Softopper vs bestop super top pros and cons

Never thought about that (sealing up from inside/exiting-resealing)... If not designed with this in mind, maybe need a DIY solution

 

ya, i was planning on getting a bestop for the side windows, but now leaning towards softopper for this reason, i appreciate the replies.

 

i guess i could rig up an internal tailgate latch

 

The other option is when you sleep in it leave the rear window zipper not all the way zipped so you can snake your arm through it and open up the tailgate. I forgot that would be the easy solution when I posted my initial reply.

Edit: or remove the rear window bar each night.

 

I've camped with my Softopper. It was nice and toasty at night. Really easy to get into/out of. Throw up the rear flap/window on top like when you normally open it, then once inside the bed, close the tailgate. Pull the flap down, click the rear bar into its respective spots, and zip down the zippers (they're dual-sided zippers, they zip the exact same way inside as out). Velcro (or magnet strip if you switch it) makes no difference.

 

Anyone know how a softtopper handles extreme cold or extended winter/snow? I'm moving up to Fairbanks, AK where the winters are constant sub-zero and it snows for a good chuck of the year. Just wondering if yall have any experiences with how it ages in those conditions.

 

thanks, the zippers are what swung me to ST, bestop can only really be opened from the outside, I called both of them for questions and even though i wanted side windows, ST is a better bet for me. Ordered one today!

 

From what Iv read on here they do fine, you just have to be careful with the back window. But I dont have any personal experience with it though.

 

Nice! Now you just need some @mattgecko bed lights...

 

Thanks for the insight and tips! Yeah I love the versatility, price point, and look of these soft tops..just need to bite the bullet on one.

 

This is actually how my rear window cracked. It was only about 50 degrees out and I flipped up the window too quickly and it broke. ST sent me a replacement no questions asked, and I sealed up the broken one with stickers and continue to use it int he winter.

I actually just broke it again but in about 60 degree weather when I flipped it up quickly with one hand. Just gotta add more stickers I suppose lol

I still have the brand new window but I'm waiting for the summer to swap it out.

 

Wtf are you doing to that thing... lol.

You must have some bad luck with these. I rolled mine up in 50-degree weather "for science" and it didn't crack. Not that I'll be doing that anytime soon again. IIRC, the Softopper people told me anything below 45F it should not be rolled up (but don't quote me on that).

 

I think the vinyl has a slight butter bow to it when the metal poles are secured. So when those are under done, and I typically flip it up with one hand, that bow just cracks instead of bending.

...if that makes sense lol

It's also already broken so I'm not even mad about it. Plus, it gives me an xcuse to have one rear window sticker bombed, and the new one I'll leave bare.

 

Solid points. Excuse me while I go crack mine...

Actually I don't need to do that. About 4 months after getting mine, I backed up next to a tree while camping, and didn't see a huge branch sticking out towards my truck. Put a nice deep scratch about a foot long in the rear window. Whoops.

 

seriously, can anyone complain about an excuse to use more stickers? I know i couldnt

 

Haha, I wish alot of the patch makers would take their designs onto vinyl..

Here is my "cracked" window currently.





Top center is a Softopper sticker covering the crack, with a fox sticker in the inside to seal it. Now there is another crack to the right of it.

 

Does anyone know if a softopper from a '17 will fit on a 08? i know the bestop will.....but softopper does not give part numbers on their site so I cant check. A guy has one for sale on CL and I want to be sure before I drive there. It is almost the price of a bestop....but I like the look and design of the softopper better....Any help is appreciated!!!

 

Have you seen this option yet? it is new and I am wondering if anyone has any experience with the Fastop cover I have seen a couple of their videos. here is the website looks like they are on sale if anyone has pictures please post. https://www.fas-top.com/Default.asp

 

Interesting....

 

Love my SofTopper. I found myself keeping the rear window rolled up most of the time so now I just leave it off (which is super easy to do) Also- if needed the front/rear windows are cheap to replace.

I can also vouch for it’s cold weather performance- Chicago/Wisconsin winters get COLD, never had an issue cracking and mine is 4 years old. I know that some cleaners will pull the plasticizers (elasticizers??- did I just make those words up?) out of the window material- learned that lesson on my pontoon boat. The wrong stuff leaves the plastic hard- even in extreme cold mine seems flexible enough.