Leer HF650M Leakage

[mhorvath1218]

Hey guys, first post here, but have been lurking a while and was a longtime member at bronco6g. Hoping you all can give me some advice here.

Bought a lightly used ‘24 raptor 2 weeks ago and installed the Leer HF650m quad fold cover this past weekend. Install was easy and it all seemed to come together well. Today it got rained on for the first time and when I checked the bed at the end of the day (back in my garage and out of the rain, prior to opening the cover at all), there was a ton of leakage all along the sides and some at the front. Water was also along the tailgate, but most is probably from opening it. Very disappointing. It wasn’t hard downpours, but light to steady rain most of the day.

I did a lot of research on tonneau covers prior to purchase and this one seemed to get great reviews without many mentions of leaks. I also removed and fully sealed the plastic bedrails prior to install - wrapped the swiss cheese holes under the plastic with vinyl, sealed the stake caps with flex seal tape, installed weatherstripping under the plastic, installed rubber grommets in all other random holes, covered the large front corner openings with vinyl and installed the keko tailgate seal kit. I went as far as I could to waterproof this thing, so you can imagine my frustration.

It seems the vast majority of the water is leaking from the seam between the Leer rail and the plastic factory bedrail. The bolts/clamps are tightened as much as possible and there is a thin rubber gasket on the back of the Leer rail, so I’m not sure what went wrong. Also, the front thick foam strip that came with the cover (that goes on the bulkhead) is fairly exposed and absorbed water like a sponge, which then dripped inside.

Has anyone with this cover had these issues? Is it not adjusted correctly or something? This is my first pickup and tonneau cover and I know they’re not always 100% waterproof, but this seems excessive from a reputable company. Maybe an additional gasket behind the rail would help?

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[Loudpa]

First of all I've never installed a tonneau cover. my hf650m is still in the box waiting on fix for 2026 rangers.
But in your second pic to me it looks like your tonneau rail is above the cab rail cap. No?

 

[mhorvath1218]

First of all I've never installed a tonneau cover. my hf650m is still in the box waiting on fix for 2026 rangers.
But in your second pic to me it looks like your tonneau rail is above the cab rail cap. No?

Yes, thats why I included it. Wasnt sure if others experienced the same. It has no downward adjustability. The rail clamps are bolted through the existing holes where factory plastic screws were, so its not like I can pull it down so the top is more flush. Can only secure the vertical surface the rail tighter to the wall, if that makes sense. The other side is the same. Maybe its the unevenness of the plastic compared to the more straight metal rail.

 

[Loudpa]

Yes, thats why I included it. Wasnt sure if others experienced the same. It has no downward adjustability. The rail clamps are bolted through the existing holes where factory plastic screws were, so its not like I can pull it down so the top is more flush. Can only secure the vertical surface the rail tighter to the wall, if that makes sense. The other side is the same. Maybe its the unevenness of the plastic compared to the more straight metal rail.

Interesting that yours uses existing holes. I've seen an image from Leer that uses clamps to sandwich the tonneau to their rail.

 

[mhorvath1218]

Interesting that yours uses existing holes. I've seen an image from Leer that uses clamps to sandwich the tonneau to their rail.

Maybe thats a previous gen ranger?

 

[Flak]

Yea, the foam on the bulkhead side is probably too small (doesn't compress enough due to the large drop compared to rail caps). That would be simple to replace. Also, I think the thin foam under the rail isn't enough to keep water out between the rail cap and the tonneau rail.

 

[purdyd]

Hey guys, first post here, but have been lurking a while and was a longtime member at bronco6g. Hoping you all can give me some advice here.

Bought a lightly used ‘24 raptor 2 weeks ago and installed the Leer HF650m quad fold cover this past weekend. Install was easy and it all seemed to come together well. Today it got rained on for the first time and when I checked the bed at the end of the day (back in my garage and out of the rain, prior to opening the cover at all), there was a ton of leakage all along the sides and some at the front. Water was also along the tailgate, but most is probably from opening it. Very disappointing. It wasn’t hard downpours, but light to steady rain most of the day.

I did a lot of research on tonneau covers prior to purchase and this one seemed to get great reviews without many mentions of leaks. I also removed and fully sealed the plastic bedrails prior to install - wrapped the swiss cheese holes under the plastic with vinyl, sealed the stake caps with flex seal tape, installed weatherstripping under the plastic, installed rubber grommets in all other random holes, covered the large front corner openings with vinyl and installed the keko tailgate seal kit. I went as far as I could to waterproof this thing, so you can imagine my frustration.

It seems the vast majority of the water is leaking from the seam between the Leer rail and the plastic factory bedrail. The bolts/clamps are tightened as much as possible and there is a thin rubber gasket on the back of the Leer rail, so I’m not sure what went wrong. Also, the front thick foam strip that came with the cover (that goes on the bulkhead) is fairly exposed and absorbed water like a sponge, which then dripped inside.

Has anyone with this cover had these issues? Is it not adjusted correctly or something? This is my first pickup and tonneau cover and I know they’re not always 100% waterproof, but this seems excessive from a reputable company. Maybe an additional gasket behind the rail would help?

That looks like mostly stake pocket leaks to me. With an added bonus of tailgate leak.

I played around with my tonneau cover and some water the other day and those stake pockets leak more than you would think.

And that gap at the tailgate is right there too.

 

[mhorvath1218]

That looks like mostly stake pocket leaks to me. With an added bonus of tailgate leak.

I played around with my tonneau cover and some water the other day and those stake pockets leak more than you would think.

And that gap at the tailgate is right there too.

Maybe you didnt read through all my rambling, but i full sealed the plastic bedrails. No way in hell water is getting through the stake covers. I could see the drip lines all the way down. Its coming from the seam between the leer rail and the plastic bedrail mainly

 

[purdyd]

Maybe you didnt read through all my rambling, but i full sealed the plastic bedrails. No way in hell water is getting through the stake covers. I could see the drip lines all the way down. Its coming from the seam between the leer rail and the plastic bedrail mainly

sorry missed that paragraph. I can see why you are frustrated.

 

[sweeks888]

Hey guys, first post here, but have been lurking a while and was a longtime member at bronco6g. Hoping you all can give me some advice here.

Bought a lightly used ‘24 raptor 2 weeks ago and installed the Leer HF650m quad fold cover this past weekend. Install was easy and it all seemed to come together well. Today it got rained on for the first time and when I checked the bed at the end of the day (back in my garage and out of the rain, prior to opening the cover at all), there was a ton of leakage all along the sides and some at the front. Water was also along the tailgate, but most is probably from opening it. Very disappointing. It wasn’t hard downpours, but light to steady rain most of the day.

I did a lot of research on tonneau covers prior to purchase and this one seemed to get great reviews without many mentions of leaks. I also removed and fully sealed the plastic bedrails prior to install - wrapped the swiss cheese holes under the plastic with vinyl, sealed the stake caps with flex seal tape, installed weatherstripping under the plastic, installed rubber grommets in all other random holes, covered the large front corner openings with vinyl and installed the keko tailgate seal kit. I went as far as I could to waterproof this thing, so you can imagine my frustration.

It seems the vast majority of the water is leaking from the seam between the Leer rail and the plastic factory bedrail. The bolts/clamps are tightened as much as possible and there is a thin rubber gasket on the back of the Leer rail, so I’m not sure what went wrong. Also, the front thick foam strip that came with the cover (that goes on the bulkhead) is fairly exposed and absorbed water like a sponge, which then dripped inside.

Has anyone with this cover had these issues? Is it not adjusted correctly or something? This is my first pickup and tonneau cover and I know they’re not always 100% waterproof, but this seems excessive from a reputable company. Maybe an additional gasket behind the rail would help?

I know this may not help much, but I have a tri-fold Leer cover on my '24 RR, I spent an extra amount of time installing it, checking every sealing area and made sure all parts had been installed so as to have the cover fit as tight as possible. I can tell you that not only do I not get any rain in my bed, but unless I really work at it (when at a manual car wash), I maybe only get a few drops or a very slight drizzle in the bed. Couldn't be happier with how it has worked out.
So I'd take a look at how whomever installed it and see where light may be shining in all the way around. I actually crawled up inside the bed with lights on in the garage and had someone close the tailgate, to visually check for areas where leaks could occur.

 

[WESTRESCUE77]

I have a Truxedo Sentry CT and the tonneau rail sits above the rail cap just like yours. No matter what I do I cannot get it to sit flush....super frustrating!

 

[mhorvath1218]

I know this may not help much, but I have a tri-fold Leer cover on my '24 RR, I spent an extra amount of time installing it, checking every sealing area and made sure all parts had been installed so as to have the cover fit as tight as possible. I can tell you that not only do I not get any rain in my bed, but unless I really work at it (when at a manual car wash), I maybe only get a few drops or a very slight drizzle in the bed. Couldn't be happier with how it has worked out.
So I'd take a look at how whomever installed it and see where light may be shining in all the way around. I actually crawled up inside the bed with lights on in the garage and had someone close the tailgate, to visually check for areas where leaks could occur.

I installed it and already did basically that. I really can’t see any clear gaps and lights, but water still seems to make its way into the leer rail side seam. I did email them all this info, so we’ll see what they say. I’m thinking an additional layer of weatherstripping on the rail may be the fix, but cant go too thick Otherwise the panels wont latch closed correctly

 

[sweeks888]

I installed it and already did basically that. I really can’t see any clear gaps and lights, but water still seems to make its way into the leer rail side seam. I did email them all this info, so we’ll see what they say. I’m thinking an additional layer of weatherstripping on the rail may be the fix, but cant go too thick Otherwise the panels wont latch closed correctly

I had emailed them as well, about their abysmal installation manual. For a company that has been around as long as Leer and respected for the offerings... their install manual leaves much to be desired. They did get back to me and she said she'd pass my input thoughts up the ladder. Don't know if anything became of that or not, but at least they replied... good luck.

 

[Sulimo]

The kit came with extra sealant to address the side rails. I skipped it, but mine sits down lower and allows the rubber skirt to contact the plastic cap. Mine has to be in a car wash to get as much water in as your photos show.

 

[forestclouds]

The kit came with extra sealant to address the side rails. I skipped it, but mine sits down lower and allows the rubber skirt to contact the plastic cap. Mine has to be in a car wash to get as much water in as your photos show.

Where is the sealant supposed to go? Around the stake pockets?

I'm getting my HF650M installed tomorrow, so I will check for this. Thanks

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