Let's See Some Softoppers

From my experience I'd say it's doubtful, however from the point it takes to get the softopper to the front of the bed it takes less than a minute more to remove it completely from the truck. So you could stash it wherever you store the bike then pop it back on after unloading the bike.

 

I just ordered a Bestop for my soon to be delivered ORDC.. It's really a tough choice between the Softopper and Bestop (for me). I hunt and and camp a lot, and have two bird dogs. The softopper has the ability to cross ventilate, the Bestop does not. The Bestop has windows, the Softopper does not.

In the end I figured I would be more miserable if I had to sleep in the truck bed without windows. Plus I figured I can go to a local marine upholstery shop, remove my window panels and have them fab up some screen inserts. We'll see how it fit's when I get everything...

 

@Byb127 Here are my pics. to remove the topper entirely, you pull the pins on either side (shown in first photo). That's about as tight as I wanted to get mine in the bag in the other two pics. But like I said, it's super easy to remove with it all contained in the cover like I have it. You can do it by yourself easily.

 

Just put mine on yesterday!!

 

5 years and no issues. They can unzip it easily so why would they cut it? But no, it seems to be a simple deterrent for those that would otherwise take something from a open bed.

 

No problem. Ask me questions anytime. I suppose you could lift the topper and rest it on top of a tire if you wanted. I'd just remove it though, if it was me. It takes 10 seconds.

 

Soap and water and then Pledge. I use 303 Aerospace on the rest of it.

 

For those who have dogs that ride in the back with the softopper, what is the best way to get airflow back there for the pooch on a hot day? I dont fee comfortable rolling up the side windows and driving at highway speeds. I have the older model that does not have front and rear removable windows so I cannot get the "doggy window" for the front or the mesh for the rear. I was thinking of rolling up both the front and rear windows to create a cross breeze but I'm not sure that would be any better than rolling up the side windows in regards to creating too much drag or a sail.

My dog is a 200lb Mastiff and they get hot very easily...

 

Sounds like your only option is to roll up the front and back. Unless you want to take it to an upholstery shop and have them sew in side vents or something like that.

 

Just installed yesterday. Got a great deal on this used Bestop from a local TW member. Almost ready for Toyota Takeover at Rausch Creek. Still needs Cooper St-Maxx 255/85/R16's.

 

I used to have a Can-Back soft topper. I rolled up the sides and attached cargo nets to the sides and back. Sorry...no pictures. My two dogs, a golden and a lab, traveled like that. We even did it cross country once. They were fine, and I didn't have to worry about them jumping out.

 

Wow I missed this!

I don't believe they bestops are interchangeable.

That said I saw a bestop for sale on this site and the member was claiming it was made for a second gen and he made it work on his first gen. I don't know what they did to make it work, but they claimed it did.

The softoppers are actually the same item number aka the exact same. I don't think that's true w bestops

 

That is a really good idea.

 

Thanks man.
I attached it with bungees. If I were to do it again, I would use velcro. That way it would be easier to attach and remove.

 

Maybe Velcro and use the existing panels as a template. Instead of snaps on the bottom run a strip of Velcro across the top of the snap rail. They would still be able to get into the gaps at the bottom corners though.

 

Anyone ever use the Bestop window cleaner? One of the previous owners of my Softopper used a nasty chemical on the rear window and I can barely see through it. Any advice on cleaning it up would be swell.

Poser photo because softopper :

 

Well, got some Bestop Window Cleaner and took a whack and clearing up the rear window.

Before & after photos for reference. The cleaner did a great job removing dust and grime, but failed to clear up the cloudiness caused by improper care by one of the previous owners. I think the rear window is toast and will need to be replaced. It works fine for the time being, but will likely be replaced before winter.

 

have you checked page 69 of this thread?

 

Yes I have. My issue is based on improper care before hand, not necessarily scratches. The Bestop cleaner did a good job removing what little scratches and grime were on there, but the window itself is in poor condition because of the wrong cleaner used beforehand (similar to a chemical burn).