Best Tailgate Seal

There's no way you're going to do a decent job without removing the shell. There are a TON of holes under the bed rail caps.

I unfastened my shell and lifted one side and then the other so I didn't actually remove it all of the way.

 

what are you guys using specifically for these openings where the camper window meets the tailgate on the sides?

 

Saw this thread is back and wanted to post an update- I installed micwillia’s cubby covers and the “ultimate tailgate seal” shown in this thread’s products, and both worked great on the 300 or so dusty miles Ive driven on dirt roads since last November 2017. I highly recommend both!

 

Is that an A.R.E.? Looks like mine, and if it is an A.R.E. shell, you have a rubber piece missing that fills that gap.

I can post a pic of mine tomorrow for you...

 

please. the ARE dealer that installed mine told me this was normal....

 

I have an ARE, I have a gasket piece in each corner attached to the window, and it doesn’t do much for dust.

 

Tagged

 

Yeah, I know “wash me!”

 

hmm thanks for sharing that. im gonna bring mine back to the dealership that installed mine -- are you sure that's standard and not just installed where you got yours?

 

That piece was mounted under the hatch frame from the factory. Maybe they are changing the design between 2017 and 2018? My shell is a MX.

 

I have the CX. upon closer review I do have that piece but mine doesn't stay snug in the corner like yours, it just folds up once the tailgate closes...makeing it essentially useless. going to contact ARE

 

By the way, this stuff works great! Three years, and still stuck to the tailgate.

ESI Ultimate Tailgate Seal with Taper Seal 10ft for use with Truck Caps and Tonneau Covers

$28 ESI Ultimate Tailgate Seal with Taper Seal 10ft for use with Truck Caps and Tonneau Covers

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IPQWXZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SrlmEbS5RY4Q3

 

2nd the ESI, works for me. It's kept dust from wheeling and rainwater out. All it really is is weather stripping though. You can go to the weather stripping aisle at Lowe's and Home Depot and buy essentially the same thing.

 

it'd weird, i'm on my second ESI -- it holds a seal for most of it but i found the adhesive to be weak primarily at the corners and it creates a gap....first one too much dust and debris got near the adhesive it started losing a grip

 

I put mine on in the summer time in the sun but wiped down everything with acetone first, maybe that did the trick to get the adhesive to stick very well.

 

Subd. Need to find a solution for mine, a lot of dust getting in.

 

Sig- thanks so much for this visual. Answered all my questions about the gaps.

did you fill the front? I used butyl seal to plug the holes with really good results but I may pull the cap off at some point and have a look.

Justin

 

The front was sealed with a thick adhesive foam strip applied to the header rail and some butyl in the corners. The bottom of the cap also had a rubber bulb that sealed everything nicely.

I did seal the drain holes with some gorilla tape.