Soft Topper .. to Buy or not to Buy

Sumner Laboratories (23304) 210 Plastic Cleaner/Polish - 14 fl. oz. Aerosol

$22 Sumner Laboratories (23304) 210 Plastic Cleaner/Polish - 14 fl. oz. Aerosol

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00144ASC6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_f7MmFb3W7TEW3

 

I got mine temporarily until my GFC is ready too, I plan on a lot of camping and it will be nice to stand up when inside. Mine make no noise even at highway speeds.

 

I would say maybe 200lbs? Wasn't the weight, for me at least. To give perspective, I do Olympic lifting so decently strong guy lol. Taking it off, I was able to lock it out overhead and walk with it. Putting it on, I had to sorta rest it on my back and walk it..it was just cumbersome and too big.. now that I'm thinking about it, wouldn't be a bad idea to install some handles on the inside ceiling so I can hold on to while I'm underneath it haha

 

I love my soft topper.

Pros:
- Keeps water out way better than my hard shell ever did.
- Keeps dust out better too.
- I can take down the "window" part by the cab easily and clean the back window of the cab - thus making the visibility way better.
- Light weight.
- I installed a custom gear hammock with some velcro that works excellent.

Cons:
- Less security, but then again I don't put anything in the bed thats really worth stealing, or is easy to steal. Like, if they want to try and lift my full 200lb cooler out, be my guest. Or if they REALLY want those $40 walmart camp chairs.... but honestly, there's nothing back there worth the time and effort. Stealing the tailgate would be more worth it, and I'll lock that part when I'm going to leave the truck for extended periods of time.
- Rolling up the back window is a pain. I actually use two of the hook wire things from my RTT to prop the back up. It works better, and makes it so I don't have to touch the window with my hands, and keeps from rolling it in cold weather when its going to be more fragile. Once I get drawers, I probably won't need to open the back window up all that much anyways.
- I got some mud spray on it that WILL NOT come out. Kind of annoying, but it means I use my truck for what its intended for.

 

Couldn’t have said it any better myself. I know what you mean about the mud not coming out either. I’ve tried scrubbing it, 303 application and still there. O well, such is life. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

That is exactly why it was born a softopper! Just the way it is! It wasn't born a cooler or a fishing rod.....it's a softopper on the back of a truck! I guess it could become a mall crawler but that would be a shame!

 

I’m good with it and love my softtopper very much
And the occasional mud covered softtopper for mall crawling is ok I suppose

 

Just splattering some mud on before hitting the mall is cool.

There are some riders who scotch brite their chickstrips.

Every crowd got their thang.

 

WTH is a chickstrip?

 

That unused strip of tire at the edge of the tread. The posers can't bare to see any and out comes the angle grinder.

 

Just used my this past weekend for camping. These are so damn versatile. As you can see, I also run the decked system with the topper and still had plenty of room on top for all the camping gear. No complaints at all. Love it!

 

Lol. Even without chicken strips you can always see the flat spot in the middle of the tire.

 

True, but . . . There is my unfortunate situation where we're an hour from the good roads. So between the couple good corners that I have commuting and the other less engaging riding, I will have a good bit of center wear.

Regardless, I'm happy with the chickenstrips that I have. They're there, but the tread is nicely scrubbed when I get over there. It might just be my fast ass though?

 

Update to my choice of the topper. I Finally Received it took it out of the box I felt the quality doesn't meet my standards lol . So I decided to sell it here on the market place it was not installed if anyone wants to pick it up from me locally in Phoenix ,AZ You can check it out on the market place . I did end up ordering the Best Top 2 I really like the new design with the brake light and it has a 5 year warranty . Not saying the soft topper is bad just the Best top is more what I'm looking for .So ill post once I get the Best Top and installed . Thank you all for your input on the soft topper .

 

Interesting. You and another member on have complained about the quality of the softtopper. His was about the frame being flimsy. I must be missing something. I see no fit and finish quality issues at all. Just a solid design that has served me well for awhile. However, I do hope you like your best top 2. Interested to see some pics. Take care.

 

Update my best top 2 is on back order till the end of September ... so they cancelled my order .I guess I won’t be posting pick for a long while . Thank you all for your input on the soft topper once more .

 

Love my softtopper. No issues here

 

Tan is looking good on SW.

 

Only put mine on a couple of weeks ago but no complaints whatsoever. No noise, not flimsy, easy install and seems like good quality. Minus the security of a hardshell its essentially a cap but lighter and cheaper. I'm glad I took the extra time to paint my frame black. Adding a rack overtop for kayaks and possibly a RTT next spring, the softtopper is basically just to keep things dry for our camping trips.

 

Of course the Mica guy shows up.


Great colors also!


I did the rails and clamps. The next opportunity, I will do the frame also. Looks sick!