The Fellowship of PNW Tacomas | PDX Area Wheeling

So you essentially get the roof support already built in, and a way to secure things down. Sounds like you are set!

 

Sorry. I thought you were referring to additional weight support. Yes, I have that being installed. Thanks.

 

Nah dude. I'm laughing at the mumbled comment at the end.

 

I sealed the front of my bed with butyl tape. Closed up the gaps up there. I would hope that if you bought new the canopy dealer would do that for you. I bought mine used, so I did it myself. Don't have any pictures of that right now.

Haven't had any leaks in the front. The rear was another story. I sealed up the openings around the cubby and light locations. Pictures here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gandalf-da-grey-slow-build.679736/#post-23943852

Only place I get leaks now is right by the rear canopy window. There are some gaps at each side. Haven't fixed those yet. Everything else I did worked great though.

 

Thanks. I just saw you have a canopy now. Looks good!

 

Back when I bought my 1997 Taco new, I immediately ordered a paint matched Leer canopy.

Had that on from 1997 till about 2008. Killed a set of shocks over that span.

And all the while owning it, I came to realize that nothing under the canopy was secure, as anyone could easily just use a large screw driver or crowbar and pry the rear door open, drop the tailgate and take it. So I gave it away.

When I was looking at bed covering options for my 2017 Taco (prior to purchasing it), I found the SoftTopper idea. Wasn't entirely sure what I was going to do regarding having support above it to carry my kayaks, but figured I would just make a rack when I had the truck and topper in my posession.

Went through about a year and a half designing the rack in my head and finally settled on aluminum for being light and don't have to paint it.

My stuff that I keep back there now is no more or less secure than my heavy Leer canopy on my 1997. Not sure what your new canopy weighs but my old Leer was 150+ lbs and not designed to support any loads on top.

My Soft Topper is 16lbs, my aluminum rack is 26lbs, and my ARB awning is about 25lbs. The rack has the Yakima tracks on top for modularity of cargo install. No idea what my rack could be rated to, but I've had nearly 600lbs static load in top of the rack and it didn't flinch a bit. The most I would ever have secured up there would be a RTT (130lb - 200lbs).

I chose this combo for several reasons. It is super light, yet super strong. I can change up how I run the Soft Topper....ie closed up, safari style, completely removed with just the rack in place, just the Soft topper without rack, or nether.

I can remove the ST in minutes by myself and stow in the bed folded down, or in the garage. I can also remove and install the rack myself and stow in the garage in minutes.

I learned a lot with my heavy Leer canopy as to my limitations of install and removal. I only removed it twice over all the years I had it. Once to replace the foam gasket seal along the bed rails and once to get rid of it.

I've taken my ST and rack on and off several times in the short time I've had them.

This combo really has no affect on my rear spring load capacity as they are. This has worked out awesomerly (<----new word ) over my previous Leer experience.

 

I’m going with butyl this time around. I took mine in a month after install and they tried caulking again. A moth later I called and they said to bring it in again (that was the damn Tacoma’s) comment. At that point I didn’t want to drive a half hour to get the same result.

After I did some silicone myself I got it down to a very, very small leak in just the two front corners (that’s only place I’ve ever had water come in). I also drilled a small relief hole in each corner, the Toyota bed mat covers them but pooled up water can escape.

I feel like the occasional person that gets their canopy 100% waterproof is lucky (or very patient & skilled)

 

Thanks guys for the advise!

 

Wouldn’t a locking tailgate have solved that whole dilemma? I installed a pop and lock with my wedge camper for the same reason.

 

I just looked and I cannot find any pics of my butyl sealing unfortunately. I used a lot up front, too much I thought. The black trim on the front of the bed sat a bit higher than the sides when I was done. Thought it might be a problem. Worked out well though. Frankly amazed how well it worked. Wish I could find the pics..

 

Sounds like you did it right. Haha. For reference, the bulkhead of my bed sits slightly higher than the bed sides (stock).

 

On the fiberglass canopies a locking tailgate won't stop a crowbar from opening the rear hatch very easily. Granted, with a locking tailgate, they now have to climb over the gate to retrieve stuff.

On a metal canopy that has better structure in the rear hatch above the tailgate, prying it open might be much harder to do.

Back before 2008, I don't recall there being a locking tailgate retrofit available for the 1st gen.

 

Look what the mail lady brought today.

 

I have some At The Helms too! They are quality for sure. Going to paint them up when I paint my sliders and get them slapped in before reinstalling the topper.

 

I blame @FashTaco for this one.

 

All locks only stop honest people, tbh.

 

Exactly!

I had no expectations of actual security with my Leer canopy with a non locking tailgate. And I still have no expectation of actual security with a Soft Topper and a locking tailgate.

I just maintained a huge amount of available cargo weight capacity all while having an easy to configure, remove and install over the bed covering that can support equal or more weight than a traditional fiberglass reinforced canopy.

I fully realize and respect that my setup may or may not fit the look or function for everyone. Nor would it be financially fiscal to have to purchase a fully welded aluminum rack. Can't even imagine what that would cost.
The ST is costly enough for basically a bimini.

What does one of these ARE canopies run price wise nowadays? My Leer was about $800 back in 1997.

 

Did you run butyl on the seam on the outside?
I’m getting a slight leak in the front corners. I can see a little daylight when I’m in the topper. I tried getting some silicone in the gaps from the inside. It slowed the leaks a little.
But strips of butyl sound like a good addition. Better than removing the whole thing and trying to re seal.

 

Under the black trim and filled the gaps. I cannot see any light from inside. It didn't look so great before the topper was on there. Now I never notice.

Those gaps are a big part of the problem so many people have getting a seal up front.

 

IIRC the ARE on my rig was about 1500 (2016)