Let's See Some Softoppers

Those led strips will work just as well.
I bought mine in a roll as it was cheaper per lineal foot of lighting. Then I just cut it to length and resoldered leads where there were none.

 

I think they could wear out the canvas at those points too. And they can also wear through the wiring insulation. I think I'll try small Velcro straps. Would just use electrical tape but it might not hold up well with the dust and summer heat I get.

 

Not a bad idea on the Velcro, I'll swap some of the zap straps out tonight.

 

Thats what I did the bed rail lighting in.

Theres not enough flat area on the Supertop tubes to mount the flexible strips to because of how fabric is attached. I like the idea of the rigid strips because I can just zip tie them to the bars where I want them

 

There wasn't much flat area on the softopper tubs either, hence why I'm adding the double sided 1/8" thick foam tape. Should Help conform to the 1" tubing.
I'm not at all familiar with bestop, so I'm sure you know what will work best for you.

 

Just got my softopper installed yesterday, and love the look so far! I can't wait to personalize and and do some camping. The one thing that is bothering me about the fit so far, the bottom flap on the rear window panel hangs down a couple inches below the top of my tailgate. As is, i would have to put the adhesive velcro onto the paint of the tailgate instead of the tailgate cover . Are people doing this? Should i just fold the bottom of the flap somewhat under the cross bar and velcro it to the top of the tailgate? Would magnetic velcro be OK on the paint? Sorry for all the questions i just want to get this fit right so I'm not leaking water on the rear corners! thanks

 

@lassen
You can either use magnetic strip with clear bra under the magnet to protect the paint or move the Softopper closer to the cab. The mag strip method is described somewhere in this thread and in doording's build thread.

Edit - you can also use the mag strip method after you move the Softopper forward if you use a steel tailgate cap like kbvoodo and others sell.

 

I'm most of the way through a 1200 mile trip and it's rained for most of it. I slept in the ST last night in the rain, after driving in it all day. I do not have velcro or anything else on the tailgate. I had no leakage through there of any sort.

My thought is to just let that flap hang.

I did have very minimal leakage while moving in the two front corners. I mean minor like one cup of water, total. No leakage in those corners when stopped.

 

Since day one I put the Velcro on top of tailgate and since then the flap has sort of formed around the bar and it actually looks pretty good.

 

Anyone else with Velcro on the top of their tailgate have issues with it losing it's ability to "hold" after a few days? I've replaced mine a few times, the last couple I've even bought the super expensive "outdoor water resistant velcro" and it held up a little longer but now it barely holds as well. The back flap of my softopper is always flailing in the wind on the freeway

 

Still one of my favorite additions to the truck. Love my softopper!

 

I used the softopper Velcro on my tailgate cap and have had zero issues for the past year

 

Ah, so it came with your Softopper then? I bought mine used so it never came with that, I didn't know they did. I'll hit up Softopper and see if they can send me some of their magic velcro lol. Thanks!

 

Haha, yep. I used their Velcro for the tailgate cap and the front of the bed. Been working great so far

 

In my hot summer climate the adhesive on Velcro fails after a year or so no matter what. If stuck to any kind of thermoplastic it fails much faster. Depending on your climate the best bet may be to buy Velcro without adhesive by the yard from the fabric store and use extra badass heavy duty exterior grade double sided tape.

 

I used magnetic strips with velcro... last summer it all came apart and the adhesive that came with the magnet roll got all over the tailgate during our 100°F+ days.

I redid the adhesive with some gorrilla glue and all is well now.

 

get non adhesive velcro

glue smartly cut chunks down with clear lexel to top of tailgate
hold that down with masking tape to keep it smooth and in place

let dry 4 days before attaching anything

solid, looks fine

 

Sorry I should've clarified, I mean the Velcro itself stops holding, not the adhesive.

 

Can anyone provide me with a picture of how the back window on a best top is supposed to "latch" on the rails? Preferably a 3rd gen

 

Nice setup!