Bestop Softtop Advice

I searched the forum and couldn't find a specific answer to what I was looking for, so apologies in advance if this a repeat.

I installed a Bestop Softtop 2 on my 2016 Tacoma. I am having trouble removing and reinserting the rear bar. I want to be able to remove it easily to put my mountain bikes in the back of the truck. I couldn't find anything online that was helpful.

Any suggestions on how to adjust the cover or the frame to make it easier to remove and install the bar?

Thanks.

 

Are you talking about the bar that is inside the bottom of the rear Softop panel, that then each end is supposed to slip into a channel at the tail gate end of the Softop bed rails? If so...

On mine, the topper bed rail pieces that get clamped down seems to be angled inward / down due to the overall topper pushing down on it. This causes the slot that the rear panel bar needs to slip into, to be at an angle now instead of "flat". Also causes me to have a bit of tightness to get it in.

There's been discussion on using some type of wedge piece installed at the topper clamps to help straighten out the topper rails to the truck bed. They're supposed to be parallel. I was waiting until spring / now to see if things loosened up (installed in Dec). I may not go through the trouble of wedges and such and just leave all the mounting.

The simple solution I am thinking of is to get a dremmel or hand file (preferred) and "flatten" the slots as they are currently positioned, to let the bar ends slip in easier.


Hopefully this is what you were talking about, otherwise let my almost rant burn lol.....

 

Thanks very much for the reply. This is exactly the issue wea re having.

The other day, my wife could see the rails twisting in as I tightened the rear clamps. I contacted Bestop customer service but haven't heard from them, and at this point, don't expect I will.

My solution is to use 2 different after market clamps for the Tacoma. If that doesn't work, I agree that the only fix may be to flatten the slots. I assume the bar would be held in by the back flap and the tail gate.

Thanks again.