Bestop appearance and fitment vs Softopper

[BajaTJ]

First off, I’m not a fan of the Softopper Velcro on the ends. I like the idea of the 4 channel attachment used by the Bestop, especially the tailgate. I also like how the bows mount to the bed better. However, I’m having a hard time getting past the fitment of the Bestop I’m seeing in pics.

The Softopper looks like a proper canvas bed soft bed cap. It snugs up to the cab, follows the roof line, and has a very good shape in general. The Bestop has a huge V shaped gap behind the cab which gives it an odd trapezoidal shape, and I’m sure catches more wind. It looks taller than the roof line and seems to run uphill toward the tailgate. I realize the vehicle rake isn’t helping, but it seems excessive. It looks more like a Quasimodo circus tent afterthought to me. I really want to like the Bestop for the reasons above. Are these just poor installations I’m seeing? The silver is the Softopper.

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[troopertrek]

A few pictures of my Softopper. Install can be a pain, but it looks good once it’s dialed in.

 

[BajaTJ]

A few pictures of my Softopper. Install can be a pain, but it looks good once it’s dialed in.

Yes, other than the Velcro tailgate, I think the Softopper looks really good. Nice rig, btw!

 

[troopertrek]

@BajaTJ - I also liked the setup on the rear (tailgate) of the bestop cover better than the Softopper. But overall, I think the bestop is super ugly for the same reasons you mentioned. I actually don’t mind the way my Softopper closes now. I’ve got a 2” strip of xpel paint film across the top of the tailgate to prevent paint damage. I did not install the Velcro.

 

[troopertrek]

I originally installed some rare earth magnets inside the tailgate to get around using the Velcro. It lays fine without anything IMO. I will still be using the magnets for bottom fitment of my topper tent.

https://thetoppertent.com/

 

[BajaTJ]

I originally installed some rare earth magnets inside the tailgate to get around using the Velcro. It lays fine without anything IMO. I will still be using the magnets for bottom fitment of my topper tent.

https://thetoppertent.com/

I like that. Why did you abandon the magnet idea? Has anyone followed you to see how much flapping around the back window does unattached?

 

[troopertrek]

The rear window doesn’t really fall far enough down to need to use them. Also, the bar across the lower part of the window holds the entire rear window assembly pretty firmly. I’ve not had anyone follow me, but I don’t believe it’s flapping. If you push on the canvas material below the window & above the tailgate it doesn’t move much. You cannot push it inward and make the lower “hanging” portion go through and into the bed. I mean I suppose you could, but you’d be bending and damaging the bar in the process. As such, I don’t think it’s flopping it around - at least no more than a regular Jeep soft top window would. I can take a few more pics later if you want.

 

[BajaTJ]

The rear window doesn’t really fall far enough down to need to use them. Also, the bar across the lower part of the window holds the entire rear window assembly pretty firmly. I’ve not had anyone follow me, but I don’t believe it’s flapping. If you push on the canvas material below the window & above the tailgate it doesn’t move much. You cannot push it inward and make the lower “hanging” portion go through and into the bed. I mean I suppose you could, but you’d be bending and damaging the bar in the process. As such, I don’t think it’s flopping it around - at least no more than a regular Jeep soft top window would. I can take a few more pics later if you want.

This sounds promising. Very helpful, thanks. I wasn’t aware the Softopper had a bar across the tailgate. I wonder how much finagling it would take to retrofit a tailgate crossbar that the material velcro’d to instead So you could open the tailgate.

 

[alwhite]

This sounds promising. Very helpful, thanks. I wasn’t aware the Softopper had a bar across the tailgate. I wonder how much finagling it would take to retrofit a tailgate crossbar that the material velcro’d to instead So you could open the tailgate.

the bar slides through the material and doesnt interfere with the tailgate opening. I'll take a picture at lunch and post.

 

[BA33]

Have you checked out the Agri-Cover Outlander? I think it looks the best of the bunch. My only hesitation is that it folds up against the back of the cab rather than tucking away inside the bed.

 

[alwhite]

the bar slides through the material and doesnt interfere with the tailgate opening. I'll take a picture at lunch and post.

 

[alwhite]

Have you checked out the Agri-Cover Outlander? I think it looks the best of the bunch. My only hesitation is that it folds up against the back of the cab rather than tucking away inside the bed.

Really like the looks. Having to store the side windows, and it not folding into the bed are dealbreakers for me tho.

 

[troopertrek]

Is this a reflection of the sun or did it rub through your paint?

 

[Coldtoes]

Really like the looks. Having to store the side windows, and it not folding into the bed are dealbreakers for me tho.

Agreed. Which is why I just ordered a Softtopper. It's not ideal, but its the best of the bunch for me.

 

[alwhite]

Is this a reflection of the sun or did it rub through your paint?

Just a reflection. I've had no rubbing with it in two years. Only "issue" is that the trail rail doesnt allow it to snap into the bed by the cab, so its velcroed there. No big deal really, but snaps would have been the better option.

I also no longer velcro over the tailgate. Havent had any excessive flapping, or water intrusion. The gobi rack is causing more buffeting on the softopper, but so far its holding up well.

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