Softopper Install Issue

I am trying to put on my Softopper and I am stumped. A buddy and I both remeasured, reinstalled and rechecked everything but we can't get the snaps and buttons on the side to match. We are less than a quarter inch off. I don't understand what I am missing. The bars aren't backwards, and everything is tight but it feels like the fabric is almost to small. Has anyone else had this issue or have any ideas what to check. A 45 minute project has turned into an all afternoon project.

 

Post the issue here...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lets-see-some-softoppers.277644/

 

It's super tight when new. It's helpful to lie the top in the sun (although if it's really cold out you kinda lose the benefit). Don't be afraid to grab a BFH* of the corner and really rip on it to get that corner snap to latch, too. Once you get the corners then the rest of the snaps are pretty easy.

I guess you could also drop the pin on the middle pivot bracket down to the lowest setting, that should give you a little bit of slack.

*Big fucking handful

 

Agreed with this dude. When its cold the softopper is like stretching a piece of sheet metal.

Try these things

1. Adjust pivot point. This should bring the buttons closer to the snaps.

2. Or tighten down the anchor straps as much as you can on the inside. Button the topper. Release the tension from the anchor straps.

3. Or undo anchor straps. Tilt the frame of the topper towards the cab. Button the topper. Work your way towards the rear of the truck while pulling down on the frame.

4. Or if you can heat up the topper with sunlight this will make the topper stretchy and flexible. This will help tons. You can use a hairdryer/heating, just becareful obviously.

5. Or......softopper sent you the wrong size topper....

Once you get the topper all dialed in, it gets easier to button it closed the next time.

 

Yup, mine is over a year old and still tight. Just get the outside snaps first, like the other guys said.

 

Thank you everybody for the help. It's good to hear about the cold. Once it warms up or I find a garage I'm going to try again and grab a BFH!

 

I am having a similar issue, but instead of the side snaps. My whole rear is totally off. I cant even get those snaps close to closing and the window zipper is completely inaccessible. I have been going at it for 5 hrs now

 

You can't get the most rear snaps to button?

 

A few things here:

-- Definitely check the tension setting. I dropped mine also, and it has been great for 3yrs now. A bit of a pain to do, but I don't think you'll need to mess with it again:

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-- The installation instructions show 2nd Gen bed for the forward position alignment. 2nd Gens did not have the header rail like we have, so you want to eyeball it further forward as the alignment point is the back of the bed's front wall. It should sit really close to the cab. The closer the better, IMHO.

2nd Gen Taco bed:


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-- Be sure to set the front - rear tension on the top. IMO, the four straps do not need to be taut unless you are rolling around with the sides rolled up. But to set the tension:

Open the rear panel.
Loosen the rear straps.
Un-velcro the front panel.
Tension the front straps, just so. This may be iterative.
Velcro only the top of the front panel.
Loosen the front straps
Check the snaps and tension by closing the rear panel. Nothing should be saggy or hard to fasten.
If all is good, the velcro the sides of the front panel.

Similar on the rear panel.
With the front set, tighten the rear straps, just so.
Un-velcro the top of the rear panel. Keep both zippers zipped and the rear panel snapped into the holders.
Velcro the top of the rear panel.
Loosen the straps and check the fit.
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-- If all else fails and you cannot get the snaps to go, consider repositioning the snap studs. They are self tapping. So, carefully mark the new location, center punch it, and drill a new hole. Obviously, use a smaller bit just to pilot the hole.

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-- When you are happy, paint those darn mounting rails. Hahaha! Worth the effort, IMHO.

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Let us know if that helps? And, post up pics of the issue?