NFR Soft truck toppers

Non-fishing related
Steve Vaughn

Steve Vaughn

Steelhead
Forum Supporter
Wasn't sure if this thread belongs in the Gear forum but thought it might get better visibility here. I'm looking at putting a soft truck bed topper on my 2011 Silverado 1500. I'm reluctant to spend thousands for a hard topper on a 13-year-old truck. Earlier this year I added a Decked two-drawer system and even though the drawers stayed completely dry going through the car wash, I would still like to keep the weather (leaves, dirt, snow) off of it. A topper would also provide the same for camping gear placed on top of the Decked system. Does anyone here have or had experience with the soft toppers? What did you like or dislike? Thanks.

Steve
 
Maybe this thread will help:

Josh

NFR Thread 'Who has a folding tonneau cover on their truck?'

Recently picked up a used F150.

Anyone have experience with folding tonneau covers and PNW rain? I have a soft one (Gator SFX) that I use for my Ranger if the canopy is off and it's been a good purchase. Stays quite dry and can be completely removed in a couple minutes. But I also know that it's 0% secure. Not that I leave anything in there, but I would be annoyed if someone decided to poke a knife through and see. You also can't access the full bed without removing it completely. That's not a huge deal, as it goes off/on quickly. But the hard tri-fold ones often have the ability...
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RCF said:
Maybe this thread will help:

Josh

NFR Thread 'Who has a folding tonneau cover on their truck?'

Recently picked up a used F150.

Anyone have experience with folding tonneau covers and PNW rain? I have a soft one (Gator SFX) that I use for my Ranger if the canopy is off and it's been a good purchase. Stays quite dry and can be completely removed in a couple minutes. But I also know that it's 0% secure. Not that I leave anything in there, but I would be annoyed if someone decided to poke a knife through and see. You also can't access the full bed without removing it completely. That's not a huge deal, as it goes off/on quickly. But the hard tri-fold ones often have the ability...
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Thanks. I had a folding hard tonneau cover on a Ford Sport Trac, which was nice and versatile. Not really a viable option with the Decked system because there would not be enough space between it and a tonneau.
 
Sorry to derail your thread Steve, but I wonder how do you like your Decked Two Drawer system? I'm always looking a different ways to organize my junk in the bed of my truck Seems like you can almost double useful space by stashing tools or gear in the drawers and put the bulk heavy stuff on top.

The soft topper seems like a great idea for a removable canopy. I've often considered one.

Sam
 
I was looking to buy a canopy used for late model truck. Saw lots of them for your year range used at 500-1000. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. In addition, call some local dealers, at times they have a used one sitting there.
 
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I have a Softopper on my Frontier. I picked it up off Craigslist for $350 after failing to find any used fiberglass canopies and not wanting to shell out $3k for a new one. Overall I like it. It's basically an enclosed bimini top. For the most part I just leave it on year round, I've taken it off for a few months before and getting it back on was a pain, the canvas had shrunk a bit and getting the snaps to line up wasn't easy but it may just be the way I have it adjusted. It's made to be able to remove/lay flat/roll up the sides.

It keeps things reasonably dry in the bed, after heavy rains I might have a couple damp spots but nothing really wet, I'm assuming it's the nature of the seams and could probably be hit with some seam sealer on the inside to alleviate that.

The only real con I've found with it is the back plastic window is a pain to keep clean to see very well out the back. I believe because the previous owner of mine may have used something abrasive on the back window I've had a hard time finding something to polish it clear again, it might take some actual power tools and plastic/vinyl polishing compound to get the haze to go away.
 
Sam Roffe said:
Sorry to derail your thread Steve, but I wonder how do you like your Decked Two Drawer system? I'm always looking a different ways to organize my junk in the bed of my truck Seems like you can almost double useful space by stashing tools or gear in the drawers and put the bulk heavy stuff on top.

The soft topper seems like a great idea for a removable canopy. I've often considered one.

Sam
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I really like mine for keeping my fishing gear secure and out of sight. The system is not cheap. I opted for local dealer install and extra locks and the cost was almost $2k. I recommend giving a lot of thought to what you will put in it to decide if the one drawer or two drawer works best. Good luck.
 
Steve, I am in the market for a new tonneau cover myself, but there are times when a bigger enclosure would be nice. I just did a Google search and found a company called Fas-top. It has a cover that can be a tonneau cover and then will transform into a soft top in a couple minutes. Intriguing. Not sure if it would work with the Decked system as the soft top stores underneath the tonneau cover, so not sure if there is room there but it might be worth a call to them.
 
Wayne Kohan said:
Steve, I am in the market for a new tonneau cover myself, but there are times when a bigger enclosure would be nice. I just did a Google search and found a company called Fas-top. It has a cover that can be a tonneau cover and then will transform into a soft top in a couple minutes. Intriguing. Not sure if it would work with the Decked system as the soft top stores underneath the tonneau cover, so not sure if there is room there but it might be worth a call to them.
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The Ram I drive is the first truck I've owned without a canopy. I use a Vanish rollup tonneau cover and really like it although it's is not water tight or dust proof. I've thought about replacing it with a soft top so I'm following this thread. I don't miss the hard top canopy at all.
 
I have an XTANG trifold on my 2011 Tacoma which I installed just after the I purchased it in late 2010. No rips, or tears, but it has slightly faded over the years. It is easily removed when I need to the bed for large loads. Only drawback is that it does not lock, but with a soft-top a lock would seem useless. Not a problem for me as I keep the bed empty except when using it, but for the OP that might be an issue
 
kmudgn said:
I have an XTANG trifold on my 2011 Tacoma which I installed just after the I purchased it in late 2010. No rips, or tears, but it has slightly faded over the years. It is easily removed when I need to the bed for large loads. Only drawback is that it does not lock, but with a soft-top a lock would seem useless. Not a problem for me as I keep the bed empty except when using it, but for the OP that might be an issue
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The tailgate on my 2016 Ram locks with the cab doors and the rollup tonneau locks at the tailgate so it can't be opened. Twice someone has lifted the side velcro closures trying to gain access but the cover can't be lifted more than perhaps 10-inches. Unless someone takes a knife to the cover I feel the tonneau provides decent security. Any thief that really is motivated could get past the "lock" in seconds with a box cutter. I typically don't keep anything back there except a tote with a tow strap and jumper cables.
 
Sam Roffe said:
Sorry to derail your thread Steve, but I wonder how do you like your Decked Two Drawer system? I'm always looking a different ways to organize my junk in the bed of my truck Seems like you can almost double useful space by stashing tools or gear in the drawers and put the bulk heavy stuff on top.

The soft topper seems like a great idea for a removable canopy. I've often considered one.

Sam
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Used scrap lumber except for a sheet of plywood. Probably got $60 in it.
 
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