Let's See Some Softoppers

This is from a few weeks ago, but I love this topper.

 

Those of you that have a bed rack over the soft topper, how are you liking it? Do you ever wish you didn't have it? I have a lead on one that was made by a local welder specifically for someone with a soft topper. I'm about to pull the trigger, but hoping I don't regret it.

 

I'm also interested to hear what people think. I find myself wanting one, mainly so I can move my roof top cargo box backward some for better aerodynamics. Other than the high expense I just haven't found one that I like the design of.

My main reason for having a softopper (vs a hard shell) is because it's easily removable for when I need to use the bed for hauling larger stuff - which I need to do multiple times a year. I've yet to find an over the topper rack which is either easily removable or allows for the topper to be taken down while installed. So, for my situation I'm thinking it just doesn't make sense.

 

Does anyone own both a tonneau cover and a Softopper? I have a DB cover but right now that spring/summer is coming up we’ll be camping with extended family. I feel like the Softopper will give me some more room in the bed to load other things. Any reason to try and get a softopper at this point. Lol

I would want to potentially have the Diamondback during the winter months, and then the softopper during spring/summer.

 

I got rid of my locking tonneau cover for the SoftTopper and I’ll never go back. I have so much more room and I find it far more practical than a tonneau cover.

 

That’s what I’m thinking, but I’d probably lean to keeping both and if I find myself not even trying to go back to my DB, I’ll sell it.

 

It's pretty amazing how much reflectix works to keep the heat out. Messed around with some today and also setup my fan plugged into the Jackery. Pretty cool back there and it was about the lower 70s outside with the sun beating down. Oh yeah, and my 60w solar panel was on top of the softopper keeping the Jackery at 100% while running the Vornado fan on high and charging my phone. Talked a little about there here if anyone is interested: https://dirtnsmores.com/how-i-keep-my-jackery-power-station-charged/




As you can see I cut a separate reflectix panel for the rear of the vehicle, and I let it hang down to block out the sun as well. Obviously the fan was crucial to keeping air flow in here. I need to get a thermometer to see what the temperature was, but I could tell you it was very comfortable. When I'm done hanging out I just roll up that smaller reflectix panel and keep it in the bed of the truck. The forward panel is staying up easily on its own.

Lastly, here's a video I made a few months ago showing my setup for my lunch breaks at work.

https://youtu.be/fx7SDy9Xf-s

 

Nice set up. I use a bed cargo net attached with velcro straps to the bars of the topper. It holds the reflectix in place, and is great overhead storage for clothes, & pillows

 

I had a bed rack custom made to fit around my soft topper and tbh I didnt love it. It fit almost to well and I couldn’t fold the soft topper down. It pretty much just makes it a hard shell IMO. If you know you are going to run a bunch of gear or rtt then pull the trigger, but if its just a couple traction boards I wouldn’t do it.

 

Thanks for your insight. In my head it sounds great, but in real world situation it seems like a lot just to hold an awning and some gear.

 

If some of you guys w/ bed racks around your Softopper could help me out with some feedback I'd appreciate it...How much wind drag do you feel with your racks installed? I've noticed they stick out from the truck body a little more then your normal bed rack. Especially once you've got recovery boards and gear attached. Any noticeable MPG hit?

I've been thinking about downsizing from my GFC V2 Platform Camper into a Softopper + UpTop Truss rack, and get into one of the new, lightweight model RTTs that are starting to come out. I'd lose the ability to stand in the camper, but I'd be shedding around 100lbs off the back. When I installed the GFC I took about a 1-1.5 MPG hit. Just trying to get an idea if side wind drag effects the truck more then the top wind drag.

Thanks in advance

 

Although I have no data to back up my claims, I feel that the rack killed my MPG's more than almost any other mod, especially with the traction boards, etc. I am on the fence about keeping mine. I've been running it for a couple years now. I'd be happy to swap out with you! Seems like a square deal except I don't have the Up Top rack. Mine is the HMO version.

 

I didn’t notice a mpg difference with my rack as it was only about 50 lbs, and tucked away on the sides so didn’t really mess with the aerodynamics of it. I would think that mounting gear on the sides wouldn’t be that bad for mpg but the top wind with a tent would. The best bet if you are concerned on MPG is to not run a Rtt and run gear mounted on the inside. There are plenty of options out there to mount gear on the inside of the bed on the rails. Or I have actually seen people put a rtt under the soft topper. Not sure how practical that is but it doesnt f with the aerodynamics.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/roof-top-tent-inside-a-soft-topper.454723/

 

Well finally I decided to get the bestop cleaner a shot after 2 years of not cleaning the softopper once. I scrubbed it twice with the cleaner and findes it with a protectant. Was not expecting it to make it brand new, but definitely looks good to me.

 

I want to buy a softopper. Do they run any deals or discount for TW members???

 

I have the Uptop rack and love it. I drop the softtopper off the pins, down into the bed and collapse and remove my topper. Funny, cause I just did it this past week. I didn’t need the topper for the beach so I removed it. Takes me like 5 minutes.

My rack is cab height, so it’s tight to the topper. Still doable tho

Haven’t noticed much drag…I’m on 35s.
However, I’d think there is some. But not enough to care

 

You can usually find some good deals in the classifieds here or on Craigslist, Facebook Market Place, or OfferUp. I’ve seen prices as low as $300 for toppers in good condition

 

I got mine in a TW Group Buy. Total price w/ an extra tinted rear window & shipped was $650.00.