So a while ago I bought a Bestop Supertop for my '06 Dodge Power Wagon. The idea was that I wanted a topper for the truck to go camping in, and be able to carry cargo in the bed without it getting wet. But I didn't really want the hassles of a traditional fiberglass topper... Where to store it when not in use, how to get it on and off by yourself quickly.... yada yada
Here comes the idea of a canvas topper. The one on my Jeep works great, and has for years. So after doing some research, I found there are basically two to choose from for us Dodge owners. Softopper ( http://www.softopper.com ) and the Bestop Supertop ( www.bestop.com ).
Long story short, I chose Bestop. For a few reasons. The Softopper doesn't have windows on the sides, the top on my Jeep is a Bestop it's been great for years and has been crazy durable. Also the Softopper required a velcro strip along the tailgate, and since I planned on spending more time with the topper off than on I didn't like that much. And given the occasional heavy use of the bed, hauling firewood and such, I didn't figure that would hold up well. They're both about the same price too.
Outcome:
First of all it didn't fit too well. The rails that you clamp to the bed rails needed to be drilled out before they would even go together. Then the instructions call for them to be squared up, parrallel. Which looks funny since the bed rails narrow in width from cab to tailgate. It also leaves more room for leaks at the front near the cab where the square holes are in the bed rails. Water can just run right down the top and into those holes and then into the bed.
Second the top is crazy hard to get on when it's like 20 degrees outside. The fabric shrinks and stiffens up so much, it's VERY VERY tight even on the lowest tension notch on the bows. And it's tough to get it on by yourself.
Third, I put it on, and went to camp in it for the first time on New Years. It was about 17 degrees outside, and POURING rain. And it leaked.... EVERYWHERE leaked.
So I took it back. Attached are some pictures of how the stitching on the seams stretched enough that you could see daylight through them, and how it leaked under the rail system. Also there were BIG areas near the tailgate that were wide open.
Sorry for the bad pictures, but I had very little time to get it off the truck and get it back to the store. Not to mention it was freezing!
I'm considering getting a Softopper. I've read good things about them from others on expo. Some guys camp in them with good luck, and the company supposedly has great customer support. So if your in the market, I'd suggest you go Softopper.
PROS vs CONS
Pros:
Pictures:
Top installed
Leaks *recreated by simulating rain with the garden hose. Moderate to heavy rain, and no direct side hosing.
The zippers all leaked:
Back
Front
Stitching holes
Uncovered areas by the tailgate corners and front corners
Here comes the idea of a canvas topper. The one on my Jeep works great, and has for years. So after doing some research, I found there are basically two to choose from for us Dodge owners. Softopper ( http://www.softopper.com ) and the Bestop Supertop ( www.bestop.com ).
Long story short, I chose Bestop. For a few reasons. The Softopper doesn't have windows on the sides, the top on my Jeep is a Bestop it's been great for years and has been crazy durable. Also the Softopper required a velcro strip along the tailgate, and since I planned on spending more time with the topper off than on I didn't like that much. And given the occasional heavy use of the bed, hauling firewood and such, I didn't figure that would hold up well. They're both about the same price too.
Outcome:
First of all it didn't fit too well. The rails that you clamp to the bed rails needed to be drilled out before they would even go together. Then the instructions call for them to be squared up, parrallel. Which looks funny since the bed rails narrow in width from cab to tailgate. It also leaves more room for leaks at the front near the cab where the square holes are in the bed rails. Water can just run right down the top and into those holes and then into the bed.
Second the top is crazy hard to get on when it's like 20 degrees outside. The fabric shrinks and stiffens up so much, it's VERY VERY tight even on the lowest tension notch on the bows. And it's tough to get it on by yourself.
Third, I put it on, and went to camp in it for the first time on New Years. It was about 17 degrees outside, and POURING rain. And it leaked.... EVERYWHERE leaked.
So I took it back. Attached are some pictures of how the stitching on the seams stretched enough that you could see daylight through them, and how it leaked under the rail system. Also there were BIG areas near the tailgate that were wide open.
Sorry for the bad pictures, but I had very little time to get it off the truck and get it back to the store. Not to mention it was freezing!
I'm considering getting a Softopper. I've read good things about them from others on expo. Some guys camp in them with good luck, and the company supposedly has great customer support. So if your in the market, I'd suggest you go Softopper.
PROS vs CONS
Pros:
- The top is way easier to deal with than a fiberglass topper
- It folds up easily, or comes completely off rails and all in minutes
- Doesn't make any noise, and rides well
- The whole thing, rails and all probably only weighs about 45lbs
- IT LEAKS - although it leaked too much for what I wanted (camping) if all you were wanting to do is get from A to B and not get something soaked it would probably work fine
- PITA to put back on, probably only because it was cold
- Less MPG - during the time I had the top I made two 600 mile round trips to the same nearby city and noticed that with the topper on I got about 1.2 MPG less (Dode Power Wagons are not exactly fuel efficient hybrids anyway
)
Pictures:
Top installed
Leaks *recreated by simulating rain with the garden hose. Moderate to heavy rain, and no direct side hosing.
The zippers all leaked:
Back
Front
Stitching holes
Uncovered areas by the tailgate corners and front corners
