Tonneau that doesn't leak?

[hand-filer]

As I mentioned, I have the Rev folding from FORD, I took these pictures this morning after 2 hours of heavy rain and right after I went through a high pressure car wash. I would call this pretty minor and I haven’t done anything yet to seal the bed.

I would call that pretty major.

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[Arsenall11]

Mine leaks around the tail gate and a little in the front, I don’t think any of the ones I have had on the F150 have not leaked a bit.

 

[fordgt]

I would call that pretty major.

Okay, disagree but whatever.

 

[edjee]

For me it was not the cover that was leaking (well, one location was) but all the holes around the cover. After a lot of investigation, rubber grommets, threaded screws, silicon caulking holes where grommets/screws would not work, rubber seal added to the cover’s seal, tailgate seal, tennis balls, and additional foam rubber stuffing holes was I finally able to achieve my goal.
The only one of these efforts (addition rubber seal added to cover seal) was needed for the cover. All the others were addressing the truck.
And, it all looks good. You would be hard pressed to find anything that looks bad.
patience and, unfortunately, some curse words paid off.

What holes are you sealing in the bed? Do you have any pictures or examples of what you used?
TIA

 

[Dubfound]

I'm pretty happy with my LOMAX hard cover. Very minimal water even after the car wash and I don't have a tailgate seal kit installed yet. I think it helps that it sits on top of the bed rails and overlaps.

 

[GLW]

What holes are you sealing in the bed? Do you have any pictures or examples of what you used?
TIA

Most are under the bed rails. Two large holes are in the corners by the cab. I stuffed a tennis ball and some foam rubber in each one.
I suggest you lay on your back in the bed and with a flashlight search for holes. The more you plug the less water/dust. I spent hours searching and plugging. Now I have no leaks.

I wish I would have pulled the plastic bed rail caps and plugged before i installed my cover. Would have been a lot easier.

 

[fordgt]

Most are under the bed rails. Two large holes are in the corners by the cab. I stuffed a tennis ball and some foam rubber in each one.
I suggest you lay on your back in the bed and with a flashlight search for holes. The more you plug the less water/dust. I spent hours searching and plugging. Now I have no leaks.

I wish I would have pulled the plastic bed rail caps and plugged before i installed my cover. Would have been a lot easier.

Have you pulled the bed rail caps? I see on Ford’s website that they are not “reusable”. Looks like most of my drips are from the bed stake pockets. Silicone around those caps?

 

[GLW]

Have you pulled the bed rail caps? I see on Ford’s website that they are not “reusable”. Looks like most of my drips are from the bed stake pockets. Silicone around those caps?

I have not pulled as my cover is already installed and I don’t plan on removing it. I have seen a video and I few pics of the covers removed and reinstalled. I think the keko site shows the removal/reinstall but not positive.

the stake pockets did let in a lot of water. Silicone caulk solved that issue. I also stuffed some foam rubber and silicone under the caps. So far so good.

 

[fordgt]

I have not pulled as my cover is already installed and I don’t plan on removing it. I have seen a video and I few pics of the covers removed and reinstalled. I think the keko site shows the removal/reinstall but not positive.

the stake pockets did let in a lot of water. Silicone caulk solved that issue. I also stuffed some foam rubber and silicone under the caps. So far so good.

I am concerned about trapping water under there, I think I will caulk those stake pockets and put a good seal around the tailgate and call it a day. The pictures I posted earlier are after the car wash. That thing has high pressure water spraying from every direction includes up from the bottom. If I am going on a trip, I can always use the water proof car top bag. It got Christmas presents up to Georgia 2 years ago in the open bed of my F150 during a 6 hour drive in the rain.

 

[Velociraptor]

The issue is the bed rail design. The rail caps which don’t get covered by a lot of bed covers let water into the bed.

 

[MichBadger]

As I mentioned, I have the Rev folding from FORD, I took these pictures this morning after 2 hours of heavy rain and right after I went through a high pressure car wash. I would call this pretty minor and I haven’t done anything yet to seal the bed.

Thank you for posting these pictures. I believe that we have the exact same cover, branded with different names. I could post my pictures that look the same, or slightly worse. I agree that a lot of what you are showing is from the stake pockets and plastic cap not being sealed. My issue is that the I can show a fairly steady stream of water coming from the mechanisms and joints of the cover. As we had an all day rain again yesterday, I did more study and realized that some of the flock tape near the joints appears to be a weep path to draw water past the side seals, towards the mechanism. I will remove that, and see how much it improves.

Again, for me, I'd prefer a solution that is significantly more dry. To the point I can put my golf clubs or a soft suitcase or duffle bag back there and I don't have to put it in a dry bag. Obviously, my expectations are different, and maybe unrealistic, but I'd like to figure out something better than what I have now.

 

[John E Davies]

Buy the regular Bedrug Classic, without the tailgate part, lay it in the bed without using the velcro! Velcro is only needed if you drive around with an open bed, to keep it from flying out.

Bed Rug Classic

Remove it often, just lift in the center and slide it out, especially before using a power car wash. Once soaked, it will dry out fairly quickly, but only if there is really good dry airflow. If the humidity is high, that will take a loooong time. That cannot happen in a closed up bed, it is best to prop it up inside a garage wall. add a fan to speed it up... Consider it to be a great big sponge! Your stuff will get a little damp from residual moisture until it is dry dry dry!

Nobody seems to talk about this Bedrug “feature”. They are great if they are in an open bed, or kept ventilated. With a topper you should install two air vents, which helps tremendously, if they don’t introduce rain water. Make sure you leave at least the two corner front drain openings of the truck bed unsealed!!! If water intrusion is worrying you, buy an SUV. Or a bunch of truly waterproof expedition style storage boxes. A tightly sealed, enclosed pickup truck bed with no inside HVAC is always going to be a major headache in inclement or sub-freezing weather, compared to a Tahoe or Land Cruiser, you have to accept that. In winter, you can get frozen out completely, so carry a can of windshield deicer inside the cab, at home you can use a heat gun.

Look at pictures of pickups used in arctic conditions, you won’t see too many enclosed beds….

2024 SnoBall Rally

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Bak MX4 + Keko seals. Havent tried it yet with the pressure washer but the hose it doesnt seem to seep in. Ended up using thicker seal for the tailgate to body seal & the front of bed to cover seal. Think it was 1".

 

[Albatross Bill]

Like others have said, I would get with your cover manufacturer to start with if water is leaking through the panels. One area not mentioned is the bed caps are not level, they are sloped at the front and back which can present an issue when installing the cover rails where they contact the bed caps. I had to install an extra piece of weatherstripping along the edge of the bed caps to seal where the rails make contact. I purchased weatherstripping that was 5/16 wide by 1/4 tall. This solved the issue with water leaking from the under the cover rails. I have the TruXedo Sentry CT cover, but I would think most covers only have rail weatherstripping that is less than 1/8 inch thick based on the various other covers I‘ve had. Also, the stake pockets leak water and need to be sealed. If you put a straight edge on the bed caps you will see about a 1/4 inch gap at the front and back.

I had a trifold cover in the past where the water got under the aluminum and soaked the styrofoam and ruined the cover. So I definitely would try to handle this while the cover is under warranty.

Noticed you have a sprayed in bed liner, I installed the Bed Rug impact mat which closely matches the color scheme of the sprayed in bed liner. I’m comfortable putting my golf clubs in the back with the impact mat installed. Mostly have the golf clubs in the back when we travel.

Good luck solving the water intrusion issue and have fun golfing.

 

[iamweasel]

I'm new to owning a truck. I knew I wouldn't get to "waterproof", but thought I'd be able to get close. I've read all of the threads regarding sealing up the swiss cheese rails under the plastic rails and will go that route. I also have the Keko tailgate seal that's just arrived and will put that on later today.

I bought a BakFlip MX4 that seems to leak through the seams of the panels themselves and it appears that the channels to the sides don't funnel water like I assume the design is intended. Therefore, water comes in at the front and rear corners, as well as both near both of the panel joints. The family took a trip this past weekend and everything in the back had to be carried in plastic garbage bags or it all would have been soaking wet due to 2 days of rain on our "ski trip".

Again, I've read all the threads here and have paralysis by analysis for what I really need to buy to keep things dry in the back. At a minimum, I assume the frame of the tonneau should cover the majority of the plastic caps, to direct water to the outside. I can handle sealing up the stake pockets and such. I'd like to have a bedrug and be able to put suitcases and other personal items back there without out fear of constant water intrusion.

Please help....

I have a Bakflip MX4, too, and do not have any water coming in between the panels.

For mine, I've only had it in rain twice so far. First time I drove through hard rain for several hours and only had minor water drips inside the bed.

The 2nd time, though, I had it parked outside my parent's house for a few hours while it rained pretty hard. This time, there was A LOT more water in the bed - mostly on the sides. Pretty sure most of the water came from the bed rail caps, and it seems it's easier for the water to get in there when the vehicle is stationary. That's my theory, anyway....

So I bought some silicone caulk and will try to seal the bed caps from the top that way. Just haven't done it yet.....

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