Let's See Some Softoppers

Soft topper for sale.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/softoppers-and-console-vault.683029/

 

Grey 3rd Gen Longbed Softopper Available via Softopper.com

Sale/Demo Unit, factory warranty, small price reduction.

https://www.softopper.com/sale-demo/used-tac74-grey-9

 

It was a custom job by a fab shop in southern ca.

 

What’s the general consensus on taking your Softopper thru a drive thru car wash? I’m not worried about the actual car wash part, my main concern is the high speed air dryer that blows down on the truck after the wash. Thoughts?

 

If it can handle driving on a highway at 80mph, then those blowers are not going to do shit to it.

 

I have done it a few times and have not had an issue. I end up with a bit of water in the bed though so if you are actually hauling anything in the back I'd be mindful of that.

 

This was my original thought, but the last time I drove the truck thru my local wash(without the Softopper installed), the air dryer actually popped my roof molding out of it’s channel in the roof. This has never happened while driving on the freeway. So I thought I’d get some insight regarding the Softopper.

 

I'd be hesitant. A quick search brings up this one specific drier, with speeds of 155 mph. I don't think driving on the freeway is comparable to the side forces of these car washes.

https://www.macneilwash.com/car-wash-equipment/dryers/tech-21-drying-system/

 

Those roof channels are not held on with much more than the hopes and dreams of some designer... They fly off while in the driveway too.

 

Thats 155mph localized to a small location though compared to 80mph localized to the whole thing.

 

I'd still be leery, just my input on the matter. I wouldn't want to break/bend my topper.

 

If it gives you any piece of mind, the neighborhood kids used to sit on mine... I told them not to, but they had already sat on it. So kids ranging from 6-10 years old of avg weight sat on top of mine.

 

Anyone put a soft topper over a bed rack on a 1st gen? Wanting to do this when I remove my RTT

 

Ive seen it on 3rd gens before.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/roof-top-tent-inside-a-soft-topper.454723/

 

Thanks for the link. I want to get one fabricated in the future

 

usually i'll do the bay self-washes, but i've taken mine through gas station style "touchless" washes a bunch... probably at least 20-30 times over the past few years... i've never had an issue with the blow driers***.

i've (intentionally) not done a traditional car wash with those rotary brushes, etc.



***disclaimer: my topper is fastened at the cab-side and tailgate, but a lot of folks' aren't... if yours isn't, i might be more wary to give it a try.

 

What do you mean by fastened at the cab side and tailgate? Pics? Just curious lol

 

oh i just have some straps tensioned to the bed header rail and then a magnet strip to the tailgate. nothing more intense than what softopper includes, i just executed a bit differently. but i know a lot of folks let panels hang loose, which seems to be fine for daily driving, but it could potentially allow that high velocity air to get inside.

 

I have an idea for something to do with a softopper. I don't have one yet, but it's on the way. What I had in mind was a custom piece of canvas with button snaps that will snap into the softopper side (when it's unclipped from the truck) to form an awning by using any type of rod to hold it up. Would that be high enough/sturdy enough/practical? Good idea, bad idea? Maybe I was high, I don't know

 

Interesting idea. Should work. The rear corner would be the only funky part. Could just end before it through.
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