Automatic car wash compatible with camper and rack?

Hey y'all. New Taco owner here. Love my truck!! What do y'all think about running my truck through an automated carwash? It's got a Leer camper and a Thule rack. Just didn't want the brushes to rip off my camper top. Thanks for all the great info. already.

 

just to be safe i'd run it through one of those fancy laser ones if you can. otherwise, your tacoma would basically just be a big suburban/excursion so you'd be fine either way.

p.s...wash it yourself

 

I always do the hand car wash to be safe

 

Thanks. Handwashed it today. Just curious. I always took my inferior Dakota through a local one but it didn't have the camper shell or rack.

 

why is it in here???

 

Did I misplace my post? My bad. I'm new to the forum.

 

oh no your fine, this is kind of an odd question and pretty difficult choice where to put it. I would have put it in the offroad section because alot of thoes guys have shells and racks, but that would not be an obvious observation for somone new to TW.

The street truck section is for lowered trucks, just fyi

Welcome to TW!

 

I just went through one with my rack on. I just made the manager kid hold the top brush up so it wouldn't touch it.

 

I'd look for a "brushless" automated wash.
It would probably be fine but better safe than sorry.

 

first non self wash today, and i have a soft topper, no rack tho.. all was well with my Bestop Supertop. your set up, i would think, would be sturdier than mine so you should be in the clear

 

Hey OP, how about a pic? Better advice could be given.

 

Is the Leer new? Leer manual say's not to wash at all for first 90 days, let's the clear coat cure. Leer dealer told me to never take it though a car wash with brushes and never use a pressure wand. Hand wash only. But, each to his own. I guess if you live in an apt. you wouldn't have access to a garden hose so your options would be limited.

 

Thanks everyone. I bought the truck with 17,00 miles on it. The camper shell is about a year old. I think I'll go with the hand washing for a while. It's giving me a chance to familiarize myself with my new truck. In channel ventshades are next. Then a lift? Hmmm...My Ducati is feeling neglected.

 

i got stuck in one of these the other day. =(

 

The automatic car wash is fine with the shell, I've taken mine through one of those several times. I wouldn't leave the rack on with the brushes though.

 

I take my thule rack off when going through an automatic carwash. Typically I avoid them because they don't do that good of a job, however when it's 40 degrees outside in the winter and my truck is dirty I will usually run through the carwash.

 

This is an old thread but just wanted to say that I also just purchased a Leer topper/cap and had it installed this week. They told me that Tacomas are prone to leaks with their product, namely up in the front where the cap connects with the bed. Mine has a window on it at the front that is removable to help with ease of cleaning between the two (rear cab window and front window of cap). They said they pretty well had a fix for that leak-prone area. SOOOOO today went through the auto car wash and afterwards I checked to see if it leaked inside and it did leak -- via that same window in front, through the seal. I called the dealership for Leer that installed it and they said it's not meant to hold up to car washes and water will come in. I thought what a bunch of (nonsense)! I got home and read the "owners manual" and it says essentially "windows will leak if you take it through the auto wash". So there you go! My bad for not reading my owners manual lol. The dealer said that if water comes in during a heavy rain to let them know.