Softtopper vs camper shell

I got a bestop soft topper, I love it. Its easy to put up and down (not as easy as softopper though)

My neighbor has a hard top and has to use a hoist in the garage to get it on and off.

 

I'm jealous of all the new ST everyone has! bought a used one and it looks like it went through many season!

 

Good infor

 

I love my softopper, my stuff underneath my sleeping platform is actually secure since my sleeping platform butts up again my tailgate so unless someone sawed into it they won't have access even if they cut a whole in the softoopper

 

I know with our uncoated canvas convertible top, we took some good car with it. Always hosing off bird shit as soon as possible and cleaning and sealing it at least once per year. The neighbor's kid still has it and it looks like it is surviving well with much less care. I plan to go a similar route with the Softopper. Hit the vinyl with protectant at least once a year and take as much care as I can with the windows. I've found that I need to clean them once a week. The window cleaning takes a minute or two.

For the solid vinyl, this was recommended:

$65 303 Products Aerospace Protectant Spray, UV Protection, Repels Dust, Dirt, & Staining, Matte Finish, Restores Like-New Appearance, Outdoor Cleaning Supplies 1 Gallon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L4TF32...olid=3KSVDZKZ7D7VA&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

For the windows, I mixed water and a good dose of car wash soap in a sprayer. I use that with a microfiber cloth to lightly get the grime off. Then, hit the window with polish. This was recommended:

$22 Sumner Laboratories (23304) 210 Plastic Cleaner/Polish - 14 fl. oz. Aerosol

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00144ASC...olid=3KSVDZKZ7D7VA&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Plexus also works. Looking for Plexus locally, I found this:

$21 All-Surface Care - Cleaner, Wax, Polisher and Protector - Interior and exterior use, 13.5 oz - Protect All 62015(Packaging may vary)

https://www.amazon.com/All-Surface-...10?keywords=ProtectAll&qid=1574797950&sr=8-10

It seemed similar to Plexus, but I did check with the MFG'er before using. They said it was good long term for clear vinyl. One big difference is that the ProtectAll has hardly any smell compared to the strong stench of Plexus.

Also, it surprised me to find out that my favorite cleaner, isopropyl is no bueno for vinyl.

 

Pretty pricey!! $50! probably worth it.

 

You can certainly get smaller sizes. Although, two of the 32oz sprayers cost almost as much as the gallon. I have never used 303 before, but I have seen it recommended everywhere including from folks with STs.

That gallon would probably last the life of the Taco? For our Saab convertible top, it took a capful of Porsche convertible cleaner. I used two bottles in the 12yrs that we owned it. It did suck down about a can and a half of sealer each time though. No worries there with vinyl.

 

Just got one from the recent groupbuy. My rear window got slashed last week to take a skateboard. I even left the window unzipped and the crossbar out of the mounts. The idiots couldn't figure out all they had to do was lift the panel up. Anyway, sealed it up with some vinyl mend and aside from the scar it's as good as new.

That being said, I love it and would buy one all over again. Also, @tonered has some good posts on sealing everything up!!

 

Thanks!


I am sorry to hear about the jerks trying to ruin yours. That is not right. Hopefully Karma catches up with them.

I put an old plastic tool chest in the back to hold a couple camp chairs, my recovery gear, and tie downs. It had yellow handles that were easily seen. I painted those black and use a black strap to secure it, which makes it pretty much hidden unless someone uses a flashlight.

 

@tonered No worries brotha! What's funny is that I had camping gear back there as well, everything was left untouched except for my skateboard haha. Apparently there's a group of guys around our neighborhood that have been going around stealing odd things the past few months. I was about to order a new panel but figured i'd just mend it up in case it happens again. I park next to some Jeeps and oddly enough their windows were untouched, so someone really wanted a skateboard I guess.

 

Just wild. You know what they say, criminals aren't smart.

Hopefully things will be quiet for you.

 

That 210 works so well

 

I got mildew on the canvas, and on my stuff in the bed. It was a super rainy month. I was dealing with flooding in the garage so I neglected the truck. The topper window was always fogged up from the inside. I guess I got enough water in the bed, it never got a chance to dry out for weeks on end. I did have a couple of minor leaks that let water under my sleeping platform, but I didn't worry about them since it drained without getting my stuff wet. But I eventually wound up with water condensing on the roof at night then rain down on my stuff.

This isn't a flaw of the soft topper, it was my fault for neglecting the situation. I just wanted to mention it so you don't make the same mistake. It's not a weather tight as your cab, so make sure it gets a chance to dry out from time to time.

Now, I'm careful to lift the window for a day after it rains. Careful cleaning could probably also keep it from happening in the first place. My topper is always super dusty after each trip.

 

I have a Bestop Supertop 2 now and tomorrow it's gonna rain hard in SoCal. I wanna see how it goes then I'm planning on doing a full video review.

Sidenote: Bestop bought Softtopper earlier this year.

 

Rain just started up here in the Bay Area. I took care to seal everything up last week; seam sealer, bed caps, tailgate. So far, no leaks.

 

Soft topper vote here.
Only downside - can’t go thru a car wash.
Going to pop it off this week to use a car wash cuz I’ve been lazy but other than that I love it and it looks good. As others have said you lose visibility but if you have blind spot monitoring you should be fine

 

Your truck looks awesome!

 

Thanks for the details. I appreciate it.

I will watch for those conditions. The Taco is my daily driver in the winter. I will pop open the tailgate in the garage from time to time to be sure things dry out.

 

My bestop 2 stays pretty dry in the power car wash (touch free with the pressure washer jets) The only place I get water coming in is from the tailgate seal.

 

How much extra effort is it to keep up on social media? Is it stressful? This isn't a slight, genuinely curious. Seems like so much effort!