1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

3rd Gen. 2020 Tacoma and ARE camper shell leaks

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by larrywa, Sep 25, 2020.

  1. Sep 25, 2020 at 6:33 PM
    #1
    larrywa

    larrywa [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2020
    Member:
    #333897
    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tacoma TRD Sport
    I waited a few weeks to get my new ARE shell and then had the installer put it on. Massive leaks, especially in the corners up toward the front of the bed.

    ARE had sent a kit specifically for the 3rd Gen, but it wasn't quite sufficient.

    Over the next 2 days, they had the cap on and off 6 times trying to stop the leaks, trying every kind of silicone and rubber imaginable. I got it back and the next day it rained. Still leaks, although not massive, in the front corners.

    Overall, I want to give a great recommendation for Rowells Trucks and Accessories https://www.truckaccessoriesindiantrailnc.com/

    You may ask, why would you recommend someone who couldn't fix the leaks? Because I don't believe its the installer, its the terribly designed bed of a 3rd gen. I don't think anyone could have worked harder to fix it.

    This wasn't their first 3rd Gen with a camper shell. They said the first one, never leaked. The second one dripped a little but they got that fixed....and then there's mine.

    May be time to break out that can of Flex Seal!
     
  2. Sep 25, 2020 at 7:23 PM
    #2
    Stocklocker

    Stocklocker Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2017
    Member:
    #219125
    Messages:
    12,740
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    17TRDORDCSBAT
    So here is the deal: The front corners on the Tacomas, including the 2G, have a gap. This is not a new thing. A flush bottom canopy needs these two spots filled with a foam block that is sealed with caulking into the gap. An experienced canopy installer knows this about Tacomas and will fit the blocks, and no leaks. If you do not do this, you will have massive leaks. It’s just an anomaly on how Toyota designed the bed compared to what other pickups are like.
     
    WELLSPRING likes this.
  3. Sep 25, 2020 at 7:35 PM
    #3
    larrywa

    larrywa [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2020
    Member:
    #333897
    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tacoma TRD Sport
    The canopy came with those two foam blocks and also a sealer that goes under that bar that goes across the bed. ARE ships that with the canopy for 3rd Gen Toyotas.

    That was installed and then surrounded with silicone/caulk. Lots of it. Heck, I'll take a picture if you want to see. It looks to me like the leaks that are left are from above that. Still need to do some detective work on it when its dry then wet.

    I'm not doubting your word, it just looks like all that was done correctly.
     
    Stocklocker likes this.
  4. Sep 25, 2020 at 7:43 PM
    #4
    Stocklocker

    Stocklocker Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2017
    Member:
    #219125
    Messages:
    12,740
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    17TRDORDCSBAT
    Yeah. It’s typically those front corners not being properly gooped. You need more sealant than you think. Just being an armchair quarterback here.

    Let me know what you find.
     
  5. Sep 25, 2020 at 7:55 PM
    #5
    AMC_Unlimited

    AMC_Unlimited For he is limitless (sometimes)

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2019
    Member:
    #307168
    Messages:
    322
    First Name:
    AMC
    Vehicle:
    Ironman Tribute Edition
    Mall Crawl Control
  6. Sep 25, 2020 at 8:02 PM
    #6
    RobP62

    RobP62 NVR20LD

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2017
    Member:
    #220718
    Messages:
    41,519
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Street, Md.
    Vehicle:
    TTC Member #0125
    I have two extra clamps on the front of mine. It makes a difference.
     
    WELLSPRING likes this.
  7. Sep 26, 2020 at 3:17 AM
    #7
    thefreshtaco

    thefreshtaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2016
    Member:
    #183751
    Messages:
    139
    Gender:
    Male
    Indianapolis Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2016 White TRDOR DCSB M/T Tech
    Yes the corners are bad, but what helped mine was a bead of silicone under the front bed rail.
     
    WELLSPRING and RobP62 like this.
  8. Sep 26, 2020 at 5:14 AM
    #8
    RobP62

    RobP62 NVR20LD

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2017
    Member:
    #220718
    Messages:
    41,519
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Street, Md.
    Vehicle:
    TTC Member #0125
    So you pulled the cap back, and removed that front C channel rail completely? I had my suspicions this was the entry point. I'm going to do this.
    Thanks :fistbump:

    I'd like to ask you and others in the thread with an ARE cap if you wouldn't mind taking a picture of how the rear door is sealed to keep rain out. I bought a used cap. It was white. I refinished it with black bedliner paint. There were only two little sections of rubber door trim moulding, one in each corner. I removed them and can put them back but I'm trying to figure out how to seal the entire bottom of the door better.

    Thanks in advance. :thumbsup:
     
  9. Sep 26, 2020 at 5:28 AM
    #9
    RobP62

    RobP62 NVR20LD

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2017
    Member:
    #220718
    Messages:
    41,519
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Street, Md.
    Vehicle:
    TTC Member #0125
  10. Jan 14, 2021 at 7:48 PM
    #10
    Gehxplore

    Gehxplore Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2020
    Member:
    #342588
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    G
    Vehicle:
    2019 Black Taco TRD Sport
    Hey,
    dont know if y'all are still active on this thread...

    I recently got a 2019 short bed double cab, and got an ARE cap. and it leaks bad. i am pissed. I got a new one cuz i couldn't find one used, so paid a lot of money. this is my 4th Taco and i have always had a cap and it has never leaked. unacceptable. we always have our gear, not to mention our dog back there... can not be wet.
    I am taking it off again this weekend to put in more silicone / gasket / foam. {been back to the dealer 3 times}

    here are some pics.
    It leaks all around the front corners {whichever one is on the downhill side }
    I am thinking of building a shield to go around the front of the bed.
    so frustrating.


    IMG_3042.jpg IMG_3042.jpg

    IMG_3045.jpg

    IMG_3048.jpg
     
    RobP62 likes this.
  11. Jan 14, 2021 at 8:14 PM
    #11
    Toyota09

    Toyota09 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2017
    Member:
    #233549
    Messages:
    435
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tacoma TRD Off-Road Inferno
    Did you silicone the big gaps in the front of the bed right under where the cap sits?
     
  12. Jan 15, 2021 at 7:14 AM
    #12
    RobP62

    RobP62 NVR20LD

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2017
    Member:
    #220718
    Messages:
    41,519
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Street, Md.
    Vehicle:
    TTC Member #0125
    Someone said (maybe in this thread) that you need to remove the entire front bed rail cap and silicone the inside along the top, outside and inside, of entire thing. I don't understand how water can come up the front of the bed between the cab and bed and then under that rail cap but I think that's the problem.

    I circled it here

    upload_2021-1-15_9-48-21.jpg

    Here, after a quick search I found these pics on here:

    [​IMG] You need to fill these gaps but that's not all.

    You can see the silicone coming out along the edge of the rail cap in this pic

    [​IMG]

    Here you can see how he added a foam strip under the front of the cap.

    [​IMG]

    When I installed my cap I used a triple bead heavy duty cap weather strip instead of a double bead. I also have clamps on the front rail, for a total of two on each side. I also went back after a couple weeks and tightened each one as the weather strip became more compressed. Not a lot, just to snug it up some more. You might want to check the side rails too. Water will find a route downhill to the lowest spot and the leak might actually be in the back, at the corners of the rear door.

    It definitely sucks to invest as much money as you did and then have issues but you're not alone. If someone says they installed a cap on a Tacoma and never had a leak, I can't dispute it. Some people are just lucky that way. I am not. I'm at the point now where I dread taking the cap off to silicone under that front rail but I know I am going to have to eventually. It's the only thing I didn't do originally and it sucks. I want to know if I have to sleep back there in the rain though I will be dry.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top