Can-Back

Does anyone know if they are still producing the "Can-Back" soft top?

 

https://www.can-back.com/product-page/toyota-tacoma

It appears so. They’re listed for sale.

 

I had one for several years. Bout it about 15 years ago. It was great for the first few years, but the material became dry and even shrank a little bit. Had it rolled up for about a month or so. When I went to close it all up, it was a pain in the ass. The sides had shrunk and was tough snapping it in place. I ended up cutting the sides off, and just had a "bikini" top for the dogs. Eventually, I tossed the whole thing due to the base rusting.

I liked the look, and received a lot of compliments when I was out and about. I think it looks a lot better than the Bestop soft topper. I would get another one, but not for $2300. Looking at the site posted above, it does look like they have changed the materials and the design. Hopefully, at over $2K, it lasts longer than when I owned one.

 

$2300?! You could get a LEER or ARE hard topper for that much.

 

I LOVE the look of these things. That's pretty sad to have it crap out that quickly man.
Talking with another member here in forum, I know these things are crazy expensive BUT expense doesn't stop 3rd genners from going balls to the wall on their builds and I bet a well designed and well made topper like these, even hella expensive because they'd be made from top of line components, I bet they'd still sell so well you couldn't keep em in stock.
And I could be way wrong, been way wrong plenty of times

 

Exactly! Crazy how much they have gone up. Now when I bought mine, it was not $2300. If I remember correctly, it was about $1000. Maybe $1200. Yes... expensive back then, but that's what I wanted, and really liked how they looked. Of course, I also thought it would have lasted longer. If I only I knew...

**CORRECTION: My wife remembers...It was $800.**

I don't mind paying a little extra for quality. Hell...I play the drums. The cost of that hobby is a lot more than what non-musicians might think.

For the Can-Back and how much it costs, I would hope that the quality is a lot better than when I bought it for about half that price. Like I said above, I expected it to have lasted longer.

The new design of it looks great. The stainless steel frame looks better than the powder coated steel frame I had. I dig that the sides have individual windows now. Mine did not.

 

I find that if I don't tell my wife how much I spent on parts, she doesn't have anything to remember 8 years later...

 

sound advice

 

It definitely isn't worth $2,300 If it doesn't last more than 3 years. The only reason I was wanting one is the accessibility of the side of the bed and the fit to the truck. It doesn't look like it's very easy to get stuff out of the sides of the bed with the other manufacturers. Looks like the supports get in the way. I would need a soft top because I don't have anybody to help me take off a hard top. And I also don't have anywhere to store one when it is not on the truck. I tried calling the contact number on their website but it's not in service. It doesnt let you add options to the camper top (like side windows) when you go to order one.

 

Lol.
Well...She is a numbers person. Also, she was in finances the first 12 years of our marriage. We met at the bank where she worked. She knew my finances before we started dating.

 

Yeah...One of the main reasons I bout it was for the easy access to the whole bed. Rolling up the sides did make it convenient. Another reason was for my dogs. They can be in the bed with shade and still have the wind blowing on them. And of course, I really liked the look of them.

When the canvas became dry and had shrunk, I tried contacting the company on a replacement. Never heard from them. Now, it could have been during the time when the company wasn't making them anymore, but I don't think it was. Also, when I emailed them about the add-ons, I did not get a response. And that was definitely when they were still in business. Hopefully, their customer service has gotten better. I won't know because I will not be getting a brand new one from them. Now if one popped up used for cheap, then I'll grab it.

 

I had to repair my credit before my wife would even consider marrying me, lol.

 

Same exact story with me. Looked great. Fit great at first. Shrunk. Cut. Bikini Top... Trash. I still have the frame up, hoping to find an upholstery shop that can refit it.
About the time it had worn out, I reached out to Can-Back, but if I recall correctly, they had either stopped production, went out of business for a while, or were being bought out.... something to that effect. Whatever the case, they said they redesigned them and I would have to purchase a new one altogether if I wanted a new top. They didn't even offer me a discount, so I said fuggedaboutit.

 

When I reached out to them, they never responded. I even asked how much for a replacement top before the thing rusted out. Nothing. I guess they didn’t want my business anymore.

 

I still have the frame on my truck. I may just go and have a new custom top made. It was a great idea poorly executed.