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Started By
Message
Tonneau vs Soft Camper Shell
Posted on 4/2/24 at 3:10 pm
Posted on 4/2/24 at 3:10 pm
I just got a n2021 Tundra and debating between the two. I had a Bak Flip on the old truck and it lasted me 12 years. I kind of like the idea of having more storage room for trips/camping etc. There were times when my old truck was packed to the gills or had a taller item where I had to leave it partially open. Countless times I would either crush my fishing poles since they were the last thing packed, or strap them to the outside of the cover. A soft top would solve those issues. Cons of the soft top would be losing access to my roll-down window, theft, possibly worse gas mileage?, reduced visibility out of the rear window, etc.
Anyone have a soft camper and regret it?
Anyone go from a tonneau to soft camper or vice versa?
If I go back to a tonneau it will be Bak Flip, and there are other threads on debating tonneau covers so I'm trying to keep this strictly bt tonneau and soft camper/topper.
Anyone have a soft camper and regret it?
Anyone go from a tonneau to soft camper or vice versa?
If I go back to a tonneau it will be Bak Flip, and there are other threads on debating tonneau covers so I'm trying to keep this strictly bt tonneau and soft camper/topper.
8
Posted on 4/2/24 at 5:08 pm to shadowlsu
If you can afford to lose some space in your bed you may want to look at the Gator Recoil or the Roll-N-Lock covers. I think the Gator cover canister is a 12” and the Roll-N-Lock is 8”. We have several company trucks and have tried several different kinds of covers and these have been the most practical for us.
eta..I think we have Retrax and Gator. If I remember the Roll-N-Lock is spring load and the one we tried busted the canister because they weren’t holding the strap when they would open it. The other two you have to actually push to open.
eta..I think we have Retrax and Gator. If I remember the Roll-N-Lock is spring load and the one we tried busted the canister because they weren’t holding the strap when they would open it. The other two you have to actually push to open.
This post was edited on 4/2/24 at 5:53 pm
Posted on 4/2/24 at 6:25 pm to shadowlsu
quote:
Cons of the soft top would be losing access to my roll-down window, theft, possibly worse gas mileage?, reduced visibility out of the rear window, etc.
Aren’t they removable? You wouldn’t have to have it on the truck the whole time
Posted on 4/3/24 at 7:54 am to shadowlsu
quote:
Soft Camper Shell
Wow... I didn't even know these existed..
Posted on 4/3/24 at 12:40 pm to shadowlsu
This is funny as my son and I were talking about soft camper shells yesterday.
I have an ARE Truck cap. It's great for travel and outdoor activities.
Not a big fan of the Tonneau covers, but to each his own. There are times I wish my truck cap weren't on, as it inhibits using the bed to move certain things around. I also hate removing it, as it's a pain in the arse and I'm always overly concerned about leaks.
My only concern is that I use my truck pretty rough. Lots of branch scratches along the sides. I couldn't use the soft shell, as I'd certainly rip it at some point.
If that isn't a big concern. The soft shell would be a good option IMO. Much easier to deal with than a hardshell.
I have an ARE Truck cap. It's great for travel and outdoor activities.
Not a big fan of the Tonneau covers, but to each his own. There are times I wish my truck cap weren't on, as it inhibits using the bed to move certain things around. I also hate removing it, as it's a pain in the arse and I'm always overly concerned about leaks.
My only concern is that I use my truck pretty rough. Lots of branch scratches along the sides. I couldn't use the soft shell, as I'd certainly rip it at some point.
If that isn't a big concern. The soft shell would be a good option IMO. Much easier to deal with than a hardshell.
Posted on 4/3/24 at 1:14 pm to shadowlsu
Considering one for my truck as well.
I know the softtopper brand can collapse and store in a bag without being completely taken off (like a Bimini top on a boat)
I know the softtopper brand can collapse and store in a bag without being completely taken off (like a Bimini top on a boat)
Posted on 4/3/24 at 3:38 pm to shadowlsu
I had a 2012 Tacoma with a Leer camper on the bed and I really liked it. I was able to put my two Goldens back there and keep the cab relatively free of dog hair. I could also lock it and not worry when I had one of my bikes back there.
I traded the Tacoma in a couple of months ago and got a 2020 Tundra with a 6.5' bed. I really like the way it looks without a camper on it and I think I'm going to hold off on buying one.
I have a Honda CRF450RL enduro bike now and it fits in the bed with the tail gate up which is nice.
I may end up getting a camper top later on, but if I do, it will be a hard top, not a soft top. Those things have a short lifespan and are not worth it in my opinion.
I traded the Tacoma in a couple of months ago and got a 2020 Tundra with a 6.5' bed. I really like the way it looks without a camper on it and I think I'm going to hold off on buying one.
I have a Honda CRF450RL enduro bike now and it fits in the bed with the tail gate up which is nice.
I may end up getting a camper top later on, but if I do, it will be a hard top, not a soft top. Those things have a short lifespan and are not worth it in my opinion.
Posted on 4/3/24 at 9:45 pm to JDPndahizzy
I use a soft camper shell during hunting season to throw the dog in the back with his kennel(I do 15 plus hour drives through freezing Kansas). It’s the SoftTopper brand
It has been great and the price compared to a hard top you can’t beat
It has been great and the price compared to a hard top you can’t beat
Posted on 4/4/24 at 7:21 pm to lsupride87
quote:
It’s the SoftTopper brand
Are you able to see out of the rear view mirror or does it create a big blind spot?
Posted on 4/5/24 at 6:17 am to shadowlsu
quote:Zero blind spot issues. From a driving perspective it’s the same as having no cover at all
Are you able to see out of the rear view mirror or does it create a big blind spot?
Posted on 6/26/24 at 7:44 am to lsupride87
quote:
Zero blind spot issues. From a driving perspective it’s the same as having no cover at all
How long have you had it? Do you think it will hold up long term?
I'm torn between the Softopper and the Wild Top.
The Wild Top doesn't fold up and has a storage rack on it. The pro for that one is that I can throw my pirogue up there. Just concerned with how long it will last since it's exposed to the elements 100% of the time during hunting season. With the softopper I'd probably be leaving it folded until I went hunting. Also wouldn't have to store the softopper somewhere during the summer.
This post was edited on 6/26/24 at 7:45 am
Posted on 6/26/24 at 8:03 am to shadowlsu
I really wanted to come in here and just say something snarky like, just get a mini-van or something like that but now I want a soft camper shell. 
Posted on 6/26/24 at 8:30 am to shadowlsu
One reason not to get a soft shell.
You stuff is never TRULY safe.
You stuff is never TRULY safe.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 8:59 am to Lonnie Utah
quote:
One reason not to get a soft shell.
True.
quote:
You stuff is never TRULY safe.
Also true, including with the hard tops. If somebody wants in they just pick up a rock.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 9:06 am to Stexas
quote:
I really wanted to come in here and just say something snarky like, just get a mini-van or something like
I know a guy who drives an old AWD Toyota Sienna. He loves the sucker. It's actually pretty practical for the hunting he does. He puts his ice chests on a hitch rack and keeps all his gear plus his bed in it when we are camped out.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 4:29 pm to Loup
quote:
If somebody wants in they just pick up a rock.
Not if it's bigger than the window...
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