Softopper or tonneau cover

I finally found some utility tracks (bed rails that hold bed cleats) and I'm debating between getting a softopper or a tonneau cover. If tonneau, then I would want one that folds and not just raises up like on hood struts. I haven't looked at the prices of tonneau covers. In everyone's opinions which would you guys get? I've got a double cab

 

I've got a tonneau now, and love how easy it is to install and uninstall. I have Exxtang trifecta, got it from Amazon for $350. However I'm gonna look into a softopper next summer for camping. Should be able to go from one to the other fairly easily.

Really, it depends on what you're using it for. I like the tonneau because it looks clean and if I want to carry anything in the rain it keeps everything underneath dry.

 

The softoppers are super easy to take on/off too. I love my softopper but I'm selling it (on the 2nd gen marketplace actually) because I can't lock it and I've already had stuff stolen out of my bed since installing it a month ago. I have a reg cab which means I can't store much stuff in my cab so I have to leave stuff in the back on trips. Had my yeti cooler stolen on a 20 min visit to WalMart...

If I had more cab storage room I'd prefer the softopper over a hard shell simply because you can roll up the sides. So damn nice to be able to get that breeze going when camping in the truck...

 

i have both. I usually use the best top for when I go on vacation and need extra storage. I always take it off in winter because its impossible to fold up and down when its cold. also visibility is poor with soft toppers and no matter what Ive always had some water leaks, and it doesn't lock. I have a tri fold tonneau that I like a lot. both are very easy to remove and have their uses. my buddy just got a new tundra and got a roll up tonneau that is very nice, its corrugated aluminumbut somehow rolls up very nicely and easily, it has black vinyl over the top and looks really nice.

 

I've been looking into soft toppers lately. The only one I have been able to find is the Bestop. It seems pretty handy and I think it looks good, but are there any other ones similar that anyone knows about? Does anyone know if there is one that can pop up like the Bestop but also lay down and act as a Tonneau, or am I just a dreamer? Also, what are your guys' reccomendations as to where to buy a Bestop (or something like it, if there is another one similar) to get the best price, and what should I expect to pay?

 

Softopper doesn't have any windows like the Bestop. Here is a link to softopper
http://www.softopper.com/toyota/softopper

 

I just went from a Truxedo roll-up tonneau cover to a Softopper. I loved my roll-up.. it kept most of the rain and dust outta my bed.. but I always found myself having to roll it up for something that was 1/2 and inch too high. I didn't want a cap because I tend to move my motorcycles around in the summer. So far the Softopper is great.. best of both worlds. I don't seem to have any visibility issues and overall it looks pretty good.

 

I initially had a softopper, but got a rooftop tent over the summer. So, I got a bed rack to mount the RTT to. I didn't want to keep switching between the bed rack and softopper, so decided to sell the softopper and bought an Access Literider tonneau cover that works in conjunction with my bed rack. Check my build thread for details.

I liked the softopper when i had it. It was very versatile, easy to fold forward and easy to remove entirely. I did have some issues with keeping the front panel secured in high winds on the highway. It would often blow into the bed of the truck and start flapping. I tried various ways of securing it with velcro, but never had great success. Also, in the winter, I found that the rear vinyl window would get dirty and make it hard to see. I ended up getting the mesh rear window and that worked out a whole lot better from a visibility perspective, but then I would get some snow in the bed. None of these things bothered me greatly, though. Only reason why I ended up switching was because i needed a bed rack for my RTT and didn't want to have to keep swapping that on and off.

 

Thanks for the link! Are there any other ones anyone else knows about, or are Softopper and Bestop pretty much it?

Also unrelated question for DenverMojo. I'm also in the Denver area, and I was curious if you know of any "clubs" or anything where guys meet up and go off roading? I don't have any friends that go, nor do I know where to go myself.

 

co4x4.org is a good forum for coordinating local meetups. i used to go out more when i had a lifted Jeep. Have taken my Tacoma out a couple times, even broke it in with a little trail damage this summer...

I also recommend getting a copy of a Charles Wells trail book. there are different ones for different areas of the state. A great trail to get your feet wet with is the Middle St Vrain/Coney Flats loop in the Indian Peaks Wilderness area.

 

Sweet, I'll check those out! Thanks!

 

BTW, Softopper is a Boulder company. I highly recommend them. I got my previous Softopper locally through Craigslist. It was for a 1st Gen Tacoma, so needed different mounting clamps. I went over to the Softopper office in Boulder and picked those up. They also gave me some various freebies like velcro and other small replacement parts. Very friendly folks. I love supporting local businesses and my experiences with them were very positive.

 

I'm also all about supporting local companies, but just from the pictures I've seen so far I like the look of the Super Top by Bestop better. And they appear to be the same price. I haven't looked at Craigslist yet though. It kinda makes me nervous buying from someone online, incase its wrong or in poor condition.

 

I think the two are pretty much the same the Bestop has windows where the Softopper does not.

 

x2. Drove up to their shop and saved some shipping and no waiting.

Really nice people, great product, and I get a ton of compliments on it from all sorts.

 

They both do the same thing.. but the Bestop requires you to remove the windows before you can fold it down meanwhile the Softopper doesn't..you just flip the sides up and fold it down. That was a huge factor in my decision between the two and why I went with the Softopper.