Soft shells?
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 393
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From: Santa Clara, CA
Soft shells?
Hi,
Has anybody used a Softopper or Bestop? What are your opinions?
We have a 2005 F350 SB with a hard shell but also a GN horse trailer so taking it on/off is pretty frequent. We pretty much can make the switch in 15/20 mins, but we have to store it in our garage (which is not very big) on a frame. The appeal of one of the products above is to maintain a more traditional picktruck look, make it easier to hitch up and go, but also to pop it up and take the dogs around or store stuff sheltered from the weather (water damage is not a major concerns, dogs can get a little wet….). The longest trip with the top up would be 200-300 miles at most.
We live in the SF BayArea, so we don’t really have extreme conditions (heavy snow, rain o heat/cold) although we would travel occasionally to the Sierras (top up with dogs and stuff and hopefully some snow fall). My biggest concern is ventilation for the dogs and if there are any tips/mods to enhance that when we travel to central California to visit the in-laws (100F in the summer). The other concern is dog security: can they open the back flap and jump out? (or can it be “locked/secured”)
Since we have a KR(copper/tan) I’m leaning a bit towards the softopper since it can be purchased in tan.
Eventually I would give the old shell to the in-laws (F250 SB) or sell it.
Has anybody used a Softopper or Bestop? What are your opinions?
We have a 2005 F350 SB with a hard shell but also a GN horse trailer so taking it on/off is pretty frequent. We pretty much can make the switch in 15/20 mins, but we have to store it in our garage (which is not very big) on a frame. The appeal of one of the products above is to maintain a more traditional picktruck look, make it easier to hitch up and go, but also to pop it up and take the dogs around or store stuff sheltered from the weather (water damage is not a major concerns, dogs can get a little wet….). The longest trip with the top up would be 200-300 miles at most.
We live in the SF BayArea, so we don’t really have extreme conditions (heavy snow, rain o heat/cold) although we would travel occasionally to the Sierras (top up with dogs and stuff and hopefully some snow fall). My biggest concern is ventilation for the dogs and if there are any tips/mods to enhance that when we travel to central California to visit the in-laws (100F in the summer). The other concern is dog security: can they open the back flap and jump out? (or can it be “locked/secured”)
Since we have a KR(copper/tan) I’m leaning a bit towards the softopper since it can be purchased in tan.
Eventually I would give the old shell to the in-laws (F250 SB) or sell it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 84
From: Rainier OR
For the last 15 years I have had a roll up tonneau. The do better at keeping things dry than you would think, and while not burglar proof, it does keep things out of sight. Its nice to be able to cover the bed back up after taking our 5th wheel somewhere. I had a truxedo low pro QT. nice lid and might get again, but now looking at the access Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | ACCESS Roll Up Tonneau Covers
The truxedo only latches on one side, that is why I am looking at access.
The truxedo only latches on one side, that is why I am looking at access.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
For the last 15 years I have had a roll up tonneau. The do better at keeping things dry than you would think, and while not burglar proof, it does keep things out of sight. Its nice to be able to cover the bed back up after taking our 5th wheel somewhere. I had a truxedo low pro QT. nice lid and might get again, but now looking at the access Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | ACCESS Roll Up Tonneau Covers
The truxedo only latches on one side, that is why I am looking at access.
The truxedo only latches on one side, that is why I am looking at access.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 871
Likes: 74
From: Houston TEXAS
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 84
From: Rainier OR
Sorry about that, I misunderstood the question. I have seen very few of these on the road. there is a short bed one for sale on craigslist up in the Portland OR area. If it was a long bed one I might give it a try
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RickBetterley
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