Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: blackpowderhunter on April 13, 2017, 06:21:10 PM

Title: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: blackpowderhunter on April 13, 2017, 06:21:10 PM: Looked at these a while ago..then the urge passed.
Well, I was thinking about getting one again and thought I'd ask those on here if anyone had one and first hand experience.
I know they would not be as secure as a solid lockable canopy, but they are also way easier to put on and off, FAR less space to store once off, and you have the ability to just put it down if you need the space for something that wouldnt fit under a canopy.

Would mainly be looking at the ability to keep all my crap dry, make packing the truck easier, and I guess it would provide the security of stuff not flying out, and a bit more security when stopping for gas on the way somewhere to deter a quick grab and go theft of loose stuff in the bed.
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on April 13, 2017, 06:33:39 PM: Tagging along. I'm in the same boat as you.
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: follow maggie on April 13, 2017, 07:57:37 PM: I wouldn't worry about the lock ability of them. Hard shell canopies don't offer any real security, either.
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: mikeybuck on April 13, 2017, 08:10:22 PM: I love my soft topper. Has been on my truck since elk season and not a drop of water on the inside. Couple buttons and two pins and it is off.
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: blackpowderhunter on April 13, 2017, 09:30:32 PM: Quote from: mikeybuck on April 13, 2017, 08:10:22 PM
I love my soft topper. Has been on my truck since elk season and not a drop of water on the inside. Couple buttons and two pins and it is off.
thats what i like to hear...
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: Skillet on April 13, 2017, 09:37:55 PM: I have hard topper, bro has soft topper. He paid half what I did, and I think he gets way more use out of his truck because of it. My rear window latches went TU on year three, no actual security advantage. If I had it to do over again, I'd go soft top for sure. .
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: syoungs on April 13, 2017, 10:01:27 PM: I wish mine was a soft topper at times, dealt with them in the past and loved em
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: dscubame on April 13, 2017, 10:32:09 PM: What's a soft topper? Never heard of it.
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: blackpowderhunter on April 14, 2017, 08:09:02 AM: Quote from: dscubame on April 13, 2017, 10:32:09 PM
What's a soft topper? Never heard of it.
basically a soft canopy that can be retracted down very easily, and can be taken off and stored much easier than a hard canopy
https://www.softopper.com/
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: baker5150 on April 14, 2017, 09:07:04 AM: How are they for condensation? That was one of my main concerns when looking at them years ago.
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: fillthefreezer on April 14, 2017, 09:07:50 AM: got one in 2010. sold it 2 weeks ago. theyre not watertight, but do very well. if you want a canopy, but still do truck things, theyre a great choice.

condensation isnt terrible, unless youre sleeping back there.
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: blackpowderhunter on April 14, 2017, 09:27:32 AM: Quote from: fillthefreezer on April 14, 2017, 09:07:50 AM
got one in 2010. sold it 2 weeks ago. theyre not watertight, but do very well. if you want a canopy, but still do truck things, theyre a great choice.

condensation isnt terrible, unless youre sleeping back there.
looks like you can get a rear window with a net that you can interchange with the regular one as well to help with that.
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: Alchase on April 14, 2017, 10:16:54 AM: I bought a Bak-flip hard cover when I realized how much Shells had gone up in price.

https://bakflip.com/bakflip-fibermax-tonneau-cover-126503.html?gclid=CKW3kde4pNMCFQ92fgodmXoDbQ

I am so glad I did. I even use it as a step ladder all the time, LOL
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: dscubame on April 14, 2017, 10:27:37 AM: Interesting.
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: fisheral87 on April 14, 2017, 11:13:44 AM: I have a softopper on my '08 frontier. Bought it used off of CL for cheap. It is not water tight but I have a plastic liner and built a wood platform to extend over the wheel wells to increase the usable space so any water that does get in drains right out without issue. I try to be strategic about parking so I'm flat or slightly rear down. The wife and I have slept in it fishing sockeye at Baker with the boat, I camp in it for hunting and have used a propane heater but really only in the mornings or evenings to cut the chill prior to gearing up. Spent a week last December in the Pullman area with low teens at night and didn't need the heater during the night. Cuts the wind some.

Condensation can build up but I will use the mesh insert or leave one side of the plastic insert open. Ideally they would make a model or addition with an extended awning in the back so you could run the mesh without rain entering the bed.

Security is poor but flexibility was my goal.

Would buy it again instead of a hardtop.

Al
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: fillthefreezer on April 14, 2017, 11:22:05 AM: Quote from: blackpowderhunter on April 14, 2017, 09:27:32 AM
looks like you can get a rear window with a net that you can interchange with the regular one as well to help with that.
ya, i had that too. i used it mostly for dogs. if its not raining, just leave the window rolled up and dont bother with the mesh.
its a good unit. reason i sold, is i live in town now, and dont need my truck for "truck stuff" just hunting and camping, so i bought a fiberglass.
Title: Re: Soft Topper Canopy..who's got one
Post by: blackpowderhunter on April 14, 2017, 01:23:09 PM: flexibility is my main goal i guess...i wouldn't need a 100% water tight fiberglass shell (although ive read some horror stories of trying to get seals to not leak on some) i just want something that would keep my pack and other junk dry when driving places. i have an access cab tacoma so there isn't a ton of space for all of your "id like to keep this dry" gear inside.
the ability to go from a canopy, to no canopy in no time, at any location, as a one man job is i guess the main factor that had lead me to these.
lack of necessary space for storage when not on or in use is also big.
thanks for all of the info from those who have one :tup: