DIY soft topper

I made a soft topper that straps to my bed rack and snaps to an angle iron frame. Also sewed up a bug screen and rainproof tailgate cover to make sleeping in the shortbed more comfortable. What do you think?

 

That’s pretty awesome nice job .looks better than the softopper.

 

I'd rather pay for one of these, haha! I've wanted a softopper for so long and this looks even better!

 

I’m 6ft even and can comfortably lay out with my 5’6” wife and 70 pound dog. Short bed is now a lot better for camping!

 

Thank you! Softoppers are sweet but I wanted to make better use of a bed rack.

 

Thank you! Might as well have some style with a topper

 

Very nice! I like the "embelishment" of the color panels. "PEAKS"! ;-)

The fabric must flap as you drive though. Or does it just inflate?

Looks very secure. and airy

 

Properly executed my dude

 

that looks great

curious to see what kind of curtain you come up with, if any
if you even want one.

Just saying based off experienced. For example was driving accross the country and one night slept at a rest stop under a light, used a curtain but it's not the best setup
genuine softopper, ran paracord between the back tube to hand a cut flat pillowcase (black) to keep the light out

 

Nice! Did you make the bed rack? Looking for a rack that is adjustable or taller than the cab of my 3rd gen DC

 

the bed bars are from Heavy Metal Offroad fab, the 21” softopper version. The platform is an eBay special 60x48 aluminum rack that was only $179

 

Very nice! This is a really cool design. Do you keep it on while driving, or just attach it to the rack when you park? Looks like it would be very easy to take on and off with the straps.

 

My petite smoking hot trophy wife doesn't camp. But if she did, this would be the way to go. Nice job OP!

 

I just leave it on while driving. Made it to Maine after 2500 miles at 75mph- so far so good! It’s made out of super burly fabric and thread so it should hold up to some abuse.

 

Thank you! Might as well as some style if you’re sewing it yourself.

it doesn’t flap around too much. I added a 3/4” bar at the back to keep the rear flap solid. The 40 snaps and 18 straps do a pretty good job of keeping it from flapping too much. Looks about the same as a Jeep soft top or the softopper at 75mph.

 

good idea about the curtain. I added Velcro all around the rear flap so I could always add one

 

Some pics of the panels under construction. One of the hardest parts was matching up the slight curve of the tailgate when it is closed. Matching up the panels on each side of the zipper took a bit of time to figure out. Also first time sewing windows. Glad to have a pair of industrial machines!