So who's running a Soft Topper, and what are your thoughts?

I'd love to hear the good and bad of the Softtopper, and of course... pics!

 

Oops. Didn't mean to put this in "builds"

 

I just picked mine up yesterday. Hoping to install tomorrow. I will update once installed.

 

It’s awesome. Way better than any other topper I’ve ever had. Full cab height for larger items and you can fold it up or completely remote it in a minute or two

I was worried about it flapping or making noise but it’s a heavy canvas and it’s never been a problem even in high winds

Biggest issue I’ve seen is that the windows don’t do well will cold (sub 40 degrees or so). They’ll get brittle and shatter. I got the solid front and rear panels and sold my windows to someone in a warmer location

 

Loving mine! I use it year-round in NY, no issues with cold weather or wear:


Additional softopper pics:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lets-see-some-softoppers.277644/

 

Well worth the $$$, had a cap on my 09 with no issues.

Only issue I have with the soft topper is the rear window has gotten difficult to see out of, but I haven't done much to stop or fix it, just use side mirrors more.

 

I just take mine off in the winter, run tonneau cover in winter.

 

Go see this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lets-see-some-softoppers.

 

Ive had one for 5 years on my old Nissan, the current setup Ive had for nearly 4, I kept it when i traded trucks. Its been fantastic and the canvas shows no signs of wear or discoloration. I still get stopped once a month or so because someone wants to talk about it.

Stays relatively dry inside, about as good as most hardshells. Main source of water are those dang notches at the front of the bed. Plug those properly and its good.

I have been a big lazy dum-dum and repeatedly windexed the rear window with a paper shop towel, which is exactly why I cant see out of it. Theres a replacement window in my garage now, which will be installed after my road trip. After I get the proper cleaning tools, of course.

 

Here’s mine, taken a few days ago, just before it was shipped from germany back to the states.

I like it for the most part. I think I’d prefer an actual hard topper, but that can cost 3 to 4 times as much. I haven’t had any issues with it and it is nice to be able utilize the entire bed up to cab height.

 

100% in agreement with everyone here. I had one on my '14 and bought one for my '17 before I even drove it home from the dealer. I love the fact that I can either fold it up, or completely remove it in only a few minutes by myself. That was the main reason for getting it over a hard shell. I can't remove a hard shell myself, and I would have nowhere to store it anyway.

Oh, and I think they look awesome!

 

Softopper sells a wide assortment of very inexpensive replacement parts as well:

https://www.softopper.com/accessories-parts/replacement-parts

 

Installed review.

I installed the Softopper this morning. It took me about an hour, but was quite easy.

I think the hardware seems a little flimsy until it is actually installed. Once on the truck it feels super solid. Immediately after I finished installing someone asked me to haul a large item and it took me all of 45 second to collapse and fold forward.

Overall I am really happy with it. Looks great, feels solid, easy install and still allows full use of the bed.

Softopper did give me the wrong bar to use on the back panel (for a second gen, rather than the curved bar for the 3rd gen) but I will contact them on Monday and I am sure they will make it right.

Highly recommend, and looking forward to using it more.

 

Loved mine when i had my tacoma. Takes 5mins tops to take off/setup. You can just fold it down for a quick trip to Home Depot. Also, can fold rear window up or fold all the sides up.

 

I love my mine. My neighbor sold it to me for half price after only having it for a month. It’s something I would have never bought but now cant imagine not having it. I have slept in it in the rain and stayed dry and its awesome when you need to use your truck as a truck. It only takes about 2 minutes to take I off.

 

I bought a used one about a year ago. I think the guy I bought it from had it for a year or two. So its about 2.5 yearish old. Still looks great.

Pros
- super easy to install/fold/uninstall. Little time and effort involve to do any of the three.
- its versatile.
- still maintains the use of a truck bed when hauling somwthing tall.
- not as permanent as a hard topper.
- great for overnight camping trips especially with the rear mesh window
- drove with it at highway speeds. 80ish mph and its pretty sturdy

Cons
- not secure. Easy to break into
- hides the third brake light/lack of third brake light
- cargo lamp is useless. Super dark in the topper in low lights.

But if you can get a topper in good condition and less than what softopper sells it for. Buy it!! Wont regret it!! Dont like it? Sell it, they sell pretty quick and easy on the secondhand market.

 

I love mine, but i don't like losing my blind spot checking so I run it "safari-mode" 90% of the time now.

 

I lived in Temple for 7 years. Cheers, man.

 

I like it here.

 

We picked a used one up last weekend and absolutely love it!
Had a tonneau cover before and this has already been so much more practical.
Love the way it looks too!