Let's See Some Softoppers

what made you change to the slumberjack? my only concern with the roadhouse is it is very large and seems cumbersome, i don't seem myself needing THAT much coverage. I prefer something quick and easy that I can do on my own. I might go pick up one of these tarps from harbor freight and follow this method:

$7 Harbor Freight Overland, SUV, Mini Van, Camper Awning. DIY Shade. How To - YouTube

 

I liked the Roadhouse we had.

It is difficult to set up in inclement weather though, and because it's tethered to the truck you can't really go anywhere once you set up camp. It's also "low" if you tether it to the top of the truck. It really needs to be attached to the top of a roof basket or something, otherwise you are stooping over as you are under it.

But it is a interesting modular solution.

 

Yeah, that works well. It's actually how my old setup was. (Bigger tarp than in your previous pics). There were 2 reasons I jumped on the slumberjack...1 With the tarp setup, in order to stand upright underneath it my tarp was lower at the softopper end so rain would always pour off of it right at the back of the truck. 2. I really like the slumberjack's additional screen sides because I tend to camp without my wife more than not and it allows me to sleep dry and mostly bug free (there are some gaps near the bottom edge etc.) in the short bed without the need to bring/set up the tent. The slumberjack also gave me a more minimalist packing scenerio because it acts as the tarp awning and sleeping tent but packs much smaller.

 

I agree with all of this. Though I found I had a bit more headroom than with the tarp awning setup.

 

Got some organizing done up in the roof area and secured the reflectix with four bungees. I wanted a setup where I can easily take it down.

And I also had lunch

 

Yeah man! I’m leaning towards something like this. I have poles like that already too. I want it to be easy to deploy and pack up, cause I move around a lot. Just not sure that lumberjack thing is easy enough. Too many ropes and stakes in the ground it seams.

 

I opened it up today and put it back. It's a great idea, would be fine if you don't plan to go anywhere for a few days. But it's very cumbersome, like you said, too many stakes

 

I bought a $30 tarp and telescoping poles. As you can see from this pic, when it rains it sags needs a center support. I bought an extra pole for this year. The whole setup cost ~$130 which isn't cheap but I have 4 poles and a more generically useful tarp than the Roadhouse.

$36 Gold Armour Rainfly Tarp Hammock, Premium 14.7ft/12ft/10ft/8ft Rain Fly Cover, Waterproof Ultralight Camping Shelter Canopy, Survival Equipment Gear Camping Tent Accessories (Gray 12ft x 10ft)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C3NKFYV

$50 Green Elephant Camping Tarp Poles - Adjustable Aluminum Telescoping Tent Poles for Tarps, Canopy & Awning - Heavy Duty Collapsible Pole Set of 2 - Extends 8ft, Shrinks to 2ft - Caravan & Beach Shade

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072K1B91Q

 

I was thinking of something like this
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09C1VPW4Y/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_KY0B5TXP9FA5XDY9RW7G?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

Doesn't look like it would stand up to any wind but might work.

 

standing up to wind is key. I also use a tarp and p cord to make shelters over camp kitchens in the woods, where having the versatility of that set up is important.

 

Worked on a third brake light for my topper. Used magnets to hold a thin, lightweight motorcycle brake light to the rear flap. With 60 LEDs in that little thing, it’s BRIGHT! The pics don’t do it justice. I still need to clean up the wires in the bed and wrap everything up.

 

That looks great. You have a link to the light?

 

Thanks. It’s still a work in progress. I want to be sure using magnets will hold it in place. So far so good.
Here’s a link: https://www.radiantz.com/Ampd-Flex-strips-p/288.htm
The light comes in a lot of length options, I chose the 9” one. They are a little pricey but much brighter than most I looked at.

 

if they're as bright as you say, I might go with the smoked lens

 

Nice! Seeing it on the truck now, and having a black Softopper, the smoked would make it even more subtle but still pop when it lights up.
It comes with 3M adhesive on the back. I used a thin piece of metal on the back of it. If you used magnets on the back and on the inside of the topper, I’m sure that that thing wont budge.

 

lift and tires?

 

I did the same a few years back using neodymium (rare earth) magnets. I offroad regularly and daily drive over 60 miles and it has not moved.

 

Good to hear! I have a few more of the magnets I used, might put them inside the rear flap of the Softopper to keep it sealed against the tailgate instead of the supplied Velcro.

 

I got a roll of a strip magnet and glued velcro to the back, then attached that velcro to the velcro on the flap. I've had to replace that magnet a couple times over the past couple years because it becomes brittle, but keeps the flap from, well, flapping. I would however suggest a strip of clear vinyl on the tailgate to protect the paint where it contacts.