Sealing my bed.

Is there anything I should take into consideration when sealing/ water proofing my truck bed?

I have a Softopper that I plan on using to camp out of my truck this spring/summer. I know the cubbies let in a ton of dust and the holes on the bottom corners at the tail gate let in water from the road when it's raining everywhere else would be more for dust and temperature.

Thanks in advance and I apologize if there is a thread already, I searched for about an hour.

 

I have a soft topper as well and the biggest areas I get water are at the top corners closest to the cab! There is about 1/4" gap on each side that will need to be filled with somthing. Also make sure you apply a generous amount of seam sealer around the nylon strap on the topper, mine really leaks bad around all the straps.

 

I didn't test mine in a downpour (when I had it) but I just stuffed shop rags in those cab corners from the OUTSIDE. It should wick water away and drip down on the outside that way.

Other than that I didn't really care if it was dusty inside. It's not like my tents are dirt and grime free anyway.

 

Check out @Crom 's build. He's got a cap but some of his stuff should apply.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-and-adventures.362772/page-44#post-11379261

 

Excellent. I’ll need some of these ideas when setting mine up for camping out of it. Anyone know what thread had the kits to seal the cubby hole?

 

I read a lot of threads on here about sealing water out, around fasteners, etc., and everyone seems to use silicone or RTV. Doesn’t anyone use butyl tape or polysulfide anymore? It’s workable, stays soft and where you put it so easily replaceable if need be, doesn’t make a mess all over the place, is cheap and goes a loooong way. Coming from the boat world mounting stanchions and fasteners in fiberglass decks it might just be less known in the automotive world, but I can’t help but wonder why. Just wondering.

 

Hey @Tallwalker

Butyl seems ideal. Think it’s easy enough to compress to seal under the side bed caps?