Anyone running a Softopper?

To remove it I think you’d need to remove the two pins. To fold it down maybe as well because there is limited amount of room for the topper to lift up.

 

I picked up a used Softopper today and tried to install it, but ran into some issues. The first was winter showed up and with the cold weather I couldn’t get the snaps to go. The second was the front flap. I hate to drill holes in the bed and I can’t imagine getting velcro to stick in the cold especially with the bedliner. I was considering running straps to the bed tie down points or get creative with the track, any advice? The last issue is the side rails seem to naturally tilt inward when clamped, is this normal?

 

That is not right. Those need to be sitting flat on the top of the bed sides. Move them out and re clamp the rails.

 

Could it be from using bed clamp rails when I have a track system? They seem to fit ok aside from the angle. I will attempt to move the tracks out and see what happens.

 

I think that's gonna be the issue. If those side rails aren't seated properly nothings gonna fit right.
Softopper sells the clamps you need for $8 of you end up need to replace them. https://softopper.com/products/stc-1-clamps-utility-track/

 

A few other observations:

The weather seal on the bottom of those mounting bars looks a little thicker than what I have on mine. It could be that the previous owner did an aftermarket replacement and the thicker body is causing the bar to roll a bit. As others said, the bars need to sit about 1/2 inch inside the bed rail.

Also, you can let that front flap be free for a while. Add the velcro when it's warmer out. All you need to do is make sure the front flap is sitting between the body and the bed, then the back flap should be inside the bed. On my old truck I never secured the front flap and it did fine keeping out the weather and stayed put on the highway.

 

I agree these are not the right clamps. You need to get the ones that engage the utility track. I called softopper and ordered them. $60ish shipped.

 

Great info, thanks guys. The foam seems to be permanently squished at that angle so I am going to put some fresh foam on it and try again. I am also going to give the standard clamps a go first and see if it is better, I feel that if the truck didn't have rails they would be the ones I would use anyways. Maybe with some fresh flat foam it will lock down better, worth a try. I want to try and keep my cost as low as possible as I overpaid for the condition of this top.

 

the other nice thing here is that most of the 'pieces' can be replaced pretty inexpensively. (Don't know where your 'new' topper needs the most love) Softopper will also sell you cutoffs and scraps for fabric repair if you contact them. Overall just good people. IMO.

 

That is good to hear and I am anxious to give it a try. I ultimately would like a color matched topper, but finding a used one is pretty difficult in my area; I lucked out on even finding used Softopper and drove a 1.5 hours to get it. I need to try and polish up the windows as they are looking pretty discolored, replace some snaps, get it installed properly, and go from there.

 

I use this stuff to clean and keep scratches to a minimum. Pretty good stuff. NOVUS-PK1-8OZ-PM | Plastic Clean & Shine #1, Fine Scratch Remover #2, Heavy Scratch Remover #3, and Extra Polish Mates Pack | 8 Ounce Bottles

$23 NOVUS-PK1-8OZ-PM, Plastic Clean & Shine #1, Fine Scratch Remover #2, Heavy Scratch Remover #3, and Extra Polish Mates Pack, 8 Ounce Bottles

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029B518O

 

I use Mother's Carnuba cleaner/wax. It really takes away the minute scratches. Smells great, too.

 

Soft Topper owners, anyone leave your topper on all the time? How does it withstand wind/rain/sun, etc... I plan to get one and leave it on at all time. Thank you in advance.

 

The one I took off and sold was on for a couple years in Florida. no issues and I got near retail for the resale. They are durable.

 

Mine has been installed since 2015. Its always is on the truck unless I'm towing the 5th wheel. Truck lives outside 90% of the time.

I can see no issue or sign that it's going fail anytime soon.

If I rip or tear it today, I'll have another one ordered by sundown.

 

Awesome I will be looking for one. Thanks!

 

Yea, if you're patient and keep on eye on marketplace or craigslist you should be able to get a relatively new one for a few hundred off the regular price. I guess it all depends on your location, but I see newish ones posted every few weeks here in Denver. If you can find one for $7 - 800 then you should be able to use it for a few years and get all your money back if you decide to go another direction.

 

Yes sir, I will keep watching facebook marketplace and craigslist. Thank you

 

The snaps I ordered finally came in from Softopper, it took almost two weeks sadly. Got the snaps replaced, polished the windows up with some Meguiar's PastX, and put new foam on the rails. I thought I was going to be golden with new foam tape as they sat nice and level, but once the top was put on and snapped the rails tweaked inward again. You guys were right, time to order the clamps for the rails.

 

I don't think the correct clamps are specifically only available from ST.

I'm using clamps that came off my previous rigid cap.

You should be able to find them at any places selling rigid shell clamps.

I know I have an extra set I'd give you if I was home.

 

Interesting, I will look into finding some clamps locally, that would be great.

 

Would you be kind enough to take a picture of your inside rail/clamp setup?

 

I'll do that. I'm going to let it warm up a bit, 1st.

 

Here is quick pic of my clamp and rail.

 

Thanks for doing that, yours rail is quite a bit different from mine, I can see why those clamps work on your setup. I think if I went that route it would just crush the top of the aluminum tube. Going to order up the factory clamps tonight, hopefully they get here quick.

I also whipped these straps up with some stuff I had laying around. I saw this on another forum and thought it was worth a shot given I had everything on hand to make them.

 

I really like this. Currently have Velcro on my bed liner.

 

Thanks for that pic. I will be getting ST for my Crew Max eventually. I like this better than drilling holes in the front of the bed.

I wish I could transfer the ST from the quad cab, but the beds are way different in sizes.

 

Just got this badboy installed a couple of days ago.

 

I'm glad to have stumbled upon this thread. I'm going to end up ordering one in the near future. WIth additional plans to add an XO rack or similar, to accommodate an RTT.

have not seen specifically (or forgotten since it's late, and I'm unable to sleep and wandering the forum) . . . . . Will the softopper fit with a decked system installed? I'm wanting (eventually) the soft top, overland rack and a decked system or similar in the bed for storage options, and to set up bedding. I'd likely run the softopper MOST of the time, but wouldn't mind having to finagle a little bit to remove if there's interference with the decked systems. Those of you running the setup, what should I be cautious of. Will that set up work? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

I have the FasTop Traveler package with the tonneau cover and softopper that stores under the tonneau cover and use it with the decked system.