Softopper "newly redesigned..."

So I received my Softopper on Friday... I was pretty excited, as this was one of the accessories I have been looking forward to since before purchasing the truck.

Prior to shipment of the Softopper, they informed me that the one I am getting has been newly redesigned for the tacoma. Sounded good to me.

I happened to be home Friday when it arrived and immediately started to assemble.

After getting the rails on, I had an issue with installing the frame onto the pivot brackets. It took a lot of effort to get the frame onto the pivot pins, and I noticed that the pins were angled down after finally getting it on. Also, the frame would not clear the truck bedrail when collapsing despite having the rails as far in as possible (it actually rubbed on the side of the truck bed with any movement"; pic below.



So at this point I called Softopper and discussed the installation issue; apparently they packaged the wrong pivot brackets... the correct ones they are sending are an additional 5/8" longer and allow the frame to clear the factory bedrails. The helpful folks at Softopper said I could still install and leave the top up for the time being, just don't try to collapse it down.

Ok, great... so with a bit of time and elbow grease, I finished the install and here is what it looks like; pic below.



So it doesn't look like the ones I've seen on multiple threads here... it appears a bit short... 1- 2 inches. I thought it was suppose to be flush with the truck top, as others I have seen...

Close up:


So i'm a bit confused, and disappointed. I really liked the look of the others I've seen on here.

Was this the new design intention... to make it shorter?

Did I get the wrong product??? perhaps a Gen 1 Tacoma Soptopper?

Softopper was closed by the time I got done with the install, and will be through the weekend, so I haven't been able to ask these questions.

If this is the new design, will the new longer pivot brackets help to raise it? I guess I could raise the pivot pin to the next level. And it appears that the height is mostly determined by that pivot bracket and pivot pin position.... However, it was already tough to stretch the canvas to the snap postions, so adding another 1-2 inches of stretch may be tough. I also would have liked to move the bedrails out to get the sides of the Softopper more flush with the truckbed.

Am I crazy? Or tid I just install it wrong? hah.

I really love the this product, I just had a different idea in my head before I received it, based on pics from this forum.

Appreciate anyones input. Perhaps someone that has recently purchased a Softopper that has been "newly redesigned."

 

I think it's a SB vs. LB thing. The SB look like they're too short IMO. Never really looked one over in person though. I'm very happy with fit and finish of mine on my LB.

 

Could be the redesign. Or could be that it's so new and it will give a little. I know it can be disheartening when time and money doesn't turn into the mods you thought it would, but in case nobody else has said it, that color combo looks sick!

 

Hah hah, thanks, its definitely a good looking combo. And yes, I had this idea in mind of how the Softopper would look; even though it is still awesome, it's just not exactly as I planned.

Yep, but I wonder if the Softoppers for the Generation 1 Tacoma's are different... shorter... and that is the product I received...

Anyways, I should hear from Softopper tomorrow, and get the new brackets in a few days. If it is the new redesign, or I'm just crazy, I have a few ideas on how to make it sit on the truck the way I want.

 

Here's a picture of my old one. I backed it away from the cab because I drive 80 miles on the highway everyday. I didn't want the topper to wear on the paint. So, yours looks great compared..

 

Update:

New brackets arrived... now the frame clears the bedrails when collapsing forward.

Spoke to Bob at Softopper about the new redesign. It was there intention to drop the height on this model, so that it didn't sit above the cab.

And the more I see it on my truck, the more I love it... and the height seems appropriate.

Will post some install pics on my build thread later.

 

General question here, has anyone had a Softopper for any length of time? I was considering buying one in the near future and was curious of the durability of the Softopper in general and more specifically wind (I live in upstate NY and we get some heavy gusts). My Dad has lost a tonneau cover in the past and I don't want to watch 700+ dollars be blown off my truck.
Thanks.

 

I had a Softopper for a while and it held up great in the wind. I live in Newfoundland, Canada so we get a lot of bad weather. After having the softopper for a while I made the switch to a cap and love the thing. The softopper was great but I love the solid cap 100% better due to it being totally waterproof and lockable. I have a trailer so I use that when need be

 

Alright thanks for the insight! Just curious about how long did you have it for? And have a pic? wondering how black topper on a Grey taco would look?

 

Love the grey/black

 

I never understood the appeal of these things for that reason alone. I mean the whole point of a topper at all is to keep stuff dry and from walking away, isn't it? Although I do kinda like the military look of them.

 

Thanks! That is almost exactly the setup I'm am looking to do with my 15' except with an AC. Next question painted or Plastidiped rims and what size and brand of tires?

 

I just dipped mine until I find the time/motivation to do them propper. Tires are new Kumho AT51 in 265/75/16 - no rub at all. I'm hoping they'll wear good, because they were pretty cheap from tirerack.com, and had a $120 rebate as well

 

For me its because I don't want to run a topper all the time, I hate the look of tonneaus, and sometimes need a covered bed which is still ~95% waterproof. And for the cheaper entry point in cost, it gets the job done.

 

x2 plus I don't have the storage for a hard shell when I need to use the truck to haul

 

All great info was thinking all the same things! Mainly just want to know what the average lifespan on the canvas is. Almost completely sold on one thanks guys as soon as I have the cash I will be seriously considering picking one up.

 

Are those tires on the stock 16" rims? Because I think ill be putting some BF Goodrich's the same size.

 

Yup just stock base-model 16" steelies.

I think you'll be happy with the Softopper. It's perfect for camping and seems very well built. Treat it right and you should get many years out of it. Great thing about their customer service is that you can buy any of the individual pieces should one fail

 

Perfect thanks for the info!

 

No prob man; nice avatar pic I've got the Jedi Alliance symbol on my truck