So I got a Bestop Supertop. Yeah, not impressed.

I expected a bit more for my $600 than what I got, maybe it's just me.

I got it Friday and carefully followed the instructions for the install. It wasn't hard at all, but when I started to put the canvas on I knew it wasn't going to come out right. The first problem I saw is that it just didn't sit on the front of the box nicely no matter what I did.

2 - The hoops don't sit nicely inside the fabric causing odd creases and stretching/slack in various areas. No matter how I realigned it I couldn't get it to sit nicely.

3 - The side panels don't sit in nicely because the top j-hooks are all out of whack because of the creases. The center two j hooks are stupid tight and the outer two just barely hang on. Since nothing is square, the zippers are really hard to get in.

4 - The rear bar for the tailgate took me 3 tries to get together correctly. The pictures in the book are useless. When it was installed, the rubber seal was 1/4" away from the tailgate. This is despite following the directions to align the rails with the rear edge of the box.

5 - Because the top was all out of whack, it was difficult to get the rear side panels attached. This pulled up on the rails making them twist and bend so much that there is a gap at the rear of the bed. This also causes the tailgate bar to lift and leave a gap there too.

6 - The rails are steel L that you bolt together. That is fine if you don't have any forces trying to twist them, but the way the top attaches obviously pulls up on the outside. No amount of tightening on the clamps (without breaking them) will keep the rail sitting flat on the bed. This leaves the weatherstripping with gaps on the outside and it looks like crap.

7 - I didn't expect this to be perfectly water tight, but I expected the stitching and seams to be at least sort of sealed. After putting it on and looking inside, several of the seams are pulled apart and you can clearly see daylight through them. I've bought tarps from Harbor Freight that have fewer holes.

Maybe I just expected too much, but I don't see this as being a quality product. I feel like they could have put a bit more effort into the mounting rails and tried to get the canvas to sit flatter. It's funny because all of the marketing images make it look like it sits perfectly flat which is a total lie.

I'm going to return it and fight tooth and nail to have the return shipping paid for. Is the Softopper any better? At least they give you seam sealer and the mounting rails are square aluminum. </rant>

Pictures from before I messed around with it trying to make things better with no success. http://min.us/mcxs3Em2jkpHB

 

I wouldn't buy one just because of this thread. Thanks for the write-up!

 

Don't just take my opinion as gospel, this is the internet after all. Take a look at the pictures and see what I am talking about. I will gladly take more if you want, but ask quick because the top is coming off today.

There is a chance I'm just not doing it right, but the directions weren't that helpful so how would I know. Maybe someone that had better luck than me can chime in.

 

I would think a few hours sitting in the sun to stretch things out and make it more pliable would help. Same problems with new tonneau covers. Hang in there.

 

I used to be an upholsterer by trade. Canvas and plastic can be difficult to work with. If you have access to a steamer or just let it sit in the sun for a few hrs, some of the issues would be resolved.

 

I thought the same thing and gave it the rest of Friday afternoon and most of Saturday sitting in the sun. I just took these pictures this afternoon and it has been sunny here all morning.

If it was going to stretch I would expect it to have done it by now. Also, that doesn't really help the holes in the seams.

 

What pictures? Stealth perhaps?

 

X2

 

That looks just like mine. if i wanted it perfect, i would have bought a hard shell. i didn't know what i was buying when i bought it, but i knew somewhat how it would fit, i mean crap, its just canvas! Again its not a hard shell, and i am super happy with it. i don't have any leaks in the rain, and barely leaks when i wash it (not from any seams). Seam sealer is an easy fix if you're gonna camp in it in the rain or need absolute waterproofness. i am also happy with the versatility of having it when i need it and putting in in convertible mode when i need to haul my dirt bike. actually your top seems to fit better than mine, if you're pissed now just because of the fit, i'd hate to see you when the windows start getting scratched up because of the bars that rub up against it.....

BTW, after a few days of over 100* f, it will strech more, wave more in the wind, and fit even more loose. So if you don't like it, get rid of it while its still nearly new...

 

Are you sure the frame is not on in reverse? I only ask due to the issues you describe. While I can see why you're not happy I can also say that I don't think you'll be much happier with the Softopper as it has some similar issues you can see in your pictures. Mostly the stretched stitching and the ability to see light and the gaps at the front corners.

With that I can say that I'm extremely satisfied with my Softopper and I paid more for it than your Besttop. We've had a lot of heavy rain this whole Summer season and my bed stays very dry both while traveling at all speeds and while just sitting. The last time I used my Softopper for camping I encountered a lot of heavy rain and I stayed dry in under the Softopper. I also think the Softopper is aesthetically better as well.

 

You mention it not looking like marketing pictures, but did you happen to check out the hundreds of mounted pics on this site prior to buying, Or did you just find your way over here to complain?

 

Link at the bottom of his original post.

 

Simply because of the stitching I would think you could return it. Ya, send it back.

 

The link right at the end of the post where I mention pictures. I hid it well.

http://min.us/mcxs3Em2jkpHB

 

X2. nobody on here has one....

 

Yes I did actually. I was looking for the past 3 weeks even before I got the truck. I read every Softopper vs Bestop thread I could find and settled on the Bestop because I liked the design a little better. I looked at a lot of install pictures and it seemed like people had fewer issues with the Bestop as far as seams pulling apart and leaking.

I didn't come here to complain. I came here to share my experience and see if anyone could tell me where I went wrong installing, if I did. I have gotten a ton of help from other forums in the past with my 82 Honda CB900F, my 83 AMC Eagle SX4 and a ton of other projects, not limited to automobiles. If my experience saves someone else the hassle and $ buying something that isn't what they expected then they are better for it.

 

looks fine to me.

 

Send it back if you are not happy with it. With the money spent on it you should be happy end of story.

A good used hard/camper shell should run about the same as that. Not as convertible, but more water/weather tight. You might even be able to sway me to sell my cap to you. I am on the fence.

 

I appreciate the offer, but I wanted the convertible top for the same reason everyone gets one. I live alone and I don't have help to get the hard top on/off when I need to. I also only have a 1 car garage under the house, so no real good place to store one.

I guess i'm returning this thing and i'll figure something else out. I would really like to see the Softopper in person. I hate buying stuff like this without being able to see it first.

 

I understand completely. I just don't see you being happy with it. I know BostonBilly was looking for a soft topper as well but I believe ended up with a bestop as well due to a good price. I don't think he has had it long so I am unsure how well he likes it or if he has similar issues with his.