Bestop, yes or no?

hey everyone, i have an 07 DC, whichever model you have doesn't really matter, I'm just wondering if anyone has one of those Bestop canvas "caps" for your taco. like this one www.extreme-source.com/tacoma/IMG_3731.jpg if you do, how do you like it? is it durable?, does the canvas stretch out over time? does it flap/make any noise at higher speeds?

i am looking at this because i want a something to keep my stuff dry, but something that will fit larger objects than a taneau cover. i also like it because it's cheaper than the fiberglass ones.

any input is appreciated. thanks

 

I love mine as mentioned above! I went from a folding hard cover to the Bestop. With the BakFlip I had to lay my air compressor on it's side and take a wheel off for it to fit under the cover. It was only a small 13gal one and I took it with me to run air tools quite often. I ended up leaving the nut on the wheel finger tight to make it easier, but it was still a pain. The BakFlip had some issues being a 1st gen so it leaked and eventually fell apart. I'm glad I have the Bestop now though since I can just roll my compressor in without messing around. In fact, most everything I haul in the truck can now just be tossed in the bed. I don't have to try to squeeze it under the cover (any between-the-rails cover is going to limit your height like the BakFlip did to me), or strap things down if I had to leave the cover open.

The canvas stretches, but it's VERY tight from the factory. So tight, in fact, I had a hell of a time getting it fitted. Once it's on though, there are 3 notches in the front rails for the front poles. You can use those to increase tension on the canvas. I had mine set on the 2nd notch for a week or so to break it in. It stretches more when wet and it rained that whole week. I backed it down to the first notch after that so I still have then next 2 for years to come.

So far it's held up to snow and ice here in NY, and is damn near water proof! I only got a few trails the first day from needle holes (fabric probably expanded slightly and filled those after it rained), but now I get hardly any. As in, I'll see a small trail in the dirt along the bed sides, but no pools or other visible water. So it could just be the occasional stray drop making it in. Considering how little water gets in I haven't bothered cover the needle holes or gap in the weather stripping at the front of the bed.

I've driven 80mph several times and it's solid! No flapping or noise. I thought I had something loose last month on to finally find out it was a chunk of snow/ice between the cab and cover.

I can't attest to how easy it folds down because I haven't needed to yet. Everything fits inside! It's flexible too so you have an extra inch or 2 to get something in that would get wedged or stuck in a fiberglass one.

My only problem is it blocks almost all light when loading/unloading at night, but the dark bed was a problem with the other cover too. The Bestop just gave me the extra push to install my own bed lights.

 

Some pics:

Before lights:


After:

 

Gap up front. It's a section of weather stripping that doesn't fill the gap. I've thought about that foam tape for windows and doors, but the bed stays dry enough for me without it.


Needle holes. Could be cover in silicon, nail polish, or more water proofing I suppose (did one coat already). But they haven't really leaked since the first time.

 

This is the water the got in the first time it rained (day it was installed). After that I've had no where near as much.

 

Thank you so much for the writeup, the pictures are great, i wasn't sure how it would look on a DC like ours, but now I'm convinced. i don't know exactly when I'm gonna order mine, but i do know that it'll definitely going with the bestop. thanks again

 

If you do decide to get one, i bough mine here http://www.4x4replacementparts.com/products.asp?cat_id=24&sub_catid=41&menu_flag=toyota

481.00 shipped is the best price i've found online...the guy was really nice...took a few weeks to get to me cause it came directly from the bestop factory...