SoftTopper bed topper feedback / reviews?

[dc73pdsgt]

anyone have the soft topper bed topper? how do you like it? Fit? water resistance? weird noises? I ordered one cuz I am not paying $4K for a hard top. I remember buying a hard top many years ago for like $1000. I need the soft topper to carry my dogs when I take them places.

Sponsored

 

[Maverickman74]

All I can say is that my wife wouldn't go for it after seeing one on a Taco. If we ever got a second Mav as a work truck I would do it for the dogs and the hauling random sized crap.

 

[Maverick#2]

anyone have the soft topper bed topper? how do you like it? Fit? water resistance? weird noises? I ordered one cuz I am not paying $4K for a hard top. I remember buying a hard top many years ago for like $1000. I need the soft topper to carry my dogs when I take them places.

I have a BAK X4S roll top tonneau for everyday use but there is not enough storage space for our fishing trips to Canada. I didn't care for the $$$ cost, look, and storage issue with the hard shell so I purchased a Softopper. The switch from the BAK to the Softopper was easier than I thought it would be and I like the "safari" look of the Softopper. When our trip was done,
s

switching back to the BAK was no problem and the Softopper folds and stores easily (I did buy the storage cover at an extra cost).

When I first installed the Softopper, I had to sit the truck out in the sun to warm the top up a bit so I could close all the snaps. It fits very tightly with no noticeable noise at highway speed (>80 mph). It comes with a bottle of seam sealer that I did not have time to apply prior to our trip and during a very heavy rain did note some water seepage at those areas where the manufacturer suggested application of the sealer. I applied the sealer but haven't had it out in the rain since. The sides and back window roll up and secure with clips, so there's lots of air flow for your pups. I'm not sure about wind noise with the sides and/or window rolled up.

Overall, the Softopper is extreemly well designed, fits like a glove and, and is made with high quality materials. I would definitely recommend this bed cover.

Just two notes
1) Check your state laws regarding tail lights. Some states, for example Texas, require a third brake light: "In addition to the two standard brake lights a high center mounted brake light is now required." The center brake light on top of the Maverick truck cab is obscured by the Softopper and there's no light on the Softopper.
2) The Softopper is not secure as a lockable hard top would be. Do not store anything valuable unattended.

 

[TheWizziard]

An interesting interpretation by NHTSA regarding third break light and caps.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/interpretations/15737ztv

 

[TheWizziard]

Interesting in Texas:

It looks like anything blocking the third break light is illegal except for a "camper shell"

 

[Moby]

I have had a soft Topper on my Maverick for about 4 months now . It does leak a small amount of water . But mostly it does protect what's in the box . I also have an Xtrusion rack ,so the side mounting brackets may be partly responsible for the water getting in . To remove it I leave it up and open . Just removing the 4 clamps . This does not seem to hurt it and makes putting it off an on a quick job . I would recommend the Soft Topper because it is extremally light weight .

 

[Jayhawks]

Put one on my truck a week ago. Had to park in sun for it to warm the top enough to get snaps in place. Snug fit is under statement. More useful for me than a bed cover and the price is right. . Have a cheap aluminum cover on my Ranger and have to remove it if I want to haul something tall or wider than the opening. I liked the idea of being able to fold the Softtopper forward without removing. If I do have to remove I can take it off without throwing my 71 year old back out.

 

[710-oil-614]

Put one on my truck a week ago. Had to park in sun for it to warm the top enough to get snaps in place. Snug fit is under statement. More useful for me than a bed cover and the price is right. . Have a cheap aluminum cover on my Ranger and have to remove it if I want to haul something tall or wider than the opening. I liked the idea of being able to fold the Softtopper forward without removing. If I do have to remove I can take it off without throwing my 71 year old back out.

Looks good. I would go black as well. Probably a dumb question, but is there a "window" near the cab side of the bed as well so you can see all the way back? If yes - is that panel removable?

Thinking for my dogs - keep the rear window open so we can see them and such.

 

[dc73pdsgt]

Looks good. I would go black as well. Probably a dumb question, but is there a "window" near the cab side of the bed as well so you can see all the way back? If yes - is that panel removable?

Thinking for my dogs - keep the rear window open so we can see them and such.

Yes to both questions

 

[Jayhawks]

Correct, yes to both questions. I can see out and in the bed easily. In fact one could leave front window panel off altogether on the Maverick. Install is a little different from the video. About a 2” space between front of cover and back of cab. Also there is a mesh”window” available for the rear to allow air circulation for the dogs while still enclosed.
Softtopper is pretty ingenious design.

 

[dc73pdsgt]

they also have a pet window that you can add to the cab window that does require cutting the cab window and installing the pet window flap thingy. I did this on mine and it worked out well.

 

[pbrox]

I've had it on my Mav since September of last year, so as to protect my drums when traveling to a gig while still have the flexibility to remove the cover for larger items if necessary. Overall I am quite pleased with the product, as others have noted it is a tight fit on first deployment, but I hardly think that is a bad thing. It's about as waterproof as you could hope and expect it to be, in my opinion (for reference I am currently using it through a gray wet Washington winter). I did apply the seam waterproofing product that came it came with. I would recommend taking care upon application, as I did the waterproofing hastily, and it has some visible drips of waterproofing on the sides. I would recommend the product.

Sponsored