NHJeep4x4
Active Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2023
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 41
- Location
- New Hampshire
- Vehicle(s)
- 2022 JT Sport S Ecodiesel, 1987 YJ
- Thread starter
- #1
A traditional soft tonneau cover has always fit my daily use best, providing weather protection for stuff in the bed, with the ability to easily have full open bed use. Now with two kids and a dog, I really wanted a cap for the dog, but I don't like the look of a full time cap, and I did not want to give up the ability to have an open bed to fit tall, bulky items, dump runs, etc.
I liked the convenience of pulling up a soft cap when needed, but I didn't want to be stuck with an open bed when it's not deployed. How can I get all three options?
Enter the Fas-Top Traveler. This is the only product I have found that gives me the ability to have a tonneau, topper, or open bed, without installing/uninstalling parts depending on use. All parts stow in the bed, ready for any option any time.
I only had two thoughts of hesitation about this product. First, the bed rails are not parallel to the truck's bed sides. Sounds minor, but I like good fit and finish, and I had not seen this on any other tonneau or topper manufacturer do this, so it seemed unnecessary or a way to save a manufacturing step. Second, the side panels of the topper attach to the tracks by velcro only, no snaps or clips, etc. I wasn't crazy about the velcro being stretched in a direction which pulls it away from the face of the rail velcro (as opposed to tonneau configuration where the fabric is pulled parallel to the surface). I was concerned about high wind suction on the sides.
During install, it is plain to see why the tracks must be non-parallel to the bed, which is due to the jog in the bed rail near the tailgate. Some other manufacturers modify the rail at the back, but doing that on the Fas-Top rail would require a different latch system than what I expect to be their standard across different models, so instead they have straddled the gap. However, the rail and clamps are much more substantial than other tonneau cover rails I have seen. And by the time it is clamped into position, it does not flex or move. I often grab the bed side to hop over it into the bed, and doing this on the Fas-Top rail doe not budge it at all. So the quality there overshadows any concern of a non-parallel rail.
I found the quality of all the components and hardware to be excellent. Hardware and brackets especially susceptible to wear or greater moisture contact appeared to be stainless. My order was missing a couple pieces, which was quickly resolved with a call to Fas-Top.
The sling that holds the topper when not in use was supposed to have grommets in it to attach to the front rail according to the instructions, but no grommets were installed. So I got a brass grommet kit from the hardware store and added them.
The topper wraps up neatly in the front sling, and takes a little space out of the bed, maybe another 10 or 12 inches.
The tonneau canvas fit is excellent, nice and tight with easy adjustment. It would have been nice to have two cross bars like my last tonneau instead of just one, but it pulls tight anyhow and the canvas appears to be excellent quality.
The topper fit is good. The canvas stretches out fairly taught; not too loose, and that all depends on how well I attach it at the base. I expect it should get better the more I use it. The front and rear windows did not stretch out a lot, but there is some adjustment in the system, so I may be able to improve that. I also ordered the optional rear net for dogs and rear blackout canvas when I don't want the inside visible.
It was raining today, so I took it out for a test with the kids and dog. The first time trying to deploy the topper, I timed myself at 9 minutes to completely deploy it, pulling and tightening all the straps, zippers, sealing the velcro, etc. Not bad for the first try.
I check for leaks afterwards. I realize it is unreasonable to think it will be completely waterproof by the nature of how it wraps behind the rolled tonneau cover in the front, and it did indeed leak a bit there. So not concerned about that really. A tonneau isn't waterproof either.
I did notice leaks through the canvas stitching at both rear side loops for when the sides are wrapped up. This will need to be addressed with some kind of canvas sealant.
I was also pleased to see that the rail velcro held very well after going on the highway, which eases that concern. If the velcro were to start wearing out, I could always add supplementary screw-in buttons, similar to what other manufacturers use; but so far, so good.
Overall, I'm really happy with it. I realize when a product needs to meet several needs, it won't be 100% excellent at each one. But this one is very good for what it is, and I really like the quality, ease of use, and freedom it provides.
I liked the convenience of pulling up a soft cap when needed, but I didn't want to be stuck with an open bed when it's not deployed. How can I get all three options?
Enter the Fas-Top Traveler. This is the only product I have found that gives me the ability to have a tonneau, topper, or open bed, without installing/uninstalling parts depending on use. All parts stow in the bed, ready for any option any time.
I only had two thoughts of hesitation about this product. First, the bed rails are not parallel to the truck's bed sides. Sounds minor, but I like good fit and finish, and I had not seen this on any other tonneau or topper manufacturer do this, so it seemed unnecessary or a way to save a manufacturing step. Second, the side panels of the topper attach to the tracks by velcro only, no snaps or clips, etc. I wasn't crazy about the velcro being stretched in a direction which pulls it away from the face of the rail velcro (as opposed to tonneau configuration where the fabric is pulled parallel to the surface). I was concerned about high wind suction on the sides.
During install, it is plain to see why the tracks must be non-parallel to the bed, which is due to the jog in the bed rail near the tailgate. Some other manufacturers modify the rail at the back, but doing that on the Fas-Top rail would require a different latch system than what I expect to be their standard across different models, so instead they have straddled the gap. However, the rail and clamps are much more substantial than other tonneau cover rails I have seen. And by the time it is clamped into position, it does not flex or move. I often grab the bed side to hop over it into the bed, and doing this on the Fas-Top rail doe not budge it at all. So the quality there overshadows any concern of a non-parallel rail.
I found the quality of all the components and hardware to be excellent. Hardware and brackets especially susceptible to wear or greater moisture contact appeared to be stainless. My order was missing a couple pieces, which was quickly resolved with a call to Fas-Top.
The sling that holds the topper when not in use was supposed to have grommets in it to attach to the front rail according to the instructions, but no grommets were installed. So I got a brass grommet kit from the hardware store and added them.
The topper wraps up neatly in the front sling, and takes a little space out of the bed, maybe another 10 or 12 inches.
The tonneau canvas fit is excellent, nice and tight with easy adjustment. It would have been nice to have two cross bars like my last tonneau instead of just one, but it pulls tight anyhow and the canvas appears to be excellent quality.
The topper fit is good. The canvas stretches out fairly taught; not too loose, and that all depends on how well I attach it at the base. I expect it should get better the more I use it. The front and rear windows did not stretch out a lot, but there is some adjustment in the system, so I may be able to improve that. I also ordered the optional rear net for dogs and rear blackout canvas when I don't want the inside visible.
It was raining today, so I took it out for a test with the kids and dog. The first time trying to deploy the topper, I timed myself at 9 minutes to completely deploy it, pulling and tightening all the straps, zippers, sealing the velcro, etc. Not bad for the first try.
I check for leaks afterwards. I realize it is unreasonable to think it will be completely waterproof by the nature of how it wraps behind the rolled tonneau cover in the front, and it did indeed leak a bit there. So not concerned about that really. A tonneau isn't waterproof either.
I did notice leaks through the canvas stitching at both rear side loops for when the sides are wrapped up. This will need to be addressed with some kind of canvas sealant.
I was also pleased to see that the rail velcro held very well after going on the highway, which eases that concern. If the velcro were to start wearing out, I could always add supplementary screw-in buttons, similar to what other manufacturers use; but so far, so good.
Overall, I'm really happy with it. I realize when a product needs to meet several needs, it won't be 100% excellent at each one. But this one is very good for what it is, and I really like the quality, ease of use, and freedom it provides.
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