a tad higher. I guess we will see when I install it!

 

Tight as she goes. If I were able to get it any tighter, there would probably be creases in the canvas. As it is the canvas is nice and tight and the snaps are matched exactly. Tightening it more wouldn't help I don't think.
Besides it being so tight the canvas on the roof won't stretch any more.
I've had it for almost two years on the back of my truck, you'd think it'd stretch more in the summer, right? But it can't. I believe it's at it's max.

 

Yes, the third gen one's a little different. They sit a little lower, and the rear flap bar is different. A better design.

 

Right, that was my impression to....however, the rep assured me they sit exactly the same.... How recently was yours ordered?

 

Did the rep mean they sit the same as in the way they mount? Because that's the same, yeah.
From the pictures I've see of the 3rd gen one it looks like the back is more angled too?
I actually have no idea how old mine is, I'm the third owner.

 

I have a double-ended cable that I ran the c-clamp anchor bolt through each end loop. Both sides, right at the center hinge. I have the cable threaded through the framework. (Useless w/o photos.) It will only deter - not prevent. But the thief would have to unthread the C-clamp bolt to remove the cable - and that will take quite a while to do. Just stops the snatch & grab type robber.

 

Yep thats what I thought from pictures too, but must have been old softoppers... here is another thread post about it: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-with-2nd-gen-softopper.473223/page-2#post-19384173

 

The 3rd gen bedsides are taller than the 2nd gens. So, there is no way one would sit the same on both generations. A 2nd gen topper should sit above the cab on 3rd gen truck, while a 3rd gen topper should sit lower on a 2nd gen truck.

 

Yeah, that seems to be the case.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...nd-gen-top-3rd-gen-top-on-a-2016-taco.495079/

 

Softopper folks, anyone recommend a sport rack or other rack that fits over the softopper for hauling kayaks? Ideally, I need it quick to install so I can keep it off most of the time for hauling dirt bikes and mtn bikes on a tailgate pad and just install the rack for longer camping trips where I need the kayaks up high. Thanks!

 

The easy on/off may be a challenge. I have something like this https://www.workvanequipment.com/PR...MI3q6Q4qja4AIV3I2zCh01lg9VEAQYASABEgIOkvD_BwE

 

Thanks. I was thinking something like this where either both front and rear rack come off easily or the front stays on and the back is the only one I take on and off. I weld so I may just have to make one if no one sells something close.

 

There are several vendors on TW that sell bed racks that go over softoppers. SOS Offroad, Dissent offroad both do. I think Softopper has something as well on their website. I was going in this direction at one point but never followed through.
Do a google search and you should find all sorts of ideas.