Soft Topper .. to Buy or not to Buy

This is what folks 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/B00L4TF32G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0VWpFbMTKE0SC

Worked like a champ for me. A couple months or so after the application and I can still feel it on the ST.

 

Can the soft topper be left on year round .. or u guys recommend taking it off . Just wondering because the back flap just rests on Top of the bed closest to the back window . Wondering if moisture or if it gets wet under causes mold or damage to paint anywhere ??? Probably I’m just being paranoid .

 

I was going to use the ST just like I did with my tonneau. Use it for the wet and cold weather, but take it off for the summer. I did that for all of a month or so and put the ST back on. Just too damn useful.

Here in the NW, we actually have to power wash outdoor concrete to beat back mildew and algae. It's crazy. With that, I didn't see a bit of evidence of mold or mildew anywhere, including the front flap. I did seal the bed rails and caulked the front corners well before installing the ST.

I think there is enough air moving in that area to keep it happy?

From one other post, and what I am seeing a bit of, is that the very edge of the front flap rides on some paint on the bed sides. I need to add a bit of something there or just add a layer of clear coat. Honestly, that is all that I would worry about.

 

I run my softopper 24/7 365. Never any issues. Greatest topper ever.

 

24/7 here too, no issues. I also HIGHLY recommend the sumner labs plexi cleaner. Works great

 

Mine stays on year round.

 

@tonered since your on this forum more than anyone. Haha but seriously, does anyone else notice their st bars bowed into the bed (at an angle not 100% flat) and the bed plastic caps moved upwards? I made many adjustments and cannot get everything perfect. I also lowered like you said you did to see if that helped.

 

Hahahaha!

I am not 100% sure what you are describing. For sure, don't over torque the clamps? The seal only needs to be slightly compressed.

My mount rails have a very slight bow in them since the clamp is in the middle of each.

 

If you're talking about the square tubing that sits against the bed rails, then yes, mine are super angled.

 

I like the Softopper, but since I don't need the height any longer - I can haul what I need to under a regular tonneau cover - my grey Softopper is up for sale. I'm in the Central Texas area... Once I can find a box big enough, I'll update my for sale listing here to include shipping... but I've been pretty lazy about finding a box.

Overall, the Softopper is well made and is pretty versatile. You can fold it down in a couple minutes, and take it off completely in just a couple more. The only thing I found bothersome for my uses was the pivot point of the top bars stuck into the bed a bit. It left the bed a bit too narrow to fit my paramotor in directly, so I had to wedge it under those ends. Then I got a newer paramotor that is smaller, which fit great. Well, either one of those motors fits under a regular tonneau cover, so I switch back.

 

I thought I would share how to fix the issue with the bars not lining up at the junction . Soft topper responded to my email. It fixed my issue. Once u do this the bar should sit pretty flush .

 

I'll try that, maybe mine are too far out. Only when I snap the top down it bows.