Soft Shell Camper yes or no?

I'M looking at a Bestop Soft Top for my truck. Does anyone have one? I have a tonneau cover right now but would like to do some truck camping this summer. There is a used one locally that seems like a fair price.
Just wondering what people thought.

 

There's a few members that have em. Never seen one on a Tacoma in person though.

Edit: this guy MADE his https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sewing-show-tell-thread.428166/

 

ok thats awesome!

 

How different that would be from camping in a tent? Perhaps instead consider buying a used hard shell. The price might not be too off the price point of a new soft top.

Cheers.

 

I love my softtopper. If you dont need the extra security a hard shell offers, I highly suggest it.

There is a huge softopper thread on this board that would be of use to you.

 

My experience with soft tops and cold weather is not good. I had a cj5 with best top cover and the winter took a toll on window zippers and the Windows themselves. The Windows got brittle and crack the first yr. The zippers came undone due to the window contracting during cold weather. Since the zippers popped, I sewed them shut with a needle and fishing line. However if you only use it during the summer and remove it for winter you should be fine.

 

Not sure how your winters compare with mine, but the softopper windows handled Wyoming just fine. I have heard of there being issues with bestop though. I also rarely messed with the windows on the days below freezing.

 

Having never owned one and depending how you use it I think you would be very happy with it.

 

I thought very hard about a soft top. The convenience of being able to just take it off and fold it up and stick it in the garage when I didn't need it was very appealing. But I travel with guns a lot and the added security was the final straw, so I went with a hard top.

 

The windows are fine in below freezing temps if you don't take them off road or if nobody accidently pokes them with whatever there around the Windows with. Like most plastic they become brittle.

Mine split the first winter going down a trail during elk season in Co. A pine branch scraped it or maybe poked it and that's all it took. It wasn't anything out of the normal for a branch to rub a vehicle like that.

There fine if you understand what can happen and willing too always be on the defense against trouble.

Maybe they have better plastic now.

 

I just wrote this long ass dissertation cause I have nothing better to do. I own a Bestop so I am biased:


I have a Bestop. One of the best purchases I have made so far for my truck. I also bought the Softopper brand storage cover to go over my Bestop when I fold it down which is nice.

PROS:
-Easy to stow away in my garage when I don't need
-I can also fold it down and leave it on the truck if I want
-Doesn't require a hoist or someone to help me take it off like a fiberglass shell would
-Also MORE room than a tonneau (and I think tonneaus look ugly too, but just my opinion)
-Takes about 15 minutes to setup, and the most pain in the ass part is the windows
-Looks (but can be a con, some people think they are ugly)
-Keeps bed "mostly" watertight, I'm sure some xtra weather seal material could eliminate majority of this (I also sealed the seams with silicone seam sealer)
-Have windows that are moderately tinted


CONS:
-Fabric, so not secure theftwise
-Windows can crack in winter if not careful (like some suggested, take it off in the winter or leave it on and don't mess with it until it warms up)
-People reported the rivet fasteners for the Bestop frame tend to rust so may need to replace down the line with stainless hardware
-Some people think they are ugly
-Are a little pricey unless you buy used or score a deal


Those are just off the top of my head of general pros/cons. There are also pros and cons between the Bestop vs. Softopper too. For the most part people that stay away from buying a Bestop either do it cause they don't like the look, want the color options of the Softopper (come in tan, gray, and black), or have had bad experiences with Jeep softops with the windows cracking. The Bestop uses less of the bed rail real-estate to mount, whereas the Softopper requires a bit more usage since that is how it mounts its bracketry. Softopper doesn't have side windows so you don't have to worry about cracking windows on the sides.

What I DO very much like about the Bestop, is it uses a solid mounting bar for the tailgate window, which in my opinion is a superior design over the Softopper which requires velcro. Lots of people with Softoppers have come up with securer ways to go about securing their rear windows though, and there are threads on here about it.

If you do go with the Bestop, what I would also suggest, is you get a piece of flat aluminum or something, and some small clamps that will fit in the bedrail near the cab and clamp down on the portion of the Bestop that is meant to be velcroed there. So basically velcro down that flap like the directions say, then clamp it down with the piece of flat aluminum for extra security. More of just a precaution for strong winds. But I have taken my Bestop up to 90 mph without it flinching so no big deal really.

 

Thanks for all the info!!

 

I hated mine. Sold it shortly after trying to camp in it and it was pretty garbage on the highway.

 

What do you mean? Did it make noise at high speeds or start to come off?

 

I really like my bestop no noise problems on fwy even with the windows out in canopy style not any issues. And during cold weather just zip windows out and fold it forward.
super hard to see backing up at night but whatever i got rear pod lights lol

 

I did some camping in mine in -14degF weather in Banff Canada, it survived the Seattle, Wa winter and I love mine. I think it looks better than a hard top and it folds down if you need the space.

 

Just simple physics. The soft material is able to move and catch more wind causing more drag and resistance. It wasn't the noise that bothered me, although it was louder than my hard shell. There are other downsides, such as them not being as water/dust proof or able to take us much of a beating or carry weight, etc. Overall I found the convenience to be able to put the topper up and down quickly great but wasn't happy with the topper itself when up anyway. I camped in it and would rather have a hard topper that keeps out weather for that for sure.

Seems the people in here like theirs but that's why I spoke up. If the OP asks opinions and only those who like theirs speak up he doesn't get to hear both sides before making his decision. I find them to be less useful than a hard shell topper in every way and I put my soft topper to thorough use, in many settings, and did a lot of highway miles with it, and decided it was more hassle than benefit. Just my experience with one.

 

It's all good man, I wasn't criticizing you for having a different opinion, was just curious is all. I don't have a soft top and was looking at getting one, I'd prefer to hear all opinions not just good ones

 

Word.

 

Also, taking the Windows in and out on the Bestop wasn't exactly fun or easy. My hard topper has sliding windows with screens built in so I don't have to worry about bugs when I want a breeze.