Recently, I installed the WildTop Soft Truck Cap on my new 4th Gen Tacoma TRD Pro. After a few weeks of real-world use, I want to share my experience with it thus far. From the installation process to day-to-day use, here’s everything you need to know if you’re considering running this soft shell topper on your truck.
Table Of Contents
First Impressions & Installation Overview
Installation was mostly straightforward, especially if you’re someone who does well with visual instructions. WildTop includes a photo-heavy manual that provides enough detail to walk you through the process.
One issue I ran into was the lack of labeled parts for items other than the hardware used to attach them. Without labels on everything, I found myself second-guessing where certain pieces went, which added a bit of time to the installation. But even with pausing to shoot some B-roll and stills for content, I had it fully mounted and functional within about an hour and a half. I did speak with them about this, and they relayed to their team. We should see even better instructions soon!
If you’re doing this solo or without a ton of mechanical experience, just take your time. I also shared some additional installation tips in my YouTube review (linked at the end of this article). Once it was installed, I was very impressed with the overall quality and how solid it was when attached to my truck, especially for the price.
Price Point & Value
Price-wise, I think WildTop nailed it. What you’re getting, especially when you compare it to competitors, is a solid value. The topper comes with an integrated roof frame, which isn’t always the case in this market. That frame lets you mount additional gear on top, like a rooftop tent or recovery boards.
Of course, once you start adding accessories, the price does creep up. But that’s expected when you start to option accessories like this out in the truck cap world. I’d say the base setup gives you plenty to work with before needing any extras, though. However, the windows were a must for me.
Pros
Lightweight, strong, and smart design.
When the WildTop first arrived from Australia, I was impressed by how compact and lightweight everything felt right out of the box. This topper is a soft shell by design, so naturally, it won’t have the bulk or weight of a hard shell or wedge camper.
This thing is incredibly light—under 45 pounds, which is pretty insane! The integrated frame allows for a dynamic (while driving) load rating of 220 pounds and a static (parked) load rating of 770 pounds. That’s more than enough to support most roof tents or some all-weather case setups.
I’ve taken it out on the highway and even during some light off-roading, and have been pleasantly surprised at how little shake or flap there is in the soft shell material. For something that isn’t rigid, it’s impressively stable at speed. I haven’t had the chance to test it in heavy rain just yet, but WildTop claims it’s waterproof. Based on the build quality and materials used, I wouldn’t be surprised if that holds true.
Another big plus for me is visibility. The topper has windows on all four sides, which is something my last topper (GFC) didn’t offer. That extra visibility is handy on the road, especially when changing lanes or backing up. The soft topper is also easy to remove—another win for folks needing a flexible setup. These sides will also unzip, roll right up, and secure themselves with a simple strap with a magnetic end to the top of the roof.
Cons
Of course, there are trade-offs with a soft shell. The most obvious one is security. If you carry expensive tools, gear, or anything you don’t want exposed or easily accessible, this might not offer the peace of mind that a hard shell does. It’s not flimsy and very well built, but it is still soft fabric, which inherently limits your ability to lock things down.
Another minor concern is the fitment of the side panels. The side and rear flaps extend slightly past the bed rails and rest on the truck’s painted surface. I was concerned about potential scratches or wear, but haven’t noticed any damage. The topper is sturdy and doesn’t shift much while driving, so there hasn’t been any friction or movement that would cause rubbing. Still, it’s worth noting if you’re particular about your truck’s finish.
Final Thoughts
All in all, I’m really happy with the WildTop so far. This is a solid pick for a lightweight, versatile, and reasonably priced truck cap that doesn’t skimp on durability or features. It’s not for everyone—if you need a fully secure or hard-shell system, you may want to look elsewhere—but I think it’s a great addition for weekend warriors, campers, and folks who value flexibility.
I’ll check back in after a few months, especially once we get deeper into the Florida summer, to report on how it’s holding up to heat, humidity, and whatever else the weather throws at it.
In the meantime, check out my full video review for a deeper dive, an install walkthrough, and some visual details that were left out of this article.
