Topper Tent review and comparison

I own a DCSB OR Prerunner with a Softopper. I recently picked up a Topper Tent, a new product that started out as a Kickstarter project. I purchased it to replace a Softopper/DAC Camper Top Tent, which had some issues and led me to buying the Topper Tent. Topper Tent has c

First off, I really liked the Softopper/DAC tent in fair weather and even moderately more challenging weather. Softopper doesn't make the actual tent but adapts the product for use with their product by employing a frame comprised of three telescoping poles. The Softopper part of the tent package is well made and a clever design. The tent, made by a company called DAC, is kind of underwhelming in terms of quality of materials. The tent material is cheap, typical fabric store taffeta nylon and the tent uses old-school bungie cords that lost their elasticity quickly. They are sewn in and aren't easily replaceable. In fair conditions, the DAC tent is roomy and airy and pleasant. Setup time is close to that of a typical ground tent, not counting pounding stakes which of course the DAC tent doesn't need.



Unfortunately, the DAC tent has issues with poor weather. The tan colored top fabric panel is only marginally water resistant. In a brisk monsoonal shower, the fabric quickly wetted out and started dripping water onto my cot.


The DAC tent performed extremely poorly in blustery, high desert winds. There is simply too much loose, billowing fabric that will catch the wind regardless of what direction the truck is facing. I had two mostly sleepless nights in the DWNR near Las Vegas with 30-40mph gust and constantly shifting wind direction. Granted, these conditions would have challenged even the most stout and wind worthy ground tent.

The Topper Tent seemed like it could potentially perform better than the Softopper/DAC tent, with at least one obvious trade-off which will be described below. The Topper Tent has no frame and is fitted into to the Softopper with velcro adapter strips. The tent material and fittings are a big step up from that used in the DAC tent and seems to be comparable to the fabric used in some better quality backpacking gear that I have. I couldn't find any flaws in the stitching. Unfortunately, there is no seam sealing.(The DAC tent does have seam taping, which failed after I had hand-washed the tent) One obvious trade-off is the trigonometry involved. With a short bed truck, I was obviously not going to be able to use the cot that I had been with the DAC tent. The cot will fit, but it pushes out the tent fabric and might be a wear point over time. I may try out in the future.







Some concerns came up right away about how the Topper Tent pitches. Mine came out less taught then seen in Topper Tent media. This won't shed wind or water well. Yet, the tent pitches tightly around the sharp corners of the tailgate. I see this as potential early wear/failure point. This part of the tent needs to be reinforced with heavy duty Cordura or other similar material.

I'm unimpressed with how the tent attaches to the tailgate. It doesn't seem well thought out. There needs to be a slot or flap of some kind to account for the tailgate support cable. The rear tension strap is too far forward. Positioning it at edge of the underflap-so, more rearward- would aid in achieving a more taut pitch, IMO.


The top edge of the Topper Tent is adapted to fit under the Softopper rear flap with a dual velcro strip. There are velcro straps for rolling up and securing the Topper Tent rear flap, but no provision was made for securing the rolled up Softopper rear flap. It has to lay flat on the roof. This is undesirable for windy conditions. The velcro straps are awkward to use. Nylon webbing and quick connect buckles, as the Softopper uses, would be much superior. Elastic cord and toggles would even be better.

Hopefully, I can discover some tweaks to get the tent to pitch with less sag. Sag increased after a damp night along the coast.


Flaws aside, I have guardedly high hopes for the Topper Tent performing better than the Softopper/DAC tent in adverse weather conditions. All-in-all, my Topper Tent feels like a prototype still under development. For the stiff $270 investment, I was hoping for something a little bit more perfected. Time will tell when I put it to the test in inclement weather. However, I am already looking at making some modifications. For the price paid, I shouldn't have to be performing any surgery or mods just to make it do its job. The overall design is pretty cool. The tent stashes up fairly neatly under the Softopper door edge and deploys easily and swiftly, a big plus for me. I like how it just there when I need it and yet out of the way. I like simple things and this setup is pretty simple. Topper Tent seems to be a really small enterprise at this point but I hope they are able to stick around and come out with a better refined product. I'd probably buy it.

 

Hi any updates, or feedback from Topper Tent on upgrades or changes? This type of product has so much opportunity and it’s good to see some competition for the DAC which seems like it’s been around forever. Thanks.

 

I just received mine two days ago. I am installing it tomorrow morning. But it does appear to have the same exact build appearance as the one pictured without reinforced corners

 

Initial impressions - pretty badass. The fabric is a bit thinner than I was hoping. I am trying to think of ways to insulate the inside of it for the night once inside. I cut a microfiber in half, and draped it over the corners of my bed so the corners don't cause wear on the fabric plus it makes it a bit thicker which made the fabric taunt. I think it is a rad product. Don't worry the FWC isn't going anywhere, the topper tent will be perfect for quick weekend trips though!

 

Is anyone running the topper tent with a long bed? Being a long bed I fit fine but would like to place a small heater or portable AC on the tailgate. So I’m wondering how much vertical room you get on the tailgate with the slant.

 

@Lumpy Waters
I just got a softopper and looking at tent solutions and it seems its either DAC or Tent Topper. I have 2 main questions and hope you can provide feedback.

1) Speed of teardown? I want to quickly put away a tent so I can day trip during camping and dont want to have a headache each time I want to run somewhere.
2) How much space added if you sleep on platform with tent topper? Cannot tell how much space added due to slant for foot space.

Tent topper seems far superior for my concerns but really hard to make a decision.

 

1.) Topper Tent is a quicker setup and teardown, though switching out the side-zipper halves is a bit more fussy than I'd like. It has gotten a little easier with practice. Hard top owners would have it much easier since they're only dealing with velcro,

2.) The DAC tent is more spacious. I have a short bed and used an 8" high cot with the DAC tent but the cot was too long to use with the Topper Tent.

 

How much space do you have with these options?

I'm 6'3" and have lived in the back of the 6' tacoma for longer than I would like. Really just hoping for a few more inches to actuall stretch out.

 

Have been trying to do the trig on the distance. But....wasn't my strong suit in college.

 

Old thread, but wanted to see if anyone has tested the tent in rain/snow? I have the V2 version, and thinking about if it will hold up to water, or if Ill need to spray/wax it

 

From what I'm reading on their reviews you'll need to spray it and possibly seam tape it

 

considering the price of $324 the amount of material, lack of sealing and tape, this is an absolute rip off.