Wet Floor Mats & Thule Roof Racks

Hello all, I'm looking for some advice. Also, I hope everyone is healthy during this crazy time.

I have a '17 Taco OR DCSB. I installed Thule Roof racks myself in 2018. For reference, here is the link to an overview of the product I installed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bAzh2SZWtM

I followed Thule directions including measuring the distances between rails, etc. I also consulted with YouTube to ensure fitment and correct installation.

Over the course of ownership there has been a musty smell in the cab, noticed not only by myself but other passengers.

Fast forward to last week when I removed the plastic trim from the interior and pulled up the carpeting beneath the driver and passenger areas. The gray matting underneath the carpet was soaked on both sides. The back seat driver and passenger areas were dry.

My local dealership took a look (sprayed a hose over the roof rack attachment points) and said there was water pouring in from those areas where the weather stripping was displaced from the roof rack's anchor points (see reference pictures below). The water was flowing down towards the mats.

They are standing firm that it was my fault due to improper roof rack installation. They say because the parts were not genuine Toyota, that it is not covered under warranty.

They did check the 3rd Brake Light, which was fine. They did not check the windshield, cowl cover, ac drain plug, firewall, seams and seals, or anything else because: "we need to replace the weather stripping first before we can check anything else". Of course, I'd have to pay for that.

What is my recourse/what are my options?
Do I file an insurance claim? If so, what would I say?
Has anyone else had this roof rack/weather stripping issue?
Could that much water be getting in so as to create that much moisture beneath the carpeting?

Also, here are some screen shots of the above referenced video. These pictures are not of my truck (because I still need to pick it up at the dealership) but demonstrate what mine looks like.

Thanks in advance guys

 

That install looks like it will leak for sure..... And destroy the paint. I'd take those things off.

Good luck with it..... feel for ya.

 

u installed these in 2018?!? ouch, thats one unhealthy mistake. i doubt insurance can do anything for you either if you tell them the same story.

mold is a pretty serious issue though, so it might be worth owning up and paying to get that cleaned out. good luck man, and drive with the windows down. or something. like damn, 2 years of moldy air is pretty bad.

 

Thanks for responding. I did notice that between installing them in 2018 and re-visiting the Thule website, they completely redesigned the clamps where now they no longer require hooking beneath the weather stripping. I wonder if there is something to this.

 

Thanks for the response. Admittedly, I spend only a few minutes in my truck driving daily due to super short commutes. I totally agree though, mold is a serious problem which has obviously been a concern with the smell. Not good to breathe in, and where there is some, there is more. Regarding insurance, my agent said to definitely not mention the length of the issue. I'm wondering if I should take the roof racks off or leave them on for the adjuster...

 

I’d take them off immediately, no more water coming in.

I actually thought those types were only temporary any ways.

 

When you get it back, take the bars off and check the rubber seal. You might have to give a little of time in the sun for it to return to its normal shape. Make sure everything is dry on the door, door sill, plastic surround, etc. Run water over the front top of the car for 5 minutes. Open doors and see if you can find any wet areas. If no leaks close the doors and run water for a longer period of time. Recheck for dryness. If you still get moisture, buy some new seals and replace the old ones.

Reinstall your bars and double/triple check all dimensions and fit. The metal brace should fit very close to the cars shape. Check the seals to make sure they are up against the car and the Thule brackets have a minimal effect on the seal. Close the doors, rerun water test. If you still get water in the truck, call Thule. There might be an easy fix.

BTW- these are not meant to be a permanent install on your vehicle. Just install them for the period of time you need them. Over time, and all the movement they are subject too, it might not be too hard for a small shift to cause a leak that was not originally there.

 

Thank you for the response. I was unaware that these racks were not intended to be a long term install.

 

Did you contact Thule ?...they may help you out on this. Feel bad for you, I too was thinking of a Thule rack...I guess not now.

 

That has to be the worst designed brackets I have ever seen. I'm shocked you didn't get wet driving down the road. No chance Toyota should warranty that. You only recourse is to go to Thule and ask them exactly what they were thinking with that design. They basically inserted a funnel into your door jamb.

 

Hey thanks for responding. Yes, I have reached out to Thule and am in the process of following through with their warranty department.

 

Oof, if you want permanent rack you should look into prinsu/victory 4x4, these rack you can install long term using rtv around the bolts to seal them up. May have broke the seals under the weather strip. Had a buddy install his rack without rtv and something similar happened, we pulled the seats,carpet and cleaned the truck out.

 

That's what is seems like. Can I use your eloquent description of the situation in my warranty claim with Thule?

 

In a way they are responsible...I hope they will offer to give you your money back, new floor carpet and treat floor for any rust .

 

Me too, thanks.

 

Thanks, I've done research on Prinsu, definitely a quality product. I would have thought Thule to be of similar quality. I guess not

 

Thule does make excellent products. As others have stated, the type of roof rack that you left on permanently for two(2) plus years was designed and intended as a temporary removable roof rack. This is 100% user error, and I would be extremely surprised if the liability fell on Thule or Toyota. But good luck... On a better note, now you know not to leave a temporary roof rack on permanently.

 

I would have thought that Thule would have been quality as well. I also wouldn't accept the idea that it is a temporary install. I have driven to the slopes in some pretty nasty weather.

 

You also think that 1.25" wheel spacer is comparable to holding a 5lb bag of sugar 30-something inches away from your body, but let's stay on topic... Put it this way, Toyota didn't design the doors on a Tacoma to properly seal against the gasket with a metal bracket behind it... Have a great day.

 

Hey thanks for the reply, do you have any other information on this particular design being suitable for temporary use only? I understand what you are saying but am looking for some evidence to support this, especially now that I am communicating with Thule. Outside of being an industry person, how would the average consumer know know that it was for temporary use only? Thanks in advance.