Anyone have a Softopper? - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

VFIB · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 12:33 AM

Does anyone have a "Softopper"? It is a retractable soft shell camper for your truck bed. If so, I have several questions for ya. thanks.

Granger Tundra · #2 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 12:41 AM

I have a Access lorado cover and i like it. I might be able answer your questions.

VFIB · #3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 12:58 AM

The softopper can be found on Softopper - Pickup Truck Toppers, Camper Shells & Caps - Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Dodge & More.

Granger Tundra · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 01:02 AM

I dont have one of those, sorry. I thought you were talkin about a tonneau cover.

TRDSport · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 01:09 AM

I had a Softopper on a previous truck. What do you want to know about them?

VFIB · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRDSport

I had a Softopper on a previous truck. What do you want to know about them?

Oh, good. I have a few questions:

1. how durable was it in wind, rain, snow?
2. Did you have any water leakage issues?
3. Does the pastic window facing the truck cab zip open or just flap open?
4. What color did you have? I have a white Tundra Crewmax and thinking of tan, since black may be too hot. You see we go camping a lot and would be putting our dogs in the back. I don't want it to be too hot.
5. Overall impression of its use and ease of use.

Thank you for your time and advice

mryotaman · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 02:33 PM

I have a softopper on my 2007 toyota tundra double cab. I like it a lot, I go to the mountains in the winter and put my two siberian husky dogs back there mine is the black one. It gets really hot in the camper above 85 degrees but if you open one of the sides pleanty of air comes in. Ive had about 1 foot of snow on the top and it was fine. the only problem is if it rains a little bit of water comes in at the bottom corners you can put something there so the water doesnt come in, i put duct tape. Its a bit pricey i got mine for 250 used off a friend he paid 565 new back in 07. I use it all the time when i go camping

TRDSport · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 03:52 PM

1. how durable was it in wind, rain, snow?
I felt it was very durable. The paperwork says not to take it through a carwash, but after checking with the company, it went through quite a few. I had no problems with the dryers at the end deforming/damaging the cover. The cover comes with a bottle of seam sealer you have to apply to the interior side of the seams in order to keep water out. Bit of advise on this: the instructions say not to do it till the end of the install process....it would have been MUCH easier to spread the cover out on the ground and apply it then. I live in Arizona so I can't comment on how it did in snow.

2. Did you have any water leakage issues?
I'd say it was about 97% water proof. Alittle water got in around the bottem corners, but it wasn't bad at all.

3. Does the pastic window facing the truck cab zip open or just flap open?
Unless they have changed the design, the plastic window directly behind the cab does not open at all. The window at the end by the tailgate closes using a combination of zippers and velcro (you have to put three strips of velcro on your tailgate).

4. What color did you have? I have a white Tundra Crewmax and thinking of tan, since black may be too hot. You see we go camping a lot and would be putting our dogs in the back. I don't want it to be too hot.
I had black. If you trust your dogs, both sides and back can be rolled up while leaving the top cover still in place to provide shade.

5. Overall impression of its use and ease of use.
After I figured out how to collapse/extend the cover, it only took about 5 minutes to open or close it. I really liked being able to go from a completely open bed to having a cap in a matter of minutes. Overall, I liked it but unless they make some design changes, I won't be buying one again. When the cover is in the "extended" position, my rearward visibility was severely limited. It would have helped if the rear window were larger and they put windows on the sides of the cover to increase visibility.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

VFIB · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:14 PM

thank you for all of the info. I have more questions but at work right now and don't have the time. talk to you soon.

VFIB · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:15 PM

Thats funny! I am his wife and didn't realize he was checking on this right now. So here are a couple of my things.

TRDSport- Thanks for all your info! Its great to hear from someone that has one.

We also plan to mainly only use it for camping- to transport dogs and more packing room. Would love to hear more details of how it works for someone carrying dogs too.

Couple more ??

1. When driving what capability is there to have air flow for the dogs? Since my understanding is that the window next to cab does not open at all-Does that mean only the back window to open?

2. How does the back end close? I understand velcro goes on truck tailgate. So then do you velcro the window pane to the trunk and then zip open or just velcro whole thing closed?

Thanks again for feedback. It is an expensive purchase and hard to know exactly how it will work.