Let's See Some Softoppers

When I was looking for info on Bestops I found a post on here/someone's build thread that talked about how he was going down the highway at 75mph and caught a gust of wind that sent the Bestop sailing. It's the only story I've seen about it and I don't know if it was a user install error or what cause I think the guy bought his topper secondhand.

 

Ah cool, good to know!

 

That's the same story I read that prompted me to add the extra clamps. I just went to lowes and bought a set of tool box bed clamps. Worked perfectly. Even if it was just for piece of mind.

 

like this? Borrowed this from one of the Bestop threads

 

Yep, but mine look like these...

Don't mind the noodle, use that to keep snow out of the space between the back window and bestop front window.

 

I had to do that - the adhesive on the velcro tape gave up after a couple of AZ summers. It was flapping like crazy on the highway.

I used a piece of angle aluminum and a few inexpensive clamps.

 

it won't happen. I didn't have mine secured for the first 4 months I owned the truck... all that happened was the wind would swirl and push the window into the bed and flap... even at 70 with a head wind (granted didn't last long as I couldn't hold 70 with a head wind)

 

Damn. Same thing happened to mine a few weeks ago when we had below 0 weather. A 6 in tear in the top right. Sux. I've only had mine for 6 months.

 

Try Gorilla clear tape - I used it on a couple of cracks in the back window on my Bestop. That stuff is way beyond packing tape.

 

Hey guys I am interested in buying the Softopper. Any suggestion as far as price? Any group buys like in the past? This will be my first real addition to my Taco, excited.The current price I am getting is $698 with the storage bag. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

Ive cruised for over an hour @ 140 km/h (87mph), on several occasions, and my soft topper didnt budge. I take mine off and reinstall it several times a year. I wouldnt be too concerned about it coming off. The only thing I am concerned about is cracking the windows, as it can get really cold here in the winter... so I just take it off and put it in my garage until the spring.

 

Check Amazon.
http://tinyurl.com/lza2dgm

 

Okay, got my Bestop installed. What a pain in the ass! But I did it solo so I expected some difficulty working with the canvas, as it has been in the 50's. I wasn't parked in the sun either so that didn't help. Everything ended up good except I can't get the rear zippers on the side windows fastened, there is about a 1/2 inch - 1 inch gap between the zippers tracks. Went to finish up and realized my tailgate wouldn't close as the rails were about 1/4" too far back. Easy fix. Will park in the sun tomorrow to warm things up so it can relax before any colder weather gets here.

 

That's about what I paid shipped to the door.

 

Quick question for anyone with a Bestop. The metal rails are sort of lifted up at the front and rear due to the tension the canvas top is putting on everything being taut. Will they settle down soon once the canvas stretches a bit? Because as of right now this just means a ton of water can slip right in when it rains. Or do I need a couple more clamps?

 

It will definitely stretch a bit but now much this time of year. There are visable gaps in the corners too. Some foam sticky back insulation fixes that.

 

I figured :/ Owell, hopefully It will stretch enough to let me zip my side windows up. I did notice the rather large gaps in the cab-side corners. I like that Bestop includes a good extra foot of foam tape to divvy out as is fit.

 

If you unhinge the forward facing top support bar, catch the zipper on one side of the window, then catch the other before zipping up the other it makes it a lottle easier.

Also, there should not be a gap under the railings at all, maybe some small corner gaps but nothing that will be big enough for water to get in.

On my second bestop (went to a short bed) and neither one has ever leaked or fit improperly. While difficult to snag the zippers, it should still fit correctly.

If nothing else, try bringing the windows inside your house over night to warm up and try again. I never take mine off in the winter for this very reason.

 

Also, PM me if you have any other questions. I will gladly do the best to help you out. They are truly a great product and you will love it.

 

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to give that a try tomorrow. I'll park out in the sun and then do it. The rail gaps are actually at the rear near the tailgate brackets or whatever the piece is called that the corner hooks in to. There is less than a 1/4" gab under the foam in that area. The side near the cab is all good.