Let's See Some Softoppers

thanks guys, ive still got two velcro strips and ill use those. as far as MPGs anyone got some ideas on the best fuel efficiency configuration? my bet is on fully up.

 

Do any of you guys with softoppers have any pics of your truck racks that fit over the top of it? I'm going to get a softopper soon but was just wondering what rack options there are. Softopper sells a rack for $460, but just wondered what other options are out there. If you have a pic, please post cost and make, thx

 

Anyone seen a silver streak with a charcoal colored softopper?

 

Dudes -- noobie here. I am in the market for a softopper. Two questions I need answered. Is it TOTALLY water proof from heavy downpours and...is it TOTALLY bug proof from noseeums...? Thanks in advance.

 

No.


No.

 

Any of you transport your dogs in the bed with a softopper? I know they used to make the mesh windows which would be perfect for this so Im wondering how hot it is without these. I'm looking into one of these because i need the free use of my bed often but also could benefit from the use of a cap, especially when taking my lab for a swim.

 

The Softopper I ordered showed up only a few days after ordering. I went with the tan topper for my pyrite mica truck. I went ahead and ordered the extra mesh screen, storage cover and doggie window.
Installing

Folded down with cover on

All done

 

Looks good Nate. Can you post a pic of the attachments on the tailgate ? I've been leaning hard at a tool box but now looking at the softtops I'm liking those too. Concerned about the paint and what not on the tailgate.

Thanks.

 

All it took was a few days for me to decide that I didn't like the bare aluminum bars. So I decided to go ahead and paint them. I just couldn't stand the bare metal sticking out of an all black bed. The first test run on one bar didn't turn out so sharp with just a few coats of flat black rattle can and no prep work. It kept rubbing off and looked heinous so I sought some assistance and went forward with round two.

I took the topper off and started the prep. This time around I sanded down all the metal with some 400 grit, taped off the areas I didn't want sprayed, wiped down with acetone, hit it with some self etching primer then finished it off with some black spray on bed liner. I went with the bed liner stuff because future touch ups will be fairly easy and it looks good. Let it all sit for about 24 hours then reassembled. Turned out better than I expected.

tape off

painting bed rails

almost done


the finished product


I did add some black tape to the front and rear bars where the canvas snaps on. I wasn't sure if the paint would rub off in those areas but once it was on, I saw it wouldn't have been an issue as long as the bed liner had enough time to dry.

 

I don't have it attached to the tailgate yet. It comes with velcro to put either on the paint or the top plastic part of the gate. At this time the topper just hangs down but I will be putting velcro on the top plastic like others have done if I decide I need to. But at the moment I like it how it is. I usually have my dogs back there so the extra wind flow is welcome.

I'm still working how exactly where I want the topper to sit. At first I followed the instructions when mounting the bed rails. Now I have shifted it foward a little to lesson the gap between the topper and cab.

 

Forgot about the dog window/road soda disposal option.

the front is attched witht he supplied velcro strips and I went ahead and screwed in one of the extra snap screws for the center button/snap for better security at higher speeds.

So far no complaints besides a few blind spots. Just have to use my mirrors now. Most people ask about road noise, but there isn't any. This thing is nice and snug. And like the rest of you I get compliments on it all the time!

 

Look good Nate.
If I get one of these units, I will definitely take the time to paint those rails black.

 

+1. looks a thousand times better with black rails.

 

Ordered mine today! Will hopefully arrive on Wednesday..
Just in time for camping next weekend out in the Shuswaps in beautiful BC.

Will hopefully have loads of pics for you guys.

 

Hey DoorDing, you had the best pics/description of how you installed your softopper. I just got one, and was wondering how best to attach the snaps and velcro to the front of the best/back of the cab. Would you mind sharing how/where you installed the velcro on the front of the bed? Looks to me like putting the 3 snaps on the flap inside the bed works best, but where do put the velcro? A zoomed in pic might help me if you dont' mind posting one. Thanks.

 

Ahhh, ok. so the front flap between the bed and just hangs there and seals out rain, and you velcro'd the inside flap to the bed. thanks for posting pics, appreciate the help. gonna post a few pics of my black softopper on white truck this weekend.

 

^^^ That looks more efficient than what I did with the supplied Velcro. At first I just put two of the supplied complete strips on the left and right edges but half of it does not even contact with the front flap due to the contour of the bed. At full highway speed with the dog window open the velcro came apart so I went ahead and put one of the supplied snaps in the center where there wasn't any Velcro. Have not had an issue since.

On my topper the spacing of the button snaps of the front flap wouldn't allow me to use the two side snaps anyways. They would land on the down groove and wouldn't be able to snap them in. They need to be spaced a little more apart for them to work. This is what I came up with.

 

I'm going to install the velcro strips as DoorDing suggested above. Just test drove it without any velcro on front or back of bed and got some definite flapping behind the cab without it. Probably don't need any velcro on the tailgate, but it wouldn't hurt either. Here is my softopper installed and a pic of the "boot cover" bag I also got to keep everything nice and tidy while folded down.

 

Ordered one last night.. w00t

 

Keep the pics coming. They look great. Ordering mine this week!