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Tonneau vs Soft Camper Shell

Posted on 4/2/24 at 3:10 pm
Posted by shadowlsu
BR
Member since May 2011
318 posts
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.
Posted by lsujunky
Down By The River
Member since Jun 2011
2259 posts
Posted on 4/2/24 at 5:08 pm to
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.
This post was edited on 4/2/24 at 5:53 pm
Posted by Saskwatch
Member since Feb 2016
16551 posts
Posted on 4/2/24 at 6:25 pm to
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 by JDPndahizzy
JDP
Member since Nov 2013
6437 posts
Posted on 4/3/24 at 7:54 am to
quote:

Soft Camper Shell


Wow... I didn't even know these existed..
Posted by Che Boludo
Member since May 2009
18185 posts
Posted on 4/3/24 at 12:40 pm to
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.
Posted by ozktgr
North Arkansas
Member since Mar 2020
329 posts
Posted on 4/3/24 at 1:14 pm to
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)
Posted by TygerTyger
Houston
Member since Oct 2010
9199 posts
Posted on 4/3/24 at 3:38 pm to
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.
Posted by lsupride87
Member since Dec 2007
95122 posts
Posted on 4/3/24 at 9:45 pm to
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

Posted by shadowlsu
BR
Member since May 2011
318 posts
Posted on 4/4/24 at 7:21 pm to
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 by lsupride87
Member since Dec 2007
95122 posts
Posted on 4/5/24 at 6:17 am to
quote:

Are you able to see out of the rear view mirror or does it create a big blind spot?
Zero blind spot issues. From a driving perspective it’s the same as having no cover at all
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