Softopper and Decked storage system

I wanted to share my experience with combining the Decked storage system with a softopper.

I already had the Decked system installed, and did a decent amount of research into the compatibility of these two systems before pulling the trigger on a Softopper. Or so I thought.
What I found was a handful of instances where people said the two systems work together no problem. It wasn’t until attempting the install that I realized that wasn’t quite the case.

As you can see in the first image, the frame doesn’t have enough room to pivot into place because it is blocked by the top of the Decked bed.




The solution is relatively simple, although I was initially hesitant to drill a hole and alter a brand new price of gear in case I wanted to return it. I basically just drilled a second hole in the frame about 1.5” below the existing hole. When it’s time to open/close the topper, I just have to put the “pin” on this second hole. This creates a new pivot point and allows the frame to swing into position.

Unfortunately, I can’t leave it in this hole all the time, because it raises the frame 1.5” away from the rail that the canvas snaps to. The canvas doesn’t stretch enough to reach the snaps. However once the frame is open, I’m able to return the pin to the original hole in about 20 seconds.

 

Hi Zach,

I have a 2021 Tacoma and installed a Decked system. I would like to buy a softopper as well. Will you show more pics of your softopper opened and include measurements showing how much space remains between the top of the decked system and the softopper pivoting bracket? In it's open position - meaning the softopper is covering the truckbed.

Also, what year is your Tacoma? What is the measurement from the top of the Decked system to the top of the opened softopper?

Thanks in advance!

 

I’ll try and snap some pics or get measurements the next time I’m in the garage, but....

I’m inclined to just recommend the Bestop topper instead. Not that I have any complaints for the Softopper, but from what I can see its frame is designed in such a way that you won’t run into the issue I did.