Softopper Yes or no?

[northfacetraveller]

Hey,

So I am building a sleeping platform in the back of my 02' Silverado and need a canopy for it. Ive been looking at the softopper ones as they seem to be the best quality ones I have found for soft top canopies. Reason for wanting a soft topper is that I do not have any room for storage of your typical fibreglass canopy.

I am hoping to get some feedback from first hand use on how the fabric lasts, water/weatherproof etc..?

Basically just the overall quality of the product. I will be using the sleeper basically just for summer, but there would also be potential for downpours.

Any info is appreciated,

Thanks!

 

[911regular]

On my 08 Superduty, the fit is less than perfect. Few inches longer and a few inches wider it would be great. They make the top fit multiple vehicles( mine will fit fords and some dodges according to the part number). I also had to change the mounting on the front flap. The tops mounting option doesn't hold up well to highway speeds. As for being waterproof, for the most part it is, the corners allow water to get in since they do not make contact with the bed. Other than what's mentioned above, it does work well, it's light weight, EZ to take off, and is much better than a tent. It also resists trail hazards pretty well, I've dragged mine against branches and stuff and no damage. If you get windows they can be a bit scratch prone from what I've heard, mine have held up well so far. Check my build thread for photos of the top/fitment.

 

[MONSTA]

I had one on my 04 F150. First one in Hawaii, too! It held up very well in the rain. No leaks or anything. I wouldn't hesitate to camp with one in a down pour.

I did not have have any fitment issues on mine, FWIW.

 

[mlaux]

I have had one on my Blazer for about two years and it has been great. It lives on my truck full time and I have had no issues with leaks and it's holding up well. I do broom of the snow if we get more than six inches because the material will get saturated as the snow melts.

 

[Buliwyf]

I'm In the same boat.

I want a topper so I can toss my gear in my truck bed and have to worry a little less about it than a completely open bed. But I need the top off so I can ride a motorcycle into the bed of my truck (literaly). I also don't have room for a solid top to be stored.

The CanBacks look nice. Are they even still around?

I have no idea what others are out there. Bestop may rock the Jeep world, but thier tops seem kinda ugly on the trucks I've seen.

 

[northfacetraveller]

Awesome! Thanks for the quick replies. I am going to look into it and see if the one available for my truck is specifically made for mine but may fit other models. I am glad to hear that you guys aren't having too many leaking issues. I dont mind a small leak, if it gets that bad I could throw a tarp over it when camping or something, as long as it stays 99 percent driving while on the road.

 

[LimaMikeMike]

I have a bestop, I've experienced no leaks and I concur on the ugly-ness. I bought it for the convience to have a top to throw the dog in the back or fold it forward to load dirtbikes. In reality its a pain to fold forward so mostly I just remove it as it's very light.

One thing that hasn't been discussed, if you're using one in really cold weather be carefull with the vinyl windows, they become stiff and anything rubbing against them or opening the back gate/window can cause them to crack. I'm on on my second set. I no longer use mine in the winter for this reason.

 

[shellb]

I'm In the same boat.

I want a topper so I can toss my gear in my truck bed and have to worry a little less about it than a completely open bed. But I need the top off so I can ride a motorcycle into the bed of my truck (literaly). I also don't have room for a solid top to be stored.

The CanBacks look nice. Are they even still around?

I have no idea what others are out there. Bestop may rock the Jeep world, but thier tops seem kinda ugly on the trucks I've seen.

I actually spoke with Can-Back last week and they are still around but in the process of retooling with a new manufacturing facility (their old partners didn't survive the GM bankruptcy given their large exposure to GM). I was looking for a Ford F250 and they said things will be ready for my truck in about 4 months. As far as soft tops go, they are hard to beat, but they don't collapse down like some brands do.

http://www.can-back.com/

 

[northfacetraveller]

I actually spoke with Can-Back last week and they are still around but in the process of retooling with a new manufacturing facility (their old partners didn't survive the GM bankruptcy given their large exposure to GM). I was looking for a Ford F250 and they said things will be ready for my truck in about 4 months. As far as soft tops go, they are hard to beat, but they don’t collapse down like some brands do.

http://www.can-back.com/

I was actually looking at Can-Back and have heard excellent things about them! Unfortunatley when I looked at their site I noticed they hadnt been in operation for awhile. Good to hear they might be coming back soon. I might have to look into there soft top as well. Do you think it would really be worth the added cost? I know last time I looked they were about $400 more than the softopper plus shipping.

 

[shellb]

I was actually looking at Can-Back and have heard excellent things about them! Unfortunatley when I looked at their site I noticed they hadnt been in operation for awhile. Good to hear they might be coming back soon. I might have to look into there soft top as well. Do you think it would really be worth the added cost? I know last time I looked they were about $400 more than the softopper plus shipping.

The way I look at them is that they are really a hard top with a soft shell, but they offer some benefits that you don't get with a full hard shell (like rolling up the sides for access or air movement).

I like that the softopper can collapse, but they aren't nearly as stout is my bet. Guess it all comes down to what you need/looking for. Also while softoppers fit better than most, I still prefer the Can-Back fit/look, particularily with the load bars!

 

[911regular]

Can bak has been "retooling" for awhile.. Well over a year now.. Can Baks are awesome... Way better than bestop and softopper,, but with a much bigger price tag. My longed ford Bestop was 635 delivered, my short bed can bak 5 years ago was 1550. Overall my bestop has worked as advertised,, no real complaints besides the generic fit. Well worth the $$$ in my opinion. I've spent a few winter/ snowy nites in it so far,, a few rainy nites,,, keeps you and your stuff dry,, lil water drips in from the corners if you don't add a little material.. But nothing major.

 

[shellb]

That is a fair point 911regular, they have been retooling for a long time. I was just happy someone actually answered the phone when I called!

I think I would be happy with either the Can-Back or the Softopper...maybe I will pick up a Softopper now and wait to see if the Can-Back actually comes out and then make a decision on upgrading or not!

 

[northfacetraveller]

Excellent first hand reviews, Thanks! So far I think I am going to get myself a softopper

 

[98dango]

been looking in to this my self I like them all but may have to build my own

 

[13below0]

I have a softopper on a 96 Ford, and other than what a few people have stated about the corners fitting poorly I love it. I have to use my truck bed often so I can't use a hard cap. You can take it on and off in mins or just fold it forward. Overall Im very happy with it.