I have this topper as well and I like it. I have had some issues with the side windows not staying in the channel at the bottom. Especially after some highway driving. I've been playing with the tension by adjusting the pivot point, but still haven't got it quite right. Other than that it's been serving it's purpose. However, I think in the future, I'll be getting a lightweight camper like a Harker or a GFC. Thanks for putting out this review though. There wasn't much for me to go by when I bought mine so I'm glad you did it for others to really see it on the gladiator.
I wonder why they don’t just keep the bar slid into a sleeve in the back window then have it clip into the bed rails like a traditional tonneau cover. That would solve the awkward bar issue and when you flip it up and over the cover it would keep weight on the window so it wouldn’t flap over. Maybe a bit of redesigning on the part of those engineers but couldn’t be that bad.
The security level is the deal breaker for me. Its half the cost of say an alu cab or other hard canopys which was the draw for me, but I cant have expensive or vital camp stolen on long trips. Darn. Always loved the look of these.
For the back window I went to Lowe's and bought a couple black and orange 2 in plastic clamps I rolled it up clamp each side it works perfect. If I do take it out I purchased a large heavy duty black rubber mat that I lay over my WeatherTech bed liner I take the rubber mat out throw the window down and then throw the heavy mat over it and it protects it
I have noticed that any topper on the gladiator makes for a lot more to spot on trails with overhanging trees. So this would be a good option since it can be folded up.
A 37 does fit in the stock location. Just remove the unnecessary heat shield. If it's still rubbing for some weird reason, MetalCloak makes a track bar that will clear up to a 40
Huge thanks for this review. Picked up my Gladiator about 6 months ago and while the Tonneau cover's been great, I've run into the same issue as you with the two kids and needing a tad more space in the bed. In addition, my Shiba fits in the cab, but she'd be much more comfortable in the back and this top seems to have all the right features to cover us on both ends. Was debating between this and the Softopper, but I like the black frame and tailgate closures on this one a bit better and think it might last us a bit longer as well. Enjoy those safari beach days now that summer's here :)
I have this in the black diamond material and I would say buy the twill. I've had this for a little over a year now. The black diamond gets loose in the heat of the sun. I'm in Utah so we get both hot (100 degrees F) and cold (10 degrees F). When I go off-road in the summer the whole thing comes apart, the plastic tabs fall out of the lip. The combination of the vibrating and loose heated fabric make the whole thing come apart. When on the road on the freeway the back window comes undone and the back part of the side panels often do too. It is extremely frustrating. In the winter I did not have this problem but it was also new. I am going into my 2nd winter so hopefully it wont be an issue. Everyone I've heard of that does not have the issues I just mentioned had the twill fabric. So if you get one make sure it is the twill. The black diamond fabric is NOT the way to go!
I have this same Bestop on my 2021 Gladiator. When I called Bestop to place the order they said nothing was in stock. No Dealers I found had one in stock. Then in about 10 days I received one in mail. After I installed it driver side top seam was totally out of alignment. They had sent me a returned top that was rejected. My third Jeep. Never Bestop again.
Thanks for the great review! I have the same truck and installed the Bestop with my dad last week. It’s been 7 days now and very happy with it. Learned a few things from your video. Will order two bungee cords with plastic hooks. My only issue with the soft cover is sealing the sides, back and bottom corners into the grooves when i unseal them for access into the bed from the sides. It’s not a very tight fit for me and side windows sometimes come out while driving on the road from bumps and wind. Wish you had covered more on the edges and corners and how they pop in and out. Also I am unable to keep my rear window flipped up onto the top of the roof like you made look so perfectly easy. It wants to unfold back down by itself. Overall, I love this thing in every way. It has majorly improved the function of my vehicle. The Gladiator Mojave in Sting Gray and the black Bestop look great together.
I've had a few people say they've hand issues with the side windows coming undone at the bottom. I've only had this happen a few times, and it's usually right after a hard rain. Overall, they typically stay put. The rear window is now broke in much more and doesn't flip up as easily, but I can still do it. Overall, I still like this setup very much.
I have a very similar setup to you. Jeep JT ruby on 35s with the topper. I agree with everything you said in the video. I got the flat cover that works for the rails and run it in that configuration 80% of the time. I really only use the topper when going on trips or if I need more gear. Did you notice a mpg drop on the interstate? I typically lose 2 mpg off my average. I know it’s a “Jeep” but still something to be mindful of on long trips. Great video as always!
The rear window just unzips. You have zippers on each side and one zipper at the top. The bottom half just clips under a rail. The forward most window is not removable. That’s the one right behind the cab.
BTW, great video and Thanks. I just ordered the same setup with the twill. Both ST2 and the Tonneau. I am a little concerned about the corners that I have seen at the rear for the tonneau. It seems like they just need to tuck into the corner piece like a JK top. I will primarily use it for the tonneau and the top for additional shade here in Fl. Please tell me the corners tuck in properly. I wouldn't be able to stand to look at the corners popped up. Yes I have read the review with the blue Gladdy. Hoping this has been rectified. Thanks
Thanks. I don’t have the tonneau cover that goes with this top. The Bestop cover that I had previously to this was a little different, but it sealed great.
I see you have a bed mat and you also have the spray in bed liner. What bed mat do you have? I was told the Rough Country would not fit with the spray in bed liner.
It’s really not designed to be open from inside of the bed. I suppose you could probably do it, but it’d be a little awkward. You also wouldn’t be able to roll up the side windows from inside.
Thanks. I honestly don’t know if it will or will not work. I haven’t seen how the Deck system attaches. I would assume it would work fine so long as the deck system doesn’t tie into the trail rails.
Your timing with this video is impeccable. I just purchase a ‘22 Gladiator WILLYS w/the EcoDiesel. It’s currently being shipped up to Interior Alaska where I live just outside of North Pole. I’m patiently waiting for the truck, in the mean time I’ve been looking for simple mods/accessories to improve on the livability with the JEEP. This topper was one of those accessories I had my eye on. My primary concern is how well the plastic windows will hold up to the extreme cold. We routinely experience -25 F to -40 F temps. That is about the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on making the purchase. Otherwise fantastic video I appreciate the information.
That sounds awesome! It doesn’t get nearly that cold here. I got the chance to explore Alaska a few years ago on a Jeep trip. Basically went from Anchorage to Prudhoe Bay. Such a Beautiful place. I really enjoyed the Knik Glacier.
Something worth mentioning, I had a softopper and it’s a great product but on the Gladiator, it’s level with the hard top. Where as the Besttop is equal height as the Soft Top. Probably because same manufacturer. As far as security vs price of a hard cover I’ve had both, soft is not for security it’s for out of sight. Hard is permanent and not fun when you need to move something big. I currently have a long bed dually with a hard top. It’s become more of a big SUV with carpet back there and I can’t haul tall items. Then I have a gladiator that I use much more as a truck for the reason that it’s an open bed when I need it. Great videos btw thank you!!
Have you gotten any wxperience with the soft roll tonneau that goes with this? Bestop's site has two different roll covers - one that is a standalone, and the other that they say only works with this softtopper.
Seems like it truly depends on the brand of tire and the wheel it's mounted on. I've tried a few combinations and each hit on the track bar. These have all been with Nittos, which run more true-to-size than other brands. Glad you could get yours to work.
Enjoyed the video. Your video on the ezroll helped me make that purchase. Was happy to see you did a video on this as well as now I think I need it too. Did you get rid of the ezroll? Looks like they make a compatible tonneau for this system. Thanks again! Your videos are helpful.
Thanks again man. I got the twill delivered yesterday. Planning a road trip from Dallas to Toronto next month and need the space. Appreciate the review, it helped me make the decision to get it. Now I just need to figure out what I’m gonna do with the ezroll.
I still have it. I actually purchased this one before that one. I knew I was eventually going to make the other one pretty wild. So, I’ve kept this mild.
