PSA: Bed rail caps on '26 are thinner than '25... Tonneau covers will NOT fit

[purdyd]

Here’s a pixelated zoom in of a 2026 tailgate cap end. It does indeed look like Ford has fixed the draining into the bed.

EDIT: Found a better pic.

Big improvement over this:

I think it is a mixed bag because there is a channel in the middle and the clamp pockets are lower so those are all paths for water to enter make it hard to seal

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[Ron Quixote]

Yeah, I see your point. That‘a fair.

 

[midnight270]

I can definitely see the difference.

2025

2026

 

[Loudpa]

False... point them here...

Perhaps, just a guess but in another post I showed that now the instructions show the use of shims. Previous owners shared that their instructions did not contain reference to the use of these shims.
Maybe these shims make up for the new rail design?

 

[tivct]

I think the shims wouldn't work on the 2026. They would stick out over the top of the plastic. I'll pop the covers off when I get home and see what it looks like under there.

 

[Fattirz in NC]

Curious if the new ‘26 bed rail covers have the same warning (covering the stake pocket openings)…

 

[tivct]

Curious if the new ‘26 bed rail covers have the same warning (covering the stake pocket openings)…

They don't, it's just a nut & bolt image now. I'll attach a photo shortly.

 

[Fattirz in NC]

Perhaps, just a guess but in another post I showed that now the instructions show the use of shims. Previous owners shared that their instructions did not contain reference to the use of these shims.
Maybe these shims make up for the new rail design?

It’s probaby a solid piece of trim now without a void like the thicker trim found on the ‘24-‘25. Likely a cost cutting improvement that just so happened to improve the design as well… especially for any aftermarket accessories.

 

[Aemonn]

I might be in the minority here. Might be because I've been looking at it for close to 2 years now, but I prefer the originals. Especially on a raptor, where you have the fender flares and what not. it feels more balanced with the other plastics.

I bet I'd prefer the new version on the non-raptor models.

 

[Fattirz in NC]

My theory is the thickness of the old trim piece was to catch the same horizontal line of the black window trim? Purely a visual element to align the windows to the bed. See the photo with the level resting on the bed rail trim of my ‘25 RR

 

[Bt_okst]

Im having a sentry ct hard roll top cover installed on Monday at a friend's accessories shop. Ill let everyone know it goes.

 

[tivct]

Curious if the new ‘26 bed rail covers have the same warning (covering the stake pocket openings)…

Air gap is definitely smaller. There's still 1/4" or so. It would probably hold a fair bit more weight than the old design. Nothing mentioned in the '26 owners manual, though.

 

[kujo111]

I can confirm. Just took delivery of 26 Ranger Raptor and Truxedo Pro X15. Could not get the tonneau cover railings flush with the side caps. After several back and forth with Truxedo, they are sending me new clamps but not sure they were tracking the issue or if they have new clamps designed for 26. I’ve asked them to send me new clamps once they get redesigned but we’ll see.

 

[superj]

Thst looks so much better.

Now i just have to keep my eyes open for a wrecked ranger, carbonized grey 26, or newer bed, ha ha ha

 

[Loudpa]

I'm having a hard time understanding the issue here. Now I've never installed a tonneau cover so...
If the rails have a lip that sit flush on the caps what difference does the thinkness makes? The tonneau should be flush.

This assumes the clamps are not an issue but how would that be an issue? Wouldn't the clamps just have a bit more open space?

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