IN DEPTH REVIEW: Fiberglass Camper Shell VS Softopper Truck Toppers

[@darksi226]

Great follow up. Watched your soft topper review first. Thanks for sharing.

[@208Tyler]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! I appreciate it! 🤙

[@deborahdelgado2019]

This helps, Im looking for the best top to put my dog in back. But was concerned about fumes and heat in FL.

[@208Tyler]

Glad it helped!

[@richcannon92]

Thanks for the info. Can't decide myself. Thinking the soft topper because I like having easy full access of the truck bed. But the idea of a solid shell with better wind flow also sounds good.

[@208Tyler]

Check out my most recent video for a fiberglass shell setup that I'm really excited about - it has contractor windows which are AWESOME. I can reach almost anything anywhere in the bed through those windows (windoors as some people call them) on the sides of the shell: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoWkdomFncyYoJY

[@rockie307]

Had both unless you need the space fiberglass is much better. Better ventilation with screens. Better insulation much cooler when hot or warmer when cold. Better in bear country for obvious reasons. Less likely to leak more durable less condensation when you wake up in the morning. Easier to get in and close from the inside when camping.

[@208Tyler]

Well said!

[@greym6436]

Great info! I dig soft top, but I am sucker for security. So I have a used $500 fiberglass top. It even came with a plexiglass window on one side where you can mount accessories to it. I mount my Mt. Bike with a hitch Mount system to retain my bed space. They even have dirtbike mount systems at harbor freight for load. -Once again great content 👌

[@208Tyler]

Thanks! Yup. I like the security too, and got my current white fiberglass top for $400…. Just a better deal for me than a softopper. They work good though, and look good too!

[@greym6436]

@@208Tyler absolutely!

[@EZK4ME93]

Dude, love the content. Just for a 04 tundra and your channel has been a huge inspo for that! Keep it up man! Getting my soft topper soon!

[@208Tyler]

Thank you for watching, I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Have fun with your softopper!

[@TripSmith]

Great insights Tyler. I agree with pretty much everything you said.... I'm a fan of the fiberglass shells ;)

[@208Tyler]

Thank you! Getting a good deal on a fiberglass shell is tough to beat. Thanks for watching 🤙

[@ttownscott]

Thanks, this was more helpful that I thought it would be!

[@208Tyler]

Haha thanks

[@jh748]

Great comparison; thanks for taking the time !!

[@208Tyler]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@davidleadford6511]

I recently priced (Feb 2023) a hard shell for my 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X. Anywhere from 4K to 6K. Seriously looking at Softopper or Bestopper. And I do like some things I can do with those such as folding them back so I can utilize the bed of the truck for other purposes. Security of belongings in the bed of my truck is an issue. And I'm looking at a drawer system which can be locked.

[@208Tyler]

That’s expensive!! I love the new frontier though, great choice! Decked is a good drawer system for all-purpose use and I believe you can lock them!

[@davidleadford6511]

@@208Tyler That's the system I was looking at. Was thinking about getting the rack to go above the Softopper so I won't have to clutter up the bed with things like traction boards, shovels, fuel and water cans. A nice place to put some solar panels as well so I can recharge my solar generator while driving, leaving the 120v outlet to run my car fridge.

[@208Tyler]

Yup! Bed rack over the softopper is a common way to go. Not a bad setup at all

[@davidleadford6511]

@@208Tyler Softopper, drawer system, and off road rack. Still cheaper than the 4 to 6K spent on a hard shell.

[@GrizzlyPath]

Both seem like a great option for folks!

[@208Tyler]

Ya! They’re both good at what they’re designed for

[@michaelbryant2071]

I have been looking for a year. Bought a Softopper for pne reason, price.

[@madcratebuilder]

My Softopper on my 6' bed Colorado ZR2 does not move at speed. It is pulled tight on the frame work, no flapping at any speed, ECM limits it to 100.

[@208Tyler]

It doesn’t move at all? Mine would wiggle ever so slightly, I shared tension between the straps and the bed rail snaps and felt like it was installed right. It was solid, but high speeds + high winds would make it do tiny wiggles and shimmies. Never got worried or slowed down, but I could see it in my mirrors

[@madcratebuilder]

@@208Tyler Could be it's from being a different size/model of truck. I have the frame work pulled TIGHT with the straps and the side snaps pull the top tight. I use snaps on both front and rear flaps.

[@nedaddy1]

Did you notice a difference in temperature inside the bed between the two in the summer? Thinking about my dog for a road trip.

[@208Tyler]

Can’t say that I did.

[@cz75tactical9]

Did you notice any difference in mpg between the two?

[@208Tyler]

I can’s that I did

[@DemonicRarityAdventures]

What abt hauling something oversized that would be to heavy to be put on top of the shell?

[@208Tyler]

If that’s something you regularly do, I don’t recommend getting a shell.

[@sandovalpaul]

I got my LEER Camper shell for free…lol I got it for my 2006 Toyota Tundra double cab 4x4 SR5…. It’s very convenient to store things away

[@JoyfulJoyful-u3h]

My husband wants to buy a hard shell for sleeping so he doesn’t have to commute (considering current gas prices and the dreaded commuting times). Which would you recommend, hard shell or soft top? Thank you for your input.

[@208Tyler]

Hard shell

[@anthonyhernandez26]

I have the same exact truck but i am struggling figuring out the dimensions of the bed to buy a topper. Would you happen to know?

[@208Tyler]

You can google it, but the bottom line is that you have to buy a topper that was made for a first Gen tundra

[@TheSkystrider]

I love the versatility of soft but so many pros on the hard, esp looks & security. I just reaaaally dont want fiberglass = too heavy. I want aluminum so two ppl can remove. I havent found many aluminum options available fir the Ridgeline i just bought. I sont like the look of the ARE aluminum. Just doesnt match the curves & structure of any truck.

[@208Tyler]

Ya. It’s a bit of a dilemma. Aluminum caps are effective!

[@johnbuchheister9142]

I can't find a used hard shell in my area (MI). So I'm leaning toward the soft because I just don't have 2K for a shell.

[@208Tyler]

Man, that’s a bummer! The softtopper works really well though. If you watch more of my videos, I have some hardshells and a softopper on my truck at different times. I bought my softopper for $750 and sold for $450 a year later once I found a hardshell.

[@johnyracercat]

Another pro/con. The hardtop will be easier to open and close the tailgate area. I put my dogs in the back daily. That means I need to open and close the back 4 times for one ride. I don't want to be dealing with the back window that many times, so I would likely want to roll it up and keep it open. Then it would not be secure, so I wouldn't be keeping much in the back which defeats the purpose.

[@208Tyler]

On the soft topper, you can open the tailgate while leaving the topper closed if you choose not to add the velcro strip to the tailgate, which I did. So, quicker than a hardshell. Either way, it’s a pretty similar amount of time to get either system fully open. Softopper gets slower when it’s cold or wet, not as quick in colder temperatures

[@jrcrawford4]

I would hardly call 90 mph safe no matter what top you're carrying LOL.

[@208Tyler]

Why? On an 80mph speed limit 90 isn’t out of the realm of possibility

[@bigsmoke279]

Soft toppers look cool but I would rather have my bakflip tanneau cover on my Tacoma. Personally, I hate the look of pickup trucks with toppers though. Should’ve bought a van lol

[@JamesG1126]

If you get a truck with a hard top, why didn't you just get an SUV? It's not usable as a truck anymore.

[@208Tyler]

I had an SUV previously. The storage capacity of a truck bed is so much greater than an SUV. Having a separate area to keep dirty equipment and camping gear is great. The hardshell is great for truck bed camping, not sure what you mean by “useable as a truck” it drives, stores my gear and tools, and is great for road trips and camping

[@JamesG1126]

@@208Tyler Can't put a motorcycle in the back, can't haul a bed full of barkdust, can't put any large trees in the back. It's an SUV.

[@208Tyler]

Ya I’m not a landscaper or dirt bike rider… lol. It’s a recreational vehicle for me

[@ia6980]

​@208Tyler good point 👉 👈

[@RM-bx2zt]

But you can haul bark mulch, firewood, gravel, loam, etc. better than in an SUV. not as easy as w/o a cap but easier to clean with a hose than with a vacuum in an SUV. Also, the cap is removable. I used to remove mine alone but less strong than I used to be.

[@flushot6513]

Kinds like soft then I could probably roll up the back window and have kayaks sticking out and still leave topper on

[@208Tyler]

Ya that would work!