Let's See Some Softoppers

Thanks! would love to see a DCLB even a 2gen would do the trick..
I was surprised when i brought up the idea and color combo to my gf.
She said "very military. I LIKE IT!!"

I was surprised.. lol

 

This seemed like the most relevant place to ask this question- does anyone know if a Gen 2 Bestop Supertop will fit on a Gen 3? Have a good lead on a used one and am curious

 

The calendared fabric and DWR coating would likely not be impregnable with a dye, but you could get a dye "coating" to adhere. I would think that like most coatings not applied during manufacture of the textile that it won't bond well enough to handle extremes in temp and UV exposure.

Basically, I'd get it in the color you want Initially and save yourself the frustration.

 

The guys at soft topper told me the only design change was the curved rear support bar for the tailgate and the changed brackets. You can get them from soft topper separately.

 

I'm working my way through the thread (page 29 now) but I have some questions for those of you who use the soft topper for camping out of.

I'm sure the question gets answered on page 30, but that's how it goes.

I intend to put it up for trips, and remove it when not on trips, so for day to day driving it won't be installed. On trips, I would keep gear in the back and then once we stop to camp, that gets moved outside or stuff like food gets moved into the cab of the truck, and I'd inflate an air mattress in the back to sleep on. So the questions are these: is there enough headroom inside to sit up on top of an air mattress? With the rear window closed, to keep rain or even dew out, does it get moist from breath condensation inside the soft topper or is there enough ventilation? Is it stuffy with the window closed? Can you even unzip the window from the inside? If I get the mesh rear window to improve ventilation, is there an option to cover it with a waterproof panel if it starts to rain during the night (like a tent with both a mesh panel and a solid panel zipped over each other)? Any other thoughts on using on of these to camp in? Is the black color "too hot" to sleep in?

I'm basically seeking a 0 set-up, portable camp site. I always slept in the back of my 4R so I'm looking to basically do that with the Taco and soft topper.

Thanks...

 

EXACTLY my intensions AND questions.
Thank you for asking them for me! lol

I wait patiently for answers...

 

I just took my Bestop out this weekend for the 1st time, my experience should be 99% the same as the Softopper. I have an inflatable Truck Bed that sits a few inches above the wheel wells, paired with 2 sleeping bags means I'm a good ways up off the floor of the truck. Even so I was very comfortable & didn't feel "entombed" whatsoever. I wouldn't say there's enough room to sit upright and eat breakfast in bed, but I had minimal interference when it came time to get dressed in the morning. As for condensation, I was sleeping in the low desert so very low humidity, temps were around 40* at night. When I woke in the morning the windows were fogged over but I didn't see any condensation dripping, next time I'll try leaving the tailgate window cracked open. Also, don't expect much warmth from the top, just like a tent I think the only benefit is wind protection. No regerts!

Edit to add: as for opening windows from the inside, if you can get your finger through the zipper opening then you can pinch the zipper & push it up from the bottom. That's how I closed myself in it at night & got out in the morning.

 

I drove across the country in my Tacoma with a softopper. I'll tell you it sure was warm down south, a couple times I had to set up the tent because it was too hot!

It's relatively dry, but after a month on the road it was starting to get wet inside along the corners. However that softopper was pretty old and beat up. I've since upgraded to a new softopper and it's much dryer than before. They're not completely dry, but pretty close.

As far as sitting up, don't count on it. You're gonna crawl in and there isn't much way around that for any topper. Maybe a hi rise would give enough clearance to sit up all the way, but most likely not with a softopper.

I don't think it will get moist, never has for me, but like I said earlier, in the south it got hot as balls inside the softopper. Ventilation is pretty weak (read: non existent) without lifting a side or opening the rear window.

All in all it's pretty convenient to have a campsite set up in the back of my truck. We went up to New Hampshire last weekend, and it was pretty tight with me and my girlfriend and a dog. I'm happy with it, but it's too tight for the three of us.

 

Put the dog in the truck & spoon the GF a bit tighter.... eventually that body heat will turn into friction heat

 

Thanks guys!
My plan is a Softtopper + a small screened picnic tent. The tent will be to keep stuff from the bed of the truck in so we can sleep in the bed.
Store food in the cab and everything else in the tent. Easy to leave the site and stuff behind.

 

I should also note, I am so glad to have a sleeping platform. It's so nice to have sleeping and storage doubled up in one place.

The cab gets tight so quickly.

 

Ok, I am caught up on the thread. I'm sold. Probably get one in 2 weeks. Just got to decide on color. Black, probably, but I kind of like the tan. Truck is silver, though...probably be a no go.

On thing I did not see in 90+ pages was this:

I just emailed ST to inquire about getting a fabric replacement for the rear window (I don't feel like I would need the vinyl window, maybe the mesh one) and this is what they had to say --->

Yes...we do have a SOLID rear fabric panel option.
You can order it in addition to the rear window for $64 ( you'd get both Panels ) ....or we can just do a swap and send just the Solid rear panel instead of the window for the same price.
If you want to do the swap...just call us to order it or email us immediately after ordering online and say that you want to swap the Window for the Solid panel.

 

That's how I'd order it for sure. Screen, sold panel. And do tan!! Looks awesome with silver imo

Good tip. I think I'd get claustrophobic that close to the top tho lol..

 

I'd need to see a picture, and unless I missed it, there isn't one in the thread.

 

Ya I'm still waiting on a Black and Tan dclb to see

 

There's several in the thread. Maybe not LB but I reckon you can imagine-like.

 

I got mine in thee September GB and so far I absolutely love it

 

How's the fit w/that tailgate antenna bracket? Back window open without hitting anything? I'm going back & forth between that mount & the Iggy ditch light mount that has an extra hole for an antenna.

 

No issues what so ever so far , This is the B.A.M.F. one and it's wicked nice I would recommend it for sure

 

handling the crazy California rains like a boss. Currently resting on my lunch break laid out on an air mattress. No leaks ever