Bestop softtop Flys off on freeway

Well that's what I did on mine......and mines not laying on the side of the freeway. It's only hindsight if you didn't do it to start with. I researched this and there's a lot of peeps on here running 3 per side. Just sayin!

 

Here are what the new version of the clamps look like.

I would email bestop, tell them what happened. Best case they send you a new topper, worst case they tell you to pound sand and your back where you started.

But, they may send you replacements for the damaged parts.

 

And that's exactly why my topper reads as follows..........."Softopper". (I know they are owned by Bestop Now but I got mine just before the takeover)

 

Lost mine 3+years ago. I did call and they basically said I was SOL. I wouldn't have used it anyway.

 

Have you read anything I've posted? You're in a 2nd gen anyways...You obviously didn't see the fitment issue on the 2nd gen version when it was on the 3rd. Which BTW they sold as the 3rd gen model. That's the whole point here. Sorry it went way over your head. There's no garauntee that another couple of basic bull shit c clamps would have saved the topper.

 

So my softopper is made for a Colorado/Truck (a completely different model of topper) and fits the same as your describing. Never had a problem again 3 clamps per side. Not saying they were justified selling different models for different year trucks I'm just saying a different model topper is doubtful why the OP topper was laying on the side of the road. So to answer your question yes I read the entire post and nothing was over my head. Have a great day.

 

I added a Supertop recently and was aware that there was a newer version. Got the old at a steal. If you look at the pic of the fail, and then Bestop's redesign, I think its 'clear what's happening.

The aluminum clamp material isn't EXTREMEMLY rigid, and they don't provide a torque spec when tightening. I believe that when installing, it's too easy to overtighten the clamp and get just past the point where the bolt and the clamp are beginning to deform. There's literally nothing to stop it. That redesign looks like it does a nice job addressing that. The design doesn't allow the bolt to bend. My guess is that in theses cases of failure, dudes had actually deformed the bolt a bit on there own.

If you look at this photo of bed clamps on Amazon, you'll see every one makes it impossible for the bolt itself to bend. That's not the case with the original supertop clamps. That's a fail.



That second one looks EXACTLY like that newer Bestop design. I think anybody running the old clamps outta consider the swap. Aside from that, I think the top is pretty well made.

$49 API Clamps (6 Pack) Silver Compatible with Toyota Tacoma - 2005 & Newer - Mounting Channel Track Truck Topper Cap, Camper Shell

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K2L6FYP/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1XKVJCRK1NWP1&psc=1

 

**Unlike**

 

I went ahead and replaced the old style clamps with the new. Definitely a better design, and, what dya know, a torque spec! This is what's missing from the Bestop info. The spec given is 65 in/lb, which when wrenching, feels like nothing at all.



higher profile, but I'm ok with that.

 

My soft top has very different 'C' clamps than the one pictured above. Maybe they have changed the design now. I have had my soft top on for 1 1/2 years now and 38,000 miles on the truck. 70-75 highway speeds daily. No issues other than the tailgate stick-on velcro coming off in the hot Texas sun.

 

Wow, you guys are quick today. My C clamps are like the ones in post #29.

 

Sucks OP. It must have taken a lot of force to make those threaded rods yield like that. Hopefully, bestop helps you out. Also, Why don't they make a mesh rear door for the newer version =/