Let's See Some Softoppers

So I made some in aluminum and steel, but they moved too much for my liking. the mass of the traction boards is too much for the bedside alone it seems.

I'm working on a V2

 

I received my new Softopper about a week ago and had a few thoughts to share:

- If you can, definitely wait until you can install in warm weather. It will bend and stretch SO much more easily!
- Mine required a lot of pulling to get the driver's side rear to snap while the passenger side was fairly easy. The solution was to move the pivot bracket to centre everything. Don't tighten it much or you'll bend the aluminum rail! These need a plate on the outside, or tube on the inside to prevent crushing!
- One of my snaps was missing the inner part (the "socket"). An emaill to Softopper resulted in a DIY snap kit being sent to me quickly.

I haven't had mine long, and mostly have just left it up since installing so that it can develop it's shape with recent warm temperatures. More time is needed to see how I like it and how it fits with what I do.

It does fit quite nicely, and it really changes the look of the truck (for the better).

 

Sweet, I’ll be on the look out. I’m always looking to accessorize the softopper. It’s been the most versatile mod I’ve had. Right now my traction boards are on the third bed rail with the quicklee mount. The other day I tried loading some Pelican boxes and the traction boards prevented the tailgate from closing. I’m talking a matter of an inch or two.

 

The time has come to make my soft taco into a hard shell. I plan on getting a shell in the next couple weeks so the time has come for me to put out a feeler for my softopper (5ft bed) and the heavy metal offroad bars. This includes the third break light, ceiling net, extra set of clamps, the boot cover, and whatever else I can find. I'd like to get $1000 for it all but will split up if need be. Does not include the steel plates or the stuff mounted to them. It's still on the truck but comes off in 30min. I live in Los Angeles.

 

Interested in the softopper

 

Bed bar sale pending but the topper is still available. Dropped $50 from my original ask.....now asking $750 for the softopper.

 

Good thing about visiting my local mountains, it's like a showroom for tacoma options and configurations. Since I'm in the market for a hard shell, Ive been focused on truck caps. One thing that was painfully obvious was Softoppers are not very popular. Over the 2 days I saw what felt like 1000's of hard Shells in every configuration, but only 2 other Softoppers. Makes me wonder why?

 

If I lived in the mountains I'd go with a hard shell for sure. Snow.

 

Living in Minnesota I've had 18" of snow on top of my FasTop soft topper with no issues. If I was in the mountains I'd have a car port or garage to park in lol.
The only annoying thing is snow that fills the gap between the cab and topper is a pain to get it out.

 

I've had a ton of snow on top of my softopper and no issues. But I don't live up there. It's not covered in snow consistently for days on end. However, I think some of those people that hard shells might have not even considered a softopper.

 

If I wasn't on this forum I wouldn't know what a softopper was, I'd also probably have a lot more money saved up. This forum is a nightmare for my wallet, so many cool gadgets to get for my truck lol.

 

I've heard that low temperatures can make the rear window crack. I'm sure after an entire season the rear window would be shot.

 

I don't know about Softopper but my FasTop I was able to open the window down to -10f with no issues, though below 20f it wouldn't roll up.

 

you aren't lying. So many mods I would have never thought to do because of this forum. Luckily I've been able to resist a lot of the mods that add weight.

 

I’ve been out in below 0 weather with no problem opening the rear window. Now unsnapping and resnapping the sides are a different story.

 

Heading to check out a used softopper from someone on marketplace later on. Are there any issues I should look out for on it?

 

I would look for any cuts or rips on the topper usually on the corners. Also look on the seems to see if it’s coming apart. These topper are pretty durable though. Check the condition of the plastic windows usually when they are old they tend to turn yellow.

 

Check the hinge pins, straps on the front and rear corners. Make sure all four clamps are there. You can buy new ones though. You will probably need new foam strips that get clamped between the rails and the bed rails. If the front and rear windows are trashed that’s okay because they can be replaced, but make sure the zippers on both sides are in good shape.

 

So how did it go? Did you get it???