How to block the front bed drain slots to keep out dust, but still allow water to drain out?

[John E Davies]

EDIT 04/26/26 See Post 7 for my solution with pics.

Most of my bed is dust free and very well sealed. I have a Bedrug (lower part only) and it is usually pushed hard up against the front wall of the bed. But I am still getting a lot of dust entry along the bottom. I sealed the corners and side joints, no worries there.

I could just seal that joint completely, but I do want to keep some “escape paths” open for any water that might get inside. Any suggestions? Would some dense HVAC (MERV12 or better) filter material taped to the front and lying under the Bedrug work? Any links would be appreciated.

Thanks,

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

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[Pic-N-Stick]

You could run a bead of silicone around the raised ribs and leave a small gap at the bottom of each rib, leaving a small "weep hole". Wouldn't eliminate all dust but sure would cut down on it! I'm in a similar position, sealing up the majority of the bed while not leaving a possible swimming pool!

 

[CaptAngry]

Building on the suggestion above, take some of those coffee stir straws and stick them down into the gap where you want drainage, then press the silicone into the crack. Then cut the straws flush. You could use hardening silicone caulk, or the putty that could be removed easier.

You'd just need to make sure the straws don't get crushed. Not sure how big that gap is

 

[John E Davies]

Building on the suggestion above, take some of those coffee stir straws and stick them down into the gap where you want drainage, then press the silicone into the crack. Then cut the straws flush. You could use hardening silicone caulk, or the putty that could be removed easier

Interesting idea, thanks, but I think any tiny debris would plug them up in no time, and I am not sure how you would keep them clear. I like Pic-N-Stick’s idea better. That would reduce the flow by maybe 95%….

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Loudpa]

Wonder if that fabric one puts around trees would help.
Perhaps waterproof tape or something, let's water drain but might cut down of dust?

 

[MJ12]

The high MERV HVAC filter sounds like it might work pretty well and it might hold up to getting wet.

 

[John E Davies]

Did this today, I used regular 1/4” cheap plastic drinking straws to block the lower sections, and ran a bead of silicone across everything, then removed the straws. It is not very elegant, but nobody will see it but me. With the Bedrug in place it is completely hidden anyway.

This is good stuff.
https://www.jbtools.com/permatex-81173-black-silicone-adhesive-sealant-12-9-oz/

Be sure to really clean the area, I rinsed the entire bed with the garden hose, then the next day I scrubbed it with 90% isopropyl alcohol, then blew it dry with compressed air.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Pic-N-Stick]

That'll work! Let us know how it does after your next dusty trip. Thanks!

 

[freakshow999]

I just plugged all the upper bed holes at the cab with camper tape. At least that's what we use to call it. It's basically modeling clay that will never dry out completely. When I was doing custom AV enclosures we used this stuff to seal woofers into their enclosures. It makes for great flexible sealing compound on virtually any surface. I was going to use silicone on my holes after I installed my tonneau cover, but then I remembers I had the clay stuff and used it instead yesterday. However there are too damn many places that water can get into the bed imho!

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