Let's See Some Softoppers

I ordered the ESI Ultimate Tailgate Seal off of Amazon, and used the seam sealer from softopper.

 

Exactly what I did. I am very impressed with the waterproof and dustproof capability of the Softopper! I did the seams when brand new back in 2017; and now simply use 303 on the outside once a year. Not a single drop gets inside and the dust is so minimal you'd think it was in there -before- the 15 miles of dirt road. (Still running the original foam seals, on the bedrails, that came with the Softopper, but I did add weatherstrip for the tailgate.)

 

Yep, that's how I do it.
Two PVC pipes (w/ caps), 10 snaps (5 a side), and two mini-bungee cords. The caps prevent sharp edges contacting the canvas. Snaps are every other one.
Takes a bit longer than without the pipes obviously, but mere seconds longer.
The pipes lay inside between the canvas and the topper frame, held in place with the wee bungees. (They are high above the bedrails.)
Upon unsnapping the canvas from the bottom rail, the pipes are right there to snap onto the canvas.
I roll to the inside and I do tuck the tail before rolling.

Not the proper photo, but you can see the white PVC pipes between the canvas and the frame. They've ridden there for over three years now and NO issues to either canvas or frame (or the pipes)...

 

Are there any issues with installation if I have the notched bedside tops (not sure the proper term) used with OEM tonneau?

 

That's what I did and for some reason I'm still getting a bit of a drip from the middle one on the driver's side. I soaked it with the seam sealer that was supplied with the softopper. No problems with any of the others.

 

Soak it more. Mine took a few applications. And do the outside as well

 

I didn't have any issues

 

Makes a good straightedge to line up the rails with

 

Nice! Any interior pics please and thanks?

 

SofTopper order went in 10 days ago. guessing I have at least 6 more weeks to go. On the bright side I actually saw a Softopper in person today, as the truck it was on drove past me. First time seeing one that wasn't in a picture.

 

Love that! seems like a great way to keep the furry family member safe. I'm gonna have to consider doing something like that when I get mine.

 

wanting to paint the side rails black
heard one guy did it

would look better and blend in more if it was black, matching the side rail caps and inside of the bed



Has anyone done it? I imagine scuffing and cleaning the flat surface would do it
problem is there's buttons and whatnot built into it. I don't know if those should be painted or not. If yes, it'd look cool, but the paint would eventually chip off

I guess they could be masked and scuffed/painted around

 

I'll get some but not much to it, my scrap guy stopped by and he had a dog crate in his truck so that's what I used, fits perfect and I just used velcro straps to hold it, the cut the corners that where sticking out of the softtoper.

 

Has anyone had success screwing the side rails down to the bed rails instead of using the bed clamps? I’m wondering if this would work better than the clamps.

 

it would definitely work better. but also very permanent and possibly detrimental

 

Why? Mines haven't gotten loose since i installed my topper, don't see the need to drill your bed.

 

I've had mine come loose. They also refuse to stay straight. They're always bent inwards. Would also be handy to not have clamps

 

Hmmm ... Maybe too tight? The instructions give a number. Five years and mine haven't budged

 

Mine bent inward at first until I realized I needed the bar further out on the cap and they sit just fine. I havent ever had an issue with mine coming loose either and they have been on and off for about 3 years now.

 

Voodoo Blue with a grey softopper. I love these toppers. Took a while to find a good used one for sale but persistence won out.