Anyone know of any other soft top camper shells besides Bestop?

Hey! I’m looking to get a softopper for my truck but keep bailing at the thought of it every time I hear stories about how terrible they are in the cold. I live in Portland, OR so it gets chilly! I’ll being putting it up and down quite often and don’t want it to always be a hassle. Could you give me a honest opinion of how it works in the cold???

 

I have folded mine up in around 0 degree temperatures. It's not ideal, but it's not that bad. The worst part about it is your fingers get cold. The windows are only plastic that does get brittle in the cold. As long as you are careful and don't bend it too sharply it isn't really a huge deal.

 

Thank you for the response! Where were you when you folded it up? In or heated garage or just straight exposed to the cold in the driveway? Do you think putting back up/folding down a couple times a week would be a lot of work in the cold?

 

The truck was outside. I wouldn't want to be doing that, but I don't think it would be much of an issue. If I had to haul big stuff on a regular basis I would use a trailer instead. Just to clarify, I am talking about completely folding the cover, not just opening the rear flap to access the bed.

 

Not sure how cold it gets where you are but we had a moderate winter this year in new England. A bunch of below freezing days, deep snow, sleet and freezing rain. The topper has held up great. I was careful not to bed the rear plastic hatch too much because I've heard of people cracking theirs in freezing temps. I'm glad to say mine is still in tact with no cracks. I've had my topper for a little over a year and have had it through the hottest temps and some very cold temps. It has not given me any issues.

I also park my truck outside all year so it's sat it hot and cold temps.

 

I use mine to keep crap out of the rain. Have had some expensive things in there unattended, like a bike, generator, or cooler, but I'll run a cable lock through them if I'm not on the campground. They could be easily broken into, yes, but I also noticed that nobody really tries to look inside when it's up.

My arbitrary data gathering, whilst people watching on a sidewalk patio, pitcher in hand: (For those that are into this sort of thing and need a new drinking game, parallel park your truck in front of a busy sidewalk and position yourself so that you can watch the eyes of the pedestrians. Look at what grabs their attention. Take a drink if you guess right). Lots of people as they are walking along a sidewalk, their eyes will tend to wander towards an open truck bed. They have no reason to do so other than mild curiosity, but lots of people do. A few of those people also casually glance through car windows. Several people will stop and look at the softopper, but none will actually crane their necks to try to see whats inside the softopper. Whats really interesting is that Ive seen a few people look through the windows of a hard topper, but never have I seen people peeking inside of my topper. I once watched some knucklehead put handprints on my front passenger to see what was in the cab, and never gave the topper a second glance. Its like an urban cloak of invisibility, a type of cover that doesnt look like its covering anything important.

So in conclusion, it is a bit more secure than nothing. Would I leave anything in it overnight while parked in the street, hells no. Leaving it unattended for lunch, dinner, or a concert, I have never had a problem in over fifteen years of ownership across various trucks.

 

Ok, yeah that was what I was referring to as well, actually folding/putting up the entire thing. Thanks

 

Yeah, like @Rock Lobster my truck lives outside. I don't think you will have issues as long as you are careful. Worst case, the rear window cracks and you get a replacement for ~$60 I think? That rear panel isn't that expensive. The softopper is worth every penny if it fits your needs.

For me, the benefit is dry bed storage and quick removal/conversion. I didn't want a hard shell because I can't remove it (easily) myself, and a tonneau cover is too restrictive. I don't really care about security because I don't keep anything expensive in my bed.

 

which mount is that on the side?

 

I think it's the bike mount they offer.

**Edit**

Offered, I can't find it on their website anymore.

 

VooDoo Outboard Bike Mount

 

Softopper works great for my needs. I've had it on the truck for over two years and have no problems. It folds down in 2 minutes. As far as security, leave the back window a little dirty and no one sees anything in the bed...

 

I got mine for $150.00 off due to a Group Buy over two years ago.
Have not had any issues at all! I did, when it first arrived in the mail, lay it out on the living room floor and seam-seal ALL of the seams from the inside. I also lubed the zippers then. I continue to uses 303 products to clean, seal, & protect it regularly.
Love my Softopper!

 

I just applied dark tint. Privacy from the outside and helps decrease the glare/ heat when you’re inside.

 

You can buy the window already tinted from Softopper. I did for the rear one, not the one at the front next to the cab.
But maybe tinting it yourself is just as good and probably less expensive.

 

Cost me only 8$ . Tint from Walmart

 

Here you go. https://www.bestop.com/toyota/2017/tacoma/supertop-for-truck/bed-length/5-0ft/

 

I am looking at getting a softopper as well, I eventually would like to throw a metal rack over it though because i have the ARB awning that i want to roll off the end so i can extend the length of the bed for camping and what not. Anyone build their won rack? How hard is it? Got a lot of tools back in arkansas that could do such a thing but is it worth the trouble? Thanks

 

Does the soft topper go on and off completely without much effort, and is any mounting hardware left behind? I'm thinking of a soft topper for the travel times, and keeping my soft tri fold for everyday use, so I'll want to switch back and forth.

 

When you take the top off it leaves bars attached to the top of the bed. I leave mine on daily with no issues. The last time I folded it forward is when I stuck my motorcycle in the bed. You can see the bars at the top of the bed sides.