Softopper Camper Shell Review - Functional & STylish Soft Camper Shell for the Toyota TAcoma
Since I got into overlanding and offroading, I’ve always wanted a camper shell to build an awesome camping setup in the bed of my Toyota Tacoma. Recently I made that dream come true and picked up the Softopper Camper Shell. Before buying I read a lot of reviews about its functionality and durability and knew I had to get my hands on one, plus for a fraction of the cost of a fiberglass camper shell, I just couldn’t resist.
Why I Chose the Softopper vs a Fiberglass Camper Shell
While to some people, buying a canvas camper shell seems like a dumb choice since no matter what, fiberglass will almost always last longer in the long run. Functionality has been a super important aspect of building out my Tacoma and adding a camper shell adds a lot more functionality but can also take a lot away.
Since I still very regularly use my truck to haul larger things around (like furniture, gravel, or just random junk) I needed something that could be removed easily. You can always remove a fiberglass camper shell but I didn’t want to deal with having to take it off every single time I hauled something bigger and have to deal with finding a place to store it and worry about theft. The awesome thing that drew me in to purchasing the Softopper was the ability to fully retract it in under a minute and it still be attached to my truck if I wanted to put it back up after I was done.
The second reason behind purchasing the softopper was the ability to set it up exactly how I wanted in terms of things like the “safari mode” or just rolling up the front or back window. You can also add mesh screens and since I wanted to do a lot of camping out of it, this was a great choice so I can roll up the sides or windows and still have protection from bugs.
Lastly, and honestly another main reason, was the price point. A customized and paint matched fiberglass camper shell will set you back at least $2,000 and the Softopper can be purchased for just under $1,000 ($954 is roughly what I paid). Sure you don’t get all of the customization out of a Softopper that you can with a fiberglass camper shell but I really like the more “rugged” look of the Softopper for my truck anyway.
Installing the Softopper
With the help of my friend we were able to put it on in about an hour and a half. I’ve heard people say they could put theirs on in about 45 minutes but we weren’t in a rush (and I’m super picky). The installation instructions provided from Softopper can look a bit challenging but if you just take the time to do it step by step it was super easy and straightforward. I also recommend looking up a YouTube video beforehand just to understand what some of the parts are.
Most things lined up perfectly and just needed minor adjustments to get it sitting where I liked as close to the cab as possible and it was super sturdy taking the interstate home right after.
In the event something does break in the future, Softopper made every single part replaceable and it can be ordered on their site. This was an amazing aspect that I took note of when buying mine as most aftermarket parts and modifications don’t allow you to fix things yourself.
Softopper Specs and Features
Now for the technical side of things if you’re into that type of stuff:
Weight: 18-30lbs.
Roll up side panels and rear window.
Clear Vinyl Windows.
Canopy is made from 2-Ply Laminated PVC coated sailcloth.
Waterproof, UV Stabilization to prevent mildew, rotting, and fading.
4 Season Fabric.
Frame is made out of anti-rust aluminum.
No drilling required (unless you choose to use the provided snap clips for the cab-facing window).
All parts individually replaceable.