DAC Topper Tailgate Tent Seems Pretty Good--and Inexpensive

I'm looking into getting the DAC Tailgate Tent for my ARE DCU topper. Anybody got any experience with these?

 

Looks like a $160 tarp. Softopper makes/sells the same thing. Im sure it works great, it just looks cheap.

https://softopper.com/products/camper-top-tent/

 

Thanks! Looks interesting, however, looks like the Softopper only goes over a "soft" (fabric) topper. Looks like it would be a little small for my ARE which also is 6" taller than my cab.

 

So I actually went ahead and got it.

Sprayed it with ScotchGuard Heavy Duty Water Shield to water proof it. It seems like a pretty good product. The only concerns I have with it is how long the zippers will hold up. While they are as good as those on any tent, that doesn't say much. Took me about 15 minutes to install even though I had never done it before and only about 2 or 3 minutes to pack it up. It comes with 4 bungee cords sewn into it that you use (2 on each side of your truck) to attach it. Also a fifth very long (5ft) bungee that I didn't need and don't know where it would be needed. Comes with a nice bag to stuff it into--which I could do with no problem because the bag is big enough.
I have a topper which slopes to about 6" above the truck cab height at the back and the tent (LARGE SIZE) fit with no problem. Probably even fits better this way than with a cab-height topper. I mention this because the website says it won't fit "tall" toppers but mine fits great.
It has a bug net the full width of the back opening and the back opening can be completely tied back the full width of the truck. Even though I have a long bed this will definitely fit a short bed too.

There are a couple of issues I have heard about. 1. My back door on my topper doesn't open all the way (see the downward slope at the back in the overall view.) 2. There are gaps(about 6" long by 3" wide) on either side of the tailgate where the tent isn't tight against the tailgate. Other reviewers said they stuffed a towel or something there to prevent mosquitos getting in. Not a problem for me since I live in the desert.



Buy it directly from DAC. https://dactent.com/ It is about $20 cheaper there than the prices on Amazon. Their website says that you need the LARGE size for a Tacoma and that is what I got.

Overall Installed view



One Rear Flap tied open



Side View at Tailgate



View Lying Down. I am 6-1 and there is plenty of room in my long bed. This set up would also really work well to extend the available sleep space in a short bed. You can also see the down-sloped topper rear door in this pic.



The Gap at each side of the tailgate--put a towel in it.



View from below.



Fits easily in the supplied storage bag.

 

Thanks for this post @Waynebarkr - good info as I'm researching these products - aside from softopper's tent, which seems like it might be identical (?), I haven't seen any thing else like these. Have you gotten a chance to use it on a trip? Any long term comments? Thanks again for the post