Let's See Some Softoppers

Any word on how production is going on the Softoppers? Ordered mine on Sept. 23rd. This Thursday will mark week 5 on the back order. Tried emailing them twice with no answers.

 

I called them last week to ask how long a new short bed order would take, and they said 3 to 5 weeks.

 

Just got in touch with them on the phone.. said my order would be shipping out mid to late November. So I’m guess the wait time on a black long bed topper is about 6-8 weeks.

 

I ordered a black 3rd gen shorted topper on 8/31. It just shipped 10/25 so one day short of 8 weeks. It should be here Friday. So pumped!!!

 

3rd gen tan shortbed ordered 8/26 - shipped yesterday 10/26. Arriving Friday as well!

 

Do you have any close up pics of your platform? How did you fashion the frame for it?

I’m looking for ideas to mod my platform again this winter and make it lighter & sturdier. It’s currently just a slab of plywood cut around all the niches of the bedliner, and supported by 2 1x4’s

I also took your heater idea last winter- however I couldn’t use it much because the heat rises straight up and I didn’t want to damage my softopper fabric. How do you deal with this issue and how did you mount yours?

 

I had my buddy build a little shelf above the heater to block the heat, but I found with the insulation in place I don't need the shelf anymore. It protects the topper. I also have a small rechargeable fan above the heater now also to help circulate the heat in the bed

I built the platform with PVC for supports, and set up the end closest to the tailgate so I can run both peices, or just 1 for a bit more storage.

The birch is attached to the pvc with these little pvc brackets I make by cutting out a section lengthwise

Kinda tough to see in the picture but it is basically one of these. This acts like a hinge and a clasp. I also use this coupled with Quick Fists to mount lightweight stuff.

Definitely not the coolest, or must bulletproof set up, but it works for my needs, and is super modular depending on the application. Plus it weights very little, and can all come out in a few minutes for full use of the bed. Damaged parts can be repaired with a few cents worth of pvc although I've yet to damage it with heavy use. Every so often a leg will fall off from hard wheeling. Pop it back in and I'm squared away.

 

Very nice. You've just added a whole new dimension to storage within my Softopper with these clips!
Thank you.

Like @ClassyTacos once said, " I freaking love it when people figure stuff out and do things." I concur.

 

Thanks! I add a zip tie around the clamp for heavier items.

 

That's about where mine sits after fussing with it a bit. I fell like mine sits back a little farther back from the cab unlike some others, but yours like mine.

The inside "flap" is pretty vertical to truck bed header inside, and the rear overhang looks the same spacing as mine.

Anyway, we just had a bunch of the "clear bra" applied to various areas on the truck, but not that rear tailgate section, so we are getting that part done and then stitching in magnets.

It really does blow around much other than freeway speed. Around town doesnt budge.

Looks great.

 

2nd note, those metal adjustments for the rear curved bar; I pushed mine further back to get rid of some of the slop in the rear window.

 

Ok, review of mine, pics later. I def have more over hang on the back. Going scoot mine forward about 1/2". That should take care of the rest of the slack or more I think.

 

I've gone without magnets or velcro since installing mine (a few months) and haven't had any issues at all. I do plan on using some of that clear tape to protect the tailgate paint from getting scuffed up though.

 

I've had mine on without mags or velcro at the rear for 4 years now. No leaks back there and no flapping either. Definitely use the curved bar for the rear.

The front went without flapping for about a year, but then I was at highway speed with a very strong (30-40 mph) crosswind and the front flap started beating itself to death. I have since added the snaps at the front and no longer see it flutter in any situation.

Not sure why I'm so lucky, but I do not have any scuff or wear marks where the read flap touches the top of the tailgate. Good wax maybe?

 

Softopper comes in clutch for some Halloween decoration cruisin with the fam.

 

That's awesome!

 

I use a strip of velcro/3m adhesive stuck to a strip of magnet on the bottom side of the window. 3 years now. Works excellent. Super easy. Parts are available from McMaster Carr.
Part no. Marine Grade Hook. 1" 8200K331
Flexable Magnetic Strip 1" 5759K29