Power247
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2012
- Posts
- 5,615
- Reaction score
- 947
- Location
- High Point, NC
- Ram Year
- 2019
- Engine
- 6.4 HEMI
Every truck I have owned has had a soft tonneau cover. It is a necessity for me since I like to keep stuff in the bed out of the weather when traveling but still need to use my truck as a truck on a fairly regular basis. Unfortunately, trying to fit everything needed for a week long camping trip under the tonneau became more like a frustrating game of tetris. A fiberglass cap is out of the question since I cannot easily remove it by myself.
Several months ago I saw a truck in a parking lot that had one of these canvas camper shells and i had to find out more. Searching online I found that there were 2 companies making canvas camper shells: Softopper and Bestop. Both offerings look to be of similar quality and are about the same price. I decided on the Softopper because the sides are made solid canvas and all the panels could be folded up together. The Bestop cover required the sides and tailgate end to be stored separate from the folded up cover, based on the instruction on their website. Plus Softopper offered an optional protective case for the cover when it was collapsed.
I figured I would do a little write up incase there were others that may be interested.
Installation was a breeze needing just an impact driver (or socket) and a phillips driver bit.
Unpacking the cover
All frame components are aluminum and came individually wrapped. The instructions were easy to follow but really this kit could be put together without them. Everything was color coded and is designed to fit together with 'click lock' connections.
With the components pre assembled installation consisted of clamping the rails to the truck bed and attaching the accordion frame to the rails.
Then open the frame secure to the rails with the tether straps for stability. They hold the frame in place while you attach the canvas. Place the canvas on top of the frame and fold down all the panels. The front and back secure with velcro or snaps that you can screw into you bedliner. The sides attach with snaps on the rails.
The back panel has heavy-duty zippers that run vertical to attach to each side. The other corners lock together with prestiched velcro inserts. I was impressed with how well all the pieces fit together.
They include a bottle of canvas seam sealer that you apply inside over all the stitching to waterproof the cover. This is a needed step once the canvas is installed and has a some time in the sun to settle into place. We had have had a ton of rain since installing the cover and it has stayed nice and dry in the bed, even when traveling at highway speeds.
****UPDATE**** The seam sealer they provided did not hold up too well. I resealed all the seams with brush-on boot silicone and has been water tight now for over 2 years.
My favorite feature is how compact the cover is when it is folded up. When wrapped in the optional cover it takes up almost no space and allows the entire bed to be used when needed.
I have to say that so far I am a very satisfied customer. I am impressed with the overall quality of this cover. I ordered directly from Softopper. I selected standard shipping and had my cover in my house in 4 business days.
Hopefully this will help someone that, like me, needs a lightweight, removable bed cover that provides more covered space than a typical tonneau cover.
Greg
Several months ago I saw a truck in a parking lot that had one of these canvas camper shells and i had to find out more. Searching online I found that there were 2 companies making canvas camper shells: Softopper and Bestop. Both offerings look to be of similar quality and are about the same price. I decided on the Softopper because the sides are made solid canvas and all the panels could be folded up together. The Bestop cover required the sides and tailgate end to be stored separate from the folded up cover, based on the instruction on their website. Plus Softopper offered an optional protective case for the cover when it was collapsed.
I figured I would do a little write up incase there were others that may be interested.
Installation was a breeze needing just an impact driver (or socket) and a phillips driver bit.
Unpacking the cover
All frame components are aluminum and came individually wrapped. The instructions were easy to follow but really this kit could be put together without them. Everything was color coded and is designed to fit together with 'click lock' connections.
With the components pre assembled installation consisted of clamping the rails to the truck bed and attaching the accordion frame to the rails.
Then open the frame secure to the rails with the tether straps for stability. They hold the frame in place while you attach the canvas. Place the canvas on top of the frame and fold down all the panels. The front and back secure with velcro or snaps that you can screw into you bedliner. The sides attach with snaps on the rails.
The back panel has heavy-duty zippers that run vertical to attach to each side. The other corners lock together with prestiched velcro inserts. I was impressed with how well all the pieces fit together.
They include a bottle of canvas seam sealer that you apply inside over all the stitching to waterproof the cover. This is a needed step once the canvas is installed and has a some time in the sun to settle into place. We had have had a ton of rain since installing the cover and it has stayed nice and dry in the bed, even when traveling at highway speeds.
****UPDATE**** The seam sealer they provided did not hold up too well. I resealed all the seams with brush-on boot silicone and has been water tight now for over 2 years.
My favorite feature is how compact the cover is when it is folded up. When wrapped in the optional cover it takes up almost no space and allows the entire bed to be used when needed.
I have to say that so far I am a very satisfied customer. I am impressed with the overall quality of this cover. I ordered directly from Softopper. I selected standard shipping and had my cover in my house in 4 business days.
Hopefully this will help someone that, like me, needs a lightweight, removable bed cover that provides more covered space than a typical tonneau cover.
Greg
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