Let's See Some Softoppers

Has anyone tried to repurpose their softopper canvas? what im thinking is knocking down this rack roughly 12" and pulling the frame out of the softopper and fitting it over my rack. i dont like the tent being up so high but i really like having all that dry storage.

 

Can anyone comment on how far into the bed the framework intrudes? Like where the center hinge point is?

I want to be able to carry my paramotor in the bed like I usually do - I have a wood dowel rod with a pool noodle attached to it that I rest my paramotor hoop down on, and then the tailgate holds it in. I have in mind to drop the softopper down to load and unload the motor, then possibly swing the topper back up for a little bit of 'security'. The hoop of the paramotor is probably 2" narrower than the width of the truck bed.

 

BTW, when I had a Porsche Boxster, the recommended product to clean and protect the plastic rear window on the convertible top was Plexus. I've still got a spray bottle of the stuff.... but I bought my Boxster used, in the winter, and only managed to clean the window with Plexus once... then it cracked! I ended up replacing the top with a glass window top.

From what I remember, it cleans and conditions the plastic, so that it remains pliable instead of becoming stiff and brittle. I would still caution against flexing in cold weather, as the cold weather may still cause the plastic to get stiffer.

Just figured this suggestion may help some Softopper owners. I'll be using Plexus when I get a Softopper.

 

think mine is over my wheel wells

 

Sumner Labs 210 is similar to Plexus and usually priced slightly less. Both are great products for the Softopper windows. Airplane and boating stores usually carry both products.

Sumner Labs 210:

$17 Sumner Laboratories (23304) 210 Plastic Cleaner/Polish - 14 fl. oz. Aerosol

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00144ASC6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Plexus:

Plexus Plastic Cleaner, Protectant and Polish (13-Ounce)

https://www.amazon.com/Plexus-Plast...rd_wg=NatIR&psc=1&refRID=HR3R5CQ877PNH338RHKA

 

Got mine for $200 on offerup!

 

Thanks, but I want to know how far into the bed the hoops are.... basically how much narrower width-wise the bed is at that point. If it's too narrow, I won't be able to fit my paramotor between those points.

 

I think the clamps stuck further into the bed than the frame pivot. I'll try to measure in a bit.

 

Hell yea.. I like it.

 

Hi guys, planning on ordering the softopper soon. Quick question. Does it in any way affect your mpg in a negative way . Read somewhere here on the forum one guy said he lost about 2 mpg since he installed one. Tnx ☺️

 

I haven’t noticed a drop in MPG’s but then again I gave up on them once I decided to go with bigger tires. I really can’t imagine it being that bad though.

 

I don't believe it will knock 2 mpgs off, some have even said adding a cap gave them a slight bump up. I don't remember my softoper having any effect.

 

I do believe that quote had to do with a custom external roof top tent cage.

You won't notice any loss in MPG.

 

Anybody sleeping in their truck bed with the Softopper installed ? If so this could save me from buying a truck Tent.

 

damn thats a steal. ive been trying to find one at a good price

 

That’s our plan this summer camping

 

I did it a couple times. It didn't feel any different than sleeping in a rigid cap. Both caps, temps were around 26*F. Both require good sleeping bags.

 

I slept in mine for the first time back in January. I bought one of those single padded sleeping mats and slept inside of a sleeping bag. I have a short bed and im 5’7 so I had to sleep from corner to corner in order to close the tail gate. I can honestly say it was pretty comfortable, but it surely wouldn’t work for 2 people unless you have a long bed and aren’t tall people.

 

I lost over a mpg. I went from 16 down to 15. Now with prinsu i am 14 and now with gears im at 13.2-14