Question for those with a Softopper

I need a shell for my truck and since I have the 2.7L I'm avoiding adding the extra weight of a shell so I decided to go with a Softopper brand soft top and have a few questions that I didn't see in the soft top thread.
Does it get hot back there considering there are no side windows?
The lady over at Softopper mentioned there maybe minor water leaks(drips)at the seams and a seam sealer needs to be applied.
Anyone have problems with leaks?
These are my main two concerns as I will be camping/sleeping back there.
Thanks and I hope these questions are ok for a Thursday

 

I have a second gen and a softopper that I’ve camped in many times. I don’t think mine has ever leaked a drop. They include a bottle of seam sealer with the tops, and I maybe put that on the sewn together seams once in 4-5 years. I wouldn’t worry about the leaking. As far as getting hot, it can get a little I guess. I swap in the screen back window in warm weather for camping or use the tent extension thing they sell with the flap open. You can also unsnap some of the side panels a little for some airflow. I bought a tan topper to help keep things cooler also.
The softopper was probably the best thing I added to my truck in the 12 years I’ve owned it.

 

The Softopper is excellent.

It can get warm back there, but that just has me sleeping on top of my sleeping bag. I will also unzip the rear window to allow more airflow if needed.

You also have the option of sleeping with the tailgate down, which I just did in Death Valley. It was a perfect, and too short, of a night.


Mine leaked at the sewn seam. Super easy to apply the provided seam sealer. No leaks after that. With a bit of prep (sealing existing gaps and rails), the bed stays very dry.


Lemme put it this way, I got the ST for dry storage and wet weather camping, but in the end, I never even think about moisture and have even given up tent camping in dry weather.

 

IDK about leaking... I live in AZ and it holds up well against the (1) monsoon its been in and the snow up north as well as a trip to Idaho with rain and snow and everything on the inside stayed dry. As far as heat, I wouldnt know as I usually don't lay down in the bed.

 

I have a bestop soft topper so I can only speak to your question about it getting hot in there.

In the sun yes. Think of it as a heavy tent with no vents. Mine gets hot and humid inside there, without airflow it doesnt dry out if water gets in. I only use mine in the winter though as I need to keep snow out of the bed but also have enough space to load my ice house.

 

My last trip a few weeks ago rained pretty good. Perfectly dry for me and my pup You will love it

 

Thanks for comments, guess I'll be ordering a Softopper

 

I've owned rigid caps before my ST.

Both get hot when it's hot and both are cold when it's cold.

I don't notice any more leaks than I had with my rigid caps. Water still came in between the gap of the tail gate and bed sides.

The bed has drain holes in the front corners. Any time I was racking out for the night, there was no water to be found.

 

I live in the PNW, and it leaks a tiny bit on the corners near the cab sometimes but that's not even the topper leaking, and that's in hard-core rain. I've never had it leak through the seams but I sealed them. Not nearly enough water to impact anything. I like to fall/spring/winter camp and it works great. It's better than a tent at retaining heat but it's by no means insulated. I have seen a few people add that 3mm thin foam aluminum insulation to their toppers if they leave it on permanently. In the summer? Honestly just roll up the sides/rear and toss up a hanging bug net. I don't summer camp but that's a super easy system.