Softopper vs Bestop

You're probably not going to get anything much bigger than a luggage lock to fit through one of those zipper pulls, and there's pretty much no chance of getting something remotely weather-resitant in that size. Not to mention that someone with a key-chain sized multi-tool or decently strong metal pen could pop them in under a second without looking suspicious to anyone not watching closely.

That said, it'd be pretty easy to just run a loop of something like 1/8" steel rope under the mounting rails in a few spots to create a point to lock them to.

With or without any locks, the real security is just due to whatever might be in the bed not being in clear view.

 

I can check where they fall by comparing dimples to your picture.

 

Rago Fabrication front bed tie downs. I don’t think they make them any more?

 

These guys seem to still make something.
https://www.relentlessfabrication.c...acoma-bed-tie-down-bracket?variant=6192056324

 

That is what I was thinking. I just couldn't see them in your pic. The front flap goes down further on the SBs.

 

Looks like they might overlap by 1/2”-1”. Nothing an extra snap couldn’t solve.

 

Nice!

 

Is this gray or black color?

 

Read the whole thread! Lots of great ideas in here. Can someone explain which 303 product is the best to use for the ST? I went looking and found there are about 7.2million variations haha

 

Just the basic Protectant:

$65 303 Products Aerospace Protectant Spray, UV Protection, Repels Dust, Dirt, & Staining, Matte Finish, Restores Like-New Appearance, Outdoor Cleaning Supplies 1 Gallon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L4TF32G

I bought the gallon size when it was a lot less expensive (like $45?). It was certainly the best value because it also preserves any of the bare black trim also. The stuff on the rear bumper was starting to fade on mine. Great for the black roof trim also.

 

I use that same type of 303 on everything that is unpainted plastic/vinyl on the truck, including the interior. I have over half of the gallon left I bought back in 2017 ($35).

 

Not a good price trend. Might need to horde invest in some for the coming apocalypses? Better than TP?

 

I am looking to buy one of these soft toppers for a camping setup! Can anyone who owns one answer a few questions I have? 1) on either the Softtopper or the Supertop, can you close and zip up the back window and talegate from the inside. I have been searching all day scouring videos and photos and can’t seem to figure out if the zippers are double sided. 2) on te Supertop, can you open the back window without opening the talegate first? The videos I have seen make it look like the metal bar is tucked in such a way that you would need to open the talegate before you could open the back window.

I have been leaning toward getting the Supertop for my camping setup, but depending on the answers to these questions, I may have to pull the trigger on Softtopper. Thanks!

 

I can speak to the bestop as thats what I have.

Zippers. They are single sided, so while you can zip them from the inside, there is no zipper pull so you have to try to grab the zipper block thingy.
Rear panel. You can remove it without opening the tailgate. That bar you see holds the bottom of the panel, but it does not need to move to take off the rear panel.

 

The Supertop I have doesn't have dual-sided zippers, but they may have updated the design in the 8+ years I've had it.

The back window can be worked loose with the gate up, but I've never tried to do it from inside the bed.

I don't have any experience with the softtopper, but would imagine that sleeping under one would be a problem if you're claustrophobic at all since there's no light coming through the sides.

That said, for what I do, if I could go back I'd probably buy the softtopper instead of the supertop, but I'm not looking to do a lot of sleeping in the back of the truck. I'm happy with my supertop, but the way the sides roll up on the softtopper would be easier when folding down the top than having to remove and stow the side windows of the supertop.

 

The softopper has double pulls on their zippers. You can close and open it from the inside.


Alternatively, either topper can take one of those "topper tents," which would be infinitely easier for those late night fumbling pee runs.

 

Crediting @dilbert for this handy strap:


Getting in and out of the Softopper has been great for me.


A bit of lighting really sets the mood (more credit to @dilbert for the shrink wrap idea):

 

Thanks for all the help! I pulled the trigger on the softopper… mostly because of the zipper thing and the ability to use a mesh screen making ventilation a lot easier than the Bestop. Although I would have like side windows. Oh well.

 

A thought occurs to me: I once took a rectangular mosquito net and draped it over my bed rack to make a impromptu tent.

I bet if someone were to put a similar net between canvas and frame, you could roll up the sides and get all the windows/ventilation you wanted.

 

I used a DAC on my LC for years. Great little truck condom. Never thought to use it with softopper.