Soft Topper vs Hard Topper

The access limited is a soft roll that is a full height cover.

 

He's looking for this....



Or a hard shell.

 

Ahh, makes sense now. Thanks.

 

Had soft top on previous truck, much happier with hard cover on Tacoma. Both were bed-height covers. It locks to the side rails, and has enough lip so tailgate cannot be opened. Does take 2 people to remove (never done it), but it's ABS plastic so I can stand on it to wash cab roof. Can also tie overside loads to top of beds, or carry some oversize loads at 30-40 mph with top up. Bed interior is fairly insulated from summer heat.

Had no problems with leaks on either top, but I hand wash it.

 

Yup, Thanks for clearing that up...

Had to literally pile luggage, bags, coolers and run giant mesh bungees to strap everything down on our last trip home from my family's cabin. This of course meant that I had to remove the tonneau cover to make all the room I needed.

Love the truck, but really wish some days I could just treat it like an SUV and pack stuff up to the top of the cab while it's in the bed.

 

Anyone have pics of a soft top with a rigid rack that fits around for canoes and kayaks across the top? How are the soft tops going 80 on the highway?

 

I have driven 85 on a windy day with gusts that must have gone to at least 30 mph. No problem at all.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bedrack-that-goes-over-a-softopper.348074/

 

I've had both on a Tacoma.

Hard top = More secure. More durable, easier to wash and most likely last longer. It's also more expensive, weight more, and limits what can be carried with it on. When taken off, will need another person and storage. ($1000-$2000+)

Soft top = Cheaper cost, low weight. Depending on which you get, there are windows that can be zipped off and the whole thing folds down for versatility. No security as anyone can get into it regardless of you have a tailgate lock or not. Not necessary but I spray mine with 303 every 3 months. ($600-$700)

Having had both, I prefer the soft top.

 

I have driven 80+ open road from California to Montana and held up fine. Wind noise is expected.

 

Ive had both, but I prefer my hard top for security and water tight-ness. However I'm taking mine off and selling it and going with nothing.

 

Love it!!! I will eventually go with this set up down the road.

 

I've had both , didn't like my hard shell due to weight , but felt a lot better leaving my tools in hard shell camper , personally I like the looks of my soft top camper

 

That thing does look bad ass. Too bad it's running at $2g

 

I can't understand how they justify that. I don't think it even folds down. Each one must be hand cut, hand sewn, personally delivered, and installed by Wall Street bankers.

 

Ya looking it, it seems like it might be easier to diy something like that given the right tools and materials but 2g is crazy

 

I'm interested to know as well.

I bought a Softopper for money and space reasons. I don't have the ability currently to keep a fiberglass top in my garage although that was the preferred option.
I like my Softopper. It seals out rain very well, looks sharp, is very easily storable, and has held up very well in terms of being dirt resistant (I bought my tan one earlier this year).
I will say however, it is an epic pain in the ass to take on and off. I'm not sure it's any easier than a fiberglass top if one had a lift for it. I will say though I had rotator cuff surgery this year so I've never operated it while 100% healthy. I always have to have people help me get it on. I'm wondering if the lack of ease in getting it on and off defeats the whole purpose of the soft top. It also impacts my MPGs enough to notice. Fiberglass tops are heavier so it might be worse but the Softopper does get effected by wind resistance. I thought I would avoid this by getting the Softopper but it's really not that big of a deal. But 17mpgs does suck when doing long trips at 75mph.

If my living situation changes and I can put in a lift for a fiberglass top, I think I'm going to lean towards getting rid of the Softopper. It's a pain in the ass. I don't even think I will be able to use mine in the winter because I probably won't be able to snap it on (the material is very affected by the temperature).

Someone who has had both let me know if fiberglass is worse.

 

I'm not familiar with the soft topper as I have a Bestop Supertop and it can come off as a whole with the rails. Just unscrew the rail locks and it's off. I moved it from one truck to another fairly easily. Also the reason I use six clamps instead of the four supplied. I also use extra nylon lock nuts so it won't easily be stolen.

 

I really would like a softopper but I'm torn between bestop and softopper. I like the windows on the bestop but the softopper seems fit better against the cab of the truck in most pictures.

 

I love my softopper. As for security, yeah someone can easily break into it but I don't store valuable things back there. It keeps eyes of my stuff which is better than having nothing. I keep it installed 100% of the time and only fold it down when I need to haul tall things.