Softopper Questions

I know there a few older threads about softoppers but have some questions regarding installing one on my 2015 Tacoma.
Do you need to drill into the bed? I have been reading some instructions I found online and they all say the installation kit comes with screws and bolts but doesn't say where to install them. I know allot of people on the forum have them so just wondering if I could get some input.
I really don't like the look and functionality of regular canopies I had one on my old truck and it was a pain every time I needed to get something out of the back. This may be a solution.
I was originally looking at tonneau covers primarily the bakflips but If i have a taller load and its raining which it usually does in my part of the world it will get soaked.

 

Also I have a white DCLB in white which i have blacked out most of the badges. Was looking at the white softopper to match the truck but have a feeling it will look like crap a couple of month down the road taking down some dirt trails. Leaning towards the black. Does anyone have any pictures of the Black softopper on a white DCLB just so i get some reference.
THANKS

 

No drilling for the mount. You have an option of drilling some small holes in the bed near the rear window to install three snaps or you can take the option of velcro.

The Softtopper mounts to rails w/ snaps and the rail mounts to the bed rail using four c type clamps. Easy to install and easy to remove. You don't have to remove the rails in order to remove the top. The top can be either folded down towards the cab a la Bimini top. You can remove the entire top after you fold very easily as well. One person can do it and the Softtopper only weighs 34 lbs. total. Including the rails.

I'm extremely happy with mine. I've used it extensively and slept under it many times. And under several torrential downpours without getting wet. It stays amazingly dry considering that there are several small openings due to the nature of how it's mounted. It's not air tight but it will keep the rain and wind out and you will stay warm and dry. Well as warm as you can keep the interior of the bed.









I also was considering white. No regrets with black other than white would be much cooler on sunny days. Not really and issue for me though. I also considered the tan one. IIRC, white may not be offered much or any longer.

I picked mine up directly from Softtopper and can attest that they are great people and easy to deal with.

 

Thanks, Yeah as I said I was looking at a Tonneau cover but this weekend went camping and noticed a few things I had were taller than the walls of the bed. One of the main reasons I want a cover is so when I haul my stuff for camping It can stay dry if it's raining and not be covered in dust and mud depending on road/off-road conditions. Saw a guy with a softopper a few sites over from me and thought that that would be a good alternative. As I mentioned had a canopy on my last truck but being over 6' crawling into the bed of the truck to grab stuff was more of a chore than it needed to be.

What about driving with it with the side and back rolled up. I have seen pictures of people doing it but wondering if that is only for slow speeds? or can I take it on the highway or does it act like a parachute? Also with it folded down is there a way to secure it down? I really like the look of an open bed truck but want this to keep my goods dry and clean when needed. So I will leave it down 80% of the time if not more is there a way to secure it in the down position or should I be looking at buying the boot cover storage bag? or just take it off?

Thanks for everyone's help and input.

 

No issues w/ driving w/ the sides rolled up.

You can do whatever works best for you. The Softtopper makes this all possible and easy to do. I bought the boot. I use it when storing it in the garage. Which you can do without taking up a whole garage space. Just put it in corner like Baby .

 

I haven't driven on the highway with the sides rolled up but I have the city streets and didn't feel there was a problem. They are so easy to take off that I don't usually fold it down with it attached to the bed. The few times that I have left it on but folded down I clipped the back straps to where the front straps usually clip on the bed rails.

 

driving with the sides and rear folded up will work those 4 corner straps hard above 50mph
and top can wobble, also the rear window, if down, it gonna get worked

if you plan on driving with sides and rear rolled up for more than 15 miles
get something (or tie a knot) so the end corner straps do not flap -and- cannot loosen
....otherwise they will loosen over time and your top might catch the wind and who knows

at 50mph no big deal but 75, no way would I do it unless I clamped those straps down
so they cannot loosen by vibration or wind

 

That has been my thought, hence I've never driven it on the highway with the the sides and back window rolled up - just seemed like it would put unnecessary stress on the topper, and i've never need to do that any way. just in camp or city streets

 

Agree I would not be driving along the highway at speed with the sides and back rolled up. It looks as though it would be a large parachute on the back of the truck, applying excess stress to the topper and connections as well I am sure terrible on the mileage. Has anyone seen a rise (as tonneaus claim) or decrease in gas mileage I haven't really read anything on the website and one would think it would say something....

Anyone know of a Canadian retailer online or brick and mortar location I could purchase a softopper from?

 

My personal experience is that I lose an MPG - I think it has to do with the gap between the topper and the cab. I haven't tried anything to try to plug the gap to see if that makes a difference.

 

If anything I am just looking at it as a weekend canopy. When going up to the lake or taking back roads and wheelin' and don't want anything to bounce/fall out of the bed or get covered in dust/mud or drenched in the rain.

During the week for my commute to work and getting groceries and all the domestic chores and errands leave it in the garage or folded up against the cab.

 

That's typically how I use it too. Works great. Highly recommend them.

 

So nice pictures Jefes Taco. I'm liking the sound of a softtop after reading your experience with em. Just seems like a really manageable option in contrast to a hard top. Excuse the redundancy if this has been asked already, but what is the time to setup / break down?

 

Once the bed rails are clamped to the rails of your truck - if I am putting it on / taking it off the truck I can have either done in less than 5 min - by myself. If it's simply folding it forward (still attached to the bed rails at the pivot pins) or setting it back up less than 2 min. Very easy to manage.

 

A few minutes. A few minutes more if you want to remove the rails. Gonna take bit longer to put back on if you removed the rails.

1. Relatively inexpensive. (when comparing to other hard tops and tonneau covers.
2. Easy on off and can be stored in a closet when off.
3. Looks awesome.
4. Just works.