Let's See Some Softoppers

I am still churning over in my mind whether I want a Softopper. However, I finally had a chance to look at one up close installed on a longbed 2nd gen. The owner replaced a hard shell, and so far he loves it. I got a brief demo of the rear window opening but not fold down or removal. Up close, the workmanship and fit looked very good ... fabric weight, stitching, window clarity and weight, hardware etc. He had the separate, openable center section in the front window (doggie window?) which I don't see listed on the ST website. Is it standard now? Also, he had the gray ST on a white truck - looked good.

 

Has anyone put a RTT UNDER a softopper yet? I’m really interested in this...

 

I can't remember where I saw it (probably in the RTT thread), but yes someone has one mounted under the Softopper. Slick idea!

 

I guess I don’t know how to search correctly then lol..

Guess I need to drop a line here....
I love my softopper. I don’t get hardly any water in either, maybe a couple drops here and there if it’s hurricane season.

 

This wasn't the picture I remember seeing, but here is one from TW.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-with-bs-thread.220278/page-322#post-12152374

 

The hell you find that so quick? Thank for showing me that!

 

Here is another. Lot better pictures. Still not the one I saw before.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...f-doom-tray-canopy-is-on.341357/#post-9683988

 

And yet another.

Be sure to scroll through the pages, there are a few more pics available.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/roof-top-tent-inside-a-soft-topper.454723/

 

'Nother....

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-rtt-owners-thread-with-bs.312269/page-167#post-9996596

 

I’m so doing this.. Thank you again!

 

You bet, bud!

Looks like there are several ways to mount the tent, so you should have some options to play with.

 

Ask @erok81 for pics.

 

I like my softopper but I’m considering swapping for a hard shell for better security. Anyone have a 3rd gen SB shell in red or black with roof racks they want to trade for a softopper?

 

@90yota was your truck in Santa Cruz recently?

 

Nope. I guess I have a clone there

 

White, lifted, with tan Softopper and a rack outside the Softopper. I think it was a 3rd gen but couldn't tell if it was a DCSB or AccessCab. But, pretty close to a clone.

 

Dang I want to see this thing

 

Just ordered a tan one last Saturday for my Super White Access Cab. They recommend 70° or better as the optimum temp for installing one. Well that isn't going to happen for the foreseeable future, so has anyone done it under hard winter conditions?
I have no access to a heated garage so was thinking of attaching the canvas, pulling it up and placing a small milk house heater in the bed to warm things up at least a bit. It's that or wait until spring.

 

When I had my Softtopper last year, I didn't know any better and installed it in the morning when it was probably 50 degrees out (Central Cali during the wintertime)...I had a HELL of a time getting the fabric to stretch over and snap in place on the bed rails. It took a lot of strength (was afraid I was going to break it) but it eventually snapped into place.

So to answer your question, it's doable in colder weather but it's a pain in the ass. Would definitely be easier if you could do it in a warm garage or at least in direct sunlight.

 

1° this morning with highs in the 20s for a while. I might be waiting for a January thaw.