Let's See Some Softoppers

Finally remembered to get a shot in full light.

 

Hey everyone, long time lurker and I’ve learned a lot from all of you. First post here though and looking for opinions. Installed my Softopper yesterday and the rails are bent in on both sides. This is something that I’ve seen as pretty common after reading through most of the almost 400 pages on here. I have not seen any consensus on if it is ok to leave it like this, or if there is something I can do to fix. Anyone have this problem and just left it as is? Anyone with re-install options that seem to clean this up? Thanks in advance!

 

Tighten the clamps and I put 2 washers to tilt the clamps down with more force on the outside vs inside.

 

did you just add the two washers to under the bolt? Or use them as shims to get that outward pressure on the rail bars?

 

So simple, yet genius. Thank you, im going to do exactly that

 

I had this issue too. I loosened everything up and aligned the clamps up on the track where there’s the little cut outs are. If you look in there you’ll see they’re bout where the clamps are shown on the instructions. take turns slowly tightening the clamps up a little bit each until they’re all pretty snug but not over tight at the same amount. I used a tape measure cuz that’s me but eye balling is fine. Everything seemed to be much straighter after I did this. Best of luck

 

I did exactly this, as I wanted to try it before running to the store to buy some washers or shims. Finally was able to get the clamps completely seated around the rails and the ‘inward lean’ of the rails is much less pronounced now. Thank you, much appreciated!

 

Has anyone attempted to install a third brake light? Curious how to go about it or if I even want to at all.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/plug-and-play-brake-light-taps.707529/page-32

 

Quite a few actually. Pretty easy after getting the brake tap. Just make sure to use a male/female plug so you can unplug it before folding back the softopper.

 

How did you attach the light to the canvas?

 

A little bit of two part epoxy. It’s there forever!

 

Is this a high quality light or chinese special from Amazon? i hope it last

 

Just wrapping up the install of my new BesTop Super Top 2 for my 2020 Tacoma. I live in California so I guess I need the 3rd brake light? I purchased the kit from BesTop and as I open the box I am surprised to see how ***CHEAP*** and low quality the light is. No instructions, picture on the packaging indicates use for a small car and interior placement, non-English language on the package. I have watched numerous install videos and none of them have this style of light. What the heck? Unfortunately, everything about my experience with this top and BestTop customer service has been really, really poor. Anyone else have a similar experience? Any better solutions?

 

For anyone who hasn't already learned this the hard way, the clear window on the Softopper is extremely brittle in the cold!

This happened at -10°C (14°F) which is very cold for Vancouver Island, but not near as cold as many are currently experiencing. I was just trying to flip the rear panel on top, not even rolling it and I heard it pop.

 

Amazon special. No problems with it all. Nice and bright. It’s been through a couple of snow storms with no issues.

 

Magnets. Post 7895 in this thread.

 

Added a 3rd brake light. What a pain in the ass when the Chinese light doesn't come with wiring instructions and the people in reviews have it wrong also. I had to just swap the wiring until I found the right combo.

 

Was it an older topper mine? Mine is only 1 year old & I did same thing, jus Flipped it up & it was -15° & didn’t have any problems. Coldest I’ve had it was -35° Although didn’t try opening it. Other day drove through -9° & when got to my destination was 18° & i took it off & put in someone garage (needed to haul Blower) & Next day backed it in garage & put back on, with door open LongBed problems. Ha..